US Army Infantry School - Doughboy Yearbook (Fort Benning, GA)

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Jr. ll -- 1 I, f.... L Y -M3l,lQ,24,-QQLQHBOY upon the ground in complete subjugation. pointing their pieces at small disks held some ten paces forward by persons of their own tribe, while their keepers stood above them armed with nothing save small sticks sometimes used in riding. But these vassals seemed not ill con- tent, and I actually observed much merri- ment among them. And I noticed too, a number had provided themselves with round crystals with which old men are Y wont to read small print. But these men al were not old, nor were they using these crystals for their accustomed purpose, but rather focusing the rays of the sun upon the necks of their fellows in front. And oft they slapped at what they no doubt thought were large insects of the locality. My attention was attracted a little fur- ther down the line by hearing someone called Admiral, and at this I marvelled, since I had seen neither ships nor sea. I made bold to approach this sailor-like per- son, and enquired what 'twas all about. And he told me a strange tale. We are learning to squeeze the triggerv he said. And I asked: Have you nothing to squeeze but triggers?,' But he uttered a strange nautical expression and turned away. When I next saw them there was little merriment and their actions were most strange. Each had in front of him a small board, upon which he from time to time made curious curves, and rubbed them out as fast as he made them. They all moved, with no apparent reason, from place to place, keeping however always near three large circular objects which I later learned were tanks. Upon looking further I discovered a bookish person wearing spectacles and an intelligent air, with neither board nor occupation. I approached him that I might learn the reason for the strange conduct of all about me. And he told me they were searching for contours to place upon a drawing of the local- ity. At this I rnarvelled, since he held in his hand a drawing which he consult- ed from time to time as if it were of the particular locality. So Iemade bold to 1 - be -W 5 , . ,Z i N w V 41 I 4 X WS r ill

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Jr- U -- if .41 '3 i l . J. 4. QP A3 N ew -,,.. N' Axz f ligliiglgu-B'i The spell was broken and I again directed my progress toward the Manor, the charm of which had now somehow diminished. Being now left somewhat in rear I waited for the next maneuver of that motley crew. And I had not long to wait, though their actions were' contrary to my expectations. I had anticipated hostilities, and was greatly surprised to see them met by well mannered young men Whose habilment was greatly brightened by what appeared in the distance to be pink breeches. Their foot gear I easily recognized as having been made by one rind of London. And these young gallants led my people into an out-house situated on the edge of the Manor grounds. Now I was sure 'twas an ambush, for they came out one by one, each dropping in a metal receptacle with a disappointed and disgusted look, the little blue object he had carried in his hand so carefully all the way from the village. This I had taken for some unusual imple- ment of war, since each treasured his so jealously. But as I saw them looking closely at these on the way along the trail: muttering and looking heaven- ward, I concluded 'twas some form of prayer book or the Koran. I was more bewildered when I took one from the refuse can and read in large letters on its cover: 'Informationf I now noticed for the first time the hovels of the vassals situated a re- spectful distance in the rear of the Manor. I G51 And these seemed exceedingly small and in sad repair as though the estate were unpro- 5 3 fitable and the Prince niggardly in providing gf, 'N at Silk 'Q the Baron with funds. And into these the , invaders were herded with their womenfolk. Fl ' ' I I fml K I 0 0 And my heart bled for them in their hour 1, 1 9 of trial. 5? allu.,. vll ' The heat being now past all endurance, I sought shelter and saw not these people for a number of days. And when I did I was greatly surprised. As they had ap- 0 p e a r e d spirited JUS? J 7,- when last I saw OQKQK 198, W- Q gg t h e m, thought 64 ,J A troubled and con- 7 fused, I had expected a revolt as soon as they 4. , could purloin that with which to fight. Ima- A gine my astonishment when I found them ' ' f armed with fowling pieces, but stretched E 'Pings 2 ia 1 1:52 1, ? ' :ii 1 'S no ' 5 , . r , 1 is, 1. 7 - K ,-1 '01 iv I

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,1 - fi r ! ., I. L' N : ,. 1 E JIM. nd dl X 0 l , Ag 1924- oousuaov ask: Have you no drawing of this locality? Most certainly said he But these people are being taught to draw here, that they may apply their knowledge elsewhere. And are there other places which have no drawings and none Whose Q if profession requires them to supply such de- CJ Q ficiency? There are no such places he X Q said But these vassals must learn to draw :. J 1 maps that they may then read those which Xxlffa :Axim others have drawn. ' This seemed strange to r ....Z' me, and I asked him if they were also to learn Y . . . l 3 to write books that they might 1n turn read those which others had written. He answered me not, but gave me a withering look and passed on. In my minglings with the members of this tribe, who had now come to speak more freely in my presence, I heard an oft repeated word which seemed to spread consternation among them and cause them to tremble and grow white around the gills. This was the word Monograph which I learned was a speech each must make, and in it display his knowledge of some part of the jousting in Europe during the last years of the reign of Wilhelm. Soon thereafter, one bright Saturday morning, I followed to the upper story of a disconsolate looking building in the village, and there I found them all assembled, hushed and stilled at the sound of a small whistling device wielded by one called King Alfred. This person I learned was no king in reality, though regal in bearing, but had been selected by the clan as their leader to trans- O ' mit their desires to the Baron, and protect i them from oppression. And right nobly he J performed these delicate tasks. 'S A A D w And now there mounted the rostrum X E Q one of the tribe, with polished brass but shak- get fk ing limbs and ashen face as though the very f X 1 W thought of that which he was about to relate had torn and shaken his soul until nocturnal repose had long since fled. And he spoke at Vg I fx length with much learning, pinning the while -g- QSJ XX red and blue arrows at various places upon -'A l -1? a large drawing, which seemed to be con- FTA l 'M i v-Q -.15-e , , If 's, 1-vi 4 - f x 4 'iff' ll