Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1898-12-23
From Camp Mckenzie.
Sergt Booth. one OF the 35th. Boys. writes us
an interesting letter.
AUGUSTA, GA, Dec. Is. 1898.


AUGUSTA, GA, Dec. Is. 1898.
Editor ALMA RECORD: AS requested
will write a short letter about our
camp and surrounding country. To be-
gin with had a very pleasant journey
from Alma TO Camp Mckenzie, journey
ing through the level state Of Ohio l
passed some of the best farming country
ever saw Farms kept up in nice
shape, churches and school houses all
along the line. But what a contrast
when we crossed the Ohio river into
Kentucky. A very hilly country poor
ly kept farms rarely saw a school
house, although the surrounding vicini.
ty of Lexington was very nice. The
state on the whole shows lack OF good
industry. | account for it by noticing
that each farm house has several little
white washed buildings that were once
inhabited by slaves and 1t was this con-
ditiOn all the way down. l saw large
fields grown up TO underbrush; people
ploughing with one mule, etc, that
shows the people still mourn the loss OF
their slaves and their property has de-
generated Passing through the Cum
berlain mountains, the scenery Is mag.
nificient. Large overhanging rocks,
hundreds of feet above our heads,
mountain streams the same distance
below us, rushing along over large rocks,
darting here and there TO find a passage
way 10 their destination Beautiful
shrubbery and numerous tunnels all
added to keep one in constant wonder
and / enjoyed it very much. There are
plenty of deer and turkeys in these
mountains. They hunt deer with dogs
&c n
streams abound with fish 1t is the
paradise tor sports with gun and rod
But after we passed into Georgia the
scenery changed again very abruptly.
level country, cotton fields, negro
huts. small pine groves and small towns
were about all | could see. Soil, red
clay and sand, and. by-the-way, almost
every house has the renowned little
chimney on the end" built of stone or
brick and runs from the ground up to
the outside of the building. Well l ar
rived at Augusta after thirty-s six hours
ride and proceeded up TO camp which is
four miles out of the city on a level
sandy tract of country which previous
to our camping here was covered with
small oaks which are all removed, root
and branch, making splendid drill
field and camp ground of about one
thousand acres Water system, hydrant
| TO each two companies, electric lights,
and car lines TO city, making it very
nice place to camp and the boys as a
rule are far more healthier and III better
spirits than at any other camp we have
| been located, (William Carrel of Alma
was so fat that | did not know HIM.
There is no more typhoid fever in camp.
| There is one division here, two bri-
gades). We are brigaded with the 10th
| Ohio, lst Maryland and one regiment
of our brigade goes TO Cuba soon. l do
not know which one will draw the
| lucky number Most of the boys have
returned from their furloughs and we
can fell in quite company once more.
Some Of the boys want to go home but
| the most of them are contented to fulfil
the pledge they took on the 10th OF July
| 1898, TO serve two years, unless sooner
| discharged, and do their duty without
murmuring. l wish you people of
Gratiot county had some of this mistle-
toe and holly. that grows here in
abundance for Xmas.
Monday is a gala day for Augusta.
President Mckinley and party will be
there. The entire division will pass in
the broad street of Augusta. The city
is in holiday attire and the entire city
is eXpectant of a grand time and 70 add
10 the city's welfare the boys got paid
this week and the cars cannot take them
70 the city fast enough to spend it (some
are sorry when they get sober. 1t is
very warm here today, like a day IN
June Visitors flock here every day
and will say this much for the south,
the people THAT is the best people, are
Ievery inch the lady or gentleman they
are so proud of calling themselves
There are some very beautiful women
here and the grace and courtesy with
which they entertain the soldier boys
(that is those that are gentlemen is be-
coming TO any lady of any country
But the lower class-it is awful, mostly
negroes of the poorest type. Little huts
dirty streets, negro children and filth
with scanty food and ragged clothes
they wander here and there about the
city. Some work, but the most Of them
are very indolent, making direct con
trast to the upper class. who draw q
) very severe line between themselves and
the lower class | have just described
One more note and that is all. The
south is hand in hand with the north il
this war. Our flag is theirs and the
old wounds of 81 are healed over anC
for this alone we can feel that this wal
was not in vain for / would say "they
have suffered enough"
Yours respectfully,
FLETCHER BOOTH,
Car,,t Co II Q6tb Mich IT = " Inf