The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-11-30
A DAY IN THE ARMY

A soldier in France sends US the
following, from "Stars and Stripes" )"
with the endorsement that it is faith
full to nature:
They Call 1t a Day in the Army
Through the blackness of the morn
ing the three shrill blasts of the whis-
tie rasped, grating on the ears, and
rousing to semi-consciousness the
sleep-drugged senses-not minds-of
the tagged humans who sprawled in
uncouth and animal-like postures
over the dirty floor of the barn. Here
'and there a tousled shock of hair pro-
trudes from a miscellaneous pile of
blankets tents and hodge-podge of
equipment. Stiff backs, legs and
necks. Damn hard ground!
God! Another day! On with the
shoes, stiff and cold, smelling to high
heaven. Leggins next, wrap ones at
that-what do we care if they do go
on upside down? We must make for
nation. A hitch to the underwear and
belt and then on with the blouse, still
wet with yesterdays cold sweat, damp
and i'll smelling. A hasty dive for
gun and belt and cut the door to fall
in once more.
A drizzle of rain is falling. One
hour for breakfast and preparations.
Rolls are half made-then call to
breakfast. Stand in line ten minutes
and get porridge, coffee and slice of
bread and bacon. Half an hour left.
Wash? Impossible. Half weeks
growth of beard and unbrushed teeth.
Water, the infantryman's mainstay,
is scarce. Every drop must be hus.
banded.
Out in the rain to slap together the
pack, grunting and cursing. The
straps become twisted-will we ever
be ready? Time to fall in and at least
fifteen more things to go in-extra
rations, shoes to be tied on, that
damned hat. Swing it upon the back,
sling the gun, and stagger into line,
muttering and cursing.
Up the steep hill, and the days
gruelling work has begun. Every
thing goes pretty well-the soreness
disappears from legs and the packs
settle to a more comfortable position.
The first halt is welcome. Whole
sale adjustments are in order. A bit
thirsty, but better wait; the sun is
coming out and long march ahead.
Sixteen miles today? Discussion
varies
That whistle! Upsagain; stretch
of road and the pack gets heavier.
How long have we been going? Twen-
ty minutes. Shift the rifle and plod
some more The sweat starts, satur-
ating shirt, coat and trousers. Some
sing; l would, too, if the sweat would
keep out of my mouth. A little swig
from a canteen-not much. Damn it;
Il should not have taken that much.
III be up against it later on.
|up against it later on.
Two more hours pass. Mechanical
ly hating and plodding. Dust-it
will be worse in the afternoon. How
far do we have to go, anyway? / wish
/ had shaved. Dirty drops of sweat
splash over my gun sling. Thank the
Lord my feet don't hurt. Half the
water gone and not yet time for
lunch. 1t is hot, brutally hot, and the
dust increases, stirred by passing
lorries. On through cloud of it. A
bit faint? Nibble bit of greasy
hardtack that has been in the pocket
for week, getting chummy with old
letters, loose cartridges and the stub
of pencil. Smoke another cigar
cite.
Empty, aren't you? Well, it's time
for lunch. Into hay field we pile
, throw off packs and coats and flop
down to wait for the kitchen. An
other butt.
Half a cup of weak coffee, mix