Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1918-03-13
The Machine GtH1ners' Hike


Eighth Division including the I07th. 1osth,
and 1egth Battalions, and the Machine
Gum Companies from the 109ths 110th,
4t11th and 112th Infantry regiments, under
the efficient command of Major John w.
Hoes, enjoyed. the experience OF hiking
atIrough Georgia. Judging from the Pep
Shown by the dusty column as it march
ed singing into camp at 2:45 Friday at
ternoon there can be no doubt of the
fact that the men enjoyed the hike and
eafIed 1t a big success. a%
The first days march starting at eight
I'm the morning was rather roughly treat
led by Old Jupiter Pluyius, who did, his
sSbest to dampen both clothing and spirits
with a regular downpour: he was sue
cessfuf so far as the clothing was con-
%eerned, but was quite unable to stop en-
tfrelY the singing of some outfits, For
%tuDately the rain ceased in time to allow
the clothing to dry before camp was
pitched at two in the afternoon on the
artilIery range across the lake from the
I0Sth artillery camp. 1t was necessary to
divide the cGS1p into two parts, with the
107th and 1904 ON the hill to the left of
the ravine, and the 109th and the infan-
TRY companies on the right.
At this time Secretaries Macarthur and
Martin of the 7. M. c. A. Building 232,
got into action, offering 81 good supply of
stationary, post cards, stamps and ath-
letic material at their headquarters,
where a small Vitcrola struggled brave
Iy to make itself heard throughout the
camp. The men soon found this outfit,
service given, and made good use of the
Msupplies. During the four days when the
men had time to write more than 5000
SheetS of paper We're handed out to those
Awho asked and about $50 letters were des-
@patche7 Tough the courtesy of Chaplain
q DolIfn2 hose services were greatly
appree The secretaries hiked with
the me / found the experience most
#interesl3Hg and valuable because of the
u many pleasant relations formed among
s both officers and men.
81 Tuesday morning was devoted to Ma
#ehine Gun drill, with rest in the after
noon in anticipation of night march.
n AT six o'clock the column was formed
and set out on the most interesting march
of the hike, covering almost sixteen miles,
over a wide variety of roads one of which
#gaVe the men a marsh sand but again
there was no siencing the poppy singing.
#of the outfit The novel experience of
pitching camp at two in the morning,
on a big field near Sandy Creek, by the
% flight Of lanterns and candles win not soon
"a be forgotten, nor can credit be withheld
flor the speed and precision with which
the work was done; when viewed by
& daylight, later in the morning, every
scompany street was straight and orderly.
Wednesday was a rest day, most nee
essary and thoroughly enjoyable provision.
After the bugler who sounded first call for
reveille at 6:15 had been properly sub
s dued by Major Zoos himself the camp
Mslept peacefully for another hour; then
"A began the procession along the road to
81 Sandy Hook, half mile away, where
q friendly mill dam preceded a most at
s. traetive shower bath for dusty soldiers,
and never was a shower bath more well
n come. Evening brought large assort-
ment of camp fire centers of song and
81 jokes, until early bed time seemed advsa
s able in view of the orders for reveille at
& two in the morning
This early morning march on Thursday.
& the column being in motion by three
S more or less unanimously agreed that
81 two hours from three to five are the long
& est in the day, also the hardest for
+. marching, For some reason the rest for
s. breakfast was prolonged until about
& eight-thirty1 allowing plenty of time for
Il those unluCky outfits that had not been
issued rations to grow still more hun
@gry. After another tw0-hour march camp
8 was pitched on a. fine level field along the
road about one mile this side of Ber-
s. zelia, within sight land sound) of the
81 Georgia Railroad. The beautiful pine
n woods on the edges of the field provided
finely for officers quarters, also for the
6 Y NJ. c. A. headquarters which did es-
81 pectally good service at this camp. Dur
& ing Thursday and Friday life was made
q spicy (as well as more or less salty by
the order that the men live on the re
q serve Fations of salt pork, potatoes, onion,
s bread and coffee; but some NOR FORUM
ate and wealthy Individuals We're able to
add fresh eggs, canned fruit and crack
ers to the menu causing a most remark
8 able rise i'll the price of these staples
in the vicinity of the camp.
Further variety excitement and event
ualty, amusement was provided about
q O'Clock in the afternoon when the sound
& ing OF officers call and fire call in close
succession spread the news that there
& was a great forest fire five miles back
where the halt for breakfast had been
made. In less time than it takes to tell
& 1t, most heterogeneous cavaIcade of
mounted men, braying mules, hanging
wagons and changing pals, clattered pe1I-
nell down the road to the cheers of the
populace of the camp, who were ordered
8 to be ready to follow UP n necessary. But
5 the efficient fire brigade proved too much
s for this forest fire. The procession re-
s turned in time for a late supper and
q just as full of pep as when they started
The morning of the last day dawned
clear and cool, putting the men in fine
s spirits which never dropped through al
the dust of the sixteen miles homeward
s march. A halt of thirty-fve minutes at
noon was long enoug FOR the expert
enced soldier to build his fire. fry his pork
+ and potatoes and generate thereby suf-
ficient steam to carry him home, also to
make regular bargain day rush on the
Belair village store. A complete list of
the songs used land abused) by the va
rious companies on this march would in