Other front page articles are: “Families May Be Given Aid – Legislative Aid Sought For Dependents of Militiamen“, “British Launch Big Offensive“, “Mexicans Won’t Allow Advance“, and “Wilson Seeks To Avoid War“.
The news was busy with information from the ongoing war in Europe, the constant changing events with Mexico and the mustering of guardsmen in all states as well as the news of D Company and the 4th Infantry of Ohio. As guardsmen from New England are the first guard units to arrive at the border with Mexico, Ohio’s 4th is about to receive orders to move together to Camp Willis. Camp Willis being newly constructed in today’s Upper Arlington. Colonel Byron Larkin Bargar is in command of the regiment, which is 1,495 strong. The 6th Regiment was ordered to Camp Willis along with 1st Field Hospital Corp, 2nd Ambulance Company, and A Company of the Signal Corps.
The afternoon or Part 2 of the Marion Daily Star had a photo on it’s front page of D Company of the Fourth Ohio National Guard. The headline says that D Company was to Leave Sunday (next day) to Camp Willis. There they would join up with other companies of the Fourth Ohio.
The Marion Daily Star contained an article: “Daily Routine Of Ohio Militiamen”
Columbus, July 1, – As commander of Camp Willis, the mobilization camp here, Brigadier General William V. McMaken, of Toledo, has ordered the following daily routine to be observed by Ohio militiamen at the camp, pending their being mustered into the United States Army:
Reveille first call, 5:30 a.m.;
assembly, 5:45;
mess 6:15; sick call, 6:45;
fatigue, 6:50; drill, 7;
assembly, 7:10;
church call, Sunday, 1030;
recall from drill, 11:30;
adjutant’s call, 11:35;
first sergeant’s call, 11:40;
mess, 12; drill, 1P.M.;
assembly 6:15; tattoo 9;
call to quarters, 9:45;
taps, probably 10.
The soldiers go through exercises designed to limber up their joints immediately after responding to reveille.
The news continued with rumors of D company moving out. It seemed that the news wanted to report the move as soon as it was about to happen, but the Army had too many variables to take care of to give them the information.
In camp the company was busy about training the new recruits military drill and courtesy, weapons training, marksmanship, unit moments and daily camp life in an army unit. As this was a new camp, they were also being tasked out to help building of the camp itself.
On July 21, 1916 the War Department notified General W.V. McMaken that the remaining Ohio units at Camp Willis would be moved south to the border. Brigadier General John C. Speaks will review the Fourth, Fifth and Eighth Regiments; and Brigadier General W.V. McMaken will review the Second, Third and Sixth Regiments.
Poncho Villa and his Villista were still raiding and threats of the Mexican Federal Army, in defending their lands from the American invaders, were still front page news on many days.
The quartermasters were at this time trying to secure overcoats and other supplies for the soldiers in preparation for the move south. So men were drilled and inspected in preparations for the now impending border service.
On July 24th it was reported that Lightning had struck Camp Willis near its western section. This strike caused two privates from the Third Regiment to be injured from the shock of electric as they lay in their tents which were 100ft apart. One private, Elmer Lavalle of Bellefountain, Ohio was struck while his tent mates were untouched. He was carried, unconscious to the hospital. At the hospital he was cared for for over an hour before regaining consciousness. The second private, Victor Hamberger of Dayton, Ohio was stricken unconscious at the tent door. He was not discovered until an hour later when a tent mate stumbled over him in the darkness. Lightning also stuck the waste pipe next to Colonel Robert Hubler’s tent and knocked over several officers in that area. It also shocked a woman on the phone, but did not cause her to lose consciousness.
It was not until Friday, August 30th, that the Fourth actually moved out by train to the border. The regiment is commanded by Colonel Byron L. Bargar. The Fifth Regiment had moved out about 24 hours before. The Eighth Regiment is to move out the next day, Friday the cavalry squadron, 2nd Ambulance Company, and 2nd Hospital Corps.; Saturday the Artillery moves, And starting on Monday the First Brigade begins moment my train for the border. Only a battalion of engineers, two Field Hospitals and an ambulance company will remain and they are scheduled to leave September 8th.
Honoring Marion Ohio Veterans 