The Dickinson press., 1898-06-18
Osborn Writes
osser. 1. Now Ad)st..t Of lad s.t..so..

osbers b Now Adjstsat Of lad Batta'oa.
Camp Merritt, San Francisco,
June 9, 1895.
To the Press: Perhaps you think that
l have forgotten to write but the fact is
l have been too busy. received a copy
Of last weeks paper to-day, containing
L. A. Simpsons letter, and l was glad in
deed to hear from the boys.
Well, to start in with, we had a very
nice trip, as pleasant as could be expect
ed considering we were leaving our
friends and dear ones behind, not know
ing when we should meet them again.
Co. X, Co. A, Co. H and Co. G all join
in their thanks to the people of Dickin-
son who contributed to the welfare of our
man during the trip.
We arrivedin Glendive at ago a. m.
Friday morning. was up and met sew
eral Dickinson boys who happened t o be
there.
We had a very quiet trip Through Mon
tana. At Billings, we received quite an
ovation. At Livingston, we met l. Pink,
Misses Belle Joyce and Katie Coleman.
The scenery along the road was enjoyed
by all.
We failed to create much excitement
in Spokane. Tacoma we reached very
early and but few people were out; but
what we're there, were all right, as we re-
ceived two large baskets of cut flowers
there.
Portland, the mex place we stopped, is
is the only city in the U. S., except Dick
inson, in the minds Of the boys. AS o
as the train pulled into the depot, we
were met by the Ladies' Emergency
Corps and a company of naval reserves
and the Portland band. The ladies had a
nice box of lunch and a large bunch of
cut flowers for every mar in the battal-
ion. They also served hot coffee and
cream; and when we left after a stop of
about two hours our train looked more
like a flower garden than a trainload of
soldiers. To give you some idea of the
number that we're given to us we made
an estimate of what they would cost if
bought in Fargo and the estimates of
different ones m the train ran all the
way from $1,000 to $4,000 worth. The
crowd was such that it was impossible to
run the train faster than a man could
walk until we got across the bridge, for
fear of running over some one. l think
the most touching sight l ever saw in my
life l saw there. Just after we crossed
the bridge an old lady stepped out on
the track after the train had passed; she
held a flag in one hand which she was
waving as hard and fast as she could
and crying as though her poor old heart
would break. There were five or six
officers standing IN the back platform,
including mys If, and they were all max
ing suspicious motions towards their
eyes. AS for me, just pulled out my
handkerchief and used it. shall never
forget the picture if | live to be a hun.
dred years old.
All the way from Portland to San
Francisco it was the same way. At the
little towns where we were not going to
stop, the people got in front Of the train
and would not get off until the train
stopped SO they could give the boys
flowers and lunch and the girls trade
their hat-pins for buttons from the SOL
der boys coats. When we reached here,
some of the boyshadn't a button on their
coats but enough hat-pins to start a pin.
shop. The train stopped at Edgewood
at the foot Of Mt. Shasta for about two
hours and also at Shasta Springs where
all the boys got a drink of the famous
Shasta water-and it was fine. Mrs. o.
born has some pictures of the place
which | think she would be pleased to
show to any of her friends or mine who
care to see them. 1t is a very beautiful
place.
W. reached San Francisco about o a.
m. Tuesday morning, where we we're re.
ceived by the Red Cross society and the
wants of our inner man again we'll cared
for and we were given any number of
beautiful flowers to feast our eyes on.
After we had satisfied our appetites, we
were at leisure for about two hours until
the other battalion arrived. After they
had had a reception similar to ours, we
marched out to camp, a distance of about
81 miles. The street was lined on both
sides by people who cheered until they
were hoarse. think that a man who
would not fight for his flag and country
after making the trip and being enthusi-
astically received all along the line and
receiving the blessing and godspeed of
the dear ones at home, would not be
much good.
We have not so good a camping
ground as the one at Fargo. 1t is very
sandy with nograss whatever. The boys
are all feeling we'll at present except a
man by the nam of Nelson who is sick
in the hospital, and l understand he is
better to-day.
The gunboat Monterey and steamer
Brutus left yesterday for Manila. was
down to see the Monterey Monday. She
has a complement of about 200 men.
There will be a transport, loaded with
troops leave here mex Tuesday for Man.
lila. There are now about 1900 men
here and more coming.
We received our issue of canvas uni
forms today, also campaign hats, shoes
and underwear and shelter tents, of
which each man carries a half.
First Lieut.: Geary of Co, B has been
appointed regimental adjutant; First
Lieut. Getchal of Co. G, adjutant OF the
list battalion; and myself, adjutant of I'd
battalion. Lieut.. Conklin has been APP