Mexico weekly ledger., 1898-05-26
Now Soldiers Of Uncle Sam.
THE FIFTH MISSOURI REGIMENT
SWORN INTO THE SERVICE OF
THE U. s. GOVERNMENT.
Breezy Letter From Elk. Editor H. P.
Robbins, of This City, Concerning
Camp Life at Jefferson Bar
racks-Paul and Patterson
Make Things Lively.

Correspondence of the Ledger.
CAMP STEPHENS, JEFFERSON BAR
RACKS, Mo-, May 20.-Company l. is
no longer in the service of the State
of Missouri. We are now. Uncle Sam's
boys and all talk of going home has
ceased. The penalty for desertion is
worse than danger from Spanish guns
or yellow jack. The boys are more
content as they get used TO the new
order of things. little sunshine
sends spirit through the camp which
transforms everything. Instead of the
moping lads that sat around wishing
for home and indulging in picturesque
and original profanity at the scanti-
ness of provision and the multitude of
"details" there are jolly fellows get
ting all the humor out of the situation
and making sport of their very dis-
trees. When a kicking spell comes on
the maledictions on the powers that be
have an extravaganza and uniqueness
that delight a student of human ma
ture. The writer heard one fellow
wish 1t would rain powder all night
and then "lightning in the morning."
but the same fellow next day was seen
playing seven up and incidentally
guying a messmate for his spell of the
"dumps."
The sayings of Company l. have
been going the rounds of the regi-
ment. Even the proud superiority of
the First Regiment did not prevent
their recognizing and appropriating a
good thing. "Big Johnson" "Rye
Straw" and "Side-step to the Rear
have "caught on" like popular mel
ody.
Nearly all the boys have nicknames.
Kempinsky is called "Corn- whisky"
Lee is known as "Moon- change, )" from
his towering stature Crockett is called
"Sky Bilp' for the same reason and
Charlie johnson is "Big Johnson
Patterson and Ike Paul are the wags oil
the camp and can scatter the blues as
the morning sun dispels the mists.
Their jokes are hearty and broad and
enliven the boys wonderfully.
The soldiers duties are miscel-
laneous. Some of the tasks are menial,
but the boys cheerfully do them, not
meaning half their eternal maledic-
tions on the necessity for such labors.
hn r,tu Of ait h
ing. One innocent damsel asked with
surprise, "Why, do you boys have to
dig your own bitches around your
own tent?' The reply came with
refined sarcasm. swell, just at pres
ent, ma'am. The Colonel is very busy,
you know, at present, and hasn't time
to do this just now and the Adjutant
and Chaplain are both lazy. This
throws all the work OH u.s."
The boys have some fun at the ex-
pense of Sidney Condit, who was
detailed at the hospital the other day
The request came for "two nice boys'
and Condit and another soldier were
selected on account of their personal
beauty. Condit borrowed a piece oi
soap, went to the branch Che hadn't
time to visit our most popular wash
basin, the majestic MississippD and
washed up. BY means of brooms an6
combs he was soon presentaDle an6
reported for duty. He was detailed
to carry a load Of wood. He is now
called "nice boy"
The officers preserve good discipline
and retain their popularity. The hard.
est worked man in camp is perhaps
First Sergeant Hutton, but as an ole
newspaper man he is used to it anG
does all bis numerous tasks without
murmuring. AS write he is going tc
to the river with the men, This II
wash day and he must act in the rather
unique roll of "boss of a laundry"
Mexico has been greatly advertised
by her generosity to the company
The boxes of provisions which have
been sent were received with grea
enthusiasm and thankfulness. "What'l
the matter with Mexico?" is a common
cry through the camp.
The impression among regimenta
officers is that the Company will leave
within week or ten days for some
other point, either Washington or Sar
Francisco. The boys in Company 4
seem to prefer the Philippines
although many are anxious for {
chance at Weyler's scalp. Severa
cases of sickness are reported, bu
none are seriously i'll. shall gladly
grant your request for future pieces
about the boys. HENRY P. ROBBINS.
p,d,oulnua 2fapHor