The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1898-06-24
APPRECIATlVE WORDS.
Extracts From Letters Received From
Major Mead, Colonel johnson and
Private Hawkes..

| Mrs. M. d. Fritz, chairman OF the
committee appointed by the Woman's
Relief Corps to get up boxes for oul
Mankato boys who are now at Camp
Thomas, Chickamauga, Ga,, has re,
ceived several letters concerning
same, We have made extracts from
some Of them which will be read
with interest by their friends at
home.
Major Mead writes as follows: \
II The boxes nave not yet arrived,
but no doubt will reach US today or
from Mankato | wish to thank the
ladies of the Relief Corps and all
others interested in this matter by
way Of contribution, etc., etc. for
their thoughtfulness and kind re-
membrance and consideration OF their
welfare. While we may be called
upon to undergo the hardships and
priYations of soldiers life and lot,
and to face some Of the stern realities
of war we can rest assured that we
are borne in remembrance by our
friends at home, and may God bless
you, one and all.
But allow me to say that there is
much said about our rations and their
scarcity, that to say the least, is far
fetched. There were few days i'm
mediately following our arrival here
at Chickamauga Park. when the men
were a little short on rations. This
was partly due perhaps TO an insult
fcient staff department. and pal thy to
the company cooks. The most seri-
Gus trouble the first week was total
lack Of fresh meats, but this has
since been overcome. 1t is not pos
sible for an ordinary man to consume
full issue of rationS and / have OBJ
served many of the Company Quarter
master Sergeants exchanging quanti-
ties of their surplus for other eat
ables for their companies. OF course
we do not have any of the delicacies
that we are accustomed to at home,
neither is it good for US that we
should have. am an old soldier and
can speak with soldiers experience,
and from this standpoint I can say
that while some Of the men do and
will find fault with their rations, that
now they have no reason to do so. X
I would like to have been able to
give you description Of this historic
place, but because of our work and
the hot weather, l have seen but
little of it, consequently l am not
qualified for the task. And again
say, bless the Relief Corps. and with
best regards to all friends l am most
sincerely.
GEG. w. MRAD,
Major 18th Regt. Mimi. Vol. nifty.
Colonel @. E. johnson writes: l re-
ceived your favor of the 9Th inst on
the evening of the 9th. The boxes
were opened today right after dinner
and all articles marked to individual
members were distributed. Jellies,
matted milk, extract Of beef, sheets,
pillow cases, etc., were taken to the
hospital. l assure you and through
you to all friends at Mankato that
the articles received were highly ap-
preciated and made all the boys
happy. Personally wish to extend
my hearty thanks on behalf of all the
Mankato boys. The ladies of Manka-
to will long be remembered by all of
US. As regards the cash you men
toned l spoke to Major A. B. Cole,
Chief Surgeon of our regiment that
by wiring you he could obtain money
for delicacies for Mankato boys when
sick. Major Cole suggests that should
you send any more to US to send linen
and flannel bandages which we are
short of. The sheets and pillow cases
they were highly in need of and the
Major is very grateful to the ladies
for their thoughtfulness in sending
these articles, and l shall be glad to
assist you in anything you may wish
to do for our boys.
The heat ranges from 96 to 100 in
the shade, but we are getting &C.
customed to it now and don't mind it
at all. A man will drop out occasion
ally from the effects Of the heat, but
I don't allow my regiment or any part
of it to 90 out for drills or marches
unless they are accompanied by at
| least one doctor and two assistants
who have an ambulance and stretch
ers with them to care for all such
cases right on the field, With kind
regards to all / am
Very Respectfully Yours,
CHAs. E. JOHNSON,
1t. Col, 14th MINI.
Com'd'g Regt.
Schuyler Hawkes., who clerked at
II. L. Henry's grocery store last year,
writes the following interesting