A Selectee Gets into the Army: Basic Training at Camp Taylor, Kentucky

Leroy F. Benway was working as a painter at the Marblehead Boat Company when he registered for the draft in June 1917. It was almost a year later when Benway "won" Uncle Sam's lottery and soon found himself, along with another 126 selectees from Ottawa County, Ohio, aboard a train headed for Camp Zachary Taylor near Louisville, Kentucky. It proved to be the adventure of a lifetime.

    "Although I am and always will be loyal to northern Ohio, I must admit that the farther south we got the more genuine and enthusiastic the receptions were that we received along the line," noted Benway. "In some of the smaller towns it seemed that everybody and his brother were out to wave and cheer us. In one town, a swell brunette stood by the side of the track and threw kisses with impartial generosity. Some of the fellows had thoughts of trying to secure a stopover ticket."

    Upon arriving at Camp Taylor, Benway would be assigned to the 31^st Company, 8^th Battalion, of the 159^th Depot Brigade. His letters describing his initial army experiences were originally published in June 15 and June 22, 1918 editions of the Ottawa County Exponent. 

New recruits disembarking from the trains at Camp Zachary Taylor found themselves in the largest U.S. Army cantonment in the country, with housing for roughly 47,000 men. "Upon arrival at the barracks of the 31st Company, we were presented a barracks bag about the size of an average-sized laundry bag," recalled Benway. "It in were our mess kits, two army blankets, and a suit of blue drilling material which they call our fatigue suits." 

Camp Taylor, Kentucky

May 30, 1918 & June 8, 1918

          After impressive demonstration of farewell given us at the station in Port Clinton, some of the boys wore rather serious faces for the first few miles but as we neared Toledo the contagious enthusiasm of the majority prevailed, and those that were somewhat downcast upon leaving their loved ones behind soon had their heads out of the windows and were waving and yelling at everything from a cow to a box car as the rest of us were doing. [Benway departed Ottawa County on May 27, 1918.] 

          At Toledo after much switching, which took nearly an hour, we were joined by men from Norwalk, Fremont, and Elyria. So, when we finally got started on our trip south there were over 900 men that occupied our special train consisting of twelve coaches. After we passed Kenton, we began to get hungry and word was passed that a dining car would be added at Bellefontaine. Some of the fellows that had visions of a table d’hote luncheon in the diner soon had their dreams rudely shattered.

          Shortly after leaving Bellefontaine a couple of colored waiters in aprons that were more or less white passed through the train and handed each man a box lunch and tin cups with some sort of chemical fluid in that they called coffee. The lunch consisted of three sandwiches of uncertain denomination, although they tasted pretty good, two boiled eggs, a piece of meatloaf, and an apple. Mine was a Ben Davis and in a slightly decomposed state. But everything tastes good to a hungry man.

          We next passed through Springfield. We had a good view of the town as apparently; we went through the business section. On the outskirts of town, we saw two girls about 18-20 years of age hoeing in a field near the track. Both had on overalls and were barefooted. It was another example of how women are taking the place of men in this international crisis. Dayton came next but we passed through the edge of the town at nearly full speed. What we saw of it was plenty of shade trees and pretty residence houses. We traveled at express speed until we arrived at the numerous suburbs of Cincinnati.

Although I am and always will be loyal to northern Ohio, I must admit that the farther south we got the more genuine and enthusiastic the receptions were that we received along the line. In some of the smaller towns it seemed that everybody and his brother were out to wave and cheer us. In one town, a swell brunette stood by the side of the track and threw kisses with impartial generosity. Some of the fellows had thoughts of trying to secure a stopover ticket.

New recruits often arrived brimming with enthusiasm and patriotic fervor. The army quickly got the men to work learning how to march and drilled the newbies for 8 hours per day or more. 

          To one accustomed to the flat prairie-like land in the like region, the hills of southern Ohio are a very interesting sight. Some are really too steep to use for anything but pastureland. Someone said that the offspring of the inhabitants that have lived in this hilly locality for generations are born with one leg shorter than the other so as to conform with the lay of the land. Of course, you can believe this if you want to; I personally don’t. As we passed the aviation field at Dayton an airplane followed us for several miles and just outside Cincinnati, two more circled over us. This, with the well-tilled fields we saw on every side, gave us the feeling that we were not alone in this worldwide fight for democracy.

          Our view of Cincinnati was from the edge of town. We stopped there for at least an hour while they changed engines and filled the water compartments. I suppose they thought that if they took us nearer the town some of the boys might try to get some of that amber-colored fluid for which Cincinnati is noted. After leaving Cincinnati, we began to wind our way through the hills on the northern bank of the Ohio River. The scenery here is really wonderful. But darkness soon ended our observations. With the coming of dusk, our way was illuminated by the millions of lightning bugs that fairly swarmed on each side of the track. As twilight deepened into the soft southern night, broken only by infrequent lights that twinkled invitingly from distant farmhouses, some of the boys grew silent and in many eyes were that faraway look that bridged the several hundred miles between our onrushing train and old Lake Erie.

          After traveling through Ohio and Indiana, we crossed the river opposite Louisville. As we stopped for a few minutes near the edge of the town we got the first indication that we were near the Mason-Dixon line when a drawling voice called from the darkness “Where are you all from?” After a little we ran out opposite the canal, a distance of about five miles. There we lined up in pairs and marched about half a mile to the barracks and our army life was on. Most of us immediately took a much-needed shower bath. It would be safe to say that the cinders and dust collected on our heads, hands, and clothing would stock up a respectable stockyard. If we had not been hanging out the windows we might have arrived in a more sanitary condition.

Upon arrival at the barracks of the 31^st Company where we are now located, we were presented with a barracks bag; this is about the size and shape of an average-sized laundry bag. In it were our mess kits which consisted of a receptacle not unlike a good-sized soup plate, only mine is oval-shaped. In this was a knife, fork, and a spoon. The cover makes a very good plate pro tem; a good-sized cup with a handle that folds back this making a more composite article. The entire kit is of aluminum. Two army blankets and a suit of blue drilling material, which they call our fatigue suits, concludes the contents of the barracks bags.

The M1910 all aluminum mess kit was durable, easy to clean, lightweight, and relatively cheap to produce and as Benway noted, was the first item issued to a new soldier. 

          We were next shown to our bunks, but as we hadn’t been issued mattresses of ticks yet, we were compelled to spread our blankets on the bare springs. But we were all tired, so anything looked good to us. The next day, which was Sunday, we spent getting acquainted with our surroundings. We are limited to only certain boundaries until after our third inoculation. All the boys from Ottawa County are in the same barracks but are divided alphabetically into two sections. Section one goes from A to K, section two from L to Z. Each section is in charge of a drill sergeant and several corporals. We drill approximately eight hours a day with half an hour, and sometimes more, each morning and afternoon for recreation or play period. During these periods we either play ball or any game that will help to build up one’s constitution so when the supreme test comes over there, he will be physically fit.

          We were required to go through several examinations. First was a physical examination. I believe that from our county there has been but one rejection to date. Next, we went through a psychological examination. This is to determine one’s ability to think quickly and to concentrate one’s thoughts. This examination was written and we had a limited time to answer each question. It was really interesting. I am anxious to find out how we all stood in the test. We next went through the personnel office. Here we were required to give our occupation and tell in what branch of the service we considered ourselves the most efficient. I told them that I would be best qualified for the coast artillery because of its proximity to water and if I can get there, I may eventually land in the merchant marine or some other nautical service.

I have neglected to mention our inoculations or shots as they are commonly called here. Every man in the service must undergo this. Each man is vaccinated for smallpox and given a triple thyroid inoculation. After the third shot, we are allowed liberty of a pass which enables us to leave the camp. So, you can see that as yet, although we are within a 15-minute ride to Louisville, we know no more about the town than we do about Hong Kong. We will get our third shot about next Wednesday. The first two shots laid several of the boys out for a day or so. My second shot made me foggy for half a day.

In our company there are also two sections from Pike Co., Indiana; another section was added this morning making considerably more than 300 men in the 31^st Co. at present. There has been six men picked from each section as being farthest advanced and were given rifles and are now doing special drill. From these men will be picked the future non-commissioned officers. I’m proud to state that I was one of the men recommended from our section. I expect to be doing guard duty next week.

There is a rumor current that after our third shot that we will be transferred to Camp Sherman, but the possibilities are that those who won the promotion will remain here to help drill the next bunch of future heroes, so I don’t know just what will become of me. But as I told you though, the last night I was home, if there is a chance to better myself, I was sure of going after it and I am not disappointed in anything yet. So, in case I stay here during the summer I will surely be home on a furlough before we go over.

There are 30 minutes right after breakfast that are devoted to singing. We all gather around the front steps and the singing leader gets up on the top steps and directs the vocal efforts of the men. We sing the songs that are best known to the men. One parody to the chorus of the Battle Hymn of the Republic condemns a certain person of Teutonic descent that sports an upturned mustache to all the fire and brimstone of the hereafter. But here is the funny one. This morning the regular singing leader was on guard and the lieutenant came out and called me up to direct the songs and I had to get up there before over 300 men. But the boys were all with me and as we made more noise than usual, they said I was likely booked for the job permanently!

The officers encourage singing any time except during drill. We have two pianos in the barracks and during the evening there are always a crowd singing around them. It keeps the men from growing despondent or melancholy. The more pep that is displayed the better the officers like it. The watchword of the camp seems to be cleanliness. Every rule to maintain the highest degree of sanitation is made and rigidly enforced. They say that this is one of the most healthful camps in the country. To illustrate this, any man committing some minor offense is sent in the mess hall to catch as many flies as the sergeant may direct.  The discipline of the men from Ottawa County and the way that they quickly adapted themselves to military life has been very good. There has been no deliberate insubordination on any man’s part. Any of those that were given extra work or in some way deprived of their holidays have been for some offense due to absent-mindedness or a temporary forgetfulness of the rules. Each day men are detailed to help in the kitchen or in the barracks. I have been a room orderly twice. But since they have formed this special squad, those selected are exempt from detail work unless they commit some offense.

Hundreds of soldiers gather in front of the Knights of Columbus hall to enjoy a concert in the summer of 1918. "The officers encourage singing any time except during drill," Leroy Benway reported. "It keeps the men from growing despondent or melancholy. The more pep that is displayed, the better the officers like it." For young men away from home, many of them for the first time, the constant activity helped keep the men from growing homesick. 

So now mother, don’t worry about me. I really like it here and if there was a chance to be exempt tomorrow, I would refuse it. If one just uses his head for something besides a place to park his hat, he can get a lot out of the army that one would never get in civilian life. I had my life insured for $10,000 under the service system. So, if some German can run fast enough to stick his butcher knife into me, you will be able to buy me a lot of flowers with that much money. So please, mother, let me do the worrying, not you. If you leave it to me, there won’t be any done, because I’ll be back. Now keep writing right along because receiving letters is the best thing a soldier does. If the folks at home could see how eagerly the boys crowd down the hall when the mail comes in, and then to see the ill-concealed looks of disappointment on the faces of those that have been forgotten, they wouldn’t hesitate to write at every opportunity.

Benway would eventually go overseas as a member of Battery F, 140th Field Artillery of the 39th Division but would not see combat.  

Source:

Letters from Private Leroy Franklin Benway, 31^st Co., 8^th Battalion, 159^th Depot Brigade, Ottawa County Exponent (Ohio), June 15, 1918, pg. 7; also, June 22, 1918, pg. 5