Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-07-21
PINE TREE STATE B0YSN
TEXAS HAVING ADVENTURES
WITHHARDTACK AND HIKES
Nostalgia Places Many Dangerous List Rattlers
Sure Cure This Uncomf orable Maady-A Chap with
Forethought Saves Hardtack "For Future Use"-W or
from Co. Bow on 5O-Nlile Hike with Full Equipment
Somewhere in Texas,
July IS, 1916.

Dear Mr.. Merrill:
1 received your letter and the en-
velopes you sent me all safe and
sound, and the stamped envelopes
We're the best thing you could have
sent.
We had just got nicely settled in
Laredo when Monday night July 10)
we got news that We were to move OF
the morrow, and we did. We took
13 mile hike with full equipment. The
sun was blazing hot, and the men
dropped out frequently, but I stuck to
it. We camped that night at the
Santa Rosa ranch, with shelter tents,
and started the next morning at s
o'clock, but just as we started it be-
gan to rain hard. We made II miles
that day, and struck camp on the
west side Of a small ford. Nearly haf
of the men, including myself, slept on
the ground, but at $50 A. M. l got up
and saw that the blanket rolls had
come, so l had something to sleep on
the rest of the night. At noon time
we had the best dinner we have had
since l left Maine, and We all went in
swimming just below the ford, where
there we're some small falls about
three feet high. The water We had
| to drink was the color of mud. We
started out again at $50 o'clock. and
made five miles, then went into camp
again. and it is at this camp l am
writing. l can stand up outside my
tent and see the Rio Grande. 1t
rained while we were marching. so it
| was not so hot, and now there is a
cool breeze most Of the time.
] We have got to make % miles more
before we camp for good. We shall
march 10 miles tomorrow. morning,
and then camp, and at o'clock that
/. night march the other IS miles.
l am in good health and feeling
fine. I weighed myself at store in
this camp, and l weighed 152 pounds.
will be sunburned blacker than a
coon when | get home.
| We have not been paid off yet, but
expect to be any time between the
LIST and 10th of next month.
| I received the K j. all right and
regular, and am very thankful for it.,
for way down here when a fellow re-
ceives news from home it cheers him
up more than anything else can. Any
magazines and reading matter that
you can send will be very much ap~
preciated.
l can think Of nothing more just
now, so will close. Write again soon,
if nothing more than card, it will be
gratefully received.
YOlr sincere friend,
| (Signed) BERNARD CROWELL.
Private Co. K, I'd Maine Inf"
Emmons Boynton, the only boy
) from Vassalboro and China in Mexico
with the I'd Infantry writes home to
his mother, Mrs. Ada V. Boynton at
South Vassalboro, in part as follows:
Laredo. Texas, July 6, 1916.
Dear Mother:
We have been here two days and
are all alive, although the heat is
something terrible How is every
thing up there and Is it hot? We killed
a big rattle snake just back of our
tent last night and there are lizards
real large but not poisonous. Our
water is all boiled before we drink it..
This is quiet town and what Amer
cans there are arc very nice We
were treated fine all along the way.
The trip was very interesting We
think we will come home inside Of six
months as Wilson has recalled the
| troops from Mexico but can not tell
for sure, vet, what we will do. They
say it hasn't rained here since last
| October and I believe it, Lovingly.
| (Signed) EMMONS"