Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 244, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 October 1916 — Co. M Flounders Through Mud On Hike; Run Short of Rations. [ARTICLE]

Co. M Flounders Through Mud On Hike; Run Short of Rations.

Llano Grande, Tex,, Oct. 10.—One thousand men and officers of the Third Indiana infantry, who left camp yesterday on a four days’ march along the border, lived on scant rations today because a torrential rain made the roads impassable to j the army motor trucks and stalled even the army mules which were to 1 carry supplies to the regiment each 1 day. The effort to reach the regiment will be renewed at daybreak tomorrow. Col. Kuhlman flashed an SOS message from the Donna punvpittg station on Lire Rio Grande and fourteen miles from camp, on the arrival of his regiment at that point late this afternoon. He urged the diapatch of reserve rations, but a renewed effort to reach the regiment with the supply wagons failed. Pack mules will be used if the roads still stall the wagons and trucks. The men are believed- to have enough food in their haversacks to prevent suffering, although it is certain that their ration was greatly reduced. The regiment reached the Donna pumping station after skidding through nine miles of mud and water, the men often sinking almost to their knees, on a march from Progresso, where they had spent an uncomfortable night in pup tents. The regiment had scarcely gone into camp for the night when the rain came down in torrents. Tha rain swept into many of the tiny tents, making sleep almost impossible. g Fires were started and breakfast prepared under difficulty, but the rain had not dampened the spirits of the men in the least. They were unwilling to turn back to camp, and soon were started on another nine-mile 1 plunge through mud and water, which covered the roads and trails. The marching, however, was so difficult that the men were relieved of their packs, which were loaded into the eseprt wagons. Their task was I and shouted as they plowed through and shoute das they plowed through the mud, without thought of complaint. Lieut. Lew Wallace, Jr., of Indianapolis, aide to Gen. Lewis, and Capt. Jackson, U. S. A., the camp adjutant, have returned to camp after a thralling experience with a gasoline launch in the gulf waters off from Point Isabel, where they visited the Indiana field artillery battalion. They, along -with a dozen other soldiers, were plunged into water tw'enty feet deep when their launch was capsized. Fortunately all'of the men could swim and they succeeded in reaching shore. The members of the rifle team representing the Indiana National Guard, departed yesterday afternoon for Jacksonville, Fla., where the national match is to be held.