Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1898-06-09
The MEXICO BOYS ALL WELL
AND NICELY CHARTERED
NEAR CHATTANOOGA.
A Very Interesting Letter from derry
Fowles, Quartermaster Sergeant
Company "L"-May Go to
San Francisco, Cal.


Barracks depot and loaded the bag
gage In the coaches, divided the regi-
ment into three sections and had the
first section off at 8 O'Clock, the second
at O'Clock and the third at 10 O'Clock.
Twas Assistant Quartermaster Ser
geant of the regiment that day and it
was job. The Quartermaster Ser
geant lost his voice hallooing at the
teamsters. The Quartermaster Ser
geants of each company rode in the
baggage car and each one of us had
all we could eat, for the ladies of st.
Louis fixed rs up several lunch boxes
and we had hot coffee. Wehad plenty
boxes and chairs, 30 you may know
we could see everything and all slept
well. We had nice time on the trip.
The girls along the way gave MS
nice bouquets, lunches and different
tokens to remember them by.
The trip through Indiana to Georgia
was magnificent, but Illinois was not
go nice, as the country looked like it
had been deserted; but from Indian
apolis to Cincinnati and to Chatta-
nooga was fine. We saw the inclined
planes at Cincinnati, for we stopped
there over two hours. At indianapolis
we saw the grand square, where that
magnificent monument is located.
The country in Ohio and Kentucky is
very historic and beautiful, for it is
undulated and very scenic. The band
played "Old Kentucky Home' all the
way through Kentucky and the people
just focked to rs to give us bouquets
and lunches. At Lexington saw the
first lady captain of the army. At
Chattanooga we stopped about four
hours. Chattanooga is just between
Lookout Mountain and Missionary
Ridge. We could look up at Lookout
Mountain and see the cable road going
up and down for a distance of Ia
miles, as it is about that distance from
the base of the mountain to the top
on straight line. Then we could
look over on Missionary Ridge and
see those fine monuments erected on
its utmost heights. As you know,
these two places were famous in the
cival war. AS best 1 can recollect
Gen. Hooker charged the Confederate
army stationed ON Lookout Mountain
and captured the batteries after fight
of 55 minutes, and Rosecrans charged
upon Missionary Ridge and captured
the batteries on that place. The val
ley between the mountains at that
time was covered with dense fog,
which makes the battle of Lookout
Mountain famous as "the battle above
the Clouds" The valley is occupied by
Chattanooga and do not think it can
be over three miles wide, that is, from
the base of one mountain to the base
of the other.
We left Chattanooga about3 O'Clock
and got to Chickamauga about $3.50.
We then unloaded, went about three
miles to where we are camped, put
up our tents, had supper and then
retired.
We all thought 1t would be hot here
as we were coming but the climate
here is far better than at the Barracks.
1t is moderate and nice breeze pre-
walls over the camp all the time, SO II
is very nice here. The park where
we are camped Is full OF trees and
there is plenty of shade. You would
be surprised to see what kind of climate
we are having and how nice We are
located. The boys are beginning to
get used to camp life and are all well
and happy as iarks. We will get our
uniforms in q few days and probably
some Of the boys will have their
pictures taken.
The Head boys are here at camp
taking pictures. l had no idea would
find anybody here that / knew. Rev.
Bob Boatman from Kentucky was at
the camp yesterday.
Capt. Black and / went to take a
walk around among the several camps
and met the captain Of one OF the Wis
consin regiments and he brought M
out bottle of champagne and we had
agood time. We started back and goi
lost, as It was dark, and when We pull
ed in about 1880 the boys wanted to
know where we had been and we told
them around visiting the Cow Boys
and they never knew the difference
but we did as we had been walking fol
about hours. You can't go out al
night without getting lost to save you,
neck for there are about &C, 600 soldiers
In camp and 1t makes big camp and
there are no street lamps or anything
to direct you to where you are going
They are talking Of sending the 5tf
Regiment to San Francisco and hop,
they will, but 1t is hard telling wha
they will do. think they will shoe
| ius through TO Cuba, but / hope not
We are getting more to eat than W
had at the Barracks.
| There are plenty Lizards down here
The boys have killed two within
1eet Of me since have been writinj
this letter and we have killed severa
since We have been here. Compan
K killed a rattle snake in one OF tn
. tents yesterday and they also shot
, Spanish spy yesterday.
I expect you heard OF the train 1
front OF as and the one behind ne get
Itinr wrecked a. we were comm
down. I do not know whether I ar
right about the description Of Lookor
Mountain and Missionary Ridge. 70
. can ask Claud and see II he knows.
understand several Missouri peopl
: are coming on the excursion to Chick
. amauga in . few days. I wish 20
I ! would send me lot of stamps In
|. letter 30 ! can write, a. I have nons
Hoping you are all well and doing fin
must close. Your son,
Il JERRY w. FowLEs,
nu~~kn~x~os<o~ Ha~uuauf Cnr,afsan n