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SAND SHOTS FROM
112TH REGIMENT
Shortest Day Proves Warm
Surprise. Mail Orderlies
Handle Christmas Rush Sat
isfactorily.
BY JAMES MURRIIM,
The shortest day in the year, Dec. 21,
developed into one of the warmest of the
month, hardly comparable to the severe
cold of a week before.
Eighty to more than a hundred sacks
of mail in one delivery didn’t rattle the
postoffice boys of the 112th Regiment, who
on Thursday moved theid headquarters
from the newly-fixed postoffice room in
the 112th office to the second battalion
mess shack. They were mighty thankful
that the “folks back home” started send
ing their parcels early. Such acts of
thoughtfulness and kindness distributed
the work of assorting them over a period
of several days instead of presenting a
jam that would otherwise have proved
almost insurmountable.
The latest promotion in the Head
quarters office is that of Private James
Crozier, of Company D, to be corpora),
and he Las now taken up his residence in
clerks’ row, not far from the office it
self.
Roger Humbert, who a year ago was
regimental supply sergeant, is back in his
old position again, after having been mess
sergeant for Company L for a long time.
He continues to make good with the same
thoroughness that stamped him as an ef
ficient sergeant months ago.
Every company in the regiment prac
tically received a large quota of “sur
prise” boxes—shipments from the people
back home. Among those who were
lucky enough to share in this manner were
Companies D, F and L. The Red Cross
of Oil City sent six big boxes, packed full
of useful articles, for all the boys who had
enlisted in that - city and gone out with
the old Sixteenth Regiment.
These are busy days for every enlisted
man, no matter whether he is a mechanic,
clerk or on special detail. It means check
ing up on rifle knowledge, and many of
the boys who have been ovorkng hard in
the offices or handling supplies have been
too busy to give much thought to that
feature of the game, with the result that
it means a great deal of brushing up.
Work throughout the whole. 112th camp
is becoming more and more rigorous; bay
onet exercises are growing more difficult
and approaching the real thing; men are
becoming expert in the throwing of
bombs, and not a few are developing
into adept scouts. The scouting feature
of the war training is proving especially
pleasant to youngsters who are keenly
observant and who have a hankering for
map-making, tramping and putting their
whole spirit into the work. There are a
score or more fellows who are going to
make first class scouts for that very rea
son.
Many a soldier boy slipped home a few
days before Christmas, braving congested
and inconvenient traveling conditions, in
order to be home on that day. A number
of these same boys will return married
men after January Ist, if the authorita
tive information available before their de
parture bears fruit. While the boys re
gretted that only 5 per cent, of the com
mand was allowed to go on furlough,
those included in that 5 per cent, were
mighty happy to get away.
Those promised vacation days of
Christmas week look good to the fellows
who have been working hard at drill day
after day. It is a foregone conclusion
that many of them will spend as much
time down town as possible on those off
days, and that a good share of their
Christmas savings will go into the pur
chase of vaudeville tickets or restaurant
meals.
Sergeant Minin, of the Supply Company,
announces that 4,100 pounds of turkey is
the allotment for the 112th Regiment, in
suring more than a pound, on the average,
to every enlisted man. Such a menu, with
turkey as the piece de resistance, will do
much to drive away any thoughts of home
sickness.
Colonel Rickards’ Christmas message
certainly strikes the right chord, and it
ought to be read by every man in the
112th.
The departure of a number of captains,
first and second lieutenants of the Of
ficers’ Reserve Corps for other eamps
comes as a disappointment to many of the
officers and men, with whom they had
become friendly and whose work and
methods of administration they were just
beginning to know.
The new Regimental court-martial held
its first session Friday forenoon, Decem
ber 14th, with Lieut.-Col. Gamble as
president and First Lieut. John F. Graff,
Jr., as judge advocate. Three cases were
tried.
The splendid health record of the regi
ment continues to be a matter of gratifi
tion to the staff officers and those of the
sanitary department.
Ralph H. Boyersinith, who used to shuf
fle mail around in the Meadville postoffice
when Major Charles Clyde was post
master and who is now a corporal work
ing at division, boasts of the title, “Wash
ington Terminal.” much to the delight of
the boys in clerks’ row. Boyersmith, de
termined that his mail shall not go astray
into any company sack, has introduced
the title, "Non-Com. Staff,” and thus gets
his mail addressed. “They won’t throw
it into a company sack when they see
that,” declared the efficient division
postman, “and you bet I am going to con
tinue getting the mail that way.” When
ever the trains are late, Boyersmith says
it’s the fault of the Washington terminal
—hence, his nickname.
The 112th Regimental Band escorted
the body of the late James Callahan, of
Company B, to the train on Friday after
noon. The body was taken back to the
home’ in Meadville., by the soldier’s moth
er. Tliis is the third death to occur in
the regiment since the boys came South,
and the second to occur among the old
16th boys. Both, however, were not from
natural causes, <
TRENCH AND CAMP
Col. King, Chief of Staff,
Extends Christmas Greetings
BY LIEUT. COL. EDWARD L. KING,CHIEF OF STAFF.
In contemplating 1 the advent of another Christmas
season, I find the spirit of Christmas dominating the en
tire Christian world today—friends and foe alike.
This is the season of gift-bearing—an exemplar of
the Gift of Gifts. It has peculiar significance this year,
.for The hallowed ground where the Christ was bom has
just passed into the control of Christians after 1,200
years of Mohammedan rule.
Surely, nowhere can we find the gift-bearing or
gift-giving spirit evidenced more than among the gal
lant sons of America who have responded by the thous
ands and hundreds of thousands to safeguard her pre
cious heritage of liberty—the gift of our forefathers.
Self-sacrifice—the giving of one’s self in behalf of
a great cause—is the dominant spirit today among the
men of the United States Army. The men of the
Twenty-eighth Division are animated by this high ideal
and because of the willingness to give to the country
the limit of one’s devotion, we believe we are justified
in saying that the spirit of Christmas is more pronounced
this year than ever before in the world’s history.
It is not the fault of the spirit of Christianity that
today men are murdering one another in a coolly scientif
ic manner. It is rather a failure on the part of men to
exemplify the spirit of the Christ. Out of the carnage,
out of the strife, out of the horrible bloodshed that has
drenched Europe for the past three and one-half years,
will emerge a new conception of the Brotherhood of Man,
founded on the principles laid down by Him who was
born in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago.
It is my earnest wish that every man in the Twenty
eighth Division shall have a Merry .Christmas.
HOWITZER HOWIZITS
From the 108th Field Artillery
(By Francis I. Conway, Battery B.)
The Medical Corps now boasts of a
gang of feminine soldiers, judging by
their free use of talcum powder, den
tal and face cream. Private Mike Gil
bert has now become one of them.
They say when one of the privates
removes his shoes, gas masks should
be issued.
Holliday of the Medical Corps is
knowrn as the Aviator Horseman, by
reason of his striking the saddle only
twice during a ride: mounting and dis
mounting.
The Medical Corps may be known as
the “pills and iodine squad” but they
made a showing for themselves by rea
son of having the only underground
hospital in the division excepting the
field hospital.
Although wood was plentiful, it did
not help to keep the range very hot.
Charles Houser of the Supply Com
pany still seems to have that Quaker
City look.
The non-commissioned officers do
not seem to relish doing the new Cala
donies (calesthenics).
A Battery deserves a lot of thanks
for the willing hand they lent B Bat
tery the night the latter battery re
turned late from firing. Many thanks,
Lieutenant Horter.
B Battery has the distinction of be
ing the only “Moonlight Battery” in
the brigade, having been in action af
ter nightfall. This was due to the
fact of a tale of the “Limbers Lost.”
Eric Veitenheimer, spoiler (cook) of
B Battery, was nearly arrested coming
through the guard lines the other
night.. He had washed his face and
was not recognized by the sentry from
his own battery.
Sergeant Jacobs of C Battery still
has those “Northwest-feet”—Jewish
pattern.
Sergeant Peiffer looks kind of tired
lately. Well, when one has to dance,
he has the Peiffer (Piper) to pay.
Sergeant Koons of B Battery is
known as “Sergeant Inch-and-a-half.”
Privates Shaw and Brown are two
of the neatest men in B Battery. They
shaw is.
Corporal Birbeck of B Battery, gun
ner of the famous “Fourth Section,” is
always first (in the mess line).
These hobnail shoes are making
many hobble these days. (Down
Brakes.)
The Magnetic North has quite an at
traction for soldiers, especially around
the holiday season.
Ammunition is still plentiful.
WILLIAMSON TRADE SCHOOL.
Any Williamson Trade School men
in this camp will find out something to
their interest if they will notify Cor
poral P. B. Graffius, Company A, 103rd
Field Signal Battalion. Come on, Wil
liamson Men, and get together.
BREEZY CHIN STUFF
From Ambulance Co. No. 3
(By “Dembo.”)
We are al] interested in knowing'
how "Spottie” Rosenthal felt when he
lost control of his masterpiece enti
tled “The Lost Paradise.”
Through the kind efforts of Lieu
tenant “Compton,” it is understood
that we boys are in line for a wonder
ful time over the Christmas holidays.
“Wise-Guy” Bill Stober is thinking
seriously of buying a "machine” so
that eventually he will save money on
the purchase.
Private Paul Snavely tells us that
he likes his new O. B.’s. When asked
what O. B. meant, he modestly replied,
“Old Burlap, boys; Old Burlap.”
SPARKS FROM RADIO
COMPANY’S SIGNAL CORPS
The joke is on Private Hasselman. He
tidn’t like his “ANGEL CHILD.”
Among our newlyweds are numbered
Privates Hill and Sterns.
Quite a few of our boys have had their
parents visit them. Among them are
Corporals Graffius and Clendennen, Pri
vates Esbenshade and Herpick.
We are wondering where Private H. O.
Holy got all his friends. He gets a box
of eats every day.
Tent Four treated the men of this
company to apple cider. How about this,
Paul?
Mess Sergeant O’Connell is back from
his home in Pittsburg where he took
unto himself a better half.
“Buffalo Bill,” alias Private Hughes,
has not taken part in any of our daring
ri de °f late owing to a reserve place
on the sick list.
Private Reidenbach’s chin is slightly
swollen. He says it is oak poison, but
we believe he is getting fat.
There seems to be an uncommon attrac
tion at the county poor farm owing to the
frequent trips of Corporal Graffius and
Private Holy.
Private McClellen gave us a pole-climb
ingr exhibition the other day. He sank
the spurs in-so deep that he had to return
to earth without them. They were recov
ered later.
Haven’t seen Sergeant Frandeson at the
stables lately. What’s wrong 1 , Sergeant
you sold your horse? •
Say, Paul, there’s a barber at head
quarters. What’s the mater, haven’t the
time, eh. Tell ”Doe” we’ll all be down.
The third section, the cream of the
radio—the noble Third—has returned from
the range. Welcome home again.
Private R. B. Clendennen seems to like
the show. He goes every evening. How
about it, Ren?
Our company will hold a company dance
on Thursday night, December 27th, at
the K. of P. Hall. Be sure and be there,
you Radio men, for you will have a good
time.
What Our Enemies Say: “Beer is a far
more dangerous enemy to Germany than
all the armies of France.—Von Moltke
“The next war, the next naval en
counter, will demand of you sound nerves.
These are undermined by alcohol, en
dangered from youth up, by its use;—the
nation which drinks the least alcohol, will
be the winner.”—Kaiser Wilhelm, 1910. 1
Dec. 24, 1217.
BIG DOINGS IN
108TH_ARTILLERY
Christinas Program Will Be
One of Finest in the Division.
Gifts From Red Cross.
Among the many programs planned
for Christmas at Camp Hancock, none
will exceed the diversions arranged for
the men of the 108th Field Artillery.
Chaplain McFetridge has worked un
tiringly to make the celebration a suc
cess and is entitled to much praise for
the excellent entertainment provided.
It is a safe bet that Christmas at Camp
Hancock will never be forgotten by the
men of the 108th F. A.
A large Christmas tree has been
erected at the head of the battalion
street and this will be decorated most
lavishly with ornaments and tinsel,
while the electric illumination will be a
sight worth seeing. The head of the
battalion street will be a bower os
beauty, with masses of spruce and pine
trees, giving the vicinity an appear
ance of fairyland.
Tonight (Christmas Eve) there will
be singing of carols around the tree,
followed by a distribution of gifts from
the Red Cross, every man being pre
sented with a token. The foiiowina
program has been arranged for Y. M.
C. A. Hut 75.
Overture, Band; mass singing, Afieste
Fideles; piano solo, Miss Dorsett; solo
dance, Miss Eunice Perkins; vocal solo,
Mrs. Perkins; violin solo. Miss New
ton; comedy, Si Hecker and T. Jones;
Quaker City String Band; piano selec
tion, Miss Abernathy, and others.
Chaplain McFetridge desires to thank
in advance all who have assisted in
any way to make the celebration pos
sible—the performers, the Y. M. C. A.
for its courtesy, and the Red Cross for
the generous array of gifts.
On Sunday morning, Bishop Reese
of Georgia addressed the men of the
108th and the Sanitary Train in Y. M.
C. A. Building 75, and standing room
was at a premium.
DIVISI6OASOWN
PRINTING PLANT
Equipped to Do All Work
Necessary at Camp Hancock.
Experts in Charge.
As proof of the thoroughness with
which the affairs of the Twenty-eighth
Division are being developed, there has
been created near Division Headquarters
one of the neatest printing outfits in the
state of Georgia. There may be many
larger, but we doubt if any are as spic
and span and well equipped for the work
necessary, as is the model plant of the
division.
The frequency of publications issued by
the training section of the general staff
corps, and the division adjutant, has de
manded the installation of such an estab
lishment on the ground, and as usual
there were men in uniform ready to man
age the plant and to do the practical
work. All the type is new and is set by
hand, ■while the racks, cases, furniture,
press, cutter and bindery are fresh from
the manufacturer. A commodious stock
room enables the workmen to carry a
varied line of papers. The work already
done reflects great credit on the foreman
and his assistants.
AU orders and pamphlets required by
the training section of adjutant’s office
are printed with despatch, and forms of
all kinds are quckly supplied for the Di
vision Headquarters Quartermaster Corps.
The printers are members of the Quar
termaster Corps. The foreman is Sergt.
Benj. Eber, of Pottsville, and his assist
ants are Sergt. George Duff, Sergt. Harry
Zucker and Sergt. John Galligan, of Phil
adelphia. and Sergt. Joseph Walsh of
Wilkes-Barre, I’*.
CHRISTMAS IN THE 103 D
AMMUNITION TRAIN
Christmas in the 103rd Ammunition
Train will be celebrated in away that
will make the boys feel they are away
back home in Pennsylvania. For some
weeks a committee has been working
very hard under the direction of Chap
lain Harry Nelson Bassler to make the
day a perfect one.
A large Christmas tree will be erect
ed in the center of the regiment and
around it will be placed thousands of
presents for the men of the train. The
tree will be trimmed on Christmas
morning with bright colored trim
mings sent from Harrisburg.
The day will be opened with early
musical program at 5 a. m. Special
religious services will be held at 10
o’clock, when the train will gather
around the tree and sing Christmas
carols, led by the band.
The old Christmas hymns, “Joy to
the World,” “Hark! The Herald Angels
Sing,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,”
“Silent Night! Holy Night," and many
others will be sung by the members
of the train.
The chaplain in a few words will'tell
the Christmas story and then the dis
tribution of gifts will follow. The day
will be one long tc be remembered
by the officers and men o fthe train.
What General .Pershing Says: “There
was a time when it was a natural uart of
a soldier’s existence to drink and carouse.
That day is past, with the soldier sworn
to defend his country’s flag and repre
senting the power and dignity of the na
tion. Strong muscles, clear brains, high
ideals in the soldier, increase the fighting
efficiency of the army, and these qualities
of the citizen insure the permanency of
our institutions.”