The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1919-04-24
FACTS AND TALES OF THE
WAR
(Article Twelve)
by TOM RHEA PHILLIPS

was at all times admirable. anc
5 truly worthy of the greatest ma.
ton OF the world. Of course, as
In civilian life, there are the few
who work to destroy-who know
little, and care less, for those
things which constitute patrio-
tIsm. But, taken as a whole, the
United States army was made OF
men whose business was making
war and into this work they
cast their all.
AS we are told in "Dere Ma
bel", the American soldier was
generally carefree. He did not
worry, but learned to take things
as they came. The expression,
"A soldier doesn't need a mind"
was very common among the men,
and was to degree true, for the
soldiers will or opinion bears no
weight when orders come. Of
course, the statement was nearer
true in Camp than at the front,
for there it was man to man. and
alertness of mind often meant a
saved life.
The soldier was generally dis
satisfied with his location-he
continually wanted to be else
where, and when he got there, he
wanted to be somewhere else.
Because of the treatment ac-
corded some of the men at the
hands of some unscrupulous Of
ficers, the commissioned officer
was often on object of extreme
dislike. Extreme of admiration
and dislike were common. All
the men in our company would
have thrown themselves in the
way of harm to shield one officer.
and maybe for another, not a
hand would be raised. Those Of
ficers who realized that a private
is a human and has feelings, and
would be considerate, was the one
the soldier liked to follow. But
the officer who acted as though
he were leading a bunch of ami
mails with no will or mind of
their own-this was the man who
was detested. 1t is this kind of
officer that when he disciplines q
man, holds grudge against him
also. In retaliation, Il is said
that numbers of officers, have
sworn at, struck, and kicked their
men. Instances of this nature
were rare, but were not forgot
ten. AS a rule, the officers, COM
mlssloned later appreciate the
position of the private, and show
ed much more consideration.
The soldier soon learned that
the army discipline was very
strict, and many a fellow who
never before had obeyed a COM
mand at home, unless it was
suitable to him, readily fell into
line, and did as he was command
ed.
Some of the complaints about
food were well founded, but many
were not. When a man complains
at home-as a habit-we pay lit
tie attention to him, but when he
goes to the army and continues
complaining, we Immediately take
sides with him, and think he is
being grossly mistreated. The
government had regular weekly
bill of fare for the men in camp
here, and the food was given
them. Of course, even the best
of cooks make failures sometimes
so it is not to be expected. that
the soldiers used as cooks would
be perfect. AS rule, the boys
in our kitchen prepared the food
well, and served it in an appetiz>
ing manner.
The question is often asked,
why is it that all the boys COM
plain about theitfood, and yet
everyone comes back in better
health, and increased in weight ?"
The answer is to some extent in
the physical exercise, regular
hours, and sufficient sleep, but
primarily is due to the balanced
ration offered on the bill of fare
that the government has prepar-
ed. If well balanced ration is
good for stock, would it also not
be best for people? We all, SOL
der and civilian, would benefit
greatly if we would take more
care about what we eat.
One of our chief complaints
was with table hogs. Have you
ever seen one? Some of the boys
thought when they were at the
table that all on it was for them.
and would often take the share
of food belonging to some other
fellow. Such practice was very
detestable and subjected the fell
low to ridicule of the whole
crowd. To prevent these acts on
the part of thoughtless fellows.
each man was given his part as
he passed into the dining hall.
At soYao CANINE fho hnxxc x.vo.~