Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 206, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 September 1917 — “Casey” Tells of The Camp Life. [ARTICLE]

“Casey” Tells of The Camp Life.

—Co. M, 3rd Ind. Inf., Fort Benj. Harrison, Ind. Republican, Rensselaer, Ind.: Lieut. Jay Nowels has recently appointed me reporter for Co. M. I will try and interest you with a letter or two a week. We arrived here about 12:30 Monday and from ttfcat time' untiT nOW, things have been powerful busy around camp. The camp we are in we are getting regular training by is not a permanent one. We are not in the regular training quarters, by the way. The Y. M. C. A. work is a wonderful affair; it means so much to a soldier. Wte have our picture shows and other amusements. “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” they say. I believe every man in camp read Alfred Thompson’s letter which appeared in your Wednesday’s issue. It was a splendid letter. It seems like a letter with an understanding like that would make a man wish he was not in the army, but it does not; it makes everyone envy him and also admire him.

A company of soldiers in my mind resembles a circus somewhat, when a person sees the parade. Then invariably want to see the big show. It is the same thing in the army; when a soldier gets his training he wants to apply it and get under the big top. ——- A common slogan down here is: ia a gay life but a short one.” Everyone is feeling good and in tip-top condition. Coach Meyers ought to have his football team down here and they would be in condition for war football, if there is such a thing. I might say, too, that every man in Company M is Comfortable and likes his new work. The food is good and wholesome and easy to take after four <r five hours of drill. I asked someone the other day: “How many soldiers are there in town.” He said: “About 100,000; if you don’t believe it, count them.” I took his word for it. Of course there are not that many, but I know of 18,000 men in our reservation. Itwassaidliere today ThaT Sunday

is going to be our last day here, but news in the army, I have learned, is a very uncertain thing. It is like that food story: “You can’t live on promises.” The entire camp was examined for T. B. last Wednesday. I don’t think anyone from Co. M failed to meet requirements. There are so many, many things to write it is quite impossible to write everything, but if you will tell me what will be the most valuable to you I will try and suppy it. Sincerely,

“CASEY” HEMPHILL.