Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-08-01

procured and kicking did not make 1t
taste any better.
To Be Congratulated.
| We had to bring through couple OF
| Co. men who were too sick to go with
their company. 1t seems to me that
the men Of the Sd battalion are to be
congratulated on their fine work going
from Laredo to Zapata. The regulars
here say it was we'll done and every
man should feel proud. They must
have used us as an experiment for the
LIST battalion which furnished men for
La Perla and San Ygnacio was trans
ported in mule teams all the way.
Some soft alongside Of our trip down
here.
It took long time for the officers to
come to the next morning, Sunday, and
j by the looks of things around camp
there were very few men who cared
much whether they got up or not. BY
the end Of the day everybody was feel
ing much better. The officers were
quartered in a stone building on the
east side Of the camp and we were as
comfortable as anyone could be down
here.
An Accidental Shot.
Most all the officers took this their
first real opportunity In many days to
clean up their pistols. All of sudden
there was a bang which brought every
body to their feet. One of the men had
discharged his pistol accidentally AMI
the bullet had gone through 16 thick
ness of blanket and poncho, struck the
|
| bounced back from the side wal. 1t was
a close shave like the other occur
renee did no damage. 1t was laughable
to see the officer occupying the cot I'M
der which the bullet struck. come to life.
He was kidded all day about being the
first man under fire but he always re-
minded them that he was over fire not
under it.
Typhoid Dope"
We got our third shot Of typhoid dope
in the afternoon with the happy prom
Use Of vaccination Monday. If we stay
here long enough and get enough dope
we will be immune to most everything
in short time. If they could give US
some kind of stuff that would enable
us to go without water life might be a
little more enjoyable down here.
/ We were supposed to get some fresh
beef from Laredo but the load got
stopped al San Ygnacio and we had to
send a motor truck after it. When
that beef reached camp it was a sight.
We saved about 80 pounds out of $50
Lieut.. Ffndlay said you could not see
the enc of the trucks for flies.
always hate to go to bed it is so COM
Portable sitting around enjoying the
cool fresh air.
Monday Morning.
Monday morning brought with it a
scorching sun and these heavy wooden
clothes are anything but comfortable
One K man was taken quite sick dur
ing the night and I guess that dope
combined with the hot sun is beginning
to get in its work. Every body thanked
their lucky stars that the doctor had to
go to Crbania to finish up 1 Co. with
their typhoid dope and did not get back
In time to vaccinate. The men are be-
ginning to hate that dope and will be
mighty glad when they get us filled up
to their satisfaction.
Loaded She'll in Fire.
The morning drills were called off
early but none too soon as many men
were showing signs of weakness. Our
work was mostly on loading firing drills
which were badly needed because of so
many new men. The rest of the day
was very quiet. An IL man dropped
loaded shell into the fire and, Of
course. there was bang with the Gus
tomary excitement following such oc-
currences. No damage was done.
don't know why it is but getting up
in the morning is the hardest task Of
the whole day. The mere thought of
putting on those hot sticky clothes is
enough to discourage any man. Each
day brings more men on the sick list
and the peculiar thing is that many of
them are men whom you would least
expect to be sick The drills went on
as usual with the main emphasis on
/. loadings and firings and extended or
der or Skirmish work. The mails came
through, and about time, the first in
four days. 1t is hard enough to be iso-
lated away down here without having
LIE mail HSlu up LOT SuCH d long per-
iod. Getting letters from home is one
of the few pleasures we have down
here.
! Rare Connections.
The men are mixing up some rare
connections. Vinegar water and sugar
is one, ginger, lemon, sugar and water
another. evaporated cream and water
another and land knows what others.
Anything to take away the nasty taste
of this soup, they call water, is popu
lar. When we get home we will be
able to drink the water out of the
Kennebec and not mind it bit A
few are drinking cistern water but
am afraid they will pay for it before
| long. The people down this way col
lect the water from the roofs of hous-
es and store it in cisterns or large
metal tanks.
Henna Day Officer.
Had my first opportunity Of acting
as Officer Of the Day and believe me
sure did feel rather fused up about
1t. 1 did not feel very sure of myself
but the formalities of guard duty have
been discarded which made my duties