The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-08-01
CONDITIONS ARE BETTER
Capt. Springer OF Co. X Writes Interest
ing Letter from Eagle Pass.

ing Letter from Eagle Pass.
George n. Tilden OF Barre has received
the following letter from Captain w. p
Springer Of Company X, first Vermont
infantry, at Eagle Pass, Tex;
Eagle Pass, Tex, July 20.
Dear Friend George;
| have finally succeeded IN getting an
opportunity Ia dictate few letters, and
hope 20 get my much neglected CORE
spondcnce caught up before long. We
have finally reached state Of semi
comfortabeness, ii such condition be
possible in the sun, wind and sand Of the
Rio Grande valley, You can well under.
stand that il has taken n whole lot OF
time, patience and hard work Ia convert a
bunch of raw recruits, numbering close
TO 90, into real military company, but
feel we'll repaid for the efforts made and
think the Company X boys are to-day as
good as any in the regiment
We have no kick coming whatever as
10 the way We are being treated by the
government. We get issued to us 200
pounds Of Ice per day TO a company. Get
fresh beef, all that we need, and other
necessities. We have been able with our
company fund TO make fine company
street Of cinders to obvinte the mud aft.
er shower. The rear is completely en-
closed with river cane. Also have a con.
yenient shelter al one end of the street;
a 2Xi framework structure rooted over
with river cane, supplied with large
table and benches where the fellows can
sit in the cool shade and write their let
tiers, and also use il for school room
for non-commissioned officers. Have a
mess tent sheltered from the sun, with
tables and benches, and understand that
screening has been issued by the govern
ment for enclosing the mess tents and
kitchens. In addition TO the above con.
yeniences we also have a battalion can
teen and shower baths. There is a rec
reation building for physical exercises in
the process OF construction, moving
picture show which is used once week !
for pulling off sparring matches and
wrestling.
There are at present located in this |
camp about 10000 troops, including two
regiments of regulars; the third field ar
tillery and 30th infantry and several cav.
airy troops; two militia regiments from
Kansas, one from Maryland and one from
Vermont, besides hospital corps, ambu
lance corps, etc. The camp is about a
mile and half northeast from town.
This is a country that ought to make
God proud of his handwork. II is a
yeritable desert Astounding in thorny
vegetation of mesquite and shaparel. We
have a daily sandstone which helps break
the monotony, and incidentally fills
with grit. Nothing can be
nailed up so tight that it will be proof
against the Eagle Pass sandstorm. 1t
'omes without warning and the air is
surcharged with sand as fine
IS dust. 1t has not been quite so bad
he last week, as we have had frequent
showers but the rain makes mud ankle
ieep, except where cinders have been
aid so as far as real comfort is concerned,
[ is six OF one and half dozen OF the
,ther In addition to the above men
Toned Injuries, kind providence bestows
lpon us each sweet refreshing sunshine I
which coaxes the mercury up to the vi.
unity of 100 degrees and keeps it there
or the greater part of the day. The
venings are cool and fine for sleeping.
There are various conjectures As to the
ength of our sojourn in this wilderness, I
nut no definite statement has yet been :
iyen out. Note by the paper this morn
1g that the college boys viii be permit
ed TO return to their respective schools
he first of September, which will mate
tally decrease the strength OF the Yer
lont regiment. Regarding the sanitary u
onditions here, will quote as follows
rom the San Antonio Express: :
General Bliss made an additional re-
ort to the war department concerning !.
ealth and food conditions on the border. ID
e says he finished the inspection of the P
'atonal Guard at Eagle Pass, which "
insists of Maryland and Vermont troops
nd the first and second Kansas regi- y
tents of infantry. He says; I found /
re health of the commands excellent,
articularly no men on the sick report
eneral Bliss also commends the arrange
ents for water, shelter and sanitation" X
The men are all vaccinsted for small
Ok, and have received two inoculations
n typhoid. There is also prophylaxis q.
for venereal disease when it is
scessary. w
Well, to make long story short, this =,
not an ideal country TO live in, and the n =,
ost optimistic of us will be glad to get ~
Ick in Gods country, but like the apos- -
E Paul, / have learned THAT in what III
ever state | am, Herewith TO be con-
MT" so have become reconciled to ir r
vocable destiny. :"
Hoping this finds you in the best of
ath and with kindest regards to all, a. I.
Very sincerely yours,
w. P. Springer, AZ az
Commanding Co. X, lst VT. Inf. 'n