The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1898-07-14
Mr. Rhamstine Letter.
CHICKAMAGUA, J,lIy II, 1898.

CHICKAMAGUA, Jmiy ~, 1898.
EDITOR PosT The Volunteer
Army at Camp Thomas, Chickama-
qua, Ga. has reached the enormous
figure of fifty-seven thousand souls.
These patriotic citizens have come
from the different ranks of life, and
as human nature requires certain
necessaries whether the man is dressed
in Jeans or sports the garb of blue
and buttons, it may perhaps appear
difficult to imagine that any comfort
can be had in the above camp iso-
lated so far from their friends. This
is mistake AS can be seen from the
various newspaper reports sent out
by special correspondents who are
stationed at Lytle, Ga, the point
from which the soldiers arrive and
depart. A little more than sixty
days ago this little hamlet of Lytle
consisted of a railway station wealth
er-beaten ard solitary, located on
the Chattanooga, Romeand Southern
II. r. running from Chattanooga to
CarroltOn, Ga, said road running
one passenger and mixed train per
day. Within Il radius of 100 yards
were two dwelling houses and a
country store; farther along the
tack was asmithy whose complexion
was not molested by the SCOT and
smoke from his forge, as the hand
of nature had placed him among the
negro race. Such was the architec-
ture of I.ytlein the early days of the
Spanish-American War. What is
it to-day? A heterogeneous mass
of fruit stands, lunch counters, mule
teams, arsenal, opera house, bakery,
bath house, hotel, government store
houses and Il population speaking
the majority of the languagesknown
to the civilized world. | was lean
ing against a suffers tent awaiting
my turn to cross the man thorough
fare of the new city when | heard Il
man with shoulder straps say "woo
is di blk ?" and in answer his COM
panion said "der deifel vase net" j
was curious to learn from whence
these troops came and when an op-
portunity was open, | asked one Of
them and was informed that they
hailed from Berks county, you know
the state. The man, minus hisgun,
stated that in the excitement of un-
loading baggage, etc, his gun must
have been taken away in the wagon
ordered to carry their tents, etc. to
the camp ground. The main street
of I.ytle has been named "The klon-
dyke" very appropriate name.
Land that could be bought for twen-
ty dollars an acre before the advent
ofthe soldiers advanced in very
short time until it reached the rent
ing stage of three dollars per front
foot per mouth. In return these
parties paying ground rent at such
rates draw on the purse of the VOL
unteer who is not limited to salary
of $500 per month as is the regu-
lar. In their haste the volunteers
leave home and in ashort time their
small needs become known and they
resort to the Klondyke for reinforce
ments where willing hands supply
the demands at war rates. Pies,
cakes, soda, pop, cheap John coun-
ters, souvenirs, war relics of every
description warranted to have been
found right on battleAelds, are all
on exhibition for the hungry and
fastidious. This peaceful country
village with a few dwellings is now
one Of the busiest places for its pop
ulation in the south. Imagine n
country post Office handling 100000
letters per day not including pack
ages, papers, etc. For the past few
days the United States paymasters
have been paying the different re-
giments and it is estimated that
two million dollars have been scat
tered among the troops. While no
doubt portion Of this money is
spent in reckless manner, ] am
pleased to say the soldiers are mind
full Of the loved ones left at home,
whose sacrifices are equally as great
as the ones on the tented fields Of
BATTLE The first Lieut.. Of one ofthe
companies in the 9th Penna. regi-