St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-06-15
LETTER FROr1 CHIcKAr1AUdA.
Letter from Company D-compIete Equipments
Soon to be Recelved-The Weather-Review
by General Breckenridge Officers Of COM
many II.

panyD.
(From our Regular Correspondent.)
Our grounds, upon which the regimen
was hastily located at first and in which
little regard was had for alignment O
streets, company and battalion, has beer
re'surveyed and enlarged, and Vernon
Regiment No. now boasts a camp a,
well laid out and prettily arranged a,
any in the park.
We are situated about twenty rod.
from our original position and have botf
sides of the street to ourselves, as al
Camp Olympia. Our street, nicely
cleaned and well kept, presents a very
attractive, homelike appearance, and a.
sit at my tent door tonight and watch
the familiar faces OF the "boys," some
writing to the friends whom we car
hardly realize we are separated from BY
so many long miles; others grouped
about the tent doors, while down the
street, casting fitful shadows here and
there, and bringing into bold relief the
forms OF the men as they pass to and fro
shines the pitch pine camp fire, find il
hard to realize that we are here in the
interest of grim warfare instead of peace
WARS and rumors Of wars" seem but
the unpleasant remembrance of hall.
forgotten dream, but that it is grim
reality many OF those at the front have
had reason to know.
1t hardly seems probable that active
service is in store for Company D., but
the fortunes of war are tickle and the un.
expected often happens.
Some unpleasant things have befallen
in the past two weeks, as was naturally
to be expected. The sudden transition
from Vermont to climate where the
temperature often reaches the hundred
mark, cannot but have visible effect
upon the health and spirits of the boys,
and this coupled with and augmented by
the poor water and poorer rations, have
rendered the greater part Of the company
hors-du.combat, at least temporarily.
Many letter, rendered more vigorous
by the pangs of hunger and tinged,
doubtless, by a slight homesickness,
which the writer could not be induced to
acknowledge, has gone back to Vermont,
carrying anxiety and even exaggerated
ideas of our discomforts to the dear ones
who await our return.
Enough OF this has been true. A lack
of forethought, of preparation as regards
equipment and eommissary Departments,
has characterized this campaign, but out
of chaos is gradually coming order, and
the men at the heads of these depart
ments are learning lessons which may be
of service in the future. Many OF the
boys have been ragged and nearly bare
footed, but our shoes were issued Mon
day night, underclothing and socks will
be given us tomorrow, and uniforms.
guns and complete equipment will prob.
ably follow in few days. Our weather
is not so intolerable as the figures OF
the thermometer would lead one to ex-
pect. Today, with the thermometer at
the one hundred mark, our two hours
drill caused but little discomfort. There
is peculiar dryness to the air, together
with never-failing breeze, which does
much to alleviate whatever suffering
might be caused by the too ardent rays
OF the sun.
Day after day we have had the same
sunny skies, one incipient thunder storm
alone varying the monotony. And such
evenings! cool and comfortable, with
nights which make warm blanket
necessity. The general health of the
company is much improved. None of the
boys are seriously i'll. and they are fast
becoming reconciled to the army rations
and the many inconvenience of camp
life. Last Saturday our brigade was
reviewed by General Breckenridge and
staff. watched them us, nine thousand
strong, they deployed past the re-
viewing stand, and though our regiment
lacked the new uniforms and equipments
which distinguished many, yet the APP
pearance which they made was not one
to make the people of Vermont ashamed
of her representation. As l heard the
hoarse commands of the New York offic
ers. coupled with volleys of oaths, and
compared it to the gentlemanly bearing
of our Vermont officers, felt glad that
our lines were cast in so pleasant places.
And just here comes word for the indi-
vidual officers of our own company.
Upon company's officers depends not
only their discipline and effectiveness, but
the pleasure and happiness as well, and
but voice the sentiment OF every man in
Company d, when make the statement
that in all the regiments here assembled,
none have company officers more devoted
to the interests and individual welfare of
their men than have we. That we realize
this and that they have behind them the
support of the company, we
are glad to be able to say.
We are all right. We are looking for
no pleasure trip, but are waiting for
the time, when, our duty done. we can
again ground arms on the old armory
floor, and fall out to receive the welcome
we are sure awaits us.
HERBERT T. FISHER.
Lytle, Ca, June 8, 1898.
N