{ title: 'The Rio Grande rattler. ([McAllen], Hidalgo County, Tex.) 1916-1917, September 20, 1916, Page 3, Image 3', download_links: [ { link: 'http://www.loc.gov/rss/ndnp/ndnp.xml', label: 'application/rss+xml', meta: 'News about NYS Historic Newspapers - RSS Feed', }, { link: '/lccn/sn87030234/1916-09-20/ed-1/seq-3/png/', label: 'image/png', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/sn87030234/1916-09-20/ed-1/seq-3.pdf', label: 'application/pdf', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/sn87030234/1916-09-20/ed-1/seq-3/ocr.xml', label: 'application/xml', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/sn87030234/1916-09-20/ed-1/seq-3/ocr.txt', label: 'text/plain', meta: '', }, ] }
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RIO GRANDR BATTLER N ews Sent in by Our Division Units PAGE 3 rTH INPAKTRY. (.arjyle iloHnos t'vm w s as t h e capacity ot takhijj inliuitf pains. I f vou siib- scribe to the tru t h of this ilef'iiutiou— anU \vho is t h e r e to gainsay tlie worthy l^cot?— then you must concede th a t tho .th In f a n t r y possesses in a large meas ure the (piality of genius for the pains th a t they have taken, cheerfullv and uncomplainingly, have been indeed in- iinito in num b e r and varietv. A f t e r doing more than its share of ditch-digging, road building and other u t i l i t a r i a n tasks appertaining to the m i l i t a r y community a t large the 7th assi.luously applied itself to the con» struction of i t s own mess-shacks, show er-baths, an«l other necessary struc tures. The G r e a t H i k e occurred be tw e e n tim e s and on the record made during those ten eventful days the Grey Ja c k e t s are willing to stand. W h a t field work, combat exercises and m a n e u v e r i n g th a t have been done, were performed with th a t fire and spirit of ilogged determ i n a ti o n tliat has alw a y s characterized th e regiment. The charge has been made in certain quarters th a t the 7th w a n t s to go home 8 0 badly th a t it can th i n k or talk of little else. W it h o u t questioning or im pugning the motives of those who de scribe the men in the 7th as ‘'home- pick bluestockings’’ let us dispassion ately consider the indictm e n t. Per haps we might win grudging praise from these critics by hotly denying the base insinuation but t h a t would be sub reption, pure and simple. Is the 7th homesickf Does it w a n t to get back borne as soon as possible? The a n swer to both of these questions is “ y e s ” and we state the atfirmative both em p h a t ically and proudly. The 7th w a n t s to return to its armory. It pleads guilty to the indictm e n t of ‘‘hom e s ickness” on all counts. You gentlemen in high authority, to whom we have sworn faith f u l obedience, shocked though you may be at the di.s- closure of such an ‘ ‘ unsoldierly ” trait, must a t least adm i t th a t frankness is also a m i l i t a n t virtue. E v e r y man in the 7th is honest in his nostalgia and neither needs or wishes to assume a false air of braggadocio to cover the fatefu l fact th a t ‘‘ New York would sure look good to him . ” We w o u l d n ’t give a Villa peso for the soldier who is never homesick and who boasts of the absence of frequent tugs a t his heartstrings during the w e a r y hours in camp anil on the field. The man who loudly proclaims th a t he do e s n ’l w a n t to go home m u s t in deed be l a c k i n g either in the finer sen sibilities or in a home to w’hich out m i g h t naturally long to return. Say w h a t you like about th e Grey Jackets, b u t never say th a t they are not long ing for the home and friends they left behind when they answered their c o u n t r v ' s call. And do you think, Mr. High Officer, th a t they are any the less tru e and faithful nephews of Uncle Sam because of this yearning? The boys sincerely feel th a t they have done their duty aiul nqw aw a i t with ira n k and honest eagerness the exp'-ct- ed order to entrain for “ H o m e .” But if there conica a day— and wlio can say th a t it is fa r distant?— when the order is given to cross the sullen w a ters th a t flow !)etween us and oui troublesome neighbors, the 7th N. Y. In f a n t r y will lead the way and though it carry its homesickuess onto many battlefields, it will fig h t none the less courageously and will do its shave to bring the dreaded conflict to a speedy and victorious conclusion, so th a t ft may sooner return to the dearly loved home. I t will follow its leaders un falteringly. and intelligently, with no word of reproach or regret.*^ I t will do its full duty both bravely and wisely. Yes, the 7th is homesick and wants to go home. The regim e n t ’s famous motto “ Pro P a t r i a et G l o r i a ” is more than an empty, euphonious phrase—it is the living, breathing profession of faith of every officer and enlisted man who proudly bears the name of American Citizen and member of the 7th N. Y. Infantry. I t is the succinctly stated his tory of the S e v e n t h ’s iioble past as well as the promise of a glorious future. We are happy in the knowledge that no regiment could do more to uphold the reputatiou of the N a tional Guard of t h e United States and make it more worthy to be considered a part of the co u n t r y ’s first line of defense. H. I. Y. 4TH AMBULANCE CO. A f t e r reading the last two issues of The R a t t l e r , t h e 4th Ambulance Co., ot Syracuse, has by unanimous consent adopted the following as their designa tion: ‘‘The M e l li n ’a Food Baby—A d vertised by its saving frien d s ! ’* 22ND ENGINEERS. Company C, Lieut. Palm e r commnod- ing, returned this week from L a Gloria, where they installed a gasoline ilriven pump, and galvanized iron w a ter tank, and repaijed the windmill and put it in commission again. The return journey was made in one single night march, the distance being twenty one miles. The start was nrade at d p. m. and only one rest was made, at Mis sion. The company arrived in camp at 2 a. m. in perfect condition and everyone happy. Company A , Capt. Ross commanding, returned this week from the ” hike w a y ’ ’ Viorth from Mission, having been away nearly a week repairing roads, bridges and culverts. Camp was moved every day. and pioneer work carried on each side of camp. The trip was perfect, and the company came back well and happy. Lieut. Barbour got a nasty fall from a horse last week, and has his right knee dislocated. I t is recovering rapidly, thanks to Doc Goldstein and continuous ice packs, but even a t th a t it c a n ’t keep up with a marathon in jirofanity he has been tloing since the fall. I t is an epic in prophylactic hex ameter. He will start the end of the week on a fifteen-day leave to visit the large nr'ndug operations i» Ariaona- in company witli the American In s t i tute of ilin i n g Engineers of which he is a member. Officers now in the Engineer camp have this week had the big pyramidal tents replaced by tropical A tents, which are much luore convenient, sight ly ami comfortable. The canteen has been moved from the t%vo t e n t s in the middle of the road into a regular place— former B. Co.’s moss shack— where ice cream tables, etc. are provided. Sixteen cabaret girls have been ordered from the White Light District, and it is even money whether they will mitigate or add to the horrors of war. 2ND FIELD ARTILLERY The scouts of the Second Field have been undergoing some strenuous exer cise of late and have covered many miles of Texas in their work. Both battalions have been laying out artil lery pTaiis and plots and making maps of the country all about McAllen, from Edinburg to Hidalgo, wliich is the work preparatory to the entrance of artillery into an enemy territory. The ilrills have been continuous for the ]>ast week and now every square foot of ground from Edinburg to Mission, from Mis sion to Hidalgo has been plotted out, with screens for batteries, sketches of roads, w a tering places, firing positions, placement of observation and signal towers all mapped, accurately detailing every vantage of ground, and showing definitely th a t the territory could be easily used for artillery purposes in covering infantry along the Rio Grande. From a point South-weat of the camp and south of Sharyland, a distance of some three miles along the river could be covered by artillery lire, and with a brigade, thousands of num, infantry and cavalry could be protccteil while advancing upon a Mexican }iositiou on or near the Rio Grande in this section. Under Major Dewitt C. Weld, lately made comniauder of the first battalion and his adju t a n t Lieutenant John D. Butt, Battalion sergeant-major W a lter A. Stover and his men scoured t h e coun try-side to make these plans. His scouts are: Scout sergeant Clement Kreuder, Signal Corj)oral John Korton, Corporals Charles Taylor. Frank Taylor Harold Koster, Privates Jam e s Barclay, Jam e s Hartingen, and William Busli- nell. M a j o r Jam e s Richardson and his ad j u t a n t (.'aiitain Robert W. Marshall, led hia men on the same (|uest. ’They are Sergeant Major Hocman, Signal Corporal Edward J. McGrath, range finder F r a n k Criis, Scout Corporals Clarence Bovee, Thomas Hand, Ser geant Hans Paeprer and P r i v a t e s Frank Bolzner, Harold Berman, Budd Howe, and Signal private Frederick Eberle. 1 ^ ' i 7 n excellent, and it was so -iij V, ” anil jr - Skillfully worked out that the whole •■egiment. with the exception of a''few officers who know the details of this Tory still jabbered aiinlesslv and blindly about a false but atLactivo report for a week. Who wouldn’t have been caught? Who wouldn’t have fallen for the gag? i t the Quartermaster Captain o f your regiment goes away on business, what more natural than that he should be going to Camp Whitman or to Van r- , . ----- ' ........... or to Van Cortland in order to lay out a camp- yotir regiment's General Rumor still lives aud laughs, and at the jiresent time he is laughing very heartily at the boys of the 2nd Fieid. Incidentally his mis chief making includes this time a little piece of pleasure a t the expense of a certain battery commander, who, in- .. . . I _ _ _ nocently enough, walked right straight into the jaw s of th a t aged but spright ly obt gentlemau, t h e General. Yes, the ricneral is most certainly alive and ac tive, ami rightly claims seniority of K M Ask Your Commissary for These delicious new flakes, with their wonderful, true corn flavor, afford a delightful change from regular rations-a splendid food for hot border weather. Put, up in moisture and 'insect-proof, wax-sealed cartons. New Post Toasties are smacking good eaten direct from the package-usually served with cream or milk Tomotrow^s Good Breakfa^ site tor yo ur regim e n t’s returning? \Vho wouldn’t believe it? And who wouldn’t argue manfully and with much acrimony over such an important point as whether it was Whitman or Van Cortland? How many, many rea sons there are which prove beyond a doubt that the demoblization camp must—simply must— be Whitman! Ana oh, how many arguments there are to prove that Van Cortland I’ark must— simply must— be the place for that Crowning feature of this cactus cut ting raid into Texas. Of course those mighty, philosophical gentlemen who talk so quietly and impressively with the dark wisdom of ages in their tongiieii, are always on hand to quell the excitement of the arguments by reminding their brothers that it really makes but little difference which camp is selected as long as there is one se lected. Yet meanwhile in the day time, when the sun blazes angrily away and at night when the moon smiles sweetly down little groups of peeked hats nod energetically at each other to a tune which might be called ‘ ‘ Demob lization-,” or, “ So You’re Going Home to S t a y , ” and the departure of Quart ermaster Captain Loui»- Kiintz for either Whitman or Van Cortland al ways forms an important theme for such deliberations. Cortland Park, because it was mustered in at th a t place. Will i t be Whitman or Van Cortland ? Oli, but list to the ■words ot the wise ones and vou will not care whether it be Whitman or J’oally the place makes little difierencc. General Rumor cares not wliich place is appointed. Credit to you, General, all credit to you. You are a snake that winds in and around tliousands of dusty brown streets, you are the hot wind that fevers thousands of brown brows. R. w , F. Now, when the Captain left McAllen, it so hajipened t h a t lie was in a great hurry. Captain K u n tz is always in a always n. » hurry, appareutly, and that may ac count for the tremoinlous amount ot improvement in the way of regimental storage accommoilation that has taken place within the past few weeks. But on this day he was in an exceptionally great hurry. (Not so terribly strange a h e r all, considering the fact that, he was leaving Texas.) And at the sta tion lie met a fricml, a very old friend, in the person of Capt. Wilbur T. Wright, who, it so happened, was just returning from a 30-day furlough. “ Where are you going, Louis?” ask ed Capt. Wright. Now t h a t question is quite important to the welfare of this yarn aud must he dwelt upon to some extent. Where was Capt. Kuntz going? Being in a great, great hurry, he might have been tempted to answer with a mere 23RD INFANTRY All interesting event took place in the mess shelter of Company G., Brook lyn City Guard, 23rd N. Y . T n f a n t r v at Pharr, Texas, on the evening of Sep tember 13th., when Major John R. ^aw- yer, former Captain of the company, was tendered a ilinner and presented with a diamond ring by the members in honor of his promotion. Col. Norton, 23rd Infy. “ Home.” Or he might have said “ To W h i t m a n ; ’’ or he might have said “ To Van Cortland P a r k ; ” or he might have Saul “ On Furlough;” or it might even be t h a t he coubl hav«. been so brief a^s to pass his old, old friend with a piirO' and sinijde .'Uiswer “ On business.” But tlie luiud work.s ijuickly, very quick) y— sometimes. Here Avas the C a p t a i n ’s old friend asking him where he was going, and here was the Capt.ain bustling his trunks on board the Santa Fe with oae iiiiniite to .«pare. One minute is not an extensive period of time, particularly when a man in order to be truthful, has of noeessity to make a long explana tion. I t seems that Capt Kuntz, Avho is a New York builder, liad some business difficulties t h a t required his immediate attention—a deal on a^ house or some thing of that sort, something that could not be explained Avithoiit a lot of detail. The explanation would most certainly have taken more than a mL;- ute, marc than fifteen minutes in fact, hail the Captain been able to take the time to acquaint his olii, old friend with the truth. But, of course, he d i d n ’t have the time and had to an- wer that importMit question as briefly as possible. Now another clomeut, a pfvchologieal element, crept into the answer to that (iiu'stion. W’here was Captain Kuntz going? His do.Tr old friend, Captain Wrigiit wanted to know, no one elst could have any answer at all. more than likely. And the mind works quickly, oil hoAV i(uickly,—sometimes. Captain K u n tz considered, in t h a t flashing mo ment, considered something else, prob ably. He couldn’t give an adequate answer telling the truth but he had to sav something. Cdptain Wright Avas liis old friend. The two had exchanged inanv, many quips, and repartee of a junior sort had made their meetings iileasant. In fact, Captain Wright had “ put over” quite a few since the com ing to Texas and their friendship had been brightened Avith stinging flashes of Avit, the hammers Avitli Avhich good friends weld their frieiiilship tighter. Captain K u n t z ’s business trouble Avould have made a dry subject for .an ansAver. The f a c t t h a t Captain Widght hml come all the way back to Texas after ^ a thirty-day furlough was much more i n teresting. And the fact that Captain K u n tz was just .starting East when Ins friend arrived West was indeed inter esting. Further, perliaps Captain Kuntz believed that Captain Wright Avould have preferred to stay m New io i k to coming back— particularly when it had began to look as though th e Avhole division Avould be homo soon. “ Where arc you going, Louis. “ Going to lav out a camp for de mobilization” was the Captain’.s ans wer, and ho jumped aboard the East- bound, trunks and all, aud sailed away leaving a puzzled friend behind. Ah! Were you there, old General Ru mor? Did you hear the C a p t a i n ’s aus- Aver? Ah, yea! You were there. You overheard what he said. He was going to lay out a camp for demobilization. How’ interesting it must have been foi you to hear it, General. So now it can be sworn to that the C a p t a i n ’s trunks -were marked Greem haven” wliich is the station you got off at when you go to Whitman. Now i can be sworn to t h a t tl»e regiment will demobilize as soon as Captain Kuntz returns. Now i t can be sAvoni to tha the regiment w-ill, demobilize at \ an First Lieutenant Peuton acted as chairman and in a few’ w’cll chosen words told the object of the gathering. He spoke A’ery highly of the ncAv Ma jor, how he had through thirty years of association found him a tried and true friend. Colonel Norton spoke briefly telling Avhat great pleasure it gave him in recommeiiJiug Major Sawyer for pro motion also announcing that Lieut. Penton wouhl be made Captain and Lieut. Boyce would be 1st Lieut, this being in line with the policy laid down by him of raising the oft’icers from the compauy itself where their work Avar- ranted promotion. The presentation speech Avas , made the Chaplain, Dr. C'adman who command of the detachment and Ser geant AndrcAv W, Nixon was next in command.Sergeant Frving M. L. John son had charge of the litter bearer 'de tachment. The 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 12th, 14tli, 23rd, 71st and 74th regiments were looked after by bis detachment. Nothing ucAv haff been heard about going home but the boys keep amused Avith new (?) rumors every day. As in the other outfits “ do you know what I heard?” is a by-word iu the Second -Ambulance Company. Sergeant Harry H. Gunn has been voted “ Chief Rumor Peddler.” He has a brand new one every day. Private Walter E, Hiiinard is learn ing neAv .wrinkles about mules every day. The other day while grooming one mule the other mule ate the tail off of his O. D. shirt. I t is a gooil way to keep a mule quiet and contented but conies expensive at $2.38 per shirt. Lance Corporal Bernard T. Flannery who when with the company is iu charge ot tent nine has been detailed for duty at Division Headquarters. The men miss their Corporal who lias been dubbed “ Rabbi” by the men in the company. Lance Corporal “ Doc” Cameron w now in charge of tent 9. Private (1st class) StoAvart Brown is also detailed to Headquarters and his smiling face, is missed by all. E. M. 6: ENGINEERS REPEL NIGHT ATTACK. In the field to the west of the E n gineer camp a line of complete fire trenches have been dug and proteeted in front by barb wire entanglem«mt!» .and flares. These flares were arranged to be set.o f f by trigger wires across the front of the fieid of fire, either by coming in contact with the Avires or by cutting them. Last Wednesday night the enemy- encountered the Avires and the flares going off revealed an advancing party making an endeavor to cut the en tanglements. The men in the trenches quickly opened fire and star bombs were shot • up, which made the fiehl of fire light as day. These bombs are shot from pieces of four- and six-incU pipe, planted in the ground at proper angles. They explode in the ait and burn a strong Avhite- light, •w’hieh is raspenjed by two small parachutes. Major General O ’Ryan and staff witnessed the exhibition from behind the firing line. Capt. Lane, Adjutant 2nd Battalion; commanded the attacking party, and (!apt. Robinson, topographical officer commanded the trench party. f r o m THE MESS SERGEANTS MANUAL With Apologies- by the Chaplain, Dr. C'adman who ex- tollcil the manv good t]uaUiie« of. nuu, ^ ----- - ‘'‘./ohn,” a.s he famJJidrh'-caitefi M i i j o r j ,7a.sh of temUto, Sawyer, jiointbig out to the men of tlit T h a t ’s been censored of ptomainp; Just a little bit of yellow dust That, blew across the pliin; T. - . ^ k- A A ft! f fanva company the results to be achieved by jucjt a hogshead full of water, hard and faithful work. ifajor Sawyer then thanked the men in a fcAv AA’oids being too overcome by emotion to say much. The other speakers of the evening were Major Kevin and Major Blanton The ai'pointment of Major SaAyyer gives Co. G., the honor of haviug two former Cajitnins promoted to Field Of ficers as Major Blanton now senior Major preceded Major Sawyer as Cap tain of the Company. The old B. C. G. spirit Avas very much in evidence all through, the evening, the remarks of each speaker being greeted bv the old familiar yell of Hurrah, Hurrah, Huiu-ah, tiger, rah-rah rah, B. C. G. 23. Sis-boom-bah The guests included Colonel Norton, Maior Blanton, Major Addison, ^lajor &!uvver, Major Kevin, Dr. Cndmau auil Lieiit. Long, Adjutant of the Second Battalion, also a former G. man, and lUI men Avho had been members ot bo. G. and had been transferred to iianies. , v • ' NoAV th a t the big hike the bovs of Co. A., arc becoming once more accustomed to the daily vontiue of camp life and the familiar voice, ot “ General Rumor” is once more nng- \nd in our ears and giving us abiuidant material for one “ Rumor which we arc about to make our ‘178 entry. , , But coming back to the hike, A\^e, fCo ‘V.) were cortninly there as the saving goes, tlie boys went through the hardships of the daily marches as if thev Avere strolling arm in arm with their sweetheart along Bedford Ave., and the spirit of Co. A handed down to us bv our veterans prevailed, from the time “ The General” was blown until Taps sounded, and the result was, the misurjiasaed reeoTd of not losing a man through the entire niarcm Who Avas the folloAv in the oth squad who left his pack beliiud at the first resting place on the march to E d inburg Now’ all yon felloAVS need not point m the diri'ction of McGuigan. Pvt. Jim “ Br.ldy” Mason, the cham pion letter AA’viter of the Co., Avas re cently seen in very pensive moofb b> hi, bulky, Pvt. MulluA? Juriug a W halt on the march to Edinburg,_ Mi“ ‘ being of tiie inquisitive kind inquired vhv the silence Jim? “ the reRy this I ’ve been doing a little fignimg Tom, ••JU'l being pai‘1 Goveruinent, sixty e e i t ? p e r day and I write on of 40 letters per diem, now 40 tAvo ^eiit stamps figures t-^nts that twenty cents over my daily ;;.,at I want know is ' come in to get rich? «• 2ND AMBULANCE CO. The Second Ambulance Company’ i- again, together at their headquarteis hitv^ a't*^ E d 'iXurg *^f or ^ the past two petals are full enough as it is. weeks‘has returned and the ' bulances iletailed with the 3rd, -Jr<i and 74th I n f a n t r y have all returixed^ The .letaehment Edinbnrb was „ The iietaciimeni hi highly commemlod by General of H im F. C . » o b « r wa, h With some broken hardtack, too Then vou boil it all together, And behold—Hidalgo stCAv. It was New Year's on the Border, Aud the c^mp w.as glad and gay; • HaA’iiig ice cream soda parties On McAllen's gay Avhite way. Each heart beat strong A\dth pleasure, And hopes soared high and bright That turkev dinners would be served • Ere taps t h a t New Y e a r ’s night. But the old mess sergeant pondereq As he cheeked his ration list, And he called his cooks about him As he whispered softly, “ H i s t ” “ W e ’ve got to put up some surprise— W e ’ve got to knock them dead, Today is merry New Year,” The old mess sergeant said. That night the men who’d left their homes To answer country’s need, Lined up expectant in the street To follOAV mess call’s lead. And as they reached the feeding place, With gladness in their eyes, The army spirit reigned supreme— Thev got their great surprise. For as ‘they filed back, one by one To eat their humble chuck, The welkin rang with yule time cries, Oh, liOAV they blessed their luck. Dear reader, take just once with me, a glance behind the screens— Did they get turkey dinner? Lilie H ------ , twas tea and beans. —Gordon Case. CHEER UP NOTES It is estimated that 1,214,167 nails were ilriven in the ucav mess-shacks, ware-houses and officers quarters-in McAllen last Aveok. Looks as if soine- boily didn’t expect to go home for a Avhile yet! On account of the iuereased cost of living, the ration allo-wance for tl^ month has been increased from 28 cents to 29.37 cents per man per day. Yon can still have your second helping of “ Canned Willie” and primes with- robui out robbing tho Government. “ GIVE ME SILVER.’* Remember the first time you bal- .anecd a silver cart wheel in your palm and felt like a discus throAver? Well, you’re getting used to silver mouey jjoAV, and probably you like it. Mr. R. E. Horn, cashier of the First State Bank of McAllen says that many men actually ask for silver money in preference to paper. “ I t doesn’t sweat up and stick together,” they explain, “ and besides, you know you’ve got it •” T h a t ’s all right, Mr. Horn. But Avhen the Federal paymaster hands us that old back pay t h a t ’s coming to us, don’t let him put it all in silver. The lios- Sentrv (to McDougal, returning from wedding festiA’ities): Pass, friend, a l l ’s McDougal: 'Thank yo. laddie. But ye dinna keu the guid wife or ye would n a ’ be so sur§.—London Opinion. r ■ € ■ ' ^ .#■ .
