The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1898-07-07
From the Army Camp on the
Atlantic.

Atlantic.
San Francisco, CAL, JUNE 30, 1898.
On my arrival here at Minneapolis
Immediately went to the armory and
signed an application for a place in
the ranks. Tuesday about noon I
Was examined and then mustered in
to the service that afternoon. Scores
OF men were turned away but I was
one of the fortunate ones. When |
reached the armory there were
about one hundred men standing
there waiting for chance to enlist,
and l considered myself very FORUM
ate to get even an application in.
Wednesday evening we left for San
Francisco over the Northern Pacific.
AS you know, the scenery along this
route is considered the finest in the
United States. We had tourist cars
and were very comfortable. From
the papers you have learned of our
trip, almost all there is to be told.
We received great send off at Min
neapolis and had a delightful trip.
To us prairie boys the mountains
were the greatest attraction. The
scenery in the Rockies was simply
magnificent, but when we reached
the Cascades the granduer of the
scenery SO far surpassed that of the
Rockies that we could hardly realize
that it was possible. There are no
words in our language that will do
justice to description of that seen
cry. It must be seen to be appreciat-
ed. We got off at several stations
along the road and drilled for exer-
else. We were met by bands who
played for us while we drilled and at.
many towns along the road we were
loaded down with flowers and lunches
until we just feasted and almost slept
on beds of roses. At Portland we
changed cars and when we stepped
into our new quarters we found them
literally lined with flowers. Of course
under such circumstances we en- 10 we'd
ourselves immensely. When we ar
rived at San Francisco our reception
was prince]y and outdid anything we
had experienced. We were met by
all the officers of our regiment and all
the boys that were off duty. After
partaking of a fine lunch that had
been prepared by the ladies of the
Red Cross society, we started on our
five mile march to camp. Our regi~
mental band, which by the way is
conceded by all to be the finest mill
tary band that has ever played on the
coast, led the way and we were
marched right through the center of
the city. The people, by thousands,
lined the streets and the following
comment from Frisco paper will
give you an idea of what they
thought of us. "Among the 1000 and
more recruits that have come during
the past fortnight TO complete the
several regiments, none presented sc
fine an appearance as the 800 Aiinne-
sotans who marched into Camp Mer-
lit yesterday afternoon. They are
generally big, fine looking fellows
better appearing even than the organ:
ization which they came to join
Their advent was greeted cheers from
the time they passed within the lin
it's of the tented city. Creditably, but
not regularly uniformed, they looked
like soldiers of months of experience
rather than raw recruits enlisted on
| ly few days ago. AS they wheeled
and marched in commendable orde
into their regimental camp the re
ception accorded them was tremen
dous cheer from the entire thousan(
already close packed in the compan'
streets to welcome them. Visitors re
marked the fine quality of physica
manhood among the new arrivals an
the already proud men of the Thin
teenth smiled great satisfied smil
that swelled out their chests a littl
further" So you see my lot has bee
cast among fine lot of boys and, a