Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-08-05

LILO WuVA0 XA0Au0 OAShS ~ 49,
strong. A gentleman told me yester-
day that the officer Of the Post told him
that the Maine crowd was the only hui
man outfit at Laredo and they could
have anything they wanted. And
really they have gone out Of their way
to make things pleasant for us.
am sorry that such tales are told
regarding conditions here. think this
is very healthy place. In fact, we
have hardly any sickness, no more than
we would have at Augusta. And II
the men would only do as they were
told we would have no sickness at all.
OF course the water is not like we have
in Maine. It is all boiled but we have
plenty of ice and that helps a lot, and
you can buy distilled water at three
cents gallon delivered.
There is plenty Of food Of all kinds
and II our cooks knew a little more
about the army ration, all would be
well, but they are learning fast and
will soon be able to save each month.
I am making copies Of all orders and
memos to forward to you as soon as
completed. There are so many it will
take some little time. A new order
came out yesterday. The first OF Au-
gust we start on intensive training and
/ will send you a copy of that order
also. The Colonel is down to Zapata
and the Lieut.. Col. is up to Dolores and
I am camp commander and just had to
entertain the general commanding the
district. He comes up to see us every
day. He is a very fine officer but I
have a great friend in the adjutant of
the 9th Infantry. He keeps me posted
on everything and comes over to see
me two or three times every day to
see If he can help me and he always
can. He Is going to instruct my
mounted scout crowd for me. I wish
you could come down and see for your
self just how things are going. think
the trip would do you good and you
would enjoy the country.
wish you would send me down all
the circulars on the Maine woods and
camps that you have. Many Of the
regular army officers want to come up
there hunting and fishing. and they
really do not know anything about
Maine, and don't believe what we tell
them. The hunting here is good
Plenty Of deer, quail, ducks and wild
turkey, also wild cats, rattlesnakes,
etc.
There are no chigres (sand fleas)
here at all, and the only snake have
seen fellow had up here on a string.
We are getting kilograms every day
for boys to come home. 1 wonder if
the people understand that it is next
to impossible to get men discharged
| from the service.
We have not yet received all our
transportation. We have only AZ mules
and Al horses. l want to tell you that
REQ truck you bought is a peach and
about every trip it makes to Zapata it
| Packards along the line. l wish l
| could get picture Of that little truck
hauling out the big ones. 1t would be
an awful good ad for the REQ people.
1t can make two trips to the others
one.
Well, will close with love to you and
all the family. l would like to blow
in and have a little chat with you. I
miss it all very much but can adapt
myself to new circumstances very
| quickly. At night after get into bed
think of you all and wonder how things
are with you and what you are doing.
| would like to have a mess of green
peas from Maine and a good cucumber.
| Let me hear from you often.
Sincerely yours,
FRANK E. DRAKE.