Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1898-06-17
CAMP NOTES.
CAMP SPRINGFIELD, NEAR JACKSON
VILE, FLA.

MdTk rev is at NOME duOnS lhc 1ulV
but is in mortal terror Of snakes. He
afraid to venture out from the camp.
Drilling in Florida sand is very dill
ferent from drilling on the Court House
pavement or Valley turnpike. 10 hav
one good drill on the commons woul'
seem heavenly.
Some OF the regiments and companie:
have been receiving big boxes from
home but | have not heard Of any TO
Co. A of the Second.
We were sorry to hear the rumor that
the secretary of war refused to send the
Third Virginia to Join our command
We would have been pleased to have
had all the Virginia regiments in one
brigade, but it seems to be the policy Of
the War Department to mix them.
have tasted Florida fruits, fish, and
sea breezes; all are fine, but still L have
:eep hankering for the lovely Valley
OF the Shenandoah.
AS was walking out OF Camp the
other day, noticed typical Floridian.
Feeling hungry, was tempted to ask
the question: what do you Florida peo-
pie live on?' Yankees and alligators,
he promptly replied.
II the sun can shine hotter in Porto
Rico than here, it will certainly be bad
place to keep our butter.
There is one redeeming feature about
our commissary department. They
don't issue any strong butter or stale
eggs.
If you would see what we have been
compelled TO live on, you would think
that Uncle Sam takes very poor care OF
his nephews.
Soldiers are always ready to move.
They console themselves with the idea
that things can't be any worse and may
be better Alas, how often we are dis
appointed.
Mrs. Davis native OF Woodstock,
visited our camp and invited some OF the
Woodstock boys to see her. They will
not hesitate to accept the invitation. She
lives at Mandarin about u miles from
here.
One OF the most attractive quarters In
l., - A a
Campbell 1t is well decorated with
photographs, artistic productions, &c.
Our adiutant is an excellent gentleman,
kind and and &C lrteOus to all.
We had a number OF pleasing minors
in camp the other night, among the most
pleasant was that the Virginia troops
would be ordered back to Virginia. The
boys were happy, but 1t soon proved to
be what the old soldiers used to call "A
grape
Some OF the bows were supplied with
shoes this morning.
If the boys never kill any Spaniards,
they will certainly make a good record
in killing snakes. Eleven were killed in
and near one tent the other night.
Orders are becoming strict and the
soldiers are beginning to learn that they
cannot do as they please.
In the hospitals there are consider
able number of cases OF mumps and
measles.
We are all Spilen for fight, but if the
announcement were made that peace
had been declared and our regiment or
dered home, not many tears would be
shed.
This country is perfectly level and
sandy. The view is only INSTRUCTED by
woods. There are no mountains in sight
five could feast our eyes for Il few min
utes on the Massa nutten or the North
mountain, we would all feel that life is
worth living for. Even sight OF the
rough lime stones OF the Valley would
make us fifty per cent better. There
may be prettier countries than the
Shenandoh Valley, but, indeed, 1t Is not
in this direction.
Wallace Barron is cooking for the
company. His experience in the oyster
saloon is turned to good account.
Capt. j. w. Magrudsr and private b.
c. McGune of our company have gone
to Virginia to recruit the company ND to
10e men.
Private VIM. Reed, OF Baltimore, was
discharged from this company last FRI
day by the war department.
There are now 10000 soldiers en-
camped at this place.
We have no idea what our movements
will be or when they will be made. Our
officers are not in the habit Of telling us
what they know, il they know anything,
and we haven't very free access to news
papers. We only do what we are or
dered to do, and very often don't like
20 do that.
Corporal Eugene f. Moore, Of our
company, is now on the sick list.
Our ratIons are improving, and we
will be able to live very well, when we
get things systematized.
The hottest time OF day is between 8
a. IN. and p. m. After that time we
get fine sea breeze which is really de-
lightiul. At night pair of blankets is
not too heavy.
The boys are all hard up. We
are promised pay In July. Until it
comes, Company A. will not indulge in
luXuries.
The latest rumOr is that our corps will
not 90 to Porto Rico. but will be ordered
to the neighborhood of Havana. as soon
as necessary arrangements can be made.
As Gen. Lee is a stranger in Porto Rico