The Green Forest tribune., 1898-08-04
From Camp Thomas.

quiet.
 Our regiment acknowledges the receipt ot "Regimental coIors" pre- sented by the school children of Arkansas. The presentation speech was made by Col. Coffin of Little Rock, and was very inspiring. We all certainly appreciate this recognition from the hands of young America, We sincerely hope to return is to them untrampl- ed and unstained.
 Prospects are fattering for the First Arkansas to be called out. Regiment after regiment are going forth every day, and il will surely come our time soon. 1 bope so.
 Chickamauga is getting old to all of us; we have marched oyer her great battlefield to our hearts con- tent. We now feel that we are we'll enough onto our jobs to do actual business.
 Our regiment has been recruited to the limit, all the recruiting off. cers having returned. Our equip ment is also complete. The tol- lowing is what each infantry man is provided with: One blouse, two pair of pants, one pair leggins, two pair of of shoes, two suits of under wear, three pair of socks, one hat, two wooden blankets, one panco, Ca rubber blanket to wear in rain) one dog tent, (this tent is for field use, each man being issued a haft tent, which, when up, is about 2 l-2 feet high and is occupied by two men) one gun with bayonet and belt, one 12 gallon canteen, one haver sack. which contains a combination plate, which can be separated and used to fry meat in; also makes half plato having a handle, but when closed up it takes up but little space in the sack, a spoon, knife and fork, 8 heavy quart cup hangs to the bot tom. But let mo tell you about our knives. They bear a close resemblance of bowie knife, and if the Spaniards should happen on- to us when we are eating, 1 am satisfied that they would never live to regret It. We wouldn't do a thing to them with our knives.
 We'll, these are the things we have to carry when under march ing orders, together with forty-fve rounds of ammunition and three days rashions in the haver sack. This all makes quite load. All of our wearing apparel is placed in- side of our blankets and then we take our tent and roll it around the blanks, forming long roll; then the ends are brought togeth- CT. This bundle we place over the right shoulder and our haver- socks under the left arm, with the canteon hung closely to our belt, Thus we are rigged ready to march, apprehend that this job vii be rather hot and tiresome. We will have to carry all this load should we get on the battlefield.
 Will endeavor to tell you how a sham battle is fought in my next.
 The health of our regiment is improving to some extent. The typhoid fever has played havoc with many of our brave boys. Four have died from this cause here. Private John Niger of my company died at the Denison hos pital. He was one of the best and healthiest looking men in the regi- ment when we came, but he faded fast when be was seized of the fever. His body was sent to friends at Council Bluff, Iowa. His home was in Ireland.
 I have not seen Henry Howard for some days. but 1 presume that he is still on the "war path. His regiment has already received or de1s to move. Saw Len Looney about 8 week ago. He is still bothered with rheumatism and fears that he will have to be discharged. Rheumatism is quite common complaint. Dan Naples is better of his attack and is fast becoming a soldier. He appears to be we'll contented.
 Go. D has a mascot-a pet coon which was sent us from Ft. Smith. It is an object ot atten- tion to all our visitors. He runs