The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1916-08-10

The following are extracts from a
letter just received from member OF
Company G.:
Well, we are now located at Camp
Llano Grande, pronounced "Yana
Grande" it is one-half mile from Mer-
cedes, prounced Mer-Seed-Des, acceut
Oh second syllable. We are right in
clearing in the mesquite pronounced
Miss keet) and mixed with the mes
quite is chaparral. There are six solid
miles of it and then comes the Rio
Grande, then mesquite and chaparra!
as far as the field glass can range.
The ground is silly clay and bakes
in the sun to a solid 'dObe. We came
in in the first rain they had in IA
months. We are two miles from
Taylors old military road and are but
six miles from Progresso. There have
been six or seven roads right over the
ground we are camped on. There is
a bunch of Carranzistas camped at
PrOgressO, about 800 of them. BY go
ing to wind mill 200 yards southeast
Of camp we have a good view Of them
through the field glasses. l do not
know what other troops are here other
than our immediate neighbors. We
are the farthest south. Immediately
north of us is one battalion of the
Third Texas and next to them is one
squadron of the Third Cavalry. The
cavalry is used for patrol work be-
tween us and the border. These are
the only troops our way from Merce-
dos. But understand that there is a
camp west of Mercedes among which
are the three Minnesota regiments, the
Indianas and others. They say that
there are about $4,000 in that camp.
There are 10000 at San Antonio and
by the way, l saw the Alamo. We
marched up to it in taking exercise
when we passed through. 1t is not
any hotter here than it was at FIT.
lincoln. l would pay more than
dime for one of Ed Sigurdson's choco-
late ice cream sodas right this mo.
ment.
We have not gotten rightly set
lied as yet. We came sooner than
they expected so, they say. But the
camp has been reserved for a long
time 1t is considered a very choice
location. But they just got the water
going through the pipes and it is hot
yon can't wash in it, let alone drink it.
But We are busy covering the pipes so
that will cool it. Then they say they
are To double our allowance which will
help some. The baths are just being
built and as we cannot 90 over one.
halt mile from camp without being
armed and cannot battle in the irriga-
ton canals as most people use that
wadHr for drinking, and Lake Llano
GEanda is one and one-half miles from
US. We are patiently waiting for the
Mexicans to finish the bath houses.
You should see the Mexican, a cross
between an Indian and a negro, and
they look at you with a sullen look.
There is no smile for Gringo. But
they are very polite and ready with
their Isl Senor," when spoke to.
There is no outward manifestation of
their dislike, though the natives say
they hate us. The general command
ing this division and the general COM
nganding our brigade called and paid
a1s a visit this afternoon and we were
introduced all around Oh, forgot,
the nights are cool and fine, and we
can sleep we'll. Have put floor in
my tent Have seen scorpions, taran-
suIas and all other kinds of insects
there are in the world, bugs without
name or number, all kinds Of birds;
quail and two does came into the
camp last night. There do not appear
to be any snakes or any Of the cele-
brated "chiggers" here. SO we are
kappy for small favors. We do not
need to fear the others as, while the
bite is painful, it is not as deadly as
people talk. We killed large taran-
tula at officers school this afternoon.
First one have seen. One good thing
about them is that they will leave
shortly, as they will not stay around
where people are.
The Texas officers are a fine lot of
fellows and received us with open
arms. But was watching them drill
yesterday, and as they are considered
by the regulars as very good outfit,
let me say that someone is going to be
fooled badly when they see the North
Dakotas step out.
Everyone is we'll at this writing;
they are in and out Of the sun and as
the gulf breeze is blowing we can
keep COOL