The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-11-18
IN FAR HIw All.
". q. Keith, Of the United States Engineers
Tells a druphlc Story Of Things Tie Sees
and the Life Of q Soldier.

Editor REGIsTER-As have been
here since August II, will try and
tell you something about our camp,
the Island and what have seen. In
the first place want to say that all
che papers that we get here (T mean
the papers that we buy when the boats
get in) are either Seattle, Frisco or
Portland papers and from some cause
misrepreeent some things. One would
think we we're In a starving condition
and all sick. That 10 not correct.
When we first came here we were
short OF ratione but as we had all
been paid just before we left Frisco
we could all live awhile IL we had no
rations, bnt 1t was not more than ten
days before we drew our full rations
and have done 80 ever since that
time. We do not draw any of the
delicacies that you would get at the
Thomson House but we do get
plenty OF fresh beef mutton, Ar
mour's emoked bacon, Lima beans,
potatoes, onions, sugar and rice. We
also draw baking-powder, pepper,
vinegar and so forth which we sell or
exchange for other goods such as
dried apples, cabbage, celery, carrots
and sweet potatoes. get as much
MS l expected should when l en-
listed.) Now l will tell you how our
kitchen Is run.
There is an officer in charge at all
times, who looks after getting things
for the cook. If we draw more fresh
meat than we want he sells the meat
and buys vegetables. All the bak-
ing powder and surplus vinegar IL
sold and the money used the same
way. The non commissioned officer
is relieved every ten days and the
next one tries to do just little bet
ter. They trade all the flour to the
bakers for bread, so we have very
good bread all the time, but you know
some of the boys kick for the same
reason they will kick because they
have to put on blue for dress parade.
Some of the boys kick ON their of
ficers and l don't blame them either
IN some cases, but as for. Co. NJ. en-
gineers, | have never heard kick
from any man in the Company on the
commissioned officers. Our Captain,
Geo. w. Freeman, is IA model man and
soldier. He understands his business
aud was lst. Lieutenant of Naval Re-
serves at Portland, Oregon, and re-
signed TO take the position he now
holds and his job dent hurt him, and
all soldiers look alike to him. He IL
not only spoken of highly by his own
men, but by every one that he has
anything to do with and is not afraid.
TO contend for his rights and if he has
any man sick he looks after them
whether they are at the Hospital or
camp and If the Doctor marks a
man for duty and the man will go to
the captain and tell him he IL sick he
will not have to do any duty. He is
an all around common sense man and
soldier and is respected by all.
Our lst. Lieutenant, G. A. Coolidge,
is a Portland man and he Is good
officer. He is Actg. Adjutaut and we
do not have him with us much, as his
business don't allow him much
time with the Company. Our Second
Lieutenant, +. f. Fannet, lie good
officer and well liked 10y all the COM
pany and the Non. CONS. all suit me.
| can't speak for anyone but myself
there, although | believe they give
general satisfaction
Now as for the health of the camp,
l think it is good, considering the fact
that we are in different climate
chan we have in the States, but we