everywhere in evidence. This site was a great inspiration to most of them, feeling proud as they did of
any man or boy already dressed, in those times, in the uniform of his country.
Upon arrival at camp the men unloaded from the trucks, were guided to Brigade Headquarters
and there assigned to the Regiment. Next they proceeded to Regimental Headquarters and were assigned
by the Adjutant, Captain Isaac S. Ashburn, to their companies, which at this time consisted of the
provisional companies A, E, and I. They were assigned as far as possible to the companies by the
counties, thus preserving many home ties and associations, from which they came. The men were then
shown to their respective barracks, appeared before the Company Commanders and executed Form No.
22. Uniforms and equipment were then issued, after which they were given their first Army meal. Next
came the physical examination by the Regimental Surgeon and his Staff, and later were given
inoculations for the prevention of disease.
The First Sergeants and other noncommissioned officers were selected on account of their
special qualifications from the Regular Army. They were both kind and patient. The recruits had
explained to them the meaning of the First “Top” Sergeant’s whistle summoning them to various
formations. Some of the recruits due to unusual physique, could not be fitted with uniforms at first, and
one could see men with an O. D. shirt and civilian trousers on or khaki trousers and a white shirt, while
on the other hand he might meet his best friend in his new clothes and fail to recognize him, so complete
was the change in his appearance.
Training began at once. Interest was taken from the start and an incentive was offered in that the
men showing up the best would be selected for noncommissioned officers and would assist in training
the next contingent of recruits, due to arrive in camp on the 19th of September 1917.
On September 17, 1917, fifteen officers were transferred by order of the Divisional Commander
to the 344th Machine Gun Battalion of the 179th Infantry Brigade and several days later ten officers
were transferred to the 357th Infantry on verbal order of the Divisional Commander. Immediately the
Regiment plunged into active training. Every effort was devoted to the various drills, which are the
foundation of all military training, discipline and physical conditioning. Schools for bayonet, grenades,
gas, musketry and auxiliary arms had been organized by the Divisional Commander and the men of the
Regiment were given the additional special training that these afforded. Schools for noncommissioned
officers had been started within the Regiment and each company sent its most likely men, who were
instructed in their duties. Men were rotated in all the various schools as speedily as possible and the
companies soon settled down to work as organizations, devoting all their time to the drills prescribed in
the schedules which were sent out from Division Headquarters weekly.
The entire fall and early winter months were devoted to this work which was soon enlarged to
include some of the ceremonies which larger units than companies participated in – parades, reviews and
inspection by Battalions and Regiments. Early in January of 1918, taking advantage of the unusually
favorable weather of the climate in which the camp was situated, preparations were started for range
work, and the entire regiment was schooled in all the preliminary work of the range. Weeks were spent
in “Push and pull”, sighting and aiming exercises and the use of various devices furnished for
preliminary range work. During January the entire regiment marched out to Camp Bullis, eighteen
miles from Camp Travis, where one of the largest ranges in the United States had been constructed and a
thorough course in target and problem shooting for both officers and men was completed. It was seen
even at that time that the class of men composing this Regiment – coming from the outdoor state of
Oklahoma, were especially qualified to handle a rifle in the excellence of their scores at all ranges and
under all conditions was recognized by those supervising the training of our great National Army.
 |
 |
 |