The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1918-06-26

not man among them who didn't
want to be "busted" to go along with
The outfit. 1t is quite patent that
while friendships and old associa-
tions might be pleasant, they do not
make for the best discipline; Private
Bill Jones and Corporal Tom Smith
used to live alongside back home and
the former still can't figure, out why
he shouldn't tell the Corporal to go
to - when the latter tells him to
saw biz of wood. These men here
appreciate the fault thoroughly and
believe most sincerely II the advan-
tages of the change. New recruits
are already at hand, having been
given a months training in the cas-
ual section of camp. Details of Of
ficers and non-commissio1ed officers
from our own regiment and other
regiments have been assigned to
this section and have given these
new recruits their first steps il mil
itary training. | had not presumed
that men could be as enthusiastic
over soldering as have been these
Instructors since they have been on
duty with entire strangers. And the
new recruits have "busted" every
speculation and prophecied record in
the readiness with which they have
swung iato< the ways of soldiers
Worked harder than ever we were
worked when we first donned the uni
form, they have sweated through the
awkward stages so far with utmost
cheerfulness. I have not heard yet
them New material that they are
| rrir,1 che aF n
life time to make a reputation for
ourselves-our regiment, our divi:
sion. Every man left behind to han
die this job sees it just that way.
Let me invite you henceforth to keep
your attention closely directed to the
| Sandstone" division
Just another angle on this job.
We expect to 60 across sometime
we hope soo1. Spite of the fact that
those who sit on the mourners' bench
facetiously croak parody to we'll
known song, to the effect that 1--WE
won't go over, till it's over, over
there" spite that, we are as eager
and hopeful as ever to get into the
big scrap. There are folks, however,
too far withdrawn from the fact of
the war who have the brass to write
US now ngratulating US on our
good fortune to be kept here il this
country, safe from flying shrapnel
and poisoning gas and several other
battle horrors. Somebody is always
taking the joy out of life. It is the
rare MAJ: in this mans army that
wouldn't think it was time to face
a firing squad the moment he lost
his eagerness to get to France and
the big fight itself. Folks who write,
as some are doing, in the manner, l
have stated are not worthy of the
soldiers to whom they write. Right
| now we want this training job to
| look as worth while and as necessary
and demanding the best we've got
as if we were doing our hitch II the
trenches. We refuse to be congratu-
lated with any coddling sentiments.
There is a war word these days
made much of, the word morale and
its meaning and Importance is too
obvious for discussion. Soldiers who
think it their good fortune to be kept
on this side of the waters have
positively rotten morale, and their
usefulness in training other men into
the right spirit 20 take part in real
| battles is gone. Civilians who wit
tngly or unwittingly gush with hap
py expressions abou. their soldiers
/ being in luck to have postponed their
chance to give themselves try-out
in this wars battles in France show
likewise rotten morale. Folks, if
you feel that way, just keep it to
yourselves. Be eager with US for the
chance we want; the chance to help
get this war over in the shortest
time possible. This is the kind of
spirit men want reflected in the let
tiers they receive from their home
relatives and friends.-Gazette Cor
respondent.