Three companies and two batteries from Michigan, Wisconsin and two batteries and the companies from Illinois occupied the wooden barracks south of the gully.
After leaving the gymnasium that August morning the new rookie went to the company to which he was assigned. Provisions had been made for his coming. Equipment was ready. Consequently there was not the long period of waiting where men only half-equipped march with their company for weeks.
Early in the afternoon of the first day the commandant looked out on the parade grounds. He saw^ company after company marching by — the officers of the companies competing with each other to see w^ho could get their men to work first and who could make the best showing. No one will pretend the marching was perfect. There were some sad efforts to maintain
the pace — there were some wornout rookies before night but they got to it
fast, and when they went to mess at 6 P. M., — Oh, Boy!
That first mess — it was interesting. Long w^ooden tables — and long benches — men closely packed. Cooks and waiters who had been through three months' grind, unaffected by "Who is w^ho. " Just "cooking the chow" and putting it before the crowd.
Some courtesy and politeness that first mess. Just getting acquainted, trying to get a right start with the men of the squad. Looking things over casually then passing them to the next fellow, thinking that they w^ould return as they did back home, but they had a way of not returning, and "there w^asn't any more" — so the waiter said. That was an army lesson they didn't forget.
Then came the second mess after the hike of that first afternoon and
home rules were off. Men did not scan the dishes placed before them they
reached and ate and then reached again. The coffee wasn't just like the Blackstone, but it was warm and it went to the spot and after they had eaten everything placed in front of them they went to the canteen and bought some more.
To show just how rules of army etiquette are formed we believe the prize should go to the man who gave the following bits of advice to his comrades on "How to become popular in the Mess Hall."
1. As soon as the signal is given to "take seats ' get your feet under the table as quickly as possible. Never do it the same way twice, though. In this way you keep the fellows on both sides of you in doubt and generally result in your getting first stab at the meat.
2. Grab the coffee pitcher with one hand and the bread plate w^ith the other and never let go of either until you've laid in your supply.
3. If there are only three pieces of anything left on a plate w^hen it gets to you, take two. The plate may not come back again and the chances are that the other fellow^s didn't want any anyw^ay.
4. When biscuits are passed, don't forget your party tricks, for you may grow^ hungry later and uniforms have pockets.
5. Try to sip your soup as noisily as possible. It helps to drown the noise of dishes.
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