The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1933-07-06
YOUTH WRITES OF
FIRST DAYS WITH
REFOREST CORPS

ago left for Fort Smelling with Al
other Redwood county boys, found
time to pen the following letter to
members of Scout Troop IA in Red
wood Falls between rising at $3.50 a.
m. and going to bed at $3.50 p. m. IN
a day filled with work, play and food.
The letter follows:
Dear Fellows:
I'm hardly representative of the
Conservation corps as l haven't SO
much as seen anyone practicing the
manly art of tree planting. However,
I do know a little about the prellm-
mary training and routine of the
movement.
1t happened that I was thrown in
with group of fellows from Albert
Lea. They were a little late like my
self, due to the fact that they had
waited to take final examinations in
school.
The welcoming committee which
was comprised of the whole camp
made some CHEEKY remarks such as:
"Hey Rookie, wait until you get the
rod!" We didn't know what the rod
was at that time but we found out.
1t was fortunate for us that we
were able to take our physical ex-
animation the first day and receive
some of our clothes Immediately af-
forwards. AS soon as we had donned
our blue jumpers and before we had
yet dust on our service shoes, we
Joined the welcoming committee. How
we did rail those poor unfortunates,
who happened to arrive half hour
after us, about a rod whose terrors
we had not yet experienced ourselves.
After being issued toilet articles
and blankets we were assigned to
barracks. There were about 40 fell
lows in each barrack. Of our 40, one
was a harmonica player, one violin
list and one cornet player. In addi-
ton we had a vocal quartet so there
was no lack Of music.
Besides the racket we raised we
were amused by organized baseball
and volleyball games, boxing, wrestl-
ing, movies and dancing revues.
The daily routine was to rise at
$50, make our beds, sweep the bar
racks and assemble for chow at sew
en-. After breakfast we policed the
grounds and received assignments for
work to be done that morning or for
drill in marching and formation.
At 11:3O we returned for noon
mess after which we again assembled
to receive mail, instructions, an
nouncements and assignments for the
afternoon.
Some typical assignments were to
sweep the rifle range, NOW grass,
warehouse detail or to fill trenches.
OF these l experienced only the last
which I worked at for half day be-
fore trying out for special duty. The
work was not hard as we were in
structed to work steadily but not fast
and everyone was given a rest period.
We returned from work at $50,
took a shower, donned our kakhi fati-
CUES clothes, and ate at 5. After
which, we generally went swimming
at the Post bathing pool and returned
to the Service club for entertainment.
If the entertainment was good we
stayed, if not we returned to our bar
racks to entertain ourselves until
$3.50. After which it was lights out"
and no disturbance in barracks al
though there was no rule against
staying out until II bed check.
Each company was organized in
sections and each section divided into
squads. The civilian officers were
squad foremen and section foremen.
The army officers were captain, lieu
tenant, first sergeant, supply SER
geant and mess sergeant.
1 understand that there is a chief
forester and eight assistants to sup
ervise each district in the woods.
My company left for Ore, l1inneso-
ia and I was transferred to this de-
tachment. We enjoy such Injuries as
sheets, pillows and real dishes which
I understand are taboo in the woods.
We are entitled to day and third
a month leave besides Wednesday and
Saturday half days and Sunday. l
doubt if / can take mine until later,
however, as we are rushed right now.
1t has been necessary for me to work
three of my Wednesday half holidays.
I was destined to stay in camp my
first Saturday as I had just recei Z
the "rod" which is nothing less than
an incubation. At the same time, I
was vaccinated.
It's a tough break for those who
get X. P. or guard duty on weekends.
We keep our beds made, our barracks
clean and our behavior fairly up to
par to avoid such catastrophy.
One of the fellows in Co. 725 is go
ing to write to me- If it is of suffciert
interest will send it so you can get
an idea of life in the northern camps.
Your friend,
r. Parsons.