100 years ago in The Record
Saturday, June 9, 1917
Under wartime self-censorship, The Record scrupulously datelines its reports from the field headquarters of the Second New York Infantry regiment “Somewhere in New York State.” Despite this concern for secrecy and security, it isn’t hard for Trojans to find the headquarters. The Troy-based Second regiment was called into federal service shortly before the U.S. declaration of war against Germany on April 6. The regiment, which did border-patrol duty in Texas last year, has been assigned police protective duties guarding strategic bridges, canals and railroads in northeastern New York State. “Quite a few visitors were in camp to-day on account of the Saturday half-holiday,” our correspondent reports, “and if to-morrow is pleasant there will probably be quite a crowd, as many persons, even though they have no relatives among the soldiers, are attracted by the camp itself.” While there have been some scares involving shots fired near bridges and canals since the outbreak of war, a lot of our reports from headquarters focus on hijinks among the regimental “Funsmiths.” This morning, for instance, “one of the men who is a recognized leader of the ‘Funsmiths’ in camp” delivers a bouquet of “wilted wild flowers” to Sergeant Major Deming before running out of Deming’s tent. The bouquet ends up in the tent of Lieutenant MacEwan, a recruiting officer, who makes an announcement acknowledging the gift.
“Gentleman – The recruiting office acknowledges the graceful compliment of the bo-kwet from the sergeant major’s office and distributes the beautiful flowers on the troubled waters.”
MacEwan then flings the “bo-kwet” back into Deming’s tent.
Marine recruiting
Millions of American men between the ages of 21 and 30 registered on June 5 for a military draft tentatively scheduled for early September. Those who don’t want to wait for the draft, but want to choose which branch of the military they’ll serve in, now have the option of joining the U.S. Marine Corps.
As Mayor Cornelius F. Burns explains in a proclamation issued today, the Marines hope to add 4,000 men to their ranks over the next week, between June 10 and June 16.
“For young men between the ages of twenty and thirtyfive who want to do their bit and want to enlist in a branch of the service where they will get plenty of action, the Marine corps holds many attractions,” the mayor says.
“I hope that the citizens of Troy will do their share toward helping this campaign in every possible way so that this city will have its quota of men in the landing force that will carry our treasured flag to our enemies’ shores and to VICTORY.”