Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1917-12-07
FIRST SIX WEEKS
WITH THE COLORS
(By n Drafted Man in the New York
independently

independently
When the list of the men drafted
for the National army was published
last July, a host of my friends tele-
phoned me or called to give sympa-
thy and advice Their idecs of mill
tary life were far from encouraging.
they declared frankly that my consti-
tuition could not bear the strain of
the work, which would be terrific.
And there was my wife. By all means
urged several, should urge eXcmp-
ton for her sake.
The prospect was not bright. For
ten years | had been the travelling
representative of an old and wealthy
bond firm. l stopped always at the
best hotels in the larger cities. Us
uallyI would rise shortly after nine
O'Clock, call leisurely at several dig
nified offices, and the days work was
over. never stinted myself OH cloth
ing and food, for my salary was not
niggardly. Except for an occasional
game of golf, l took no physical excr-
cize, and had grown fleshy and rath-
er pale. .;l3s,
However, a few weeks later / left
for the training camp. accompanied
recruits from every walk of life, me
chanics, farmers, lawyers, business
men, clerks, miners, doctors; but the
greater number were young farmers.
AT the railroad depot we were met
by detachment of officers and pr-
Yates, who lined us up with military
promptness and marched us to the
receiving station. Within an hour
the final physical examination was
completed. We were conducted to the
camp quartermaster warehouses to
receive our clothing and bedding al
lowances. Each man was given two
pairs of brooches, two olive drab flan-
mel shirts, one blouse, one hat, two
pairs of shoes, one pair of feggins,
three pairs of underclothes and four
pairs of socks; for his bunk, each re-
ceived two olive drab blankets and
canvas bed-sack, to be filled with
hay. We were told that overcoats
would be issued later.
That same day military life began
in earnest. At the barracks, { asub-
stantial two-storied pine building,
large enough TO quarter two hundred
and fifty men) our serious athletic
young captain informed us:
"a recruit kit, consisting of two
face towels. soap, hair brush, ii
tooth brush and a comb, will be issued
to every man this afternoon. Your
civilian equipment, clothing and I'M
necessary toilet articles must be re-
turned to your homes at once. You
will wear the regulation clothing
no leather leggins or fancy hats. The
Government wants each man to be
QUILTED alike"
| felt pang of disappointment.
had provided myself with Il tailor
made uniform, athletic shoes, leather
leggins and an expensive military
hat. My wife had given me twelve
hand embroidered towels, and two
pairs of linen sheets of the finest
quality. And my suit cases contained
numerous toilet articles, soaps, oils
and much else.
The captain taught us how to make
up our hunks. the two blankets were
doubled, folded three times and plac-
ed at the head of the small iron bed,
the folded edges to the left Shoes
were put under the edge of the bed
below the blankets, the toes pointing
evenly outward. There was par
ticular spot for the smallest article.
And the hunks must be kept in this
order except between taps and rev.
ellie and during the hour for sweep
ing and scrubbing in the morning.
The occupant of the bunk next to
mine was a man named Hicks, who,
tho intelligent looking, wore sui
len, sour expression. which l instant
ly disllked. My bunk mate on the
other side was an overgrown, awk-
ward farmer youth with powerful,
grimy hands, brown teeth and dirty
ears. His name was Blevins. His fill
thiness disgusted me.
Before noon mess kit, containing
a meat can, knife, fork and spoon,
continent can and a pan, was CIV
en- to every man in the barracks. A
few moments later the first sergeant
yelled, "come and get it," and we
hurried down into the big mess hall
for dinner. Out of tall, shining cans
the cooks ladled boiled cabbage,
roast beef, macaroni and cheese, boiled
potatoes, stewed peaches and lemon
ade, filling each pan and cup as we
filed past. This fare was sample of
the meals served to us during the
next two weeks.
That afternoon we began work on
the rudiments of drill. The hand sa-
lutte, which. if given correctly, is no
simple performance. was carefully
explained and practiced for an hour.
Next we were divided into squads of
eight men to learn to keep step prop
erly. And neither is this an easy
task for raw recruit.
Back and forth, back and forth, we
marched on the black strip of drill
ground between the barracks. 1 had
never. walked so much in my life, and
sweat rolled from every pore. My
back ached DULY; my feet burned.
But the second lieutenant Ga youth
I