The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1898-07-19
"CHMP PHNEMH."
Jacksonville, Fla, july 1, '9S.

The following letter was re-
ceived by Mickey Free, from d,
s. Dickerson, who went with
the "Shoup Rangers :"
Dear Old Friend Mickey Your
letter of the 18th ult. came as a
most agreeable and welcome sur
prise. 1t is gratifying to know
that am still remembered by my
old friends. and though it re-
quires an effort to bring myself
to the task of writing letters,
am always glad to hear from my
friends.
We arrived at this place the
18th ult., after q very exciting
trip of six days, having had two
wrecks, one at st. Joseph, Mo-,
and the other at Tuselo, Miss.
In the wreck at st. Joseph, the
engineer was horribly mangled
and killed, and the fireman fatal
ly scalded, but no harm was done
to the soldiers. At Tuselo there
were nine soldiers killed and
several more seriously wounded,
among whom was Col. Torrey,
who had his feet badly bruised.
We were brought here on four
trains--three troops to the train
with the horses of the troops
attached to the train. At Tuselo,
the second section ran into the
first, which had stopped at the
station. Fortunately about all
the men were out of the cars of
the first train, or the loss of life
would have been frightful, as
nearly all of the cars of the first
train were completely demolish-
ed. The cause of the wreck is
only known by few, if any. 1t
is the opinion of most men here
that the engineer was either
drunk or had lost control of his
engine, for he had plenty of time
to stop. The engineer was kill
ed in the wreck.
The boys are all in good health
and spirits, and are standing the
warm climate nicely. All are
anxious to get to the front, but I
do not think it likely that we
will get away before the first of
August. While the men are MAX
ing fair progress in military
movements, some little time will
be required to make efficient sol
diers of them.
We go from here to Porto Rico
under command of General Lee.
The General made a personal in
spection of the camps yesterday.
He is splendid looking man,
and just such a one as l would
choose for a leader of men.
There is a very marked resemb-
lence between him and Col. Tor
rey. Both have the character of
the intelligent fighter stamped
on every lineament of their fea-
lures. Col. Torrey has been Of
fered a Brigadier Generalship
since coming here but refused it,
saying he preferred to lead his
regiment, every man of which he
regards as son.. and it is safe to
say there is not another Colonel
In the United States that com
mands the same love and respect
of his men that Torrey does.
AS for being a good soldier, /
assure you | shall do my best.
have been studying hard and am
making a fairly good showing,
but | am afraid that my rebel
llous nature is not suited to the
life of a soldier. The restraint
imposed by the regulations has
far more terrors for me than the
bullets of the Spaniards. But Il
joined the army fully advised as
to what the conditions were and
| shall try to live up to them. |
have been appointed a sergeant,
and If | possess the necessary
ability, that is quite stepping
stone in the path of advance
ment.
| write this on a blanket, and
the position is very uncomfort-
able one, so will bring this letter
to close.
Fred Baxter wishes me to rem
ember him kindly to you.
Best wishes to all the BOYS.
Address: d. S. Dickerson. |
Troop 3D." End Reg. u. S. Vol.
Cavalry, Camp Panama, jack
sonville, Fla.