Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-02-26
maine HEAv|ES"
Getting Into the Routine
at Spartanburg
Newly Organized Pioneer Infantry
Taking In Maine First Regiment
Building Camp and Hone. !, N.w
Surroundings

camp "adsworth. Spartanburg. S.
C., Feb >, tSpeciaD-The old X r.
looks good to us, way down here in
the rainy South. but it should tell
the folks of all the Maine bows that
We nave n fine camp and are feeling
Ike hghtinS cocks. We have renewed
our grip on the hope of getting
across. and our patriotism, which
had begun to feel the effects of long
waiting, inactivity. disgusting camp
ground, and no evidence Of putting us
hundred per cent
To-day this is 100 per cent Amer
lean outfit, with a spirit of SHOW me
German, prevailing everywhere. The
boys are working like beavers. The
feeling OF bitterness against some one
'they didn't know whom has left
them. They are ready 10 do their
pit and do it with a will All they
ask IS a chance,
or course the usual number Of ru-
mors are IN circula ton. We have
been here & week and at least umptcen
reports "i what We are going to 90
have had their DAY in camp. Most Of
us hope We are to he filed up from the
inst draft and go across in June, but
'hn Of us are not 50 optimistic, and
there are grounds IN which to base
the fear Of further delay.
We are rot Yet released from the
tw" weeks quarantine which every
outht has tC undergo on entering a
rev camp. for the protection of the
other outfits from what new arrivals
might bring. The Gth Massa chusettS,
also just arrived. is III quarantine
II is a ine camp site and we miss
the hip deep mud of Camp Greene, al
iunugh il rained like great guns
speaking from reports. for we have
~ seen any guns with which to COM
lare the weather. when we detrained.
We left Charlotte station about 2
o'clock Monday afternoon. Feb 10, at
ter waiting since 9 4. NJ. We arrived
ut oul detraining place at r. NJ, and
reached our camp at 9.45. marching
through the rain, overcoatless. as our
overcoats had been packed and we
did not like to take time on the march
to abstract our slickers from the
blanket rolls.
Then it was H and repeat. Forty
seven big motor trucks were assigned
to bring our goods to camp. and they
piled the stuff ug faster than our men
could lug it away. hour after hour
In the rain in my light serge suit
thought Id freeze--never SO chilled
since the night Dad. Leslie, Ivan and
] logged out my deer.
Men labored under loads while their
wearied legs and shoulders almost re-
fused TO 10 their brave bidding. We
piled it up all along the main road,
hiding the rows Of officers tents in
the 18th New York infantry-also
pioneers-because, YOU know, We
cleaned out our supply warehouse. as
well as the equipment of some 700
men.
The camp was q horror, at first. but
We didn't mind when we received per-
mission to &" to bed The kitchen de-
tails set up their ranges and served
sandwiches and coffee during the
night. The men went to their tents
new white cnes bat without floors and
without stoves set up--and their new
and very desirable spring cots of iron
'"'hN' any l'i'ic tltSi Low a. NJ l
turned ili {; bout a. NJ Reveille was
at 6.45. special dispensation Of 80
minutes for our good work.
Tuesday we cleaned up the mess
The officers are placed six in tent.
I'm with Captains Parker Mari and
ToWle. and Lieutenants Chapman and
Benoit
The men are In three long streets. a
street and a mess shack to a battalion.
Tuesday noon our mess served pota-
toes ''corned Willie" tbeef). bread,
butter, cheese and coffee.
Lieut.. Col. Boyer is in command in
the absence of Col. Balentine
They arc building us r new camp
while We are in quarantine and tell us
it is to he one of the best in the whole
camp.
ON TUESDAY we were directed to
draw Equipment C." to it's full limit
for the war strength of our regiment.
That means tentage. blankets. mess
outfit. etc.~-not rifles or other weapons.
We also heard in connection with the
order. that We are to he filled up'
within month. | don't know the au-
thority. We hope to be building roads
IN France in July, Hooray.