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Page 6 Personal News Items of Camp Hancock Units ONE HUNDRED AND NINTH FIELD ARTILLERY. The One Hundred and Ninth Field Artillery (formerly Third Pennsylvania Field Artillery), is row becoming ac customed to its new home in Augusta, and although conditions are vastly dif ferent from what they were on the border, the men are rapidly acclimat ing themselves. When the regiment arrived on August 11 they faced the discouraging situation of finding their camp site covered with scrub oak, small trees and bushes, but as soon as the men got the spirit of things all discomforts seemed to vanish. By hard work they soon had the camp in fine shape and now it cannot be equalled at any place in the United States. They found the people of Augusta hospitable as a whole and many a fine meas has been spread tot he soldiers by the kind people of the town. With the intensive drill schedule now being followed the boys have very lit tle time for recreation, but in the early evening, after mess, they can be seen playing football, baseball and other games which help to relieve the mo notony of camp life. The afternoon calisthenics also help to vary the pro gram and work is greatly enjoyed by the men, as it takes their mind off the grim business of war, with its conse quent drill, drill and drill. The reorganization of Headquarters and Supply Company has been the subject of much talk throughout the camp and it will not be Very long be fore quite a few recruits will come into the camp. Any men who have friends who are thinking of joining the army, and who wish to join where they may have companions whom they know, can have them enlist at a regu lar army recruiting rendezvous for a short time and then will be sent direct to this regiment. The matter of plac ing them in batteries with their friends can probably be arranged through Col onel Miner at the time the men come into camp. If at the end of a short time the vacancies cannot be filled by men enlisting voluntarily from Lu zerne County they probably will be filled by voluntary enlistments from all parts of the country and perhaps some of the men from the National Army may be assigned. OH YOU STETSON! Hundreds of men at Camp Hancock who were not quite satisfied with the regulation hat, invested in the fashion able and somewhat expensive Stetson hats, and felt a sense of smartness as they paraded up and down Broad street. Some of them cost $7 and now that the “spruce-up” orders is in force, the aforesaid Stetsons are not worth ten cents. In fact, some of the soldiers Jiave disposed of their nobby tops for the ridiculous sum of 25 cents. An other item of personal attire that has given the men great anguish of mind is the abolition of leather puttee. Some of the enlisted men, in Stetson hats and fancy leather puttees, presented a smart appearance, but the regulation hat and canvas leggings will bring them back to earth. FIELDINGS FROM THE FIELD HOSPITALS. The sanitary troops of the Field Hos pitals wish to express their apprecia tion of the open house hospitality shown them by the people of Augusta. The Y. M. C. A., too, comes in so.- i s share of thanks, supplying the lumber for n open-air stage in the midst of the Field Hospital camp. The com panies tried out their home talent for the first show Monday night. Majot; Brady of Company 110 had charge of the first performance. The new Field Hospital Orchestra will be held strictly responsible if wierd and terrible sounds com j from the direction of the rustic orchestral pit. The Arti’.le . sent us its band last Monday evening and we danced in the sand. The snake dancer in costume was great. The officers of Field Hospital No. 110 were a very much married quartet last week; the rest of us looked on with envy. Sergeant Hoke, the snake char mer of No. 111, has learned a few facts about snakes. Private Ewing of the same company, is washing pots and pans this week. Quite a come down for the popular tenor singer from Phil adelphia. There is a rumor going the rounds to the effect that compulsory mus tache removing will start on Monday of next week in F. 11. 112. The ton sorial artists expect no trouble, but it is understood that as some of the men have been wearing their additions for several years, razors will prove inade quate. BUSY~BAKERY, ‘ Pennsylvania’s First Field Bakery has been a great success under the di rection of Captain Frank L. Mueller, of Philadelphia. The men have become experts in the pastry' art and while in the Quaker City, encamped in City Hall Plaza, made and sold enough pies to hungry Philadelphians so that $1,500 was added to the mess fund befpre the men left for Camp Hancock. A carload of flour is mixed every' day, making 23,000 pounds of bread. Two and a half carloads of cordwood are required every two days to keep the fires burning. Next in command to Capt. Mueller is First Sergeant Rug gaber, and the ninety-nine enlisted men are busy' day and night keeping the division supplied- TRENCH AND CAMP 103RD FIELD SIGNAL BATTALION. On Wednesday last the baseball team representing “C” and “B” companies locked horns in their initial coirtest of the Camp Hancock season. The con test was freely' advertised through the battalion as being one with strenuous possibilities, and there were some who even formed the idea that “B,” better known as the old-timers, were in for a terrible beating. The real test on the field was some what of a disappointment as “B” com pany, with quite a reversa 1 of their border form, came through with a brand of play that brought home the bacon to the tune of 10 to 3 in eight innings. McGibbeny started on the mound for the Outposts and managed to endure tire bombardment for four innings, retiring in favor of Law, who was relieved by Brickley in the eighth. Alderson went the entire route for the wire-pullers and was som what stingy, three hits being the extreme limit of his generosity. The semi-weekly bareback circus goes on apace, in fact, several i»aces at a time, having passed into the critical, or photograph stage. Some really hair raising pictures of equestrian acro batic have been taken, and if they should happen to be published in the future, it is a safe bet that Whitey will not recognize himself under the enormous pyramid of soldier-acrobats festooned on and about him. The boys have attained such a degree of perfection in this interesting branch of gymnastics that they are now able to go through an entire performance with scarcely a word being said; a decided improvement being noticed since last Wednesday. All that is now required to complete the enterprise is a Barnum to make the name sound familiar. PARLEZ-VOUS FRANCAIS? OUI OU NON? The burning question of the hour: When are we going over? The answer seems to vary according to one’s frame of mind or access to supposedly relia ble information. Another question of equal importance, although perhaps overlooked, should be: “Can I speak French?” The possibility of an attrac tive French maid for a teacher may offer bewitching allurements to the susceptible, but results may be hardly commensurate with risks. Others may hope to have recourse to the Indian sign language to meet their needs. It is a true but homely' saying that “all signs fail in dry' weather.” For this reason it is suggested that officers and men take advantage or the French classes being formed by the Y. M. C. A. In these classes the fundamentals of the language will be explained in order that the student may continue by himself if he desires. It is hoped in this way to bring a man in touch with his environment “some where in France,” and prepare him for a better understanding with his French brother-soldier immediately upon his arrival. Have you joined a class yet? If not, why not? See the Y. M. C. A. Educational Secretary nearest you and “join the procession.” FIELD BAKERY. Here we are! The Field Bakery, 28th Division, commanded by Captain Frank L. Mueller and which has en rolled 101 able men who will endeavor to divert the minds of the soldiers of the 28th Division from hard tack. Still while this great uplift movement is in progress we cannot forget our second best accomplishment—the sew ing circle—which was called into an extra session Friday afternoon to as certain whether our president, Mrs. McAninch, should or should not be ejected on the charge of neglect of duty. The vote was 27 to 3 in favor of the epection so our roster is now only 49, but we hope to increase our membership shortly. Personal Mention. There is a weekly entertainment every Friday evening in the Recreation Tent of the Field Bakery. Every body Welcome. Admission free. “Penn.” Gibbons with the Bakery stands ready to meet any 133-pound glove mixer in Augusta or nearby town. Sidney Smith, better known as “Al” Sidney, is constantly starring in our weekly entertainments. This is the only company that has a black hand. Our dangerous "Wops” are Branca, Fermato, Two Spurios, Zarelli, Fanelli ai d Moffo. Trump that. Irish next week. HOW LONGW ILL THE WAR LAST? Direct evidence have I none. But my aunt’s charwoman’s sister’s son Heard a policeman on his beat Tell a housemaid in Downing Street, That his daughter’s husband has a friend Who actually knows when the war will end. PITT MEN TO MEET. There will be a gathering of all Uni versity of Pittsburg men at the Part ridge Inn at 8:45 this (Wednesday) evening. Dinner will be served at $1.25 per plate. Those wishing to at tend should notify Lieut. Jenkins of the Sanitary datchment of the Tenth Regiment. 109TH INFANTRY. Under the careful supervision of Cap tain C. P. Futcher, chaplain, the sea - tures of the open-air theater have been quite successful, especially the band concerts, motion pictures and minstrel Shows held during the past week. The American Eagle presented to the regiment by its friends in Philadel phia has been mounetd in Colonel Brown’s tent and is a very appropriate decoration and mascot of the “old First.” The idea of the eagle was taken from an example by a regiment of volun teers from Pennsylvania during the Civil War. That regiment never saw defeat and the friends of the First thought this regiment should have such a mascot. The soldiers’ leisure hour fund of about SB,OOO, which was raised in Phil adelphia, has provided the regiment with baseball outfits, soccer balls, boxing gloves, quoits and other sport ing goods. They are being put to good use by the men of the regiment. The work of the Soldiers’ Leisure Hour fund committee is very mueh appre ciated. Through Mr. Greenwald of the Stan ley Corps, a trung of fifty reels of mo toin picture films has been received, which enables Chaplain Futcher to conduct shows on Wednesday and Sat urday evenings. Films have also been obtained through the courtesy of the Y. M. C. A. FIRST HIKE GREAT SUCCESS. On Saturday morning, the first prac-. tice hike in Camp Hancock was under taken most successfully by the 56th Brig ade, Brigadier-General Logan, command ing. The Sixteenth, Eighteenth and Tenth Infantry Regiments furnished a total of more than 6,000 men and the long column swung out of the camp and down to Highland avenue, Augusta, thence up Walton Way for a considerable distance, where a by-road was taken through the woods and fields and the return trip made over the Wrightsboro road to camp. General Logan and all the officers and men were dismounted and with two ex ceptions every man finished in excellent condition. This is highly commendable when it is considered that fully 75 per cent of the men were green. Only 25 per cent had been to the border and the troops swung along the line of march with the ease and steadiness of seasoned vet erans. It proved the thoroughness of the men’s physical training, for much of the march was over rough and untravel X roads. Upon the return to camp, the brigade was reviewed by General Logan near division headquarters. The troops left camp at 9:45 and made the eight miles in good time, returning at 11:45. The men sang popular songs along the line of march and the officers realize the need of thorough coaching of the men in sing ing the late songs. It inspires them and makes the marching easy. General Logan was delighted with the splendid showing made by the troops in the diyision’s first practice march. fTtst cavalry? General orders, from headquarters of the First Pennsj Ivania Cavalry, an nounce the following promotions to take effect October Ist: Trjop A (Phila ) —Private William S. Duncan, to corporal. Troop B (Tyrone)—Corporal Harry D. Peary, to sergeant; Private Chester D. Moore, to corporal; Private Walter L. Schoop, to corporal. Troop H (Pgh.)—Private Albert J. Fagan, to corporal. Troop K (Lock Haven) —Private William F. Kennely, to corporal; Pri vate Joseph C. Hanna, to corporal; Private Percy S. Lutz, to corporal. Troop L (Bellefonte) —Private Ge. W. Stewart, to sergeant; Private David Winehouse, to sergeant. Athletics reign supreme in the regi ment, after drill and o nhalf holidays. At every spare chance the soldiers have they are tossing the baseball or kick ing football. Track teams are making their debut. Have you heard the First Pennsyl vania band? If you haven’t you had better come up for a visit some even ing and hear this popular hand render their evening program. “Eddie” Cal houn is the leader and he has a won derful organization. IRISHMEN IN EIGHTH. There is also a lively bunch of pros pective Frenchmen in the Eighth regi ment. Were it pot for some of the Irish names in evidence there is no doubt but what many of the officers would soon be able to pass themselves off for “Gaston" or “Alphonse.” There is no more faithful school boy in the class than its popular and efficient colonel. Colonel Finney. The “Fight ing Eighth” is going to make its mark through its ability to handle French phrases as well as meet attacks of the “Bodies,” or take a trench in '“No Man’s Land." KEEPING UP APPEARANCES. Company commanders are kept busy since the order concerning the appear ance and conduct of the men of the di vision. Every soldier must have not ed on his pass to the city, the items lacking in his equipment, and since many items of clothing have not been supplied, the officers are developing “writeitis.” SECRETARY BAKER COMING. It is announced that Secretary of War Baker will visit the southern training camps soon. No definite date has been fived, but when he arrives at Camp Hancock, he will find the Penn sylvania troops well up in the front line of efficiency. Oct. 10, 1917. FOURTH INFANTRY Two battalions and the special unifl of the Fourth Regiment arrived SB Camp Hancock, September 12. TlJfl Third Battalion of the regiment ha® previously been selected as the sylvania kuota of troops to form part® of the Rainbow Division, which wit® be the first troops in Pennnsylvania to® see active service. The Fourth Regiment Band gave the| first of a series of concerts in Augusta® Considerable damage was done ini the Fourth Regiment by the heavy I rain of October 2. Some of the tents 1 are in a hollow and the flood reached 1 a depth of three feet. Shoes, cots, 1 coats, sweaters, hats and other equip- I ment were reported missing the next I morning. fl The order of the reorganization of || the division brought sad news to the k Fourth Regiment. After October 10th, i the date set for the transfer, there will ft be little left of the old historic reg- H intent. Officers, who are loved by their/? men, will be separated from their com- H mands. Companies wiill be divided | and sent to various units. Cities and > towns which took pride in their com- I panics will no longer be represented by an organization in active service. Such, however, are the fortunes of war. We must keep our heads up and our shoulders back and meet the inevitable with a smile. A genuine Pennsylvania Dutch lunch marked the festivities at the mess shack cf Supply Company,' Fourth Infantry, on Saturday night. The affair was given by Captain T. C. Fegley to the men of the company as a preliminary farewell, on account of the disbandment of the Fourth, sched uled for today. Colonel E. C. Shannon, Major S. H. Heller, Major O. C. Miller, Captain W. A. Rehm, Capt. H. R. Doane, Lieut. H. E. Fredley and Lieut. C. C. Curtis, all of the Fourth, with Captain Mehan and Lieut. Lawson of the One Hundred and Ninth Supply Company, were invited guests. During the speech-making, Col. Shannon ex pressed his keen regret at the sever ance of his relations with the men ,5 of the Fourth and urged all to give z the same loyal support to the com manded and officers of the One Hun dred and Ninth. Major Heller told of J the pleasant relationships between I himself and the men of the sanitary w and hospital corps. Major Miller gave® an interesting talk. Capt. Fegleyffl praised the men of his command foraH their loyalty and obedience and Capt®| Mehan welcomed the men to the On<®| Hundred and Ninth. Songs, jokes stories combined to make the evening® a memorable one. PHYSICAL WORK POLICY OF Y. M C. A.® The Army Young Men’s Christian® Association presents the following gen-SB eral policy to govern the work of its® physical department: fig (1) —To interest as many men as pos-fl in some form of physical recrea-® tion. ® (2) To promote athletics and recrea-® tional activities at times which | will not interfere with the mill-® tary program, and on company®! streets, grounds alread prepared® and in such buildings as are 9 available in the camp. (3) —T° interest every man in develop-® ing physical efficiency. (4) —To promote baseball, basket ballfl foot ball, volley ball, play ground® base ball quoits, track and field® athletics, boxing, wrestling, and® other activities that would seem® advisable. (5) —To co-operate in every way pos-fl sible with the other agencies pro-® moting athletics, i. e.— instructors, ray croft represen ta-M fives and Knights of Columbus. With a view of furthering the above® policy the Army Young Men’s Chris® tian Association has already provided® six trained physical and recreation di-HH vectors; five 24x24 feet "boxing rings, five 60x60 basket ball courts, five play-® ground baseball diamonds, five 25x50® feet volley ball courts, one base I base ball diamond, surfaced with clay,® ahd others staged out; $1,500 worth of® athletic equipment already in use, and II that amount ordered. Respectfully submitted fl GEORGE R. FLEMING, ® Supervisor of Recreation. ® HARTFORD MEN ARRIVE. On Friday 100 men arived in Campfl Hancock from Fort Etham Allan and® are stationed near the Base All the men are from Hartford, Conn.® and will serve in the Hospital Corps.® Among the number are two Y. M. C. A.® - secretaries from the Hartford associa-® toin SOLDIERS JOIhT LOCALCHURCH.|g Eighty-nine spldiers joined the First® Presbyterian Church of Augusta on| Sunday, as war members. When they® leave for France, their membership® will revert to their home churches in| Pennsylvania. ® "fTne RECORD?' ® One of the finest records in Camp® Hancock has been made by the 16th ® Infantry, now the 112th. Since being ■ here, but one man has Teen placed in ® the guard house. This commendable ® showing is very gratifying- tp the of- fi ficers and is one that other commamUj® might well emulate.