Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-06-23
A Letter From Rev. kreII.

| Company X 51St Regt la. Vol. Camp Merritt
San Francisco, Cal, June II '9S.
How we waved our hats and cheered last
Thursday at 2:15 as the 2nd battalion came into
Sacramento and again at 4 % as the last one
| came. We left just few minutes afterward
and crossed the Sacramento river on our way
| for ssh Francisco. The river is very large.
There we saw the first large steam boat. There
was great cheering as we pulled out of the de-
pot. We entered "a very level country with
thousands of acres of bulruShes in it, We soon
were in the most beautiful country ever saw.
Real level lands, large and well improved farms
with beautiful mansions and large barns. Large
| pastures contained thousands of cattle Soon
the fields of golden grain are passed. Some are
| harvested, some are being harvested. This is
| followed by another tract of large orchards and
large fields of grapes. Palms are numerous
| Peach orchards abound. Again we pass
! through a wheat belt. At sos p. m nothing
! but golden wheat fields can be seen anywhere
| except the residences with groves around them.
| 1t is now seventy miles to SanFranciSco. At
! 2:l0 went Oh guard so my notes are now taken
on car platform. The guard prevent any from
| standing on car platform while the train is in
motion and prevent any from getting off when
! it stops.
We see mountains on west and east and are
getting nearer to them all the time. AT $50
we near the foot hills. Wheat is still king. 1t
is the only leading crop in the grain line. No
corn is raised. The climate from Sacramento
to san Francisco is perfectly delightful. At 5: 40
again i'll bulrush country Hundreds of acres
of swampy land is passed On higher ground
is the pasture lands. At 6 we are at the foot of
small mountains. 1t now Is very cool and the
] win 10 CTR
Z at Penacia thirty-three miles from San Fran
| CISCO The river at this point is mile
wide. We saw two large vessels that had re-
Gently returned from Honolulu, one a steamer
and the other sail ship. After getting supper
our train was taken in three sections on to the
ferry boat and across the river. There was
room for more. Quite Il sight for Iowa boys.
At 8 we were again on our way at high speed.
We passed many boats, from the small fishing
smack to the large vessel. Mare Island, where
the navy yard is located was seen across the
river. Thursday at 0 D. IN. we arrived at Oak
land just four days and twelve hours since we
left our barracks in the exposition buildings in
Camp Mckinley. We ate supper at 10 almost
too late to be hungry. This was our last night
in the cars. We had most delightful trip all
the way and received ovations all along the
route. That will ever cheer us.
On Friday at 30 after five nights in the cars,
the whole regiment was taken on ferry boat
across the bay. 1t is about four miles wide at
this point. We were met on the other side by
the Red Cross society who gave us bountiful
breakfast of warm hash sandwiches, cheese
ripe cherries. more oranges than we could eat
splendid coffee with cream in it, bananas
two boiled eggs apiece, cake and pies. TO say
we were Toasted would be putting it mildly
They brought most beautiful flowers by the
bushel baskets full, put them into the barrels
of our gnns, gave us flowers for our hats. belts
and hands, more than we could take care Of
Bands discoursed sweet music. We cheereo
the ladies with three rousing cheers and IL
ger Also San Francisco, Dewey and President
Mckinley. They cheered the Iowa boys In blue
and Iowa At about 0 a. m. we started w
Market street with warm feelings for the Rec
Cross society. We have read of their deeds II
Armenia and in Cuba. AS we passed up the
street the people stood on each side OF our lint
of march, cheered and waved flags and hand
kerchiels. Also in the windows everywhere
up four and five stories high. Cannon DOOMED
and whistles blew. Such noise as onward ant
onward we marched over small rounded ant
uneven stone pavement with our blankets rol
led Into long roll, containing our effects ant
extra clothing hung over our left shoulder Will
the ends tied together On our right sides gun
with flowers in the barrel on the right should
err, flowers in our hats, belts or hands.
formed a sight not TO be forgotten. Comment
of the people along the way were "They ar
the best regiment that has yet passed throug
Frisco" We heard similar remarks at Sacrs
mento, Chyenne and Ogden. Though at tn
latter places only our battalion had as "
passed. We marched five miles to headquar
ers at Camp Merritt and reported to Gen. Mel
rift then perhaps u mile to our camping plac
on sandy plat where nothing grows but vii
peas.
Where we camp sand is everywhere. Will
& writing in the Y. M. @. A. tent twhere this pa
per and envelopes are furnished free to tn
\ soldiersl the sand is blown on OF the noor ont
the paper ON the table. 1t Is blown into OF