The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-07-10
NEWS FROM BOYS
AT THE FRONT
A. G. Edwards of Barre Writes About
the Westward Trip and of Settling
in Camp on Mexican
Border.

The following letter from A. G. Ed.
wards, member OF Co. II. Vermont Ma.
tional Guard, now at Eagle Pass, Tex
tells Of the trip westward and some OF
the camp life:
Editor, Barre Times: We left the fort
on Tuesday, June 26, 1915, got good
send off at each town and city we went
through. We got large send off at Sal
amanca, n Y. We were taken out Tor
setting up drills in Elmira, n. j., on
Wednesday, June 81. The next stop was
at Huntington, Ind We were taken off
the train for meal at a restaurant and
then started for Chicago All were eager
to see this city, but were more eager to
leave same, as we stayed over two and
one half hours, and the smell Of stock
yard and soap and paint factories was
awful. The reason we stayed here was
that a young man from Co. F. Of North
field, was stricken down with append
citis. He was taken q the Chicago hos,
pital and left until well. | was not feel
ing the best myself here.
The boys were disgusted before we fin
iShed the Journey. as all we were eating
was one can OF eorned beef one can Of
beans, one slice OF bread and half a cup
of coffee for seven men and the corporal.
At Waterloo, Ia, we were taken off
and had one half hour march around this
city. The next stop was at Denison.
Tex, where we did the same as at Wa
terloo, but the people Of Denison gave
the boys lemonade and cake. We ar
rived in Eagle Pass Sunday, July ?
a. o, MA LN & nft
travelling over road that beats the G. Y.
r. R. all hollow. We travelled about 80
miles at the rate Of 20 miles an hour.
We have pitched tents and worked
hard TO complete duties, At about 9;30
every night we have a sand storm. The
winds arise at 7;3o and do not abate I'M
til about 1890 or II o'clock The sky
is clear and the stars are to be seen at
time Of storm Quite number OF tents
were blown all around camp. worked
all the time of the storm with cloth |
under my nose and mouth Cannot see
a foot ahead Of one another
We went up on a bluff and looked |
across the Rio Grande and could see Mex
lean soldiers at work We are not al. |
lowed down at the river as they are fir |
Tug dt uHt ttitN ste
This is wild country. All we have |
seen for 200 miles is desert. sand and /
sage bush. We are camped within 20
minutes walk of border Three men of
our company dropped with the heat the
first day, but were all right in few
minutes. The temperature was 10 in
he sun and l02 in the shade. Water
was so hot that man would scald his
lands when washing them.
There are about 5000 regulars, 80 in
antry and three infantry and cavalry
batteries. All one hears here is the rattle
II the batteries going to their place and
he clash of rifles.
To-day is July 3. The sun is behind
LIQUIDS and ii is not so hot. but hot /;
nough On all bluff tops one can see
he batteries and cavalry and picket and
outpost duty. Everyone is hard at work, t
II in good spirits. u
Enclosed find names of Barre bows for {
aper, also song we sing also "a tag / {
eceived in Oklahoma The boys got ad- +,
resses all along the line from Young !
aides who wish to write Keep the tag: !
will get it when return, If | ever do. II
III for now. Put this in the paper in
he right way and excuse writing and