Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1898-05-25
FROM FORT RUSSELL.
Interesting News From the First
COmpapV

tit GIN Joull Hal. udlCu w NOlIIlllg, May
18th:
We'll, [ have just passed another ply
steal examination here at Fort Russell,
2"1 I tel sou il was severe We were all
examined by three doctors; the first one
took our weights and heights, the second
gave us an optical examination, and the
third gave us an examination that could
be called general.
Il got this far hen it was announced
that Colonel Tory was coming and it
didn't take me long TO drop everything
lie has just finished making a speech
and Of all the men ever met. he is the
one whom | would choose to 60 The front
under.
"He told us that he believed as sure as
the sun would rise tomorrow that we
would see hard service. He said: L
went to he President and said we have
men in the West who do not belong TO
the National Guard, but are anxious to
go to the 'front.'
at is through his efforts we are here
Again he said: I believe that the red of
the flag is to he dyed redder than ever by
the blood Of patriots who are willing to
lay down their lives for the sake of free
dom and a just cause, and some of those
patriots | believe will be some ofth COM
rades now grouped around me. Now, for
Gods sake, fthere is a man present who
isn't willing 10 go to the front and lay
down his life if necessary. let him say so
and will pay his fare back to Nevada
Not a man moved.
az In.l f,n o,.l.-
our officers to the Secretary of War, but
he let us ballot for the ones we desired
recommended.
Il twas detailed for kitchen duty the
first thing when We arrived here, but my
time Is up now, and | am at liberty again.
l a say that | enjoy helping get meals
ready for eighty-four hungry men. I had
rather fight Spaniards.
we are commencing to experience
some of the ~hardshrps of a soldier al
ready. 1t is cold here and we get hungry
at times. Every scrap from the table is
saved for the next meal. Black coffee,
potatoes, bacon and worse than hard tack
is our fare. But | am not complaining.
| expect worse than that. Tomorrow we
expect to get thrown ont in the rain to
c''.. I present we are garrisoncG in
the barracks.
1he fort is situated about three miles
from Cheyenne on a slight elevation of
ground. | have not visited the city vet,
but JUDGING from what | can see from
here it isn't very large.
1t is a rolling prairie country here and
the prairie dogs are quite a curiosity to
US. We received great send offs at every
little station and town along the road.
We took breakfast the first morning at
Elko and were presented with flowers,
1ruit and confectionery, while the girls
sang national HYMNS.
At PaliSade we were detained by tho
wreck Of cattle and freight train. Seven
cattle were killed and one man injured.
This is a strange country. it rains here
all the time and the wind blows like a
cyclone.
Among the things which most inter
eSted me along the road We're the fences
built by the.cut to keep out the drifting
snow. In some places there were as
many as eight or ten, one behind the
other. 1t must snow here in the winter
time.
We went through the Rockies in the
night so missed the best of the scenery.
we took dinner at Terrace: there was no
demonstration, nor was there anything
t~ eat for that matter. We had sun. CT
at Ogden, and it was there that we en-
countered the first change of style. 1t
was all strictly Eastern. We took in the
city and a pretty city it is. Many inqui-
RES were made about our rough riding
qualities. At ogden the Utah Bows ioin-
ed us and we changed cars for CHEYENNE.
We took our next breakfast at a place
called Rawlins, and were well treated.
Shortly after leaving Laramie. where we
ate dinner, we passed Ames Monument.
the highest point on the Union Pacific
road.
On the afternoon of the 10th we reached
Fort Russell, and were assigned 'r:r-
racks.
This seems to he a great sheep and cat
tie country. saw thousands as we came
through.
The so-called buffalo grass looks the
same TO ne as the bunch grass around
Reno, the only difference being that it is
thicker and HIuIe luNuriant.
All along the road we were treated to
al! the fruit and candy we could eat, but
}ou may he sure we don't get any more
now. = i 3 = y *
A%lthouG" l had a great deal rather face
Spanish guns han to make another part
ing With my parents and friends, I want
You Al! at the train again when We arrive
in ilscnO, enroute to Manila. Although
we cont expect to see the worst, our
lives are at hazard when we start for that
far distant port and I can't see too much
ri The ones dearest to me. We expect to
see hard service, but I don't think it is
"nNthil'g to face Spanish guns. The
~fitl,a..~ re undoubtedly cowardly and
1921 lAtn