Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-07-28

Information from Co. f. is scarce
in Skowhegan, but the following let
ter from End Lieutenant John W.
Healey received by Mrs. Healey re-
Gently shows in an interesting way the
life there:
Here we are in the midst Of the
Texan desert. left Dolores yesterday
with 25 men and came to Perra' S
ranch by auto truck. took the strong
est men for the purpose of repairing
the road and esta blishing camp. Our
outfit left at about 7.30 A. NJ. and we
arrived here at about 11.30. We then
unloaded the truck and hustled some
dinner and my wasn't it hot. We had
to go for water which is a mile away,
and such water. 1t was the color of
milk and tastes awful nevertheless We
drank it and were glad to get it. We
had dinner of lemonade without SUI
gar, canned meat and bareback. There
was not a complaint all of the men
ate of it as though it was the best
they ever had. After dinner we made
ourselves as comfortable as possible
until o'clock, then breeze came up
but it felt as though it came from the
very cove Of hell. On looking around
found We were very we'll situated. 1t
is an ideal place for a camp except
for the water supply. There is a small
house with three rooms which we can
use as headquarters and a large store
house for supplies. Behind this is an
cid reservoir which is now empty and
is the most perfect for the purpose
imaginable. 1t covers about one half
acre of land. Capt. Narston and Lieut..
| Robinson stayed in Dolores to look af-
ter things a I that end. About O'Clock
Corp. Roy PoOler came in with a suua d
Of men with a mule team and supplies.
At 4 O'Clock I had the men go to work
pitching tents and otherwise making
camp"
After supper I put out a couple of
Eood outposts and q small interior
guard and got ready for the first
night. About 9 o'clock we saw a light
! coming about four miles away and we
decided it was the auto truck with
more of our men which proved to he
correct. Our outpost, however, halted
them and made them advance to be
recognized. They were again halted 10y
the interior guard. This load was I'M
der Corp. Demo. making about 80 men
in camp. After this load was unloaded
| went to bed, telling Sergeant Rod
erlck to call me when he wished to be
relieved. He let me sleep until morn
ing. When I asked him why he did not
! wake me earlier he replied that he
could sleep all that day. This morn
ing I had the company ont for setting
up exercises and since breakfast they
have been working around fixing up
the camp"
About an hour ago four privates
from the Regular Cavalry outfit at
Dolores reported to me as mounted
orderlies. There is a telephone from
here to Dolores, but if the Greasers
cross the river they will cut the wires
and these orderlies are to ride for re-
Inducements. | was glad to see them
and we are now fixed fine I also have
four-horse mule team here to haul
water and there is nothing more to be
desired. This is going to be the best
place we have been in since we left
Maine"
There are about 20 more of our
men who will come with the captain
sometime during the day. When they
arrive they will find everything ready
for them"
The health of the men who left
Laredo with us is good and all are in
good spirits. The money sent from
home could not have come at more
opportune time. | do not know what
we should have done at this time if
we had not bought some supplies out
side of the regular issue. 1t certainly
would have been pretty hard times in
regard to rations. We are very crate
full for the help from home and money
was never spent in better cause"
July 10, 1916. Perra's Ranch, Dolores
Texas.