Newspaper Page Text
Il 'i
IHJI
Qy
rW I L ‘
v vT
v» \v ♦
\ V*"
X \
»»
■I
EB' E
SAND SHOTS OF 112TH
Baseball Season Opens This
Week. Brick Incinerators Ga.
Men Get Numbers.
If the weather man only keeps up
his good work, and warm weather is
still the regular bill of fare, this week
will see the opening of the 112th’s
baseball season. Lieut. Abel and Lieut
Hiltebeitel, together with Physical
Director Hughes, of Y. M. C. A. No.
76, have announced the following pro
gram for a starter:
Feb. 20—A. vs. M.
Feb. 23—8. vs. L.
Feb. 27—C. vs. K.
March 2—D. vs I.
March 6 —Sanitary Detachment vs.
March 9—G. vs. M. G.
March 13—Headquarters vs. F.
March 16—Supply vs. E.
It won’t be very long, so the sport
bugs say, until there will be as many
as two or three ball games in progress
at one time, assuring the observer that
there is “something doing.”
Camouflage weather of the dust va
riety materially Interfered with last
Saturday’s inspection in the field. The
fellows were out about twenty min
utes, and spent the next two hours
drying clothes and getting the dust out
of their ears and eyes.
Lieut. Merle E. Coover was the
112th’s representative at the funeral
of the late Lieut.-Col. Frank E. Zeig
ler, whose death occurred about a week
ago at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Col
Zeigler was one of the best known mil
itary men in the Pennsylvania national
guard, and his death, coming as the
result of injuries sustained in a fall
from his horse, cast a shadow over the
division. The funeral was held In
Harrisburg last week.
The brick incinerators of the oven
like type are a thing of the past. All
but one or two of them in the 112 th
Infantry disappeared from view on
Saturday and Monday saw the others
removed. Rcck-pit incinerators, of
the deep hole variety, have now sup
planted them, and officers hope there
will be no more of the annoying smoke
clouds rolling over the camp when a
band concept is in progress or visitors
are here, to get a glimpse vs the or
ganization's southern home.
Sergeant Clyde M. Davis, who has
charge of the regimental mail, wants
to deny all reports that he is color
blind or that chocolate pudding tastes
anything like beef gravy. He has
found out from experience.
The 112th Band made another dis
tinct hit with the residents of Au
gusta when it gave another one of its
splendid concerts at the Grand Theater
on Sunday, February 10th.
John Surra and Daniel Isles, both
of the Headquarters Company and
hemberes of th eoand, are home from
furloughs. John made another name
for himself'by his singing in’Bradford,
Oil City and Franklin during his visit 1
home, and in each instance he was
greeted by large audiences who clam
ored for a return engagement. But
furliughs are short-lived bits of paper,
and now John ia-.hack with the band,
Isles went to New York—and “Broad
way’s still there,” he says.
The block of identification numbers
has been assigned to this regiment, and
they will be' entered on the records of
each soldier. A compilaton of the
whole regiment, by numbers, is also
being made in the headquarters office.
Numerals will be stamped on the man’s
identification tags, and so if anything
should hanpen that the name could not
be discerned the number would identi
fy him. The 112th block of numbers
is from 1.246.101 to 1.249.800.
Fellow’s of the old 16th Infantry are
just now figuring up and convincing
themselves they have been in the ser
vice longer this trip than they were
on .the border. "And it’s going to be a
whole lot longer before Johnny comes
marching home to the tune of ‘The Old
Gray Mare.’ ” one' buck added.
Company B, according to the divis
ion report a few days ago, had the best
kitchen in the regiment and the clean
est-looking mess hall for the week
ending February Bth. But generally
speaking, there are many organizations
W’ho would have to go home to sur
pass the splendid condition of kitchens
throughout the 112th just now. The
company streets, too, are in the best
of trim;
Lieut.-Col. Robert B. Gamble is
finding no time to ‘soldier’ 'on the job
these days, and he wouldn’t if he could.
He is up at reveille every morning,
stirring thngs into action when mem
bers of the office force are reporting
for duty, and keeps things going every
minute of the day. In addition, he
sees that the brigade keeps going O. K.
keeps his eye on the specialty work of
the regiment, together with Major
Chas. B. Smathers, who is right at
home as “school master,” and so the
112th is becoming "fit to fight” and
even “fitter” every day. When the
word comes to go “over the top” every
man expects to have the same punch as
has characterized the bayonet stuff and
the bombing practice of recent weeks.
Nothing puts “pep” in the fellows
more these days than the welcome,
warm wave, which has made the zero
Page 2
TRENCH AND CAMP
and near-zero days of a month ago al
most forgotten chapters.
There is one man in the 112th regi
ment whose first name has long been
a puzzle to the mail clerks and some
officers, pntil it is now definitely es
tablished that his name is really “Un
known.” No, this isn’t a joke- When
letters started coming through ad
ed “Unknown Hartman,” the mail
clerks thought the missives were des
tined for the dead letter office. Then
a saddler by the name of Hartman
was identified and his first name was
found to be—“ Unknown.” And so
Hartman, minus a real first name,
known by "Unknown,” and so identi
fied, is far from being not known in
the outfit. What’s in a name, any
how; for Hartman is better known now’
since he’s called "Unknown,” than he
ever was known before.
The fellows who pound the type
writers at headquarters are getting
into the game these days. They have
just completed the gas course, and now
they are taking an hour’s physical
training work with the headquarters
company every morning, to put them
in the pink of condition to battle with
the universal keyboard and sometimes
balky typewriters for a whole day.
The library is finding a warm place
in the hearts of the men of the 112th,
and the boys are getting as familiar
\t*lth the volumes on its shelves as
they have already become with the
many splendid features of the Y. M.
C. A. Building 76. There’s nothing
like going down to the library and
picking a new book right off the shelf
and becoming absorbed in its contents
for an hour or so, and many a dough
boy only regrets—especially if he is
of a reading habit—that time in the
army is only too short to follow out a
good course of reading.
Another one of the 112th regiment
officers has been called away to ser
vice “elsewhere.” He is Captain Fred
erick I’. Schoonmaker, of Company C,
Bradford, who has the honor of pilot
ing the first old 16th Pennsylvania In
fantry company into southern sands.
Now, it is altogether probable he will
be the first of the former 16th officers
overseas. No definite announcement is
made regarding what work he will take
up.
Keenest interest has been manifest
ed throughout the whole regiment, fol
lowing the suggestion in the papers of
a few days ago of a prospective parade
of 40,000 troops through the streets of
Augusta- Even if the plan is not fol
lowed out, the 112th will be represent
ed in a patriotic parade on Washing
ton’s birthday, February 22nd. Com
pany E has been invited to Aiken, S.
C., and all arrangements for the trans
portation of the soldier boys have been
completed.
The fellows who had been home on
Christmas furloughs and did not re
reive their December pay were the
happiest mortals in camp when pay
day came around this month, even
though it was late. They received
both December’s and January’s pay
at one throw, and such fellows like
Sergeant Major Johnson, Color Ser
geant Luse and others felt like young
millionaires for a moment.
STORIES OFLINCOLN
Ex-Senator Cullom tells the follow
ing story of Lincoln:
"With the purpose of encouraging
the serious-minded, care-worn Presi
dent who received us, Senator Trum
bull cheerfully greeted President Lin
coln, saying:
“ ’Mr. President, I hope that you are
looking on the bright side of affairs.
On Capitol Hill we all wonder that you
can do so well in these trying times,
especially as you have no precedent to
guide you in anything, judicial, civil
or military.’
“Heartily grasping the hand of Sen
ator Trumbull, and also clasping mine,
Abraham Lincoln looked straight into
the eyes of the senator and squarely
turned toward me, and I saw upon the
face of that grand man a smile of con
tentment, peace and hope such as few
men ever saw; and Lincoln thrilled
me with his manner and his words.
Even now the memory of his words,
his wonderful smile, his confident man
ner thrills me. He very earnestly said:
’“Thank you, Senator Trumbull, for
every word of encouragement. But,
please tell the boys of Capitol Hill
that I have precedents for everything.
Tell them all that I shall commit no
dangerous error; that I shall not blun
der, because I have precedents, and I
carefully follow them. I get my prece
dents, Trumbull by my bedside at
night. I get them while I am on my
knees. I seek my precedents then and
there; and they come to me from the
source of all wisdom."
Ex-Senator Harlan adds the follow
ing incident:
"It was after a defeat of the Federal
army in 1863, when all loyal men were
agonized and apprehensive, that Sen
ator Harlan voiced his fears, when
Abraham Lincoln said:
“ ‘Men do not realize the value of
the teachings of the Man of Nazareth.
Few men know how to say their pray
ers; and fewer still know how to pray
at al), I believe in God; and when I
pray I want to have ‘my windows
opened toward Jerusalem/ ’*
NOTES FROM 0. T. C.
THE WHITECAPS.
Have you ever, ever, 'ever,
Seen the whitecaps out at sea?
Have you ever read the message
That they bring to you and me?
First you see them swiftly dashing,
On their way so* merrily.
Then go splashing, grasping, grasping
Into bubbles on the sea.
They are like the lives of mortals
Starting out so bright and free.
Only glimpsing through life’s portals,
When dashed to eternity.
—FRANK K. GRADY,
Co. B, 34rd, O. T. C.
Here’s hoping that there are few
“Whitecaps” in the 3rd O. T. C. I
Old Jupiter Pluvius created a disturb
ance in camp Saturday morning and halt
ed the competitive rifle match between
the five men of each company in the
training battalion. It will be held next
Saturday.
"Pop” Grady, the Bill Shakespeare,
Brete Hart and Lord Bacon of Company
B, is stiff showing form in handing out
the verse libre. All we have to say is,
“Pop,” we need something for the paper!
Mr. John Davis suffered an injury at
the bayent course last week. "Joe” Davis
made a long point at the heel of John’s
foot. Sergeant Major Kelley inquired if
Joseph made a good withdraw. He sure
ly did!
If you have an arugment, and are look
ing for some person to argue with, we
submit the name of Mr. Branton Garde
ner of Company B. We may add, possi
bly as alternate, Raymond Kauffman to
tell you how it “was done” in the Caval
ry. (Never mind, Ray, it was a good old
outfit!)
Work despite “spring fever!” Work de
spite illness! Work despite sorrwo! Such
has been the program of the past week for
Company Aof the O. T. C. Yet we feel
that we have accomplished results worth
while and are just that much further on
the road toward the commissioned ob
jective.
Every man in Company A desires pub
licly to express his most sincere sympathy
to his fellow Cadet officer, Robert W.
Campbell, in the hour of his deep sorrow,
at the death of his beloved wife. We
wish to extend to him all cheer and sym
pathy possible and stand ready to help
share his burden. Mr. Campbell, upon
receiving word of the passing of his wife,
left immediately for his home in West
Chester.
The provisional platoon which for two
weeks has been training under the able
instruction of Capt. Ullern and Lieut. Par
net in “over the top” methods of getting
Fritz, was disappointed in having their
exhibition before the general staff can
celled last Tuesday afternoon, but hope
to be able to show their appreciation of
the training received, as soon as an order
comes from headquarters asking for such
a demonstration.
Too much praise can not be given to our
Allied instructors who, during the past
week, have been lecturing to us on va
rious military subjects at Y. M. C. A. No.
78.
Having recovered from spring fever Co,
C is chuck full of pep and it is hoped that
the men will have no trouble in retaining
it. What we want is to be at the top of
the list and set an example for the
others.
This week —Come on boys, here’s a pile
of tools. Take your PICK and hop to it.
It will feel like old times again.
At a meeting of Company C it was de
cided that a dance be given for the O. T.
C. Battalion at the "Lenwood” on Satur-
day evening, March 2nd. The dance is
for the instructor and student officers and
their wives and friends. The best music
obtainable will be on hand to insure a
pleasant evening. K
THIRTY SOLDIERS AT
BAPTIST ENTERTAINMENT
Thirty soldier boys of the 112th In
fantry, accompanied by Captain James C.
Shaw, regiment adjutant, and Lieut. Wil
lis W. Hall, Chaplain, were honor guests
of the Baraca class of the First Baptist
Church of Augusta Saturday evening,
when a banquet was given in their behalf.
The occasion was arranged so that a
fitting program might be provided for the
observance of "Father .and Son Week.”
Three-minute talks by -•:© members of
the class, as well as half a dozen others
among the specially invited guests, served
to create the spirit of the occasion and
bring home its significance to all those
taking part in the banquet.
Oyster stew, celery, sandwiches, apple
turnovers, coffee and cake were pro
vided for the guests, and after the
"doughboys” had eaten all that was good
for them, the evening was devoted to the
informal program that had been ar
ranged by the teacher of the class. Ad
dresses were made by Rev. Adams, of
Y. M. C. A. Building No. 76; Rev. Dr.
Vines, pastor of the church; Chaplain
Hall, of the 112th Regiment; Bowdre
Phinizy, of the Augusta Herald; Private
Burdick, of Company C; and Corporal
Paul Fergus, of the Headquarters Com
pany. Major Olmes, well known violinist,
was on hand to give several especially
fine selections, and one of the most
pleasing features of the evening was the
talk by Rev. Kunkle, of the good old
Keystone state, who is here visiting the
Pennsylvania boys as a “camp pastor.”
RINGERS IC9THF. A.
The basket ball games played last
week were interesting and full f “pep.”
W. Allam for Battery A, "Shorty”
Price of Headquarters Co., “Turk”
Jones of Battery C, were speedy birds.
A new name for lightning has been
discovered, “Red” Hughes, Battery' C.
No light is needed for Search of Bat
tery F, to find the ring.
Sanitary Co. and Supply Co. can
now become acquaintd with this fa
mous sport, as they have a brand new
court laid out, quipped with standards
baskets. No doubt the sanitary Co.
will be shooting “clean” baskets.
’ FOR~SALEL
Well constructed officers’, tent, frame
with glass doors, for sale. Apply
IST SERGT. A. EVERETTS,
Co. B„ 108th M. G. Bat.
LOOKING FOR A SOFT JOB.
Slacker —How can I enlist in something
soft!
Smarty—Sign up as a chauffeur for a
general with a yellow streak.
REMOUNT NEWSIES
The newspapers seem to be about the
only ones worried about the length of the
ladies’ skirts. We can’t say that we care
how short they decide to wear them, ouf
only trouble at the Remount is we so
seldom ever see any ladies at all. Won
der if any of the ladies of Augusta will
take this hint and make us a visit.
* * •
M. Picard gave a very interesting lec
ture at the Y. M. C. A. tent last Wednes
day afternoon on the conditions in France.
His description of the battle of the Marne
and other notable battles was very real
istic, as he spent over two years in the
trenches in France. M. Picard’s talk to
the boys here did a world of good for ho
described exactly the conditions that exist
along the battle front, and it makes the
fellows wiser as to what they will find on
the other side.
• • •
In sounding Retreat the other afternoon
the bugler got Tattoo mixed up with Re
treat and sounded half one and half the
other. Maybe he forgot what time of day
it was or forgot how the notes of Retreat
were sounded. We will say this much for
him though, he knew how to blow pay
day, last Thursday.
• ♦ •
We still claim that we are riot super
stitious, but from the weather we are
having that ground hog seems to have
been on his job.
• • •
Lieut. Farquhar is working over time
these days trying to find a cure for
"spring fever.”
• * •
Mr. Samuel Olive, Lieutenant Governor
of Georgia, made a very interesting talk
to the fellows on Friday night. His sub
ject was "The Nigger and the Mule” and
his illustrations kept the boys laughing
from start to finish.
SERGT. T. D. JENNINGS.
WHERE THE FIRST
AMERICAN SOLDIERS FELL
(Bulletin of the National Geographic As
sociation.)
"A famous Frenchman has called Lor
raine “the most beautiful burial ground
in the world.” Flanders is a mud-hole
and Champagne is al! chalk, but Lorraine
Is an enchanting land, with harmonious
hills and noble trees and fern-bordered
streams rushing to the Rhine. The quaint
villages which escaped the German on
slaught perch on the hillsides like Christ
mas toys and the humblest vegetable
patch is a garden.
"But there are tombs .in every flower
strewn field, for no region on earth has
suffered more from fire and sword. All
the races of Europe have coveted Lor
raine since the days of the Romans.
When the kaiser waited in the forest
with his 10,000 cavalrymen for word from
his victorious army that he might cross
the frontier and make a triumphant entry
Into Nancy, he was but following in the
footsteps of earlier barbarians who have
swept across the Rhine.
“Nancy is a little over five miles from
the front, and is bombarded by the
bodies’ most powerful guns, the 380 mil
limeter, which have a twenty-mile range.
The shells come mainly at night, when
there can be no warning.
“Few people have left town. Trains
are running; shops are open. Nancy has
her work to do and keeps at it doggedly.
Also she houses and feeds 8,000 refugees,
mostly old women and little children,
who have crept over the fields in terror
from their cannonaded homes still near
er the German line. The number in
creases.
“Few cities in Europe are as architec
turally beautiful as this ancient capital
of the Duchy of Larraine, the Land of
Lothair, named after a grandson of
Charlemagne, united with France in 1766.
Each of a hundred gates and facades is
worthy a pilgrimage to Nancy. In the
cathedral many women in black were
praying before lighted candles. The
stained glass windows were broken and
mended with paper. Three houses across
the street were in ruins. Yet the park
nearby was the picture of peace. Shafts
of sunlight slanted through the chestnut
trees and a black-robed priest sat on a
bench in the shadow telling his beads.
“The old women make sandbags for
the trenches. One told me she had made
80 in a day. The children attend school,
the boys learning trades, the girls do
mestic science, that they may look out
for themselves later on, as mo'st of them
are orphans. An American fund in Paris
hoped to send a Christman present this
year to every one of these 2.000 homeless
children. 1 asked them to sing and 50
sad-eyed little ones stood up and piped
“Aux morts pour la Patrie.” I could
not keep back the tears.
From a plateau beyond Nancy one
can see on the far horizon the cathedral
spires of Metz, capital of lost Lorraine.
In plain view are the German villages
near the frontier—the frontier since 1870.
"The Boche,” said our host, "is only a
few minutes away by aeroplane.”
"In plain view from this plateau are
the trenches in the vicinity of the Rhine-
Marne canal, where in the early morning
of November 3 the Germans raided a
salient held by American soldiers, and
our first blood sacrifice was made in the
front-line trenches in France.”
BULL’S EYES AT 75
Sgt. Smith was supposed to be in
the hike on Monday but on account of
his overweight -was allowed to stay
back and make mess for the squad
that is quarantined with the measles.
The battle in No. 10 tent was staged
on Monday night in the dark so we
couldn’t tell who got the worst of it.
In the game of ball on Saturday af
ternoon "Silvert” didn’t know he had
hit the ball and wanted to know why he
should run.
Sister tried to get out of the hike
on Monday but the doctor marked her
"duty.” ,
The scouts did fine till they eame to
the lake and then they tried the stunt
of walking over the w'ater but it didn’t
work very well and one of the scouts
is suffering from exposure in the wild
and wooly vicinicty of "Camp Han
cock.”
According to lhe latest news some
of our boys have changed their relig
ion. Some of them are "Baptists.”
"All for the Lov# a Giri.”
reo.