The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-03-05
NOT MUCH L0AFNG
FOR THE MARINES
Private. Guy. Crigler Tells
About Life On Paris
Island.

Few volunteers who have gone from
Fairmont into the service have taken
deeper interest in the work than Guy
Crigler, formerly principal OF the
White school and now a private IN
training at the Marine barracks, Paris
island. South Carolina A number OF
Fairmont people have received letters
from Private CrigIer. The following
one. dated February %, was written 10
R. T. Cunningham:
II haze intended writing to you for
several days but have been so busy
that 1 lave not had time; and now
that 1 have the time l hardly kno"
what to write that would be OF any
interest to you. but think probably You
might be interested to know something
of Paris Island and the work that is
being done here.
Paris islands, about eight miles
long and four miles wide. just off the
coast of South Carolina near Port
Royal. There are 222 buildings on 1t
which are used by the Z. S. Marine
Corps for drilling and instructIng men
and most of them we're built within the
last year. There is a naval prison here
in which there are about three hun
dred and fifty prisoners. This prison
is known as the Brig" Most OF the
men serving terms are in for periods
or terms OF three years or less. | IN
derstand that they ere we'll treated but
they have to work very hard and are
closely guarded. The camp proper IS
divided into three sections namely:
Quarantine or applicants, maneuyer
grounds, main camp, which includes
east and west wings and main bar
racks. Upon arrival here all men are
comfortably quartered IN the appA-
cants' camp and held there until they
are examined and sworn in and then
thew cross the line" and are placed
in charge Of non-commiSsioned officers
all through their training. After cross
Ing the line all men are issued one
forest green Cwinter) uniform, one
khaki (summer) uniform. oVercoat
and all other necessary clothing, com
fort kit, sea bag in which we carry
our clothes, blankets, raincoat, Sheets
pillow cases, in fact everything that
We can want.
.EWhiie in this part of the camp We
are taught how to pack our boxes
trunks in civil life, make our hunks
make up different kinds OF marching
order and the fundamentals OF drill
ing. The time spent at this camp or
this part or the camp varies according
to how many men are coming In but 1t
usually lasts about ten days.
THE next camp to go to is the ma
neuVer grounds which Is about three
miles away but it Unnecessary to march
about seven miles to get there When
moving from one section OF the island
to the other It Is necessary to carry
everything with sou which includes a
heavy marching order, blanket Toll,
and rife which in all weighs about six
| ty.five pounds. Many or the men 'fe1
by the WaSside" but finally got IN. !
stood the journey bat don't think l
could have made another half mile AT
| this section Of the camp we are gwen
extended order, SWeaiish setting up
exercises ana some bayonet practIce.
Leaving the mapeumer grounds We
return to the main camp which Is only
about ; mile from the first camp We
were in. am In this camp at present
and my work will be almost every
thing, At present we are doing more
advanced extended order and bayonet
| exercises. YESTERDAY ne were mt
] ting the dirt" which means falling on
/ the ground. we would run as though
under actual Ere, which is In very
low position, about fifty to sevnty.tive
yards ana then tall we have not done
much OF this rs yet but VIII get great
| deal before ne are through.
After doing this kind OF work 1oG
two or three Weeh IeS1 go on the
range which s short distance rom
] here. Arriving % tho TanGe ven "a