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3a I : 8 i ( I s~a ggl i dtep j KP' ♦ *w Page 2 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.”