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

ton Of the 18th cavalry.
At San Ysnaeio.
When we had finished our dinner we
+oo,, a trip over to the cavalry camp.
They have things fixed in fine shape.
a standing trench runs all around their
camp and it would take mighty DIE
force of Mexicans to dislodge them
now. When the raid came they were
encamred on the edge OF the arroyo
through which the Mexicans made their
approach on the town. These arroyos
are great gorges cut in the soft eartn
by the heavy rains and afford a hne
protection for advancing troops. The
men showed US the grave, marked by
three beer bottles. where the six Mex
leans shot in the raid are buried.
Left San Ygnacio at 2.30 for second
leg Of days hike to Arroyo Borro, six
miles away. We had not been on the
way long when q beautiful shower
came up and OF course we had to take
It in the open. BY this time the men
did not care rap for water and l
think they rather enjoyed it. AT one
stop a bunch Of men were leaning
against a wire fence, all of sudden
they let out boot. Come to find out
they had received a severe shock
caused by lightning following the
wires. We now struck rolling country
with fair hills and 1t was good for sore
eyes. AS one looks out over such
vast area Of fiat barren country ne
cannot help but marvel at the tremen-
dous areas of waste land. I never be-
fore realized the vastness of Texas.
The vegetation seems to be better and
fresher as we 60 along but imagine
it is because Of the rain. To complete
the Job we had to ford stream nearly
to our waists in order to reach our
camp grounds. This made is miles for
the day and the men were wet and
tired. We had not planned to stop here
at Arroyo Borro but it seemed imprac-
teal to attempt to make Zapata until
the next day.
At Arroyo Borro.
This extra stop made an extra meal
necessary so we had to stretch one
meal for two which made light sup
per- Men kicked like blazes but it did
no good as we had only taken rations
for a certain number of meals and the
rest Of the grub we had gone through. K
on guard again that night and pair of
our sentinels were to have the first near
trouble Of the whole trip. Shortly af-
ter the guard had been posted we heard
the call Corporal Of the guard number
81
Mexican Trouble.
Hurrying over to three post we found
the sentinel had held up a couple of
Mexicans. They could talk no English
so We had to send for our guide who
was a good Spanish scholar and we
found that they were goat herdsmen
returning home. They had at first re-
fused to halt for the Sc tinel and were
lucky that they were not shot. After
that occurrence every sentinel was
given the Spanish word alto meaning
halt, so there could be no excuse for
not understanding the sentry's chal-
lenge.
1t seems down here that everything
exception to the rule. Right after sup
per we had an old ripper Of shower
which soaked everything and every
body. Most every man went to bed
wet and very few had blankets. 1t did
not matter much as we were to reach
our destination on the morrow and the
hardships of one night did not concern
many Of the men.
Coyotes Entertain.
l took my turn as commander of the
guard from u to A. NJ, which left
very little time for sleep. About l
o'clock a pack of coyotes put up an
unearthly racket not more than hun
dred yards from camp. We went out
to see if we could find them but did not
dare to shoot for fear it would put
camp in uproar. 1t was the first time
7 have ever heard them holler but be-
lieve me they certainly can make an
awful noise.
We left camp at SIS for the last ten
miles of our trip and every man was
happy to think that the hike would
soon be over. We did not know then
what we would have to put up with be-
fore we reached Zapata. The morning
cleared off hot and muggy and we had
only gone a short ways when every
man began to realize that he would
have to suffer before that day was
over. Our Packard truck was having
clutch trouble and before we had gone
many miles we were hauling the
blamed thing, through the mud, up hill
and sometimes even on the level. The
strain soon began to tell on the men.
The sun was terrific and many can
teens were empty.
What q Thirst!
Co. turned off at Urbania, seven
miles north Of Zapata. That sun was
taking hold Of the men more every
minute. What a thirst! I have been
thirsty before now but when we were
almost to Zapata I thought I would
shrivel to pieces I was so dry and hot.
1t was almost impossible to keep the
men from filing their canteens in the
puddles along the roadside. During
this Fart Of the trip was brought back
to me the stories I have read Of men
dying Of thirst on the desert. have
never experienced anything like 1t be-
fore and if 1 have a choice I don't care
to again. Some Of our men were SO
Tar gone that they were ready to fight