Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1916-08-11
ON THE MEXICAN BORDER
Former Island Pond Boy With
the Vermont National Guard
Writes of Army Life Pat
rolling the Interna-
tiOnal Boundary

Editor Herald:
Dear Sir:-As former Island Pond
boy | have been trying to find time
to write to a great many of my
friends living in Island Pond, but
not thru intentional neglect | have
been obliged to omit large number
from my correspondence. Since |
entered the University of Vermont
two years ago, | have been member
of Co. c, 1st Vt. Infantry, and with
the rest of the National Guard was
called into Federal service by the
President on June 18. In view of
the interesting events following that
date | have decided that the best
way to reach the people back home
is thru the columns of the HERALD.
For the purpose of enlightening the
people of Island Pond as to the real
work of a tin soldier" will give a
brief account of our experiences
since Joining the army"
After stay of a week at the mo-
bilization camp at Fort Ethan Allen,
we were ordered to entrain for serV-
ice on the border. Considering our
lack of training and general green
ness, the work of breaking camp
and entraining went forward very
rapidly so that June 21st saw the
entire regiment in day coaches, bound
forEagle Pass, Texas.
On our way down we received
hearty welcome from the people in
every town thru which we passed.
At Binghamton, N. Y, Salamanca,
N. Y, Oelwein, Ia, and Denison,
Tex, we were given particularly
enthusiastic receptions, with bands,
lemonade, fruit, etc, So far as we
can learn we were the only National
Guard regiment so far to be trans
ported to the border in day coaches,
with no provision made for sleeping.
We were crowded three men to two
seats, and our food consisted Of one
cup of coffee and one corned beef
sandwich three times a day. All
other National Guard regiments
which have arrived in Eagle Pass
have come in Pullmans.
Eagle Pass is city of about six
thousand population, located on the
Rio Grande. 1t is a port of entry,
and railroad centre for large agri-
cultural section to the north. About
ten thousand soldiers are stationed
here now with more troops arriving
daily. Near the camp of the 1st
Vermont is the camp Of one Kansas
and two Maryland regiments, besides
the camps of several regiments of
u. S. infantry, cavalry and artillery.
Immediately after our arrival we
were issued two hundred and ten
rounds of ammunition and told to
sleep with our clothes, rifles, and
equipment within easy reach. We
slept for three weeks on the ground,
but now cots have arrived so we are
more comfortable.
The country is a semi-desert, the
only vegetation being cactus, ,chapar-
raj, sage-brush, and mesquite. None
of these shrubs grow to more than
a few feet high. There is no grass
or trees in this vicinity. All agricul-
tural operations are carried on on
irrigated land. Oil wells and coal
mines are in operation to the north
and west of Eagle Pass, while several
large ranches are located nearby.
| During eleven months Of the year
rain is almost unknown, the rainy
month being July. The sandstorms
which occur every day or two are
the most disagreeable part of our
life here. Every time atmospheric
conditions are just right we get q
strong wind up the river from the
Gulf of Mexico which kicks up q
great deal of sand and fills our tents
and bedding full. Eagle Pass has
stores and theatres which are as
good as one would expect to ind in
a New England town of its size.
About three-fourths of the people
are negroes and Mexicans. 1t boasts
one newspaper, the Eagle Pass Her.
| aid" which is issued bi-weekly. The