Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1898-07-02
Letter from A. H. WhittemOre.

A. H. Whittemore of Company G, 14th
U. S. Infantry, formerly student at YER
mont Academy, where he was prominent
in athletic sports, writes as follows of camp
life at San Francisco and the departure Of
the expedition under Gen. Merritt for the
Philippines. The second letter was evil
IDENTIFY written before Wednesday when the
troops started for Manila. MIR. White
more will write the TINES from Honolulu,
the only stopping place on the way, and
from the Philippines as he has opportunity.
LIFE AT CAMP MERRITT.
Near the ar-famed Golden Gate is a
city OF tents known as Camp Merritt. Here
hall are over $4,000 troops being rapidly
placed in fighting trim and eagerly await
ing transportation to the Philippines.
It is cosmopolitan city. Here mingle
the society leaders from New York en-
rolled as the Aston Battery and the hard
ened miners from the Sierras, the brawny
mountaineers from Tennessee and the
farmers of the Dskotas, forgetting social
and sectional differences and uniting hand
in hand that their country's cause may be
vict orious.
San Francisco shows its patriotism and
intense interest in every possible way. At
the ferry, incoming troops are received by
the Red Cross representatives and given a
hearty meal, being waited upon BY the
prettiest girls of the city and adorned With,
flowers, that only California knows, by the
leading society ladies of the city. Then
comes the welcome from the city as the
men march through the crowded streets
amidst the blowing of steam Whistles, firing
of cannons and cheering that even Yale
Harvard football game could never rival.
The interest and enthusiasm shown at their
arrival increases rather than abates and
the farewells given the troops departing
for Manila inspire one with the deepest
loyalty and patriotism to the flag.
At the camp, thoughtout the day, the
grounds are crowded with men, women
and children, all bringing pies and cakes
and home cooking to the ''soldier boys.n
Wagon loads OF oranges are disturbed in
the camp, milk and butter are sent by bus
mess firms, and as an illustration OF what
is being given SO freely to the men, to-
bacco firm gave each man in camp half
pound each of its choicest mixture. Even
the little children in their mothers arms
divide their goodies with us and join their
older sisters in begging for buttons.
The women of the city and state are do
ing great work through the Red Cross.
A fund of nearly $4,000 that has been
raised, 10000 comfort bags and $4,000
abdominal bandages, and other gifts of
every description, very clearly show the ex-
tent of their undertaking.
There are in every regiment several
Christian Endeavor tents where stationery
and stamps are furnished men who desire
to write letters, and there is reading matter
in abundance. There is a Catholic head
quarters where men of every belief are
freely invited to make themselves at home. |
There are also several large tents where |
entertainments are given every evening by |
the various city churchs and collations |
served afterwards, sandwiches, salads, |
cake of every description. Boston baked |
beans and coffee are furnished in abundance
and as one can readily imagine delights |
the soldiers heart and stomach as well. |
Charles E. Blynn, a member of the 18th |
Vermont in the late war, is a leader in the |
work.
The California society of Native Sons OF
Vermont, is giving largely. The various |
fraternal organizations, Red Men, Odd
Fellows, Masons and others have head