The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-08-17
EDIroR HERALD:-

From Camp Thomas.
EDITOR HERALD:-
Our new campgrounds afford better op-
portunities for recreation. and relieve ths
monotony TO which we have been so long
subjected. They are located along the
road leading o,and within a mile OF, Ly.
tie. Ga
Since payday some of the boys have Sc
cured permission 10 visit Lytle and Chat
tanooga, and they report .hot time in
the old towns A few who took the lib
erty to visit town without permission, and
subsequently missed rollcall. experienced
a ''hot time when they got back. and
were escorted before the Colonel, who or
dered them to do police duty for several
days. The Colonel was considerate, ow-
ing to this being the first offense for the
boys. but they were informed that rep
etition of their conduct would meet with
a court-martial, and the probable dis
charge of the offenders.
Our newly appointed Chaplain-Fran-
els Murphy-the celebrated temperance
evangelist, has already won the respect
and confidence of all in camp.
George Deitz and Charley Shaffer are
still in the hospital. Both are GONZALES
cent, and soon will be back with the COM
pany.
The news that the protocol had been
/ signed and that the war is practically
ended, has caused bitter disappointment
throughout the camp. and nowhere more
than in Company l. While it is altogether
probable that we will be retained in the
service, and possibly get chance to join
! the army of occupation in Cuba or Porto
Rico, we will not have an opportunity to
snuff gunpOwder in actual conflict with
the Spaniards, and we may be back in
dear old Somerses by the time ''the frost
is on the pumpkin, and the fodder in the
shock.r
The, hot wet weather that has prevailed
the past several weeks has made life any
thing but pleasant in Camp Thomas, ard
in the midst of it all came an order from
headquarters TO move our camp TO a more
healthy location. We will be on a new
reservation within week, but only to
remain short time, presume, before
we 20 to Lexington, KY, among the blue
grass bellies aud thoroughbred horses.
The 18th Minnesota, who adjoin us, will
be located with us when we move gtiu.
One Of the notable events that has oc-
CURED since we came here, occurred on
Monday, Sth inst, when we received our
first pay from Uncle Sam. Pay day usu-
ally occasions more or less dissipation in
camp, bu. TO the credit of Company /, it
can be said that there was little If any
disorder. while on the other hand many
Of the boys forwarded greater part of
their pay to their families, reserying only
enough To defray incidental expenses.
On the 9th our brigade passed in review
before General Breckenridge, and un-
derstand that we presented a highly sat
isfactory appearance. A feature of the
company inspection was Orderly Ser
geant Linton acting q Lieutenant, while
Lieutenant Hoblitzsll performed the du-
ties Of lst Lieutenant
As soon as Company ! is permanently
settled in its new camp we will partici-
pate in four days heavy march, going
Esa.--r stsVr tssss-,s E',ssiiv- "a
Resaca and IrvingtOn, distance Of 30
miles. This win make a march of =
miles per day. We will carry two blank
cts, one half shelter tent, knapsack fill
ed with provisions and canteen, making
a load OF about 4j pounds in all.
Orders have been issued, so it is cur
rently reported. that hereafter govern
ment hardtack will be substituted for
bread throughout the camp.
Notwithstanding that several of Com
pany boys are sick, it is stated on good
authority that the per cent. Of sickness
in our company is less than in any other
company of the Fifth Regiment.
Among those who have recently been
on guard mount are ''Sdse" Snyder.
"Dal'' Cummins, "DOc'' COuntryman, ].
A. GIsteiger. Cyrus Bird, Philip Gohn,
Robert Dye. Calvin Eagle, Perry Davis,
Daniel Thomas. Bert Landis, Warren
Fogle, Jacob Risbeck, John B,ne. Bob"
Pugh, Royal Rhoads, and others whose
names can not recall. Guard mount il
the highest trust imposed upon the pri-
vate soldier. and those who are detailed
for this duty are afterwards known as
''high privates."
Albert Muteher is filling ''roulee'' of
cook this week and he discharges his du-
ties like professional at the Highland
Inn."
Fred Dupont has excited the curiosity
Of hundreds OF soldiers in our neighbOr-
hood who are under the impression that
Company has a concealed mascot of the
canine order. Among Fritz's many ac-
complishments. perhaps the most re-
markable one is his ability to initiate the
bsying of New FOundland dog. which
he does quite frequently. Il Is not un-
usual next morning for members of other
companies in camp to inquire where we
keep our dog, aud when told that we
have no dog an incredulous look creeps
over their faces as they observe. "Well. l
heard a dog barking last night, ard
thought he was surely in your compa-
n.y." Fritz winks the other eye while all
of the boys smile at the confusion of the
visitor.
Captain KOoser and Lieutenant Hob
litzell are among the finest looking sol
diers in camp, and they are rapidly
taking rank among the best diseiplinari
ans. When they have leisure moments,
however. which come only at rare inter
walls, they associate with the privates and
are hail fellows well met. We who have
opportunities for comparing our officers
with others in camp can estimate their
worth. and it is gratifying to know that
they are as popular At headquarters as
they are with the members of Co. 1.
Cow Swallows a Clock.