World War I Recruits, Norwich, NY 1917

The Gallant Fifteen

The First Contingent From This Station For the Great National Army

Utica Saturday Globe, September 1917

Left to Right

Front Row:  Frank L. Green, Lenn J. Hanes, John Dunn, Francis Grant, Eider Christensen, Robert F. May, Charles Galvin

Second Row:  Lyle M. Sturges, Joseph C. Argen, Harry S. Gabriel, Floyd W. Bunce

Third Row:  Bradfore J. Judd, Walter G. Hall, James C. Arner, Bernard F. Hackett

Rear (Exemption Board):  Dr. Thomas F. Manley, Harrison L. Beatty and Chairman William H. Sullivan

 

Snappy Letter About Norwich Boys in Camp

Norwich Sun, September 10, 1917

 

Relatives and friends of the young men who have volunteered and who are enrolled in the new national army are receiving some exceedingly interesting letters from the "Sammies."  They pass them around among the family and friends but the public generally is also deeply interested in the conditions which prevail in the camps, the work the boys do, the incidents and personal happenings.  The Sun Telegram welcomes letters from the boys in camp and interesting bits from the letters which relatives many be willing to make public.  Interest centers at present around Camp Dix at Wrightstown, N.J., because Norwich recruited men and officers are stationed there.  The following, excerpts from the letters from one of the young men who was in the contingent which left here on the night of September 8, make splendid reading:

 

"I never felt better in my life.  I have been moved from the barracks where I was first quartered where we only had hard bread and black coffee without milk or sugar.  It was so cold over there that I never slept the first two nights.  In my new place it is some different.  The cooks are negroes, but they sure can cook.  The officers are fine and the barracks fairly warm.  In fact they have moved a small furnace right into the sleeping room, but have not set it up yet.

 

You ought to see the green bunch of recruits that are coming in every day.  Today, which is Wednesday, we have to drill from 7 o'clock till noon, but this afternoon is a half holiday.  I went down to Wrightstown which is three miles away and with barracks all along the route.

 

It is nearly time for retreat call which is at 5:30 every  night. After that we have mess and from then on, if we do not happen to get detailed to the kitchen, we have until 10 o'clock to look around and go to the Y.M.C.A. where they have singing and some noted people every few days.  There is going to be a concert there tonight.  If we do well and keep up on our drill work we also have Saturday afternoon and Sunday to ourselves, if we are not detailed to special work or guard duty.  Of course we have to take turns at this.  [Joseph C.] Argen has had to do kitchen work and peel spuds today.

 

Wrightstown is about the size of Polkville."

 

Excerpts from another letter from the same young man to his sister are:

 

"This is Saturday afternoon and a half holiday, but it has been a whole one for most of the boys as it has rained all day.  But for me it has been different as I was detailed as Kitchen police.  Who ever thought I would come to this!  I have washed dishes, scrubbed the mess tables and the floor, peeled potatoes, dished out the mess and last but not least, two of us have peeled 32 pounds of little Spanish onions.  I cried some, believe me. The negro cooks (there are three of them-all from the south and blacker than any up home) have been shooting craps in the mess sergeant's room while the rest of us worked.  Every time they throw the dice they snap their fingers and say "ha" just as pa used to when he was chopping wood with an ax.  Every morning some of us are detailed to some police duty.

 

I drew my uniform yesterday.  It consisted of hat, leggings, two pairs of Khaki pants, three pairs of sox, three suits underclothes. The shirt, shoes and coats have not come yet, but I got a shirt off a regular who is in the same room with me.

 

There are 14,000 barracks buildings and officers' quarters.  The barracks buildings hold about 250 men each.  This is absolutely the biggest thing I ever saw.  There is a colored regiment here doing guard duty. They have the finest band.  There are also field artillery and cavalry  here. There are 15 or 20 hospitals.  Charles Galvin, who came with us, became sick when they vaccinated him.  They put him in one of the hospitals, and we haven't seen him since. They moved us all together so all of us Norwich boys are with each other all the time.  [Bradford J.] Judd is cutting hair this afternoon.  I never liked him very well at home, but I have changed my mind now.  Young [Frank L.] Green has the job of kitchen police today.  Sometimes it is in the officers' kitchen.  When we get out of this we have to police up the grounds around the barracks. This "policing" consists of shotting up cigarette butts and papers.  Judd is very busy this afternoon cutting hair, for tomorrow is a holiday too.  This morning when I was in the kitchen, I broke the meat chopper square in two while chopping hamburg and onions.

 

We are getting along fine in the drill, but you have to salute every officer you meet whether on duty or not.  I got called down proper this morning for forgetting to do it.

 

We are not allowed to go more than five miles from our barracks on holidays and then we have to be back here by 5:30 in the afternoon, for retreat roll call. There is a very big river quite near here, but I have not yet learned the name.  It is probably a mile and a half wide.  I saw it last Sunday when we came in.  Please write to me often.  One of the boys received the Norwich Sun yesterday.  There are three sergeants of the regular army who bunk right next to me. They have all been in the Philippines and the Hawaiian islands. They are nice fellows and very interesting to talk with.  One of them has a trunk with him which is full of photographs he has taken all over the world.  I see Larry Johnson every day.  He is an officer in this regiment.