The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-07-21
FIVE YEARS IN THE ARMY

in this paper, within the past five
years, to Clinton Stevens, son of Mr..
and Mrs. Eugene Stevens, of this
place, who was then serving in the
gu. S. Army. They will also recall
that mention has been made of the
fact that Clinton was seriously in
jured in the service and that he spent
several months in military hospital
in San Francisco. On being dis
charged from the latter institution,
less than month ago, Clinton came
home, arriving week before last.
AS this Clio boy served for so long
a period in the army, during such
momentous times, and as his exper-
fence was so varied and interesting,
we thought a brief outline of it
would prove attractive in the columns
of The Messenger and induced Clin-
ton to give US the material for the
story.
Clinton left Clio and went to De-
troit in March, 1916, where he en-
listed in the Coast Artillery branch
of the u. S. Army. At this time
the Great World War was well under
way and the boy from Clio could
reasonably look forward to some un-
usually active experiences. even for
the army. In this respect he was not
disappointed. He was first sent to
Columbus Barracks, Ohio, where he
remained for about a month, under
going preliminary training, and was
then transferred to Fort Mcdowell,
Calf, where he remained until the
10th of May, when he went aboard
the transport Thomas and with about
700 comrades began the long voyage
across the Pacific Ocean to the Phil
ippine Islands. This part of his army
life Clinton recalls with peculiar
pleasure. The vast blue expanse of
the heaving sea, the occasional sight
of a ship ploughing her way to a
distant and unknown port. the steady
throb of the mighty engines and all
the activities incident to the naviga-
ton of the great vessel were novel
experiences to a boy from an inland
town and possessed unceasing charm.
Additional pleasure was lent to the
voyage through the fact that the ship
touched at Honolulu, p. l., and Nag
asaki, Japan, where our soldier got
sight of strange peoples and customs.
about which he had read much and
to which years of anticipation, that
he might sometime see them for him.
self, lent an indescribable interest.
At length the long sea trail neared
its end and the Thomas swept into
Manila Bay, past the little rocky is
land of Corregidor, whence the
Spaniards fired their first shot on
Dewey's American squadron on the
morning of May 80, 1898. Then the
big ship steamed slowly past the
Notifications of Cavite, under whose
: guns lay the Spanish ships of war
during the historic battle above re-
ferred to. Most of them lay there
yet, for that matter, and Clinton saw
portions of their wrecks protruding
above the surface Of the sea. striking
monuments to the courage and PROV
ess of American sailors. We can
easily imagine how the Clio boys
heart swelled within him as he saw
these evidences of his country's vic
tory in the great battle that had
taken place nearly twenty years be-
fore. 1t seems remarkable that Clin-
toms first assignment to active duty
should have been on the Island of
Corregidor, which the Spanish vainly
depended upon to prevent Dewey's
ships from entering the bay, but
which would now prove formidable
obstacle to the most powerful naval
attack, as under American control and
under direction of American army
engineers, it has been made perhaps
the strongest fortified spot in the
world, stronger, it is said, than the
famous rock of Gibraltar. Clinton
served at Corregidor for many
months and as a member of a gun
crew helped to fire the first fourteen
inch rifle that was put in position.
These big guns are sighted by aid
of mathematical instruments and are
fired by electricity. Their range is
twenty to thirty miles, and, of course,
the gunners never see the target at
which they are firing. By the same
token, the target is never supposed
to get within seeing distance of the
gun. The report and conclusion that
occurs when one of these monsters
is fired is said to be something be-
yond comprehension, likewise the eff
fects at the other end of the route.
Clinton was stationed in the Philip
pines nearly four years and as a
consequence was frequently in the
City of Manila. the business portion
of which he describes as being as
modern and attractive as that of
any city of similar size in America.
There are many beautiful homes
there, too, but the great majority of
the poor class of natives live in bam-
boo huts thatched with straw. He
found the people of the lower classes,
the older ones, ignorant but sharp
witted, and says the children are
quick to learn and that they are max
ing great progress in the free schools
that have been instituted during the
American occupation. He also found
the people very polite, being especial
lv deferential toward American Wis
itors. Clinton had the opportunity
of seeing Aguinaldo, the famous
native leader, and heard him speak.
He says he speaks English perfectly
and is regarded by both natives and
foreigners as very brilliant man.
Aguinaldo, it will be remembered, led
native rebellion against American
rule in the islands and was captured
single handed by Capt. Frederick
Funston, who, because of this ex-