Oxford Democrat., 1916-07-18
With the Boys at the Border.
STORY OF TRIP TO LAREDO AND con
DITIoSs THERE.

(From private letter written by Comissary
sergt. L. h. Daughraty, I'd Maine Regt)
LAREDO, TEXAS, July 5, 1916.
We arrived in town Tuesday, July 4,
ut 20 P. NJ, and went into camp on the
driest of dry plowed ground. The dust
is so fue that when II blows 1t will blow
right through wooden blanket, and 1t 10
blowing now so that have to stop and
wipe my eyes before I can see to write.
Well, we got here in good shape, with
no sickness on the train or on the
grounds up to now, that is, there has
been no one on the sick report. They
are not working the boys at all, only to
set up camp and get 1t in right shape to
live In.
At every stop of the train we were
given great ovation by the citizens Of
the place. First in Portland, then We
had great time at Syracuse, N. y;
Rochester, N. Y; Peoria, Ill. /; Galesburg,
ILL.,; Fort Madison, Iowa; Medill, Mo-;
La Plata, Mo. Bosworth, Mo-; Kansas
City, Kan. (whsre we had nice BATH;
Emporia, Florence, FL Dorado, Arkansas
City, Kan; Ponca City and Ardmore,
Oklahoma; and Fort Worth, Cleburn,
Temple, Milsno, Austin, San Antonio,
Cotulla, and lastly Laredo, Texas.
Since being here the Red Cross people
have treated us fiuely. That afternoon
we got In camp they were here on the
ground and served every man jack with
ice cream and cake all the afternoon. As
soop as one freezer was empty there was
another to take its place. To-day they
came in autos and trucks and served
every boy on the grounds with q bottle
of soda, and cake, doughnuts and buns.
What must the boys do but choose a
cheer leader and give three cheers for
the Red Cross of Laredo and three cheers
and q tiger for the ladies of Laredo; and
and simple "Thank you" as possible.
Ihave just had my supper of beef
steak, coffee, potatoes, bread and butter
and watermelon, and now after "re-
treat" the band is giving concert right
In front of my tent. The band boys are
all laughing at me trying to write while
they are playing, and they are playing
all those pieces that You would like to
hear.
Last night slept like . top all night.
had to work up to II, but did not get up
until 7:30-thst would be $50 by your
time, as We bad to set our watches back
when We got west Of Buffalo.
We had Waterville Sentinel sent to
us to-day, and we're much surprised to
see what some Portland paper had been
saying about the way the boys were uni
formed and equipped when leaving Au-
gusts, for it was ~ finely equipped q
command as ever came on to camp
ground. When We got here and tho reg
ular army officer sent to see that We got
to the ground and got settled in shape
be said, "Where did you get your equip
meut?" He was told that 1t had been In
the state arsenal for two years, and that
there was enough left behind to equip
the recruits that come later. he told
Col. Hume that 1t was the best equipped |
regiment In camp outside of the regular
outfits, and compared we'll with them, so
you can see what the "powers that be"
think of tho regiment.
The boys had nine days rations issued
to them, and know 1t, because / issued
them myself, and know what they bad
when they arrived in camp, and they had
enough to last them two days.
The boys are all down town tonight,
but they all nave to 60 armed. l haven't
had the time to 60, but / shall a. soon as
get oil straightsned out and things 60
smoothly.
[ am sepding you some "Carranza
enclosed. We buy 1t at the rate
Of ono cent q. 8. for one dollar Mex. l
can pass 1t at that rate In the stores. A
shave costs ten dollars Mex, and every. |
thing In proportion.
lam having the time of my life with
two Mex. boys that come to the camp
with soft drinks. They are fine looking
and clean as can be. They try to talk
United States, and am trying to talk |
Mex, and We have quite time telling |
sach other what things are. 1t 10 "some
funny."
The band concert livened tho boys mp
and each company has Ito
,rowd OF singers ont singing the old
lamp songs, and 1t seems more like
,amp ct Augusta than way down In
Texas.
The boys are having great time
catching lizards down here. There 10
,ne they call the Jumper, and they "csn
Jump" One jumped across our tent to-
lay, about sixteen feet, from one cot to
he other and scared one fellow into
'conniption fits," but he got over 1t.
The drinking water 10 oil brought to
amp In galvanized iron barrels. and 1t
Q very good. OF course It does not be-
lin to como up to the water st home,
int 10 very good substitute. Itis very
lard, and difficult to wash In, but We
,et along very we'll.
When you wfite tell me oil the news,
md II possible send some papers, Bos-
on, Lewiston, and local ones, 20 / can
,eep up with the times at home.
A healthy man u . lins in his own hight; an