TRANSCRIBED FROM THE DAILY TEXARKANIAN SEPTEMBER 1, 1917 P 3
Camp Funston, Leon Springs,
August 29, 1917.
The second officers’ training camp, or, as properly called, the student officers camp, is now in full swing with all military regulations, rules and laws being exacted of each and every man in camp.
When one enters here, he burns the bridges behind, as a military man, government officer, civilian or whatever rank or position he formerly held, he looses. He becomes simply a student–no rank as yet, all called “sir,” and all are absolutely on the same footing.
This camp is a splendid example of the finished article, as the officers are aware of the wasted time and efforts of the first camp, and all such had been eliminated in the camp and every company of the entire two regiments the second morning looked like seasoned regulars.
Perfect alignment, intervals, exercises, good cadence in marching, and more than 75 per cent acquainted with the Springfield rifle, and for that reason the second day’s instruction covered work the first camp did not get to until three weeks training.
They are pushing us so fast in drill, class and extended order, rifle range, care of feet and body, leather and equipment, infantry drill regulations, indoor guard manual and physical examinations, nor have we had the typhoid serum or vaccinations. There is nothing in sight but work from 5:30 o’clock a.m. until 10 o’clock p.m. and examinations every Friday.
Of course all the boys from home were separated. D. Stuart and myself are in Company 10, Infantry; Clifford Patterson, Company 11, Infantry: To mLewis is in Company 12, Infantry; Anderson, Ayers and Winham all went to the coast and field artillery. I haven’t had time to locate the others. We have about 80 men to, the barracks, and I know the men on either side of me.
Each company has two captains of the regular army as instructors, and they are, in turn, under a senior instructor in charge of the battalion, and, believe me they are some officers—every inch a man and a gentleman with a capital G, but all business and no foolishness. They call your attention to your mistakes several times, will answer all questions, but simply inform each man he is here to develop into an officer of the U.S. army service aboard or at home, and each man must learn for himself—they can’t wait on him.
We must learn fast. We must forget we know how. We must learn so we can in turn teach the men placed under us, and there is no sympathy for the man who cannot keep up—he must fo as soon as possible.
There does not seem to be many funny things in this camp like those we heard from the former camp. Each and every man is so darned busy trying to keep up with the pace set for us, that if any funny things do happen we naturally overlook them or just don’t see them.
One corporal, in speaking to his men, said. “We must pull our ears, fellows,” meaning get ready in a hurry for inspection of barracks and one fellow—from Arkansas too—grabbed both ears and asked for further instructions.
Our company has 26 regular army sergeant and corporals as students. They are acting as company sergeants and corporals now, but any one of us might be called to act as such, as they change all the time.
This camp is supposed to furnish officers from the rank of first lieutenant up to major, and they are necessarily more strict with us than in the former camps. They give us more work, in every way, as we are all older men and with former military experience.
The food is substantial—nothing fine, but food that makes blood and muscle—and there is plenty of it, though not as good as furnished enlisted men in military posts, according to the regulars.
Will write again next week. My regards to all the bunch there. All the home boys are in fine condition and working hard. We might furnish generals some day—one can never tell.
NOTES: Archer Francis Wadley was born on September 8, 1888 in Hot Springs, Arkansas and died on July 22, 1959 in Texarkana, Arkansas. He is buried in the Memorial Gardens at Texarkana, Arkansas. He was described as being of medium height and medium weight with gray eyes and light hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Camp Funston, Leon Springs,
August 29, 1917.
The second officers’ training camp, or, as properly called, the student officers camp, is now in full swing with all military regulations, rules and laws being exacted of each and every man in camp.
When one enters here, he burns the bridges behind, as a military man, government officer, civilian or whatever rank or position he formerly held, he looses. He becomes simply a student–no rank as yet, all called “sir,” and all are absolutely on the same footing.
This camp is a splendid example of the finished article, as the officers are aware of the wasted time and efforts of the first camp, and all such had been eliminated in the camp and every company of the entire two regiments the second morning looked like seasoned regulars.
Perfect alignment, intervals, exercises, good cadence in marching, and more than 75 per cent acquainted with the Springfield rifle, and for that reason the second day’s instruction covered work the first camp did not get to until three weeks training.
They are pushing us so fast in drill, class and extended order, rifle range, care of feet and body, leather and equipment, infantry drill regulations, indoor guard manual and physical examinations, nor have we had the typhoid serum or vaccinations. There is nothing in sight but work from 5:30 o’clock a.m. until 10 o’clock p.m. and examinations every Friday.
Of course all the boys from home were separated. D. Stuart and myself are in Company 10, Infantry; Clifford Patterson, Company 11, Infantry: To mLewis is in Company 12, Infantry; Anderson, Ayers and Winham all went to the coast and field artillery. I haven’t had time to locate the others. We have about 80 men to, the barracks, and I know the men on either side of me.
Each company has two captains of the regular army as instructors, and they are, in turn, under a senior instructor in charge of the battalion, and, believe me they are some officers—every inch a man and a gentleman with a capital G, but all business and no foolishness. They call your attention to your mistakes several times, will answer all questions, but simply inform each man he is here to develop into an officer of the U.S. army service aboard or at home, and each man must learn for himself—they can’t wait on him.
We must learn fast. We must forget we know how. We must learn so we can in turn teach the men placed under us, and there is no sympathy for the man who cannot keep up—he must fo as soon as possible.
There does not seem to be many funny things in this camp like those we heard from the former camp. Each and every man is so darned busy trying to keep up with the pace set for us, that if any funny things do happen we naturally overlook them or just don’t see them.
One corporal, in speaking to his men, said. “We must pull our ears, fellows,” meaning get ready in a hurry for inspection of barracks and one fellow—from Arkansas too—grabbed both ears and asked for further instructions.
Our company has 26 regular army sergeant and corporals as students. They are acting as company sergeants and corporals now, but any one of us might be called to act as such, as they change all the time.
This camp is supposed to furnish officers from the rank of first lieutenant up to major, and they are necessarily more strict with us than in the former camps. They give us more work, in every way, as we are all older men and with former military experience.
The food is substantial—nothing fine, but food that makes blood and muscle—and there is plenty of it, though not as good as furnished enlisted men in military posts, according to the regulars.
Will write again next week. My regards to all the bunch there. All the home boys are in fine condition and working hard. We might furnish generals some day—one can never tell.
NOTES: Archer Francis Wadley was born on September 8, 1888 in Hot Springs, Arkansas and died on July 22, 1959 in Texarkana, Arkansas. He is buried in the Memorial Gardens at Texarkana, Arkansas. He was described as being of medium height and medium weight with gray eyes and light hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT