Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-07-26
LIEUTENANT CHESTER B. HENNA
WRITES FROM zAPATA, WHERE
co. N IS STATIONED ON OUTPOST
Standing the Strain Well nder the Hot Southern
Discipline and Morale Excel ent-opcal Bugs Snakes
Interest Them-The Army Mule Observation-Disclosures Sur
rounded Orders for Long ike to Zapata
Maine soldier boys on the border are

Maine soldier boys on the border are
passing through the transition stage Of
civilian to soldier with all its at
tending trials and labors and present
indications point to the fact that the
new specie will develop into valuable
ana promising product. The glamor
and excitement, the Joy Of anticipation
of a view of Mexico and clothed in
| fighting toys and trip to new and
strange land robbed exuberant youth
of the thoughts of the possibilities and
| hardships of the trip and heart long
ings for the folks back home which is
now being brought to it's full realiza-
ton.
Lieut.. Chester B. Henna Of Augusta
writes interestingly and entertainingly
OF the trip south and the long hike to
Zapata, the present location of the Sd
Battalion, in which Co. M Of Augusta
forms a unit. Lieut.. Henna speaks in
complimentary terms of the excellent
spirit and hospitality of southerners a.
the stops on the trip. The letter:
Zapata. Texas, July II. 1916.
, Hea dQuarters Of Sd Battalion.
The parting scenes at Augusta need
~ comments II piIl IiS lHOSI cNtI
one in Augusta was there have
never had such a fight in my life be-
fore. Every man of US agrees that
leaving Augusta and that cheering
crowd will be the hardest battle any Of
us will have to fight. What a relief it
was when that train pulled out of the
station. You probably remember the
enthusiasm of the soldiers at tho.
time, how eager they were to be on
their way. What a change has come
over them during the past few weeks.
1t seemed all roses when we left home
and friends but il did not take long to
replace thu spirit with one Of longing
Tor the good old State of Maine, for
the fields of grass, tho running streams
Of cool. clea" water and the forests of
pine. There is nothing down this way
that could possibly entice any man
away from. Maine.
At every station along the way we
received quite sendoff. It seemed
that everybody was being filed with
enthusiasm and Americanism as never
before in many years. It did ones
feart good to know that the people
were so much interested in the errand
u.
real reception was at Portland. Coast
artillery men came aboard with grear
baskets filled with boxes of food ana
each man got at least one and most
two. We had had no supper and thi;
food was real treat to every man.
When the men were filled up they at
tempted to make up hunks in those
day coaches. 1t was a real work of
fine art to get comfortable and there
was very little sleep that first night.
Rumor passed around that we
were to have sleepers at Buffalo but
our hopes were shattered when we
passed by without a change In spite
of this discomfort there was a spirit of
chenrfulness and good fellowship
which made one forget his present
troubles. At every station we re-
ceived quite an ovation even late at
night.
| At Fostoria, Ohio, Sprague. Boothby,
Corp. lockwood and several others
located the Y. NJ. c. A. and INDUCED in
shower and swim. The Secretary
made them quite at home and our fell
lows had chance to test the great
value of the Y. NJ. c. A. to a man away
from home. / did not locate the AS
/ soclation until it was too late to avail
myself of its privileges.
The men by this time were begin
ming to kick about the dirt and the
sleeping accommodations. The en-
thusiasm and novelty Of the trip were
beginning to wear off about this time
and a spirit Of restlessness was taking
its place.
Private Page carted along a water
gun and what time the bunch had
with it all the way down. Many of
the men had their heads clipped short
and they made some targets for that
water gun. A stream Of ice water
from water gun on a bald head be-
longing to peacefully sleeping SOL
der kept life moving all the way from
Augusta to Laredo.
Passed through oil fields in Ohio
Inc air was just saturated with
fumes for miles.
IN Indiana we came to the wonderful
nelds OF corn. Thousands Of acres Of
corn planted in perfect rows was a
slght new to every man. We do not
realize the great values Of the agri-
cultural activities of the Middle Yves.
until they are spread out before our
eyes. The soil is as smooth as sifted
sand and ra{los - ~..;1>. - 49,