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SAND SHOTS FROM
112TH REGIMENT
New Year’s Dawns As Busy
One For Soldiers —Funeral
Held on First Day of 1918.
(By James Murrin, Hdqrs. Co.)
If this new year, 1918, is going to
bring as much work and activity to the
fellows of the 112 th Infantry as the
first week has already done, there will
bo little time for even flitting thoughts
of anything other than military routine.
. For the new year dawned with a rush
of bunk inspections and newer and more
rig f d regulations. Every company of the
regunent .instead of finding January Ist
a holiday, spent the holiday in camp
and. it was 4 or 5 o'clock in the after
noon before any passes were honored.
There was one sad feature of the day.
That was the funeral of private Oliver
Summerton, the Tidioute, Pa., boy of Com
pany I, whose death occurred on the pre
vious Saturday. Summerton, although
only twenty-one years of age, was one
of the tallest men in the company.
He was a fellow who was well
liked, who had seen border service and
who will be generally missed. It is the
first time since Company I of the old
16. h was called out that a death has
occurred in the ranks. The 112th Banad
escorted tho body to the train.
The long list of successful candidates
from the 112th Infantry who were desig
nated to the Officers' Training School of
the Division and who have already begun
work there, speaks well for the ability
of the men in the outfit, and all kinds
of predictions are. being made for th<
successful completion of the work. The
boys—privates, corporals and sergeants
—said good-bye to their hunk-mates
early .Saturday morning and went into
camp by themselves. Friday afternoon
they had been assigned to companies and
twenty-four hours later the entire tented
colony was a place of activity, with can
van up and cots hi order.
There were twenty-three marriages in
the regiment during the past month, ac
cording to the reports of Chaplain Ha.l,
which only goes to prove that old Dan
Cupid was as busy a youngster as Santa
Claus during the record-cold month in
Southern sands. One company command
er was included in the Ist of Benedicts -
Captain Rasselas Brown of Company A.
Those boys of the 112th who have al
. ways had a “hankering” for scouting are
delighted that they are now in a unit
by themselves and that they have such
an efficient officer’as Lieut. Corns Abel.
The scouts comprising one sergeant, one
corporal and sixteen privates from each
battalion, moved into their new company
street, north of the Machine Gun t om
pany street on Saturday and now they
arc hard at tho work.
Swagger st’cks, booklets and books,
cameras and personal belongings ot all
kinds are making their hurried exist
from camp thes’e days, from every tent
in every street. This is in compliance
with the recent orders that “unneces
sary artcles” will not be tolerated. Many
a soldier boy has had a bard time part
ing with the little possessions that he
lias so carefully guarded since he came
South, but now that all these are on
p.elr wav back to the folks he forgets
that he ever had them. New Year s Day
was the signal for general house-clean
ing and cameras and unauthorized fire
arms were specifically mentioned in the
“get-out-and-go-home” class.
Tho 112th Regiment lost two men by
death during the month of December-
Private John Callahan of Company B,
Meadville, and Private Oliver Summerton
of Company I, from Tidioute.
The heavy snows during the early part
of the past week are all but a memory’
now, and with a touch of summer weath
er and r. real thunder storm and plenty
of rain Sunday morning it seemed as if
winter had said good-bye for all time.
But just as was expected, Monday dawn
ed r. cold day .
Building 76 is achieving* new laurels
these days In helping create the home
like sp rit within its four walls. Night
after night, there is some entertainment,
movies or a musical program which
serves to attract the boys. Then, too,
there is always a fire in the big stove,
and nothing pleases the boys so well as
being warm when they are writing to the
folks back home. Mr. Brandon and his
efficient corps of workers are certainly
in line for commendation on the many
good things they have already accom
plished and a sure cure for the blues is
? Visit to old 76 and an hour's treat
listening to one of the many good pro
grams. *
The New Year has brought all kinds
of rumors with regard to the movement
of the regiment. A new one is born
every minute and it helps to pass the
time'. To some of those who have taken
credence In a good many- of the reports
it will be no surprise if the outfit is sent
to the northern border of Thibet to guard
against opium smugglers.
The next thing to having cold feet, cold
hands and cold ears is to jump into the
tent and find that there is no fire in the
stove. And the next thing that tries
a eh'lled man’s nerves is to find that the
wood allotment for the day is nil—which
means “somebody else stole the timber.”
The splendid health of the 112th Regi
ment continues, in spite of the frigid
and changing weather. Colds are com
mon, but serious illness has been reduced
to a minimum. There have been two or
three cases of measles and these were
immediately Isolated. One of the com
panies in the first battalion played in a
h'ttle hard luck last week when a ser
geant, who bunked in the first tent on
the street, came in about 9:30 in the
morning from bayonet school and said
he was sick. It was later, discovered he
had the measles and it wasn’t many
hours until the entire squad, tent and
all, were out in the woods, among the
virgin pine, as close to nature as pos
sible during these chilly days.
Men who were lucky enough to spend
the holidays at home have reached the
conclusion, in spite of handicaps in reach
ing home, that they are the luckiest
little youngsters in khaki that ever were
TRENCH AND CAMP
French Officers In Camp
Thank Red Cross Director
The French Non-Commissioned Officers
of the French Advisory Mission, To Mr.
Denny, Field Director of the American
Red Cross, Augusta,- Ga.
December 26th, 1917.
Dear Mr. Denny:
We thank you very much indeed
tho nice Christmas gifts you have sent
us. Everybody in this country is so
kind to us that we forget thht we are
far from home, and please be sure that
in France, our people do their best to
make your boys feel as if they were at
home.
France will never forget what Arncr
—since the “only in emergency” ban
has been clamped down on the granting
of furloughs.
Since the departure of Colonel Rickards
for Fort Sam Houston, to take part in
the school for colonels, Lt. Col. R. Bruce
Gamble of Meadville has been command
ing officer of the regiment and he is
keeping things on the move and the fel
lows on the jump. In other words, he
is carrying out the necessary action and
creating the incentive implied by the
division’s motto for 1918 —“Pep.”
The holidays will prove memorable
ones to the boys of the regiment. They
marked a week’s work on the rifle range
with all units participating and the splen
did part of it. was that a good many of
the fellows who had never handled a gun
with real ammunition before made 're
markable scores.
The happiest fellow these days is the
©He who is getting a Christmas present
that got lost in the rush in the days of
rail and mail congestion. Some few
Christinas parcels are still filtering
through, and Postmaster General Clyde M.
Davis, of Edinboro and Erie, declares
there is no such thing as rest or rust for
his efficient force. Part of their duties
is to tell a thousand and one men in the
companies who didn’t get a letter that
“it’s probably held up at Washington
Terminal,” which is no longer a joke to
the unlucky’ones.
HOWITZER HOWIZITS
108th Field Artillery
Although small in numbers the ord
nance department of this regiment is
some stalwart body of men when they
pass in review.
Private Isaac Johnston, formerly of
*1 Battery, has taken good care of his
■» eth since his transfer to the ordnance
department. (Both of them.)
Corporal C. E. Smith of B. Battery war
“gassed” Thursday. Wai I gas so.
Sergeant McCioughlin of E Battery will
probably have to die in a regulation way.
In order to keep cadence with the new
cadence motorcycle shoes should be is
sued.
Score to date: 3 won favor the Allies.
Q. M. Sergeant Chadwick of A Battery
is not saving his issues for an exposition.
That’s right, Sergeant, give them all they
can wear.
According to latest reports, Augusta
boasts of four new trolley cars, according
to the Southern Railway Co’s estimation.
•(Four cars to every army division.)
Private Herbert Strode’s shoes could
in all probability be used as B Battery’s
combat wagons, (or come-back wagons.)
If Private Fulmer. B Battery. would
only sit in the saddle he would get e
longer ride.
Chief Horseshoer Cannon, C Battery,
has at last taken his place among the
famous extra duty horseshoers.
The rumw is prevalent that this regi
ment is to go to Panama. (Probably to
make fans for German prisoners.)
Private Harold Beary of B Battery
should have a. very clean rifle. (Regula
tion Kid.) He will have it obsolete
I il-.r-'iigh cleaning it.
The Medical Corps should know that
using crude oil for extinguishing Arcs is
a very crude method. (See extract from
Ancient Roman Fire Manual used by
Roman Fire Dept, about 1136 B. C.) Gee
Whiz!
What became of B Battery’s corra
gate?
A rookie asked could he hang his wash
on the enemy lines. (Somewhere in
France.)
—Francis I. Conway, B Battery.
CAMP TALENT AT' COMM UNITY
CONCERT.
At the community singing in the
Grand Theater Sunday afternoon, the
musicians and singers of Camp Han
cock displayed their ability and pre
sented a fine program. Mr. Tebbs,
chorus director of the Y. M. C. A., di
rected the singing and announced the
program, several new songs being sung
from the slides. The Infantry
Band played several selections, the
“Don Quixote” suite, being unusually
well given. Corporal Roy and Assist
ant Leader Hardy gave a clarinet and
saxaphone duet, John Surra and M. D.
Olmes, both violinists of the 112th band
contributed several selections. The
Misses Crenshaw made quite a hit with
popular songs. The theater was
crowded and hundreds were -turned
away. These programs begin every
Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock.
S A CREO BAND CONCE RT.
The 110th Regiment Band will furnish
a sacred and classical concert Sunday
evening, January 13, at Y. M. C. A.
building No, 79. This band is known for
its unusual ability. The meeting will
start at 7:30, with a preliminary service.
The concert will start at 7:45. A full
house is assured.
ica has done for her during this war, and
we are quite proud of being the greatest
friends of the greatest nation who, after
having been the greatest neutral, is going
to soon become the greatest belligerent.
Let us sincerely’ hope that 1918 will
be the year of the victory and that we
shall al) be allowed to enjoy a nice peace
time Christmas.
Yours thankfully,
Adjutant M. Balent,
Senior French N. C. O.
Marechal-des-Logis Tessier du Cros,
Sergent Major Dupuis.
Sergent Courtois,
Sergent Roussel.
PHOENIXVILLEBATTERY
ARTILLERY INSTRUCTOR
Crack Pennsylvania Organiza-
tion Will Teach Field Gun
• Work to Embryo Officers.
Phoenixville, Pa.—Phoenixville is burst
ing with pride tonight over the fact that
Battry 7. 107th field artillery, has been
recognized as the best battery in the
Twenty-eighth Division, and chosen as
the "instruction battery of the third of
ficers’ training camp, which starts at
Hancock next month. The battery will
be moved at once to regimental head
quarters, where it will remain for three
months, detached from its regiment for
that period, and acting solely as in
structor in artillery for the embryo of
ficers of the training camp.
Captain S. A. Whitaker is in command,
and he and Lieutenant J. A. Nuckel will
remain with the battery. Other officers
assigned to Battery C are Captain Mutch
ell, of the 108th; Lieutenants Hayes, of
A Battery, 107th, Turner and Morrison, of
108th. These new officers will remain
with battery C for only three months,
after which the old officers will be re
turned.
Since the officers and three-fourths of
the men of Battery C are from Phoenix
ville, it is an institution of great local
pride. The high personnel of the men is
illustrated by the fact that up to the
present not a man has been in the guard
house.
Phoenixville is highly gratified to know
that its pride is justified In the quality
as well as the quantity of the men sent
out. The. French officer of Instruction,
in a lecture to the 108th regiment, termed
Battery C “the crack battery of the entire
division.”
Battery C claims the distinction of
being the first in the United States to
practice “night firing# this week, and
also, with their entire regiment, to have
practiced the first “barrage fire” in this
country.—‘.Philadelphia North American.
ENTIRF DIVISION
PASSES IN REVIEW
The division review of last Saturday
morning will long remain a picturesque
sett ng in the minds of the handful of
spectators and the few soldier boys whose
privilege it was to watch the great pro
cession of infantry, artillery, cavalry and
all other units represented in the camp.
It took two hours and fifteen minutes
for the great line to cross the 112th regi
ment’s drill field. First came the in
fantry, marching in platoon formation
with all four platoons abreast; then came
the supply trains, then artillery, lumber
ing along; followed in turn by still more
infantry, this time with the companies
marching in company front and the great
lines of men holding steadv and, in most
cases, as straight as a rule. It was an
impressive sight, and equallv great was
the sight of the additional baiteries of
artillery coming across the open ground
south of the Wrightsboro road and swing
ing into line just north and parallel with
the highway. For nearly .half an hour
the artillery kept passing, then came the
ambulances. mule-drawn and motor
/drlven, and the spectacle was ended.
General Muir and his staff reviewed the
30,000 and more men near the 111th In
fantry Headquarters,
CARLISLE SHOE COMPANY
REMEMBERS HANCOCK
EMPLOYES
The Lindner Shoe Company, of
Carlisle, Pa., gladdened the hearts of
twenty-five of its former employes
now in government service at Camp
Hancock by a New Year’s gift to each
man of SSO in federal savings stamps.
With New Year’s wishes, they urged
the recipients to retain them if possi
ble until they became due in 1923 and
the accrued 4 per cent interest also,
became payable.
Sergeant J. A. Lindner, now a mem
ber of Headquarters Company 110th
Infantry, is a son of the generous pro
prietor of the above factory, while Ser
geant W. C. Morris, in charge of di
vision lighting, was for seventeen
years engineer at the same plant.
SUPREMECOURT
UPHOLDS DRAFT
Washington.—Every contention ris
ing against the selective draft was
was swept aside by tho supreme court
today in a unanimous opinion deliver
ed by Chief Justice White, upholding
the law* as constitutional.
Authority to enact the statute and to
send forces to fight the enemy where
ever he may be found, the court held,
lies in the clauses of the constituton
gving congress the power to declare
war and to raise and support armies.
Jan. 9, 1918.
REMOUNT NEWSIES
Major Stryker in Command.
Captain Biddle Commands
Wagon and Remount Com
pany.
(By Sergt. T. D. Jennings.)
The effects of Christmas at the Re
mount are about over, as most of the
men who were away for a few days with
home folks have returned and are will
ingly at work again.
Sergeant Flick, in charge of the horse
shoers’ school, is away on furlough at his
home. This happens to be the only time
be could be absent from his duties, for
beginning the twentieth of this month,
the horseshoers’ school enrolls one hun
dred new students.
Only five men from the office force
were lucky enough to make a visit home
during the holidays and they were per
mitted to go only because their homes
happened to be in Georgia. The counte
nances of these men. Sergeants McMul
lan, Houston, Riley, Richardson and Jen
nings, have undergone a very decided
change after spending five nights of the
five they were away with the girl back
home.
After all, some of the members of the
Remount are getting a little taste of
war in the real thing, real bullets . and
real guns. The men in the guard seem
to be the lucky ones in this respect.
’ Sunday night, about eleven o’clock.
Private Roche, who was on duty at that
time, halted four men coming through
the woods and in reply to his command
to halt they opened fire with revolvers.
One of them must have been a very good
shot for he succeeded in cutting a neat
little hole in the crown of Private Roche’s
hat, who was dismounting. When the
enemy discovered they had found a man
who intended to show a little fight, they
retreated into the woods and nothing
mere was seen or heard of them.
Major Goss L. Stryker, Q. M. U. S. N.
A., reported for duty December 24th, as
commanding officer at the Remount, re
lieving Captain Biddle who assumes com
mand of the Wagon -Company and Re
mount Company.
The many friends of Sergeant Shar
wood are glad to learn of his commission
as second lieutenant in tfic Q. M. C. N. A.
and that he is still on duty at the Re
mount, acting as issuing officer.
Work is in full blast at the Remount
now as we have two hundred and seventy
men transferred from Camp Hancock to
complete the personnel required. Most
of tho men come from the infantry and
very few know anything at all about
horses and mules, but owing to the good
work of the officers in charge and the
willing co-operation of the men we are
glad to announce that the results are
wonderful.
The Horseshoer’s School. Wagon Com
pany and Pack Train have been in opera
tion about two weeks and are doing ex
cellent work. From the progress the
Wagon Company and Pack Train are
making they will undoubtedly go "across”
some time in the near future.
From the date the First City Troop left
the Remount, until five days ago, we
have not had sufficient men to do guard
duty, but have had to call on the divis
ion to furnish us with a guard detail each
day.
The “Black Horse Guard” here has been
organized about a week and took charge
of the guard duties about five days ago
and promises to rival the rtiilitary police
in efficiency. The fellows who are in the
habit of “beating" the guard will not find
it so easy as it has been heretofore.
A phone message was received here
Wednesday night from the military police,
stating that two stolen automobiles were
headed this way and to have a guard
detail police the road, also to search the
train at Belair for certain parties. Upon
receipt of the message, immediately the
guard was on the job and men were post
ed between the Remount and Grovetown.
The result was, no cars put in appear
ance answering the description given but
upon searching the train at Belair one
soldier was taken prisoner, who was A.
W. O. L. sixteen days, and turned over
to the military police Thursday.
From the list of the personnel trans
ferred from the camp we have one fellow
who is better known around the reserva
tion than Captain Biddle, and he has only
been here five days. His name is Kelly
and he hails from Company K of the 109th
Infantry. Everybody at the Remount
knows Kelly and he is especially popular
with the officers. He has worked at more
different jobs in the five days since his
arrival here than any other one man has
since the Remount has been organized.
His popularity includes everybody except
tht first sergeants, who, for some un
known reason, seem anxious to shift him
to the next fellow, until at present he has
the most important job on the place,
emptying the barrels of water at the dif
ferent kitchens and barracks, using a
bucket and carrying it one bucket full at
a time to the sewer where he empties it.
Friday morning he was emptying the bar
rel at the clerks’ barracks, in the same
way, leisurely taking his time, when he
detected he was not making very much
progress for while he was gone to empty
one bucket the barrel would be filled
again when he returned, so he asked
Lieutenant Fell what could be done in a
case like that. Lieutenant Fell told him
—but I didn’t say WHAT he told him.
This same day he inquired of Captain Bid
dle if he might get off at noon in order
to wash his clothes. He spent most of
Thursday afternoon searching the reser
vation for a skirmish line and paper
stretcher. If any organization in the
28th Division has either of these articles
and are not using them at present, please
call the Remount and notify Private Kel
ly, as he is out again this morning search
ing the corrals for a paper stretcher.
FIFTY-TWO Y M. C. A.
MEN ARRIVE IN FRANCE
The arrival in France of fifty-two field r
workers selected from Y. M. C. A. organ
izations in military training camps in the
Southeastern Department, was announc
ed at Atlanta. The contingent now
abroad, the announcement said, was
drawn largely from among the Y. M. C.
A. organizations at Canip Greene, Char
lotte; Camp Shelby, Hattiesburg: Camp
Sheridan, Montgomery; Camp Jackson
Columbia and Fort Oglethorpe.
