The evening times., 1898-06-03

This breezy letter from the tents Of
the National Fencihles In camp at Chick
amauga, came into The Times Office yes
terday:
Camp Thomas. Chickamauga. Ga.
Sunday, May q.
To the Editor Of The Times:
The Washington Times Of date OF Sat-
urday. %, was received In camp today.
and the boys were glad. for 1t was the
first time that they had a chance to get
a supply Of home papers. The Times was
a welcome visitor, and your many readers
will doubtless be pleased to hear from us
Company c. National Fencibles). so 1t Is
cur intention to keep in close communi-
cation with The Times. SO that you may
be informed Of our doings while away.
Our first camp experience as United
States soldiers. is being passed in a very
pleasant manner, and with many of us
who never before mad any experience In
camp life, it is a lesson that will always
be pleasantly remembered.
Our reception while en- route to Chick
amauga was of a very hospitable charac-
ter. At every place where 1t was con-
venient We had coffee, sandwiches and
other things, and. indeed. the people Wed
with each other to gratuiously serve us.
Old-time Southern hospitality was thor
oughly exemplified and highly appreci-
ated by US. At Marion. Va, on the Hoi-
ston River. all hands went in bathing
Sunday. May q This sport lasted for
about an hour and was much enjoyed.
We reached Chattanooga Monday MORN
ing about 6 o'clock. had breakfast and
after some switching OF trains. We were
landed some distance from the city prop
er and soon had our traps loaded and
marched for camp. To inquirers We were
told the distance was about four miles.
OF course. Georgia miles are little lon
ger than Washington miles. so after some
hours of tramping We reached the camp
grounds by 4 p. m. We had started about
9 a. m After reaching camp We went tn
work putting up our tents and arranging
matters. and by Tuesday night had every
thing in regular camp order. The chiefs
of our culinary department.. Privates
working order.
Wednesday our camp was in such good
condition that it could be inspected by a
moments notice.
Privates Luskey. Stewart Hickey and
Wagner Coyle went foraging on Wednes-
day and returned with big supply of
country produce. They lost their way In
the woods. but after wandering over hills
and hollows they at last returned, tired
and much wiser. and 1t is not likely they
will again take the trip.
Wednesday night our boys had a visit
from the Second Nebraska Regiment, and
for a time our street aresembled in ap-
pearance an improvised variety show.
Songs and Rotations by Private Kenneth
O'Connor. Privates Jim Nolan. Wagner
Jim Coyle. and music by Corporal Jones
and Private Barghauser, made an inter-
esting program Sergeant Shepley also
gave an exhibition of the manly art by
knocking out in two rounds fellow Com
rade Of Company NJ. By special request
of Capt. Domer. Private O'Connor sang
one of his latest compositions, entitled
Down With Spain." all hands Joining
in the chorus.
Thursday was a red letter day in camp,
drilling and other military duties being
dispensed with. Our boys went in for
merrymaking and sport.
Friday night a very sad accident occur
red in the ranks of our friends, the Sec
ond Nebraska Boys. I One of their GAL
liant fellows lost his life while in bathing
We are situated next to the Nebraska
boys and a friendship was born shortly
after we arrived. We exchange visits
each night, and a more jolly set of SOL
diers cannot be found at Camp Thomas
Sunday was observed in a ChristianIike
manner. and Services are held In each
camp in our camp. The Rev. DIR. Dudley
conducted divine services, which were at
tended by most all of us. The Catholic
boys in company with the Emmet Guard
and detachments from other companies
went over to the Sixty-ninth New York
camp. and attended mass, which was read
by Rev. Father Daley, of st. Patrick's
Cathedral New York, who is chaplain.
Decoration Day was quietly celebrated
and although We are far away from our
loved ones, yet We are with them in spir-
1t, and many are the expressions of a de-
sire to be able to take part in the deco
ration of the graves OF our departed
friends
As we were eating supper tonight news
came in camp that we will be sent TO
Tampa. Fla. This news was greeted with
cheers. Wherever we are ordered. we
Will from time to time send letters to
The Times giving an account of our
selves.
Tonight. May 81. we are getting ready
to leave for Tampa. Fla. All the boys
are being fitted out in required equipments
and Capt. Domer. Lieuts. Crist and Red
man have their hands full. All the boys
are enjoying good health and only one of
our company is i'll, he will be all right in
day or so.
We are. respectively yours,
SERGEANT JAS E. SHIPLEY,
PRIVATE WIN. A HICKEY.