Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1898-09-17
SOLDIER BOY LETTER.
CAMP WIKoFF, LONG ISLAND,
September o, 1893.

SOLDIER BOY LETTER.
CAMP WIKoFF, LONG ISLAND,
September o. 1893.
DEAR FATHER AND MOTHER
Since I saw you last I have been
through one of the bloodiest wars
of our country. It is my fret time
In life to be in action, and although
l must say II is u shame and dis
grace to our country the way this
campaign was carried on. Our gov.
ernment had ample time to prepare
and supply its army with food and
medicines, If nothing more. We
should be proud of our country
and above all proud of the soldiers
of the 9Th army corps for il is they
who have added to the record OF
this our glorious country, one of
the most grandest pages of her his
tory. The Island of Cuba, as We
all know, has the name of being a
sickly country and is, but If We had
been supplied with even half ra-
tons as we were only there short
time. we, tthe 9Th army corps) would
have returned home a healthier
body of men. II is hard after going
through all of the hard ships and
risking our lives for this our noble
country to return home and die as
hundreds of men who were so true
to their country have died for want
of care while in action. think l
can safely say that we have lost
three men from sickness and want
of attention TO where we lost one in
battle. If a man got sick or
wounded while on the battle field
he was out of luck If he was not
able TO take care of himself, for the
surgeons had no instruments for
surgical operations and no medi-
cines with the exception of quinine.
No matter If you had fever or chills
or was wounded, all they prescribed
was quinine. I must say 1t is very
strange why those two things were
not furnished the 9Th army corps,
who were so much in need of them.
No doubt the leading men of our
country today are sorry for the way
this campaign has been carried on,
but that does not bring back those
who have fought so faithfully and
went through all the hardships of
this campaign aud come home and
died for want of attention while in
battle. of course the regular army
is always ready at a moments no.
tice, but suppose this country
should get into trouble and call for
volunteers? How many do you sup
pose would say'I am ready to 20
and help protect my country? !
think ain safe in saying not one
out of every ten who have been
through this campaign would be
willing to go. Their reason. would
be we can't stand the hardships UNI
less we have something TO eat, for
starvation. together with the hard
ships of war, are sure to bring sick.
ness upon us, and if we do not get
killed in battle we will die from
want of attention.
This is a very nice camp and the
soldiers of the 9Th army corps have
been treated very nice; in fact there
is nothing too good for us, but this
care should have been taken when
we were in need. We can take care
of ourselves now.
Well, as l am tired of writing
will conclude. Hoping to hear from
you soon and often, | remain your
son, CORPORAL MARTIN,
Co. G. End Y. S. Infantry.
DR.. ". L. McWilliams of Miami
will run free excursion from that
place to Joplin on Sunday, Septem-
Der q. This train will stop in Bax-
ter Springs both going to Joplin
and returning and will be held in