Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1899-03-16
Lieutenant Dodd's Answer.


at home, at any rate,--a feeling we
have not experienced for eight
months. Another is that we are glad
we are home; it is no pleasure to
campaign it, even under the very
favorable conditions that were ours.
Another is that our we'll meant efforts
in behalf of our country, though APP
parently of so small real service, are
nevertheless appreciated by those
whose appreciation means most to us.
Some of US were so unfortunate as
to be unavoidably delayed and so miss
the great pleasure of sharing in the
reception you had SO generously pre-
pared for us. No pains had been
spared to have the party come home
all together, as you wished and ex-
pected, but blunders of railway officials
and stampede of some of our num-
Der rendered this impossible. Still
your efforts in our behalf were meant
for all of us and certainly should re-
ceive some public recognition; and as
| understand that none whatever was
given at the time of the reception and
it has been suggested that | say a few
words now, | will try to do so in
much the same form / would have
used at that time.
You are no doubt familiar with the
history of Company &C. especially
that part of it from Lancaster and
immediate vicinity. The main facts
in our history are too well known to
you all to need repetition here. but
some few matters will not perhaps be
wholly without interest to you.
First, statistics. The Lancaster
contingent of the company left home
June 20. 1898, thirty-six strong; one
more Joined us later, making thirty
seven to account for. OF these, four
failed to pass examination and were
not enlisted, one joined the Battery,
two were honorably discharged, one
transferred to the Hospital Corps, U.
S. A., one transferred to the Sd u. 5.
Volunteer Engineers, leaving twenty
eight who were mustered out OF SER
vice Feb. 2S, 1899. OF these twenty
eight. Kelly. White and Pritchett We're
left behind in the Field Hospital, too
sick to travel, but so far toward re-
covery that a week or ten days at
most will bring them all out safely.
The rest all came or are on the way
to their homes Mi es. transferred 10
the Hospital Corps, U. 5. A.. expects
discharge within a week. Kitelinger,
transferred to the Sd u. s. Vol. Epgi-
neers, has gone to Cuba and will take
part in the government improve
ments to be extensively introduced on
that island. we are thankful to say
that of those who went from here not
one has died
In regard to our military service,
think none, today, really regret hav-
ing enlisted. That we had no oppor-
tunity to show whether we could
fight was a keen disappointment. We
proved that we could drill and maneu-
yer as well as The best and our camp
life was as orderly and well appointed
as the best; but we did feel sure that
we would be at our very best in the
active campaigning that we fully
thought was before us when we joined
the volunteer army in the days just
previous to San Juan, FL Caney and
Santiago The manner in which our
Lancaster boys bore this disaproint-
ment and conducted themselves in
the ofttimes irksome round of camp
duties, has gained for them the sincere
respect of their officers and comrades.
AS we part, after eight months of
such companionship, trust we do so
with most hearty good wishes for
each other, losing sight of anything
unpleasant there may have been in
the past, land with earnest purpose to
use all means to foster a spirit of
mutual helpfulness and cheer amongst
the boys of "'98."
Soldiers of the . COS" Compare
lively unworthy as we are to exchange
army tales with you, we vet have
come to better appreciation of the
wonderful stories you used to tell US,
and if you will sometimes honor us
by repetition of them, we shall do our
best TO reciprocate by describing some
of the occurrences that have distin-
puished the war of 1898. But indeed
we do believe that we have little bet
ter understanding Of what you had TO
endure as soldiers. We shall ever
feel more sacred reverence for the
name veteran" and Memorial Day
will have a new significance to Us.
Ladies Of Woman's Relief Corps:
Yours has been no easy lot. While
1.-The boys" are away in the army, the
mothers aud wives and sisters have no
small burden Of responsibility added to
their already heavy load of care; and
who can say their labor Of love in
working and watching and waiting Is
not just as important and useful as
that of the soldiers themselves? Not
content with doing this home tasks 50
well, YOU have striven in every way
to make camp life pleasanter for the
soldier Doys-as if every comfort you
sent did not serve TO remind them Of
still greater comforts at home and Of
yourselves. the sources of them, and
so make camp life less endurable by
contrast.