Page:The history and achievements of the Fort Sheridan officers' training camps.djvu/192

 190 THE FORT SHERIDAX ASSOCIATION

Artillery knowledge of drill has been sufficient so far, but when work with the rifles commenses, there w^ill be lots to learn.

��FRIDAY A. M.

Had only a fair night last night, because I drew a cot w^ithout a mat- tress when w^e w^ere shifted from barracks B to A. We bunk now^ accord- ing to squads.

Have just been out drilling with a bunch with rifles, trying to learn the manual of arms.

The food is great

There has been no confusion at all in handling this crowd of men. The experience of last summer must have taught them a good many lessons.

There are a good many men of a deal of experience here — some have been in the Spanish War and Philippine Insurrection. One man

named is a past captain of Chicago police — large, deep voice

and humorous.

The majority seem to keep in good health. They are w^orking up distances in the hikes gradually so that there are few^ sore feet. All are well-browned already. It will be a far more imposing crowd, though, when all get uniforms. There are still a great many w^ithout them.

Have been in swimming tw^ice. Water as cold as ice. So are the showers. No hot w^ater at all.

Heard of one company where an employer was a private under his office boy as sergeant.

The newspapers run a column or so of "bull" every day which is pretty well colored up. You read them to find out what is going on in camp.

Don't worry about us. It's a wonderfully healthy life.

The drill of the day during the first month was over at 4 P. M., zoid at 4:30 during the last two. The realization of the longed-for moment of parole to a long pent-up prisoner could hardly be more welcome than was the brassy blast of "recall" to the brain-fagged, dust-begrimed embryo officer. When a heavy-footed column swung scuffling along the road and finally turned down the proper company "street ", it was w^ith much inw^ard groaning that eyes lolled to the right trying to get the proper "dress " after the acting officer in charge had called "Squads right! Compan-e-e — ! " And when the command of execution finally came there w^as a breathless silence lest there be some useless words before "dismissed! " Whoops of glee, sighs of relief and silence followed equally this magic w^ord. Those still "peppy " ran for the wooden doors. Others aimed for the same goal, but time was of no import. Bathrobe or slicker, towel, soap and slippers w^ere first in the minds of all. Then down the line of barracks they would stroll or run having these articles not merely in mind. That chilly month of May produced show^ers of equal hue. Needless

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