Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-07-28
FROM OUR SOLDIERS.
Late News From Dickinson Folks at
Camp Merritt.

CAMP MERRITT, SAN FRANCIsCO,
July l7.-After a long stretch Of
silence and close attention to duty
your correspondent lays down his
gun and takes his pen in hand long
enough to grind out few stickfuls
of copy. Life in Camp Merritt is
generally devoid Of violent excite
ment AMI is the most peaceful life l
ever lived. Anyone who is tired Of
the wear and tear Of working for a
living and wishes to escape from tur-
moil and strife ought to enlist at
Camp Merritt. That is looking at it
from the standpoint Of the cynic, but
il reality it is not so bad. The SOL
diers at Camp Merritt must rise early,
keep clean, obey orders and obey
them promptly. Although the dis.
cipline of the army "goes against the
grain" Of many who are accustomed
to doing as they pleased they will
thank the army later on for having
made men Of them.
Camp Merritt is built on a founda-
ton Of sand. Nothing but sand has
been thrown from the deepest hole
that has been dug on its site. Stops
and sewage are absorbed by the sand
as by sponge. 1t seems to me that
more unhealthy site for permanent
camp could not have been chosen.
The Kansas camp became so UNI
healthy that on Friday the regiment
was moved to a new site. The sand
underneath is Just the same but the
experience gained in the other camp
will lead to a better attention to the
sanitary conditions of the camp.
Colonel Funston is said to have re-
ceived assurances that his regiment
will be sent to Manila within three
weeks. Everybody is heartily tired
of Camp Merritt and all ready for
anything that promises change.
This regiment is better drilled and
every way more fitted to 60 than
some that have already gone.
Brigadier General King has been
paying great deal of attention to
the Kansas regiment of late and many
think that is of special significance.
Yesterday General King gave the
camp and troops the most rigid in
spection we have ever had. After
the inspection he rode up to Captain
Geo. N. Watson, of Company L, and
complimented him on the cleanliness
OF the company quarters. Afterward
he told Col. Funston that Company
L had the most soldierly looking men
and the cleanest and best kept tents
and company street of any company
in the regiment. Company l. is
proud of the record and intends to
hold it.
Coe Gibson, Lewis Curtis, Fred Van
Meter and Harry Lightner, Of Com
pany l., are now corporals, having
gained the promotion by meritorious
conduct and attention to duty.
The Abilene boys expected to see
some familiar faces when the recruits
came and were very much disap-
pointed as none were from Abilene.
Captain Watson and Lieu:enants
Fry and Callahan are counted among
the best officers in the regiment and
their untiring work and energy have
given the company its high standing,
Your correspondent would say to
the parents of the young soldiers:
Write to your boy and write just as
often as you can. There is world
OF encouragement in letter from
home for the young fellows who are
trying to be good soldiers under the
instruction of snappy officers who are
obliged to act with a sternness that
they do not feel. So write to your
boys. Jos. W. MURRAY.
THEIR nav OFF