Page:The history and achievements of the Fort Sheridan officers' training camps.djvu/337

 THE SECOND OFFICERS' TRAINING CAMP

��mess a little more cheerful and to study at night with great zest because of it. Of course there were some rotten musicians, some terrible discord, some real makers of agony, that prepared everybody for the worst, but it was a lot better than gossip and grouches, or even silence and snores, and more and more the piano became an important piece of furniture in the Camp.

Speed, energy, enthusiasm marked the first week's work. Colonel James A. Ryan, by his careful plans, his complete grasp of details and his considerate spirit, taught these men a wonderful lesson on the very first day and by the end of a week, they knew that they had a real leader — competent, courteous, strict in discipline, but considerate, thoughtful, and always holding in mind the purpose of giving his men the best training possible.

At the close of the first w^eek the Commanding Officer spoke to the men in the Y. M. C. A. building. His speech was a prophecy of what the Camp became in time. He said :

���INSTRUCTORS, SECOND CAMP

Front Row (left to right) Capt. C. B. Garland, Capt. Geo. T. Wilhelm, Capt. L. E.

Megowen, Capt. J. A. Lester, Maj. C. E. Lucas.

Back Row (left to right) Capt. M. F. Reardon, Maj. B. T. Merchant, Maj. C. F.

Nicholson, Capt. P. S. Van Cise, Capt. R. R. Snapp.

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