“pe
Bellefonte, Pa., June 30, 1916.
P- GRAY MEEK, - - EDITOR;
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Interesting Lettter
from Camp Brumbaugh
An Interesting Letter from the
“Watchman’s” Special Corres-
pondent.
Camp Brumbaugh, June 28.—Know-
ing that you are expecting an ac-
count of the doings of the boys in
camp, I will endeavor to furnish you
some facts, but first want to say
that if anything ever got on a fel-
low’s nerves, it was the parting
scene at the P. R. R. station at home.
The moaning and bewailing of the
vast assemblage, although the result
of natural emotion, put a depressed
feeling on all, until we neared Miles-
burg.
The Lock Haven troopers, on the
same train, then came in to visit us
and we older fellows having met
them before at previous camps, join-
ed in relating experiences of former
affairs and discussed what we might
expect in this fracas, until instead
of being soldier boys off to help
their Uncle Sammy hold up his
hands, as they did in bible times to
conquer an enemy, you would have
thought us bound on the railroad ex-
cursion to Tolchester Beach.
Some of the boys indulged in a
card game, and it must have been
Old Maid, for they would ask for two
or three cards at a time. I heard one
of them say that he “stood pat,”
although I know he voted for Roose-
velt four years ago.
“Pop” Hampton, assisted by his
able corps—Jeff. Tierney, Morrison,
Casper and “Chee” Emenhizer, sang
“There's a Land That is Fairer Than
This.”
Arriving at Tyrone at 8 o’clock the
Sheridan Troop was picked up, and
the boys were all delighted to see us.
We arrived at Camp Brumbaugh,
Mt. Gretna at 12.30 p. m.,, and the
boys were all ready for action.
How different this camp from other
years, when the camp had always
been put in readiness by an advance
detail. But with light hearts and
much cajolery the canvass and equip-
ment was soon, unloaded and . what
was once a field of -wheat was in a’
few hours transformed into one of
the greatest military camps this
glorious State has ever seen. |
Our camp is located at Colebrook,
three miles from the infantry at Mt.
Gretna, with all tents up and equip-
ped as one would hardly expect
under the circumstances. Almost
any hour may come the order of de-
parture for southern territory, and
it will find us all ready and anxious-
ly waiting.
The health of the troopers has
been excellent. George Wise, of the
Gap, was chosen official dentist, and
finding a snapping turtle he decided
to keep it for use in extracting teeth.
His office will always be open for the
accommodation of his friends.
We: are now awaiting the mess
call for dinner, so will have to close,
assuring you that the boys all appre-
ciate what the folks at home did for
us on the eve of our departure, and
kindly thank the W. C. T. U., the
Elks and all the others.
Frank Crissman wanted to know
the difference between the National
Guard and a National biscuit, and
was referred to Capt. Curtin or First:
Lieut. Taylor for the answer.
i
Corp. H. J. COHEN. .
——They are all good enough, but the |
WATCHMAN 15 always the best.
Troop L Given an Enthusiastic Send-off.
Big Farewell Reception at the Elks on Saturday Evening.
Thousands at the Train
Sunday Morning to say
the Last Good Bye.
One hundred and forty years ago
Centre county soldiers fought in
that great struggle for our national
independence. Thirty-six years lat-
er the sons of Centre county assisted
in driving the invading army of
Great Britain from American. soil.
Again in 1848 Centre countians were
to be found in the line when Gen.
Taylor's army invaded Mexico on a
mission of subjugation, and during
our own great Civil war Centre
county soldiers as units were to be
found in thirteen regiments, ranging
from one company up to seven, and
now again Centre county has been
prompt to respond to the call of duty
and about one hundred of her sons
are practically on their way to the
borderland to help in avenging the
murder of American citizens and in
upholding the honor of the nation.
Troop L mobilized at the armory
in this place last Thursday and Cap-
tain H. Laird Curtin went before
Squire G. Wash Rees and took the
oath of allegiance to the federal
army. He later swore in first lieu-
tenant E. R. Taylor and second lieu-
tenant Claude W. Smith, while regi-
mental surgeon S. M. Huff was
sworn in by prothonotary. D. R.
Foreman. All the officers were busy
recruiting Friday and Saturday in
order to get the troop up to a war
basis.
BIG RECEPTION TO TROOP .
The farewell reception to the
Troop planned by the Elks was held
at the Elks home on Saturday even-
ing and proved a rousing send-off as
well as patriotic affair. The Elks
home was resplendent in its decora-
tion of flags and the national colors
and it is estimated that between four
and five thousand people were pres-
ent. hy
Headed by Our Boys band of
Milesburg the Troop marched from
the armory and came to attention on
the pavement in front of the Elks.
Burgess Edmund Blanchard presid-
ed and made a brief speech telling
the purpose of the meeting and ex-
orting the soldier boys to do their
duty when at the front. He then in-
troduced Col. H. S. Taylor as the
speaker of the evening, and- :that
gentleman, never did- better than he
did on that occasion, being frequent-
ly applauded to the echo by the
crowd as well as the members of the
Troop. In part Col. Taylor spoke
follows:
as
Officers and Men of Troop L, First Pennsylva-
nia Cavalry, and my Fellow Countrymen.
What means this vast assemblage of peo-
ple, this great outpouring of citizenship? It
means that dark, grim, brooding war again
o'erhangs this Nation. At this time such
scenes as we have here are being enacted in
every county and State in our great Nation.
The President of the United States has made
a cal for troops and you are responding,
and you will go forward to perform your
duty. I can see your banners flying, your
flags floating, your streamers dancing in the
morning breeze as you march to the wild,
grand music of war, while many a tear-
dimmed mother, sad sister or sweetheart
gives evidence of the call for war, and the
ones they love they are now giving to the
defense of their country.
Centre county has always been patriotic
and you are but following in the footsteps of
the heroes of the Revolution, the Rebellion
and the Spanish-American war; who fought
and fell on many battlefields in the defense
of their country. You are Centre countians
and you are Pennsylvanians “and we are
proud of you.
Look at the great record of this State,
the “Keystone State” of the Union. Was it
not on Pennsylvania soil that the first Con-
tinental Congress met, where the Declara-
tion of Independence was signed? It was
on Pennsylvania soil that the old ‘Liberty
Bell” rang out freedom and independence to
all the people of the earth and to the Na-
tions yet unborn. We have our Valley
Forge and cur Brandywine. Was it not on
Pennsylvania soil that the fifteenth decisive
battle of the world was fought at Gettys-
burg, the high water mark at the
peach orchard and the wheat field? There
the backbone of the rebellion was broken
and shattered and our enemies driven from
the field.
Pennsylvania gave to
great Generals Meade, Reynolds, Sheridan,
Beaver, Hartranft, Curtin and Gregg. It
was Centre county who gave to the State
the great War Governor, Andrew G. Curtin,
who stood at the.right hand cf the great
Lincoln and who was his main support dur-
ing that awful conflict. It was the Iennsyl-
the Naticn the
vania troops that were the first to respond
in that great war, and as they marched
down Pennsylvania Avenue in review be-
fcre President Linooln and his cabinet, the
President turned to his aides, and with tears
in his eyes, exclaimed: “God bless Pennsyl-
vania,”” “Ged bless the Pennsylvanians,”
“God bless her loyal Governor.”
This is an historical occasicn, held on a
historic spot, here at the residence of the
great War Governor, now occupied by the
Order of Elks, “the best people on earth,”
who have this great celebration in charge.
Their Order is founded upon the principles
of the Flag for which you all will fight.
Centre county again gave the great State
of Pennsylvania that great citizen, jurist
and soldier, General James A. Beaver, who
as Colonel of the 148th Pennsylvania, when
only twenty-one years old, reported to Gens.
eral Hancock for the assignment of his regi-
ent and he saluted and said, “Sir, I desire
ae my regiment be placed in the front,
‘where they can see and maintain the disci-
pline in the future which I have tatight
them in the past.” The great Hancock
turned to his aides after the 148th had de-
parted and said to them, “Boys, keep your
eyes on that young Colonel, he is a coming
man,” :
Again, Centre county furnished the War
Governor in 1888, great citizen, lawyer and
soldier, General D. H. Hastings, who with
untiring effort and with loyalty to the Na-
tion and to the citizens of his State, assist-
ed with all his ability and was the first Gov-
ernor in the Nation to report to Secretary of
War Alger that Pennsylvania’s quota was
ready to respond.
History is almost repeating itself again.
War is o'er the land, again a call is made
by the President and by Governor Brum-
baugh of this great State, who was born in
Huntingdon county, only a few miles from
the Centre county line,and as the War Gov-
ernor he will uphold and sustain the tradi-
tions of the past, in caring for Pennsylva-
nia troops in camp or at the front.
Therefore, you have before you the rec-
ord of great men and soldiers to uphold and
sustain, and I know you will do it. You will
follow in their footsteps and return the Flag
for which ycu fight unsullied while in your
hands. I know it will never be deserted ncr
dishonored. You have before you here upon
this rostrum the Daughters of the American
Revolution, the Spanish-American war vet-
erans and the Grand Army of the Re-
public, a remnant of those great patriots
who fought on many a battle-field, and 'when
they went to the front Gov. Curtin present-
ed to each and every regiment their colors
and standards, and he szid to them, “Here
are your colors your standards, take
them, znd I know as long as there is life
in a Pennsylvanian that they shall never be
dishonored nor deseried.” Years afterwards
when they returned they gave back to him
the colors and standards, tattered and tern,
and they said unto him, ‘Here Governor, we
return our cclers and standards and report
ed.” And I know that you will maintain the
great reccrd of all the scldiers and sailors
who lef: this ccunty and State.
The fundamental principles of success
a military organization in time of peace
in
or
war, is absclute obedience to your superior
officers, zlways obey every order without
hesitation, and maintainin; your herlth by
care and training; this means much. You
will have many hardships to undergo, many
sad hours, when far away from home but
always remember that your friends and a
great patriotic citizenship is behind you.
The loyal citizens of the community and
county will see that your wives and children,
your family or any cne you leave behind
will he teken care of until you return, and
may God speed the day when that will
(come.
Centre county furnished the great Gener-
dl, John I. Curtin, one of the finest military
men I ever knew and one of the ablest while
in the army, so that again history repeats
(itself, as in every war this county has had
since its foundation a “Curtin” has been in
her ‘ranks. And you have as your command-
‘er today Captain H. Laird Curtin, bearing
the stamp of character, loyalty, courage,
ability and patriotism of his great ances-
tors, and we all entrust to him, our fathers,
sons or brothers, and we know full well that
‘under him you will maintain the record
Centre countians and Pennsylvanians.
2" This great audience bids you God speed to
your Nation's call, and in the trying days to
‘come, and at night on the picket line when
‘the ‘stars shine down thrcugh the pale of the
silvery moon; when you are thinking of
home and friends, remember that you are
Bpholding your Nation's honor. Gaze at the
star and liken it unto the blue field of tle
flag of your country, the canopy of Heaven
covering zll, so in the future yet to come the
principles which our flag represents will
cover the entire world,
We will hope and pray that President #Wil-
son by some diplomacy will avoid this great
war. He knows that in time of war the
flower of every home is plucked and sent to
the front, leaving sorrow, tears and sadness
in every home.
Now, on behalf of zll here assembled, your
as
: friends’ and all citizens, I. bid you God-speed,
that they were never deserted nor dishonor-
and mey the day be hastened when you will
return to us again, having performed your
duty to your home, your country and your
God. Farewell.
At the close of Col. Taylor’s ad-
dress ex-Judge Ellis. L. Orvis was
introduced and in behalf of the
Bellefonte Chapter D. A. R. present-
ed to the Troop a regulation national
flag. In response Capt. Curtin
thanked the D. A. R. and said that it
would be the aim and endeavor to
bring back the flag as unsullied as it
was received. On behalf of the Elks
Burgess Blanchard then presented
each member of the Troop with a
big yellow silk kerchief, the delight
of all soldiers. The meeting closed
with prayer and the benediction
by Dr. Ambrose M. Schmidt.
TROOP LEAVES FOR MT. GRETNA.
The Troop was scheduled to leave
for Mt. Gretna at seven o'clock on
Sunday morning, and notwithstand-
ing the early hour about two thous-
and people gathered at the Pennsyl-
vania station to see them off and bid
them Godspeed. Prior to leaving the
armory Rev. William K. MecKin-
ney visited them, held a brief
prayer service and gave each man a
little booklet on the Gospel of St.
John, It was just a quarter of sev-
en when the Troop, headed by the
Runville band, marched from the ar-
mory to the station just as the train
pulled in. It took a few minutes to
shift the cars and during that time
final good byes were i
was the most affecting scene of all.
Women sobbed and even some of the
soldiers broke down and shed tears,
but they were not tears of regret or
cowardice, but merely the surcharge
of an overwrought heart for the sor-
row of others.
As soon as the train was made up
Capt. Curtin gave the order to en-
train and every man marched with
soidierly tread and got aboard. A
few minutes later the bell clanged
and trumpeters Donald M. Sny-
der and Frank B. Crissman stood on
the platform and trumpted out the
final call just as Frank Taylor did
eighteen years ago, and with the
band playing “The Star Spangled
Banner,” the train pulled out.
Wet eyes and heavy hearts were
left behind and the prayer of every
one in the multitude gathered to see
the soldier boys off was that every
man of them return, war or no war,
and that they then be crowned. with
honors worthily won.
The Troop train arrived at Mt.
Gretna at 12.30 p. m. Sunday and the
boys had their camp in order the
same afternoon. Monday afternoon
they were inspected and sworn into
the federal service and every man
firmly responded “yes” when asked
if he was willing to go to the front.
“ROOKIES” LEAVE FOR CAMP.
Second Lieutenant Claude W.
{ Smith and W. Lester Musser re-
i mained behind to finish recruiting
and on Monday they received orders
to leave for Mt. Gretna on the 1.08
train Tuesday with the men reecruit-
ed up to that time. Lieut. Smith
had done some hard work and when
he left on Tuesday it was with
twenty-nine new reeruits, ” expect-
ing to pick up two more at Tyrone.
The same honor shown the o¥igi-
nal members of Troop L was shown
the recruits. Headed by a band they
marched to the Elks where a public
farewell reception was given them.
Burgess Blanchard presided and
| brief speeches were made by Col.
Taylor, Col. W. R. Teller and Father
[Photo by Smith, State College, Pa.]
Capt. Curtin just in the act of giving the command that broke the Troop from a
column of fours into single file and started the boys to entrain.
the right, repeated the order.
Lieut. Taylor to
[Photo by Smith, State College, Pa.]
Sergeant Shreffler with the Troop Insignia leading the First Trooper Paul D. Sto-
ver to entrain. Capt. Curtin can be seen at the end of the platform directing the
movement.
said and this’
'T. E. Kelley, single,
i
McArdle. On behalf of the Elks
Col. W. Fred Reynolds presented
each one of the “rookies” with a big
vellow kerchief. From the Elks
they marched to the depot where the
parting scene was even more heart-
rending than that of Sunday morn-
ing, but they finally entrained and
got away amid cheers and the
strains of music.
TROOPLETS.
The “Watchman” has secured the
services of Corp. Harry J. Cohen to
furnish a weekly ‘letter, especially
about Troop L.
Col. H. S. Taylor has started a list
for the recruiting of another compa-
ny, if needed, and already has quite
a number of signers.
Col. J. L. Spangler gave the Troop
$25.00 for tobacco; the W. C. T. U.
gave each member a “housewife,”
A. G. Morris Jr., contributed a lead
pencil and holder to each member
and the Preparedness League will
send each trooper a numbered bag
in which to keep the curry comb and
brush for his horse.
Following is a complete roster of
the Troop: :
Captain—H. L. Curtin, married, Curtin.
First Lieut.—Edward R. Taylor, married,
Bellefonte.
Second Lieut.—Claude W Smith, married,
State College.
First Sergt.—Wilbur E. Saxion, married,
Bellefonte.
Quartermaster-Sergt.—Paul L. Wetzel,
gle, Bellefonte.
Sergeants—Lee R. Smith,
burg.
W. C. From, married, State College.
Harry W. Schreffler, married, Bellefonte.
sin-
married, Miles-
J Jlomer Decker, single, Pine Grove
ills.
Corporals—Uriah N. Stover, married, Belle-
fonte.
Harry J. Cohen, single, Bellefonte.
Roy H. Grove, married, Bellefonte.
Frank E. Taylor, single, Bellefonte.
Willis W. Eminhizer, married, Belle-
fonte.
Wilbur R. Decker, single, Pine Grove
Mills.
Cooks—Harry E. Whiteman, married, Miles-
urge.
Wilbur G. Rhoads, married, Bellefonte.
Farrier—John Morrison, married, Belle-
fonte.
Horse-shoer—Stewart Hampton, married
Bellefonte.
Saddler—William Shutt, married, Bellefonte.
Trumpeters—Donald M. Snyder, single,
Bellefonte.
Frank B. Crissman, single, Bellefonte.
PRIVATES.
Carey C. Alexander, single, Unionville.
Earle Baird, married, Lemont.
Raymond J. Bryan, single, Curtin.
Charles Brown, single, Bellefonte.
Howard L. Casper, married, Bellefonte.
D. C. Cochran, single, State College.
Harry G. Cox, married, Coleville.
Luther H. Crissman, single, Bellefonte.
Arthur Deering, single, State College.
William R. Devine, single, Pine Grove Mills.
Peter Delal, single, Bellefonte.
Robert T. Garman, single, Bellefonte.
Alonzo M. Gummo, single, Bellefonte.
Lingle H. Gummo, single, Bellefonte.
Thomas H. Hanley, married, Bellefonte.
Joseph L. Howard, single, Bellefonte.
Joseph S. Hull, single, Bellefonte.
Chester A. Johnson, single, Pine
Mills.
Claude M. Johnson, single, Bellefonte.
Howard J. Lannen, single, State College.
Sherman Lowry, single, Bellefonte.
Fearon Lyons, single, Bellefonte.
Clair F. McKinley, single, Milesburg.
Boyd A. McMurtrie, single, Coleville.
James G. Marshall, single, Bellefonte,
Harry C. Martin, single, Bellefonte.
Herbert S. Miller, single, Bellefonte.
Newton A. Miller, married, Bellefonte.
Wray A. Reed, single, Pine Grove Mills.
William Rote, single, Bellefonte.
Fred A. Roush, single, Pine Grove Mills.
John G. Sanford, single, Jamestown, N. Y.
Calvin R. Rice, sihgle, Bellefonte, = =
William H. . Royer, single, - State ‘Collegé.
Clair Smith, married, Milesburg.
Alfred Frank Smith, married State College.
J. T. Storch, single, State College.
Paul D. Stover, married, Bellefonte.
Edward Sunday, single, Bellefonte.
Walter Switzer, single, Bellefonte.
Charles Tierney, married, Lyontown.
B. Wise, married, Pleasant Gap.
Fred C. Yeager, single, Bellefonte.
J. Calvin Young, married, Bellefonte.
John G. Young, married, Bellefonte.
Walter Weaver, married, State College.
RECRUITS.
Walter M. Smith, single, Howard.
L. T. Shawley, single, Bellefonte.
Harry Rice, married, Bellefonte.
Glenn Weaver, married, Bellefonte.
George J. Keeler, single, Bellefonte.
John Gillen, single, State College.
Hugh Hanley, single, Bellefonte.
Howard.
J. G. Poorman, single, Coleville.
H. H. Ryan, single, Bellefonte.
D. M. Hendershot, single, Bellefonte.
James Dickerhoff, single, Paw Paw W. Va.
Geo. R. Norris, single, Bellefonte, R. D. 4
J. I. Logue, single, Unionville,
J. Z. Watson, married, Bellefonte.
C. E. Rothrock,single, West Decatur.
Carlisle Devine, single, Philipsburg.
William A. Lucas, single Axe Mann.
George A. Young, single, Philadelphia.
Jerome A. binson, single, Milesburg.
J. F. Jodon, single, Milesburg.
W. Lester Musser, single, Bellefonte.
James Reed, single, Bellefonte.
J. M. Shank, single, Milesburg.
Harold W. Thomas, single, Milesburg.
James H. Fox, single, Milesburg.
Charles S. Saxion, married, Bellefonte.
Grove
TWELVE “ROOKIES” RETURN HOME,
Twelve of the recruits taken by
Lieut. Claude Smith returned home
on the 4.20 train last evening. The
list includes Pat. Ryan, George Keel-
er, J. F. Jodon, L. T. Shawley, Chas.
Saxion, John Gillen, James H. Fox,
Harry Rice, J. I. Logue, John T.
Watson, and three others whose
names could not be learned.
[Photo by Smith, State College, Pa.]
Troop L just as it appeared in front of the “Watchman” office on the way to entrain for Mt. Gretna.
and Surgeon Huff are leading the Troop. Lieut. Taylor can be seen at the first file and 2nd Lieut. Smith at
1Photo by Smith, State College, Pa.]
Capt. H. L. Curtin
the last. =
, can see how the Troopers employed them.
The Last Handshake. After the Troop had boarded the cars there were a few moments before the train departed and you