The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-09-29
HERALps THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1898

around town within the past few weeks.
Ever since the murder of the civilian
{ in the city by one of the Tennessee
men, the town has been patroled by
armed guards from the Presidio. The
whole Tennessee regiment was under
arrest as a result of the deed, but have
been released since then.
Arrangements have now been made
by which the boys of our battery can
have hot bath once a week We have
the use of the bathroom in one of the
barracks on Saturdays. Before that
we were out of luck. An order was
received stating that each man must
battle at least once week We were
puzzled about the matter; we had no
place to battle, and the water in the
bay is too cold. But, nevertheless, we
often march down to the beach for a
dip in the mighty Pacific The water
is very cold, but the breakers are so
tempting that one has to try it in spite
of the temperature. 1t is exhilirating
sport, but is too cold for comfort.
NEAR THE BEACH.
Our camp at the Preside is within
easy reach of the beach. We are
camped about 500 yards from the bay
and within a mile of Fort Point, which
is on the southern side of the Golden
Gate. From here every boat which
leaves or enters the bay is plainly visi-
Bile. Whenever opportunity offers we
take stroll along the beach, and oc-
casionally the battery is marched along
it instead of drilling. This is, it is
needless to say, welcome change from
the monotonous four or five-foot move
ments which we go through each day.
There are a great many rumors con-
stantly floating around as to the des-
tination of battery G. 1t has been sug-
no ha 70
Angel island, but that has undoubtedly
fallen through Then we constantly
hear that we are destined for service
in the Philippines; but what pleases
the boys most is when they hear that
we are to be ordered home and mus
tered out. Garrison life is getting mo-
notonous. We do not mean to COM
plain, but the fact remains that we
enlisted for the purpose of fighting for
our country, and now that it is over,
we have had enough soldering We
are in it now, and viii stay to the end,
but our fondest hopes will be realized
when the order for mastering out
comes.
In one of the organizations here in
the Preside there are some pretty
homesick boys. One of them is a trum-
peter, and it is said. of him that every
time he blows a call he ends with
Home, Sweet Home"
OTHER TROUBLES.
But we have other troubles, too. The
California flea has invaded the sacred
precincts of our camp. and lively en-
counters are had with them. When
standing in ranks, a soldier is not al
lowed to raise his hand, but when a
California flea begins to drill a hole in
his back, it can't be helped. They are
raVenous creatures, and are always
ready for bite out of a poor soldier.
But at night is when they bother us
most When we are tired and sleepy
they swarm over u.s. and sleep is i'm
possible. They sit on ones pillow and
whistle reveille all night, and then get
on the sleeper's forehead and have
boxing contest. And all of this we en-
dure for the sake of our country.
We have a great many visitors to our
camp. Colonel Trumbo comes up
once in a while. Mr.. E. G. WINS, city
editor of the Salt Lake Herald came
to see us the other day. Mr.. WINS is
being looked after by Mr. Tom Will
liams,, manager of the San Francisco
Examiner. He will spend a few days
visiting in San Francisco before re-
turning home A. c. ALLEN,
Sergeant Battery c. Utah Volunteer
Artillery.