Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1898-08-04
A Letter from Camp Merritt.

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL, July IS, 1868.
Dear Father.-I have not heard from
you since your letter of the 18th $inst.
| did not know Earl Spangler was
here until I received your letter. /
went and hunted him up. He is in
Co. /, and seems to be in good health
and is a fine young man. Earl knows
many people in Guthrie county and
in Greeley township with whom we
are acquainted. / saw an Audubon
Republican today which contained a
letter from Henry johnson of Co. L.
Did you see the letter in the State
! Register, signed Bugler? We were
given half hour drill after breakfast
this morning, but for some reason they
have not called US out for our regular
two hours drill. 1t is rumored that
we will move to the Preside Friday as
that is a healthier place for camp than
this. 1t is also rumored that we will
leave on the Arizona about August 5.
The Arizona is under guard from the
5lst, while she is being fitted up. 1
inclose you flower which has grown
and blossomed on the grave of Minnie
Williams, the young lady that was
murdered by Durant in one of the
churches here. 1t is cold and foggy
today. There has been many cases of
pneumonia in camp lately, and some
typhoid fever. Two men have died
in our regiment since my last letter.
1t is reported that one of these men
drank two quarts of whisky, walked
three blocks and fell down never to be
on his feet to drill or TO march with us
again and to think he should die such
death when he might have been an
honor to us, as it was he was dis
honor. When he might have been a
gallant defender of this grand and
glorious nation, he yielded to the
worst enemy of mankind. When he
might have been nations pride in
emulation Of Hobson or a Wayn-
right. Whisky, just think of it! /
will also send you map of our regi-
ment camp which l drew for you Sun
day afternoon. We have been having
half hour squad drill and two hours
regiment drill in the forenoon and one
hour company drill in the afternoon.
The quantity and grade of provisions
has been improved lately, and all the
boys are in good spirits. If man
takes proper care of himself here l
think there is not much danger of his
being sick. | have been writing this
III UIle hdSoulC Ieul, IL is u SOOu place
to write and not be disturbed. The
last battalion of South Dakota troops
will break camp today and march to
the transports tomorrow. Harriff' and
| went over to their camp and bought
tent floor SXl0 feet and they helped
us carry it to our tent, so you see we
have floor in the parlor, one in the
lodging room, one in the dining room,
well we have floor all over the house
now, that's all. We do not know
when we are going any more than we
did when 1 wrote you last. Tell all
the boys good morning for me, and tell
them my health is good and that /
am feeling fine. You will see by the
picture of Camp Merritt which l sent
you that we have fine view of Gold
en- Gate, the harbor and the parks
from our encampment. The water
of the harbor washes the sands not
very far from our camp. You may be
sure if we go to Manila via the Sand
witch Islands and can get to stop off
there | shall try and see and learn all
l can while we are at Honolulu. We
are all anxious to go if they need US at
the PHILIPPINE Islands. With love to
all / remain as ever your son,
] WARD B. SMITH.