Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 268, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 November 1913 — NEWS FROM THE SEAT OF WAR [ARTICLE]

NEWS FROM THE SEAT OF WAR

00. M Still in Indianapolis—Boys All Well and Making the Best of Situation. Headquarters 3rd Infantry, Indianapolis, Ind. Special to The Republican. Company M has just finished its Sunday mess. The Mofiticello and bl»e Rensstlaer companies are having a composite mess and everything is going along very lyWe are quartered in the infantry armory on Thirteenth street and notwithstanding the fact th'at there are somt 600 troops in the armory there ha& been no sickness and all seem quite contented. Our boys are especially well and I think entirely happy. They would sooner be at home but know that they are subject to the orders of the governor and that the situation does a not seem to justify withdrawal, notwithstanding the fact that the street oars are again running. Monticello was the first company to arrive here; Company M was second. This gave us an opportunity to select a good position and we chose the balcony. Aside from being a trifle narrow it is all that could be asked for. Ticks and straw were issued Friday and we are all comfortably housed for sleeping. Thursday afternoon other troops arrived %nd by 7:30 o’clock eighteen companies had arrived at this armory. It was decided to move several companies out, on account of the crowded conditions and several companies were taken to the artillery armory, leaving the third regiment here, also four other companies. Fpfday flight we had our only active service. At about 8:30 we were ordered out and acted as an escort for the outgoing train" which bore the strikebreakers. Wc were stationed along the tracks for several blocks, one company being at each street crossing. The impression prevailed that the strike sympathizers might undertake to wreck the train. Nothing happened, however. The march of about two miles was made during a drizzling rain, hut all were protected with ponchos and when we arrived at the armory at 10:15 all were ready for bed and slept soundly until 5:30 Saturday morning. Since then we have had company and battalion drills during morning and afternoons. No one seems to be able to- say when the troops will leave and we are subject to the orders of the governor in that matter. We are anxious to return but don’t want to come until the danger of riots Is past. Until this morning none of the soldiers had been able to procure shaves. The lines were guarded and no enlisted soldier could pass. This afternoon three barbers were engaged to come to the armory and they have certainly been busy. Towels, socks, soap and handkerchiefs gave out Saturday evening and Company M. received a supply from a store two blocks away. Fifteen pairs of socks, 24 towels, a half dozen combs, 24 handkerchiefs and several cakes were passed about the armpry. company M organized an orchestra composed 0;f one french harp, accompanied by several tin pan drums, while Sergeant Ted Watson and several others used tissue paper and combs with a pleasing effect. Other companies gave singing entertainment and the days and evenings, between duty and diversion, have passed rapidly. Unless we are ordered home our company will go on guard Monday night. Various rumors, entirely unfounded, are that the assembly here was because of Mexican conditions, but friends and relatives of soldiers neew have no fear of sfr#t. When the strike duty is over we wffj fre back home. All mail should be sent to “Headquarters Third Infantry, I. N. G.” Let everybody write. The hoys certainly love to receive mail. The only news we have had and that was very sad, indeed, was conveyed by a Hammond dispatch and related the death of Mrs. Bessie King Tillman. Capt. GEO. H. HEALEY. -