Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-07-31
MEMORIAL FOR
GEN. HUTCHINSON
Eulogies For Late Commander
Held at Fort Bliss,
Texas
SANDSTORMS CONTINUE
Boys Have Regular Wash Day;
SANDSTORMS CONTINUE
Boys Have Regular Wash Day;
Letter From Trooper Rich
ard T. Coover

ard T. Coover
News from the soldier boys in the
South shows marked improvement in
conditions. Reports received from
Harrisburg soldiers indicate a return
home after the troops have been
given taste of real army life. This
week will probably find Pennsylvania
boys close to Mexico.
Letter From Trooper
Dearest Mother:
1 was in FL Paso yesterday and had
quite a nice time. You should see
that place, it is a beautiful city-all
along the streets you see the little
houses called adobe huts. They are
truly wonderful.
There are some beautiful Spanish
girls, also some American girls in Ell
Paso.
We expect to get our horses to-
morrow, then there will be some fun.
There are about 5000 horses in the
corrall. They are all young ones, with
lot of ginger and pep, believe me.
walked over the international bridge
into Juarez, Mexico, where they are
hghting. borrowed a fellows civilian
suit, otherwise I could not have got
ten in. I am feeling fine and expect
to be back home within two months
or less. l don't think I will be away
any longer. You ask about the water
at first we were only allowed one
quart a day, but they have laid a
water pipe up to our camp, which is
about 8 miles from Ell Paso. The
nights are warm up until about 1880
a. m. then you can stand two blan-
kets. They are of wool and very
heavy. The one is sleeping blanket
and the other a horse blanket. The
heat to-day is 1S5 in the shade-what
do you think of that? Some heat
isn't it? l am keeping my diary every
day and learning to speak Spanish.
Just now there is great big sand
storm coming right through the camp.
1t comes up in the form of a funnel,
and anything in its path goes with it
too. But the rainy season which soon
will be here will rid us of these sand
storms. Wait till you see my NOUS
tache and my sunburn you won't
know me.
Sunday was our captains 44th
birthday, we all Clipped in and bought
him a pair of cavalry boots. Instead
of birthday cake, the cooks, Weber
and Owes baked him a big pie with
"A and 1915 made of dough on the
top. 1t was fine and both Captain
Jack and all of US boys were quite
happy. am feeling we'll and would
like to have a box of eats from home
as we get tired of the army food. Re-
member me to all my friends and tell
them how hot it is in Mexico.
RICHARD T. COOVER, Trooper.
From Corporal II. j. Bretz
Company D has now been stationed
on this sandy desert eleven days and
the members are fast becoming ac-
customed to the hot days and cool
nights, the varied drills of school of
the soldier, school of the squad, and
school of the company.
The Harrisburg boys are standing
the heat of the Southern sun very well
and there is not one case of serious
sickness in the entire company. Of
course some members have had slight
headaches, sore arms, and a few cases
of cramps, but these were quickly re-
lieved at our regimental hospital and
all are now able to answer roll call.
On Wednesday evening the Eighth
Regiment had dress parade, and just
about the time the companies were
lined up on the field, a very severe
sand storm began blowing. 1t was
very trying for the men, but they
went through the review uncomplain-
ingly.
AS the slogan of Company D is
cleanliness it is up to each man to
see that his clothes, equipment and
home is kept in the best sanitary con-
dition possible. The floors of the
tent have been scraped clear of sand,
and every morning and evening
sprinkled with water. This helps to
Z Keen down the dnSt and IN TINA will
cause very hard and firm floor.
Soldiers Have Wash Day
One of the most interesting sights
is to see the guardsman wash his own
clothes. The company has provided
wash tub and wash rubber and when
ones clothes set dirty he procures the
tub and wash rubber and goes to
work. 1t goes a little awkward at
first, but by the time Company gets
back home, many a wife Will have a
proficient ''washer-woman- in the
home and then there will be no need
for her to bend over the wash tub
Monday mornings.
The other day Sergeant Russell had
wash on the line, when suddenly a
sand storm came up ana picked the
wash from the line and deposited it
in the sand about fifty yards away.
| OF course this is to be expected
The evenings are spent in going to
the movies at Fort Bliss (Which, py
the way, are free), writing TO the folks
back home and groups or meIodious
singers making the still night air ring
with their harmonious voices. Moth
ing seems to strike the heart of these
lonely, far from home guardsmen,
than little music and Company D is
rapidly forming a very good male
chorus.
Monday begins battalion drill. and