The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1918-03-13
SKETCH OF army
LIFE RELATED
BY n. Dell. Norman is Most
Interesting. He is Sharing
Trials and Joys Of a Real Sol.
der. Says Details Of Army
Matters are Appalling AItho
1t Looks Very Simple.

Dear Mr. Babbage: As per promise,
hereafter relate few Of my experiences |
of first month in the service. Got pre-
liminary examination in Louisville and |
final and took oath in Washington, d. c. |
Was assigned there to 10th Field Artill
cry and sent to Fort Thomas. There l
remained about a week. first doing rou-
tine duty and later some legal work for
the Post in connection with coal short.
ages, etc. Was then sent here to join |
my regiment, where l am assigned to
Headquarters Company, awaiting THE
order
Arrived in Douglas about midnight,
registered at the hotel and went to bed.
Something about me, or what l did or
said, engaged the attention of the Sec
ret Service. Shortly after retired, my
telephone rang and / was informed by
the clerk that some gentleman desired to
see me. Told the clerk to send him up.
Was confronted by a Lieutenant and
Saaid wien oPOhCb tuC uOOit anu thuo
began the interrogation that introduced
me to the intelligence work of our army.
OF course, soon satisfied them that
was soldier reporting for duty. Was
in camp early next morning. in time to
help groom III horses, etc. Later in
the day, was vaccinated for small pox in
left arm and got typhoid "shot" in right,
both of which, few days later, were in
full bloom. Drilling and exercises sim
ply made me sore all over, and it is un
necessary to add II am in the mounted
detachment that the enemy could have
found me standing up most any time.
This is all over, now. Enjoy the drills,
have had no cold at all, sleep we'll and
often 60 back for Seconds" at meals.
Did general duty about week. Have
been assigned to no special duty yet, but
am in Office with Capt Luke Am mel
ther company clerk nor orderly but do
anything that is necessary Am permit
ted to attend courts martial My officers |
are efficient and considerate and the men
are intelligent and patriotic. My conf
pany furnishes the scouts, signal and
wireless operators, messengers, instru-
ment men and many other important as
signments, including observers The !
band is also attached to our unit. l am
in position to see and know what is 60
ing on, and am delighted. Signed mus
ter and pay rolls to day, the first time. |
You ought to be here to help me spend
my monthly wage, $50. A married man
must allott Sl5 of this to his family, his
insurance takes So or 81 more, and he
has hard time breaking even, after pay
ing the few borrowed dollars $4,000
insurance costs me 81 10 per month, de-
Quoted from pay. Our unit is certainly
keen to go over, and we hoped to be
rway before now. We are camped
within half mile of the Mexican Dor
der, at point of battle between Villa and
Federal troops. Douglas is a mining
city, as the big smelters are here, but
there is rich agricultural and timber
DSit oSioSS III 4hSAiSo' hS WSaehSi hdS
been beautiful, like spring. barring sand
storms, until today. Inch of snow this
morning on green grass, where there is
any grass, and we have taken our stove
down. 1t is always cool at night
Believe me, it is an inspiration to fol
low our band out on the drill grounds |
There we see the infantry, cavalry and
artillery, all drilling for the same great
purpose. The gas drills are interesting, |
too. All the men are enthusiastic and |
look forward with eagerness to orders to |
move. Everything is system and order
and there is little waste Suppose our
farms and businesses were conducted on
the same efficient basis. We made out
cards today, each officer and man, CIV
ing personal history, education, previous
occupations, etc You would be sur
prised to read over the lists. There are
many men of intelligence and accom-
plishments in the ranks. Each mother
and father should be proud of their sons
and feel that they are receiving due care.
am deeply interested in army mat
tiers. Looks simple to see unit march
along, but when these are put together,
as they are in the armies of the world to.
day, the detail is simply appalling. 1t