Milford chronicle., 1916-08-11
CAPTAIN CANNON WRITES
LETTER FROM DEMING, n. N.
Deming, N. NJ. July 81, 1916.
To Col Theo. Townsend,
Milford Chronicle,

-
Milford Chronicle,
Milford, Delaware.
Dear Colonel: Having few minutes
of time to spare, l will write you ano
give you a brief outline Of ou "trip west
We broke camp at the state Rifle
Range as you know on July 25ths and
arrived at Deming July 3Otn, at $3.50 IN
the morning. Our trip was uneventful
and we did not have to contend with
the discomforts imposed upon some OF
the troops while travelling to the border.
We had an abundance Of ice water and
water for the men TO bathe in. Rations
were cooked in the kitchen car attached
to the train and not one meal was miss
ed. All Of my men are well and enjoyed
The members Of Company B were very
much impressed with the mountain seem
cry. Perhaps the climax Of our trip was
reached on Saturday night while we were
crossing the Davis mountains in lower
Texas. At that time we had an oppOr-
tunity to view a beautiful mountain sun
set. II was a sight which will long re-
main fixed in the minds Of those who
witnessed II.
we stopped at Columbus. O., and Fort
Worth, Tex, each for two hours. Fort
Worth Is an up-tc- date city which would
p a. some OF our eastern cIit 5 II si;aIie
Everything is new, and judging from the
amount Of work which is being done on
public improvements, the people Of the
city are not afraid to spend their cash
The same may be said of many Of the
western cities through which we passed.
On our arrival at Deming we were met
by the mayor and a committee Of the
Chamber Of Commerce. A letter of in
PRODUCTION to one of the gentlemen had
preceded me, therefore il became my
duty to introduce the officers Of our COM
mand to the western gentlemen. I think
! am voicing the sentiments Of our ofiic-
ers and men when I state that it was the
most cordial welcome we ever received.
At noon the Red Cross Society served
sandwiches. iced tea, and cake to the en-
tire command. which you know was a
task. They had a brass band composed
entirely Of girls, with the exception Of
the bass player, who was a man. The
music provided was fine. and the men
greatly appreciated It. Last night the
officers were the guests Of the Chamber
Of Commerce at banquet given at the
Harvey Hotel. The menu was greatly
enjoyed. it being a treat from the every
dav army rations
We have an ideal camp site. NV tent
is facing a ridge of mountains the talIest
peak Of which is sixty miles away. The
climate is ideal. Yesterday was rot So
hot or at least we did not suffer like we
did at home. After sundOwn il gra dual
" becomes cooler. and after 70 O'Clock
arose and put another blanket over me
Ihis morning / wore heavy flannel
shirt and sweater until nine O'Clock. Rain
storms are something seldom seen here.
1ut the sand storms are fierce. This is
al new to rs and we hove difficulty i'm
cooking because Of it. The A. NJ. C. is
1reuaring 10 build ne-manent Kitchens
md mess hails for each co.7oany. each
building TO he 2fx60 feet We win be
dad TO see tbeW comuleted.. Our water
;unplN is abundant. our svnnlv corlino
hroueh a siT inch main. It is over 80 /
ler cent pure.
NY COMPANY has new tents arl win
soon be supplied with cots which viii /
De greatly appreciated by an the mon.
Evervthng in this camn is being built
o form rerm9nent camp. an1 II looks I
IS IT The Dele ware troops WIN be here I
or quite awhue. Nv oomnonv &C. on /
-uard today and am officer of the Day
lhe other companies are ENGAGED i'm road ]
'lf7dinq with machinery loaned by the /
itv Of peminE. Lizards are evaI-v- /
yhere, but they are the harsnless Ffnd /
nd the bows eniov ca itching Them The 4
ANN is lighted with electricity
Orr bows We're the first 10 he piaced on
uard at our new camp. every man with
lenty Of ammunition with instructions 1
o use it n the nacessifv a~oea " v-ae .
{ il like men. realizing what thav Wee
ere for. Yesterday ] overheard an el-
e~ly ladv make this renarv IN anofhe~
DIV; well. u can 20 home and get n !
God nights sleep now that 7 have seen
1ese troops here. for I have not had one
i0oe the Columbus raid" Everyone /
aels about the same.
We DO rot know how long We viii re-
lain in the camp. but this win he our
ornament headnuarters. Don't fail to
cpd us the Milford Chronicle. II is q
efv welcome visitor with us. and will
with lindest regards to you and all my
lends, 7 am.
Sincerelv vours
CAPT JAS. w. CANNON
Deming, New Mexico. I