Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-08-16
III. A DUIO AKE
| BACK FROM CAMP


turned from a two-weeks' IN >: uction
camp at Camp Douglas last Monday,
tanned and hardened by Their out door
work, and full of enthusiasm for their
organization and the enjoyable times
they experienced. 81
The duty of the combat engineers
in time of war is perhaps the most haz-
ardous of all, it being their duty TO go
ahead of the tanks, artillery, etc, ana
even of the infantry, and prepare and
rebuild roads, bridges, etc, 70 allow
the others to pass.
II Much work was done in the field TO
exemplify tbs work. All instructions
were carefully planned for each day.
One day the boys dug trenches and err
Il ected barb wire arrangements, and
also learned how to destroy them. An
! other, they butt bridge from the
] trees adjacent, another, built road,
and still another they practiced the
use of the deadly TINT" In addi-
ton to this they had the regular drill
often, were taught TO use the gas mask
and were instructed in this in the gas
house as well as in the field. Another
day part of the boys instructed in the
method of building temporary bridges
/ by the US eof logs dashed together. AT
/ the same time some of the boys worked
with drafting and blue print outfits.
SkirL.ish line instruction was an
! important feature of the work, and
several of our corporals received com
mendation from Major Johns for their
skillful handling of their men on the
skirmish line.
One afternoon was devoted to target
practice, with the rifle, at distances of
200, 300 and 500 yards Captain Spell
lum had the best record of our entire
regiment, with Sergeant Pulver second.
| The equipment of the engineers is
| varied, and is said to be worth about
| $12, 900. 1t consists of axes, picks,
shovels, maus, saws of the finest steel,
/ sets of augers and bits, whole sets of
tools, photograph outfit, drafting and
| blue print outfits, coils of large rope,
barb wire, and cases of fuses and T..
| N. I. for demolition work.
Notes of the Camp
Nineteen of the boys were afflicted
with kind of schumach poisoning
which they received on one of their
field expeditions. 1t was exceedingly
painful for some, and one was forced
to remain in the hospital for several
days, while many others were on sick
duty. There was only one other case
| of sickness, that of Private Holland,
a severe case of tonsilitis. Private
| Hartjie was almost overcome by the
heat one day after a forced march
with full packs, but day or so of rest
gave complete recovery.
A number of visitors from home
were entertained in our mess hall.
Some words of praise were given to
Mess Sergeant Nye and Cooks Lund
| and Sordahl for table provided for the
boys.
Major Buffers presented the COM
pany with a freezer full of ice cream
one Sunday. To say that the boys APP
preciated it is treating the subject
| lightly.
Major Buffers dined with us one
day, and both he and Mrs. Buffers
had supper with us on Sunday last.
The shower baths were very popular
with the boys and frequently patron
lied by them. Many regrets were ex-
pressed that Viroqua had no such ac-
, comodations.
The canteen, over which Major But
ters presided, was most popular. There
one can buy ice cream, candy, cigars,
| cigarettes, pop, etc, at current prices,
and each organization receives its
share of the profits. 1t is run by the
state solely for the accommodation of
| the soldiers. 1t is claimed that about
| $4,000 worth of business was done
| during the month of the encampment.
The tank company, which was stu
ated next to our boys was perhaps
| the most interesting to most of US.
The company had three tanks on the
grounds, and practiced target shooting
with their machine guns and one
Founders neary every day.
A new Y. NJ. G.. A. building has been
recently built. 1t was crowded night
iy. Most of the boys writing letters,
others singing and playing the piano.
We are more than pleased to inform
the public that Gen. King, on his daily
| inspection, spoke very favorably of
the sanitary condition in which he
found our mess kitchens, and surround
ings. The other inspectors who east
their eyes on our quarters spoke the
same. Our rating was 98@6-the high
est in camp-only one outfit besides
ours getting the same per cent.
The Y NJ C A provided free movie
show each night outside, which was
most literally patronized.
Our colonel and the bugle corps did
not seem to harmonic Most of them
were doing fatigue duty much of the
time. Ask Bugler Nordlie.
X P duty was not appreciated, es-
pecially by the recruits. The others
took it as matter of course.
One of the favorite pastimes for the
boys was running the guard lines. Pri-
vate Eddie Anderson had most thrill
| ling experience which lack of space
prevents reciting
Governors Day was somewhat rainy
but large crowd witnessed the re-
view of the state troops and regular
cavalry. Co. A. engineers work was
equally as good as the average of the
state troops. After review, cavalry
regulars put on an exhibition of fancy
and daring riding which was wonder
full to say the least, and better than
seen at most any circus.
Corporal Enggaard and Sergt. Stout
who were compelled to leave camp be-
| fore the rest, due to pressure of work
at home, gladdened the hearts of the
boys by sending back a gift of cigars
and cigarettes, which were highly ap-
precated.
The boys were delighted with the
reception accorded them on their re-
/ turn home, and many expressions of
| thanks were heard for the presence of
the band under the leadership of that
old Camp Douglass veteran, 0 G.
| Brown, and also for the cigars. cigar
/ a{fac co rgar,aV.o,,n1,. A.,Ko,