Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-09-13
Brownsville Texas, Sept. l, 1916.

Brownsville Texas, Sept. /, 1916.
Dear Home Folks:
got dads letter day or two ago.
We got a notice tonight that no stu
dents will be allowed to go home to
school, so that settles it. l turned in
my application however.
This letter may not reach you IL
the strike starts Monday as it is
scheduled. We have heard today
though that the Senate has passed the
eight hour law for the railroad men.
1t is strongly rumored here that
we will come home in a month or tWo.r
I hope we do. / would just like TO
see what it would feel like to get
some civilian clothes on again, al
though l have no kick against this
life
We had an IS mile hike the other
day with full packs which amounts
to about 80 pounds. That is the hard
est hike we have had. 1t didn't both
er me much. l am gaining in weight
all the time. l don't mind hike OF
10 to Is miles in forenoon with on
ly gun and belt. We have been hav-
ing good time here most of the time.
I have a big washing to do tomorrow.
We don't have a chance to boil our
clothes so they are getting yellow
color.
Those boxes that came down here
are still being doled out to us. The
contents came in mighty handy
The Iowa Cavalry Of which Maj.
Howell is in charge is at Donna,
little north of here so we don't get
chance to see them.
This week we fought two sham
battles one on the field OF PoloAlto.
The other on the field of Rosara de
Palma.
They are where Tachery Taylor
whipped de Palma. The first one is
- miles from here and Taylor won 1T
bv a flanking movement. AT Ro DE
Palma the intrenchments are still to
be seen although badly weather worn.
Near the first battle field is Blood
Lake. a salt lake occupying or
acres. and named so from the color
! of the water after the battle.
There is a big sugar mill now just
on the east side of the Rosafa de
Palma battle field. 1t was this mill
that was struck first in the Browns
Vile raid a couple of weeks before
we got here Well l will have 10
ring Off and call this an epistle.
Write when you get time. Wen
get another pay day soon and I'll send
some more cold plunks up the line.
September Z, 1916.
Dear Homefolks:
I received your letter several days
ago but have been very busy. we
have had some fairly warm WeatheI
here but il doesn't bother us any
It has been averaging little over
1OO in the shade and no shade around
yand around 120 in the sun. Oul
company goes on guard tonlsnt.
was lucky to get out of it.
How is everything up in that coun
try? I would like to drop in just FOL
day to see everybody. We are hav
ing a great time down here thougn
Everybody is alw ways pul n
, off some funny stunt. Some OF I'M
bows went fishing with spears and go
about 12O pounds of fish. They ar
trifle larger than minnows, weighln
about Is to 40 pounds each.
AS soon as I get paid I am going t
e Pt. Isabel about 25 miles from here
swim in the Gulf. see the sights an
'. get some southern shore shells to sen
Ehome. They surely are pretty. MOS
: of the company have been down.
The Illinois troops have left TO
: home. Lord only knows when we WI
get back. l should worry. 1t is
S poor policy because it dosn't do an
good. ..
: Well, I guess that I'll ring off an
go to bed. ,~."-.~---,'-"- 's's'''
As ever.