Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-07-27
Lieut.. Col. Cummings Letter.

Laredo, Texas, July 10. 1915.
Having seen from Maine papers many
copies of letters from this section, and
numerous reports of our start from
Maine and subsequent trip southwest,
many of which are misleading to say the
least. l desire to state some plain facts
with the understanding that they be used
by the press either as a whole or in part
as may be desired.
We left Maine with the men in ordinary
day coaches mot rattle traps and the
men were delighted and the officers much
gratifed when two days later at Kansas
City tourist sleepers were provided. The
United States intends to transport its SOL
diers in tourist cars. but 1t would not be
hard for anyone not looking for criticism
to realize that in such an immense move
ment as has been the present one it would
be impossible to provide tourist sleepers
and kitchen cars for all these troops and
| wonder that were enabled to pass
the last two nights in them. In place of
kitchen cars we had baggage cars with an
oven installed. which answered the pur-
pose admiral The day coaches were
the best which could he furnished ann
Maine Regiments who attended maneu-
vers at Manassas some years ago, when
we made the whole trip in "Jim Crow
cars.
The travel ration was excellent ana am
pie. and in the matter of meals the en-
listed men were served better than the
officers, having their meals at regular
times, while the officers had to depend
upon Railroad Restaurants. with meals
coming al times close together and at
other times being more hours apart than
one would wish. However, we all Jared
well. ] have never known n time when
railroads served troops so we'll in the
important matters of water and ice, ana
our arrival at Laredo was one day ahead
Of the time we had set. Mr. noann of the
NJ. G. r. r. accompanied us throughout
the trip and was at all times looking out
for us in every way. and he earned the
gratitude of the Regiment by his whole
hearted interest in us and our welfare.
We know Of no other railroad which sent
its representative with the troops apart
from over their own line and the pres
ence of Mr.. roane smoothed out all diff
cultieS before we got to them.
We reached Laredo the afternoon of
July 4th. and since that time have been
getting settled and now are about ready
to begin to build an organization on the
return of the Battalions from patrol duty
on which they have been sent. The heat
here is something new to Maine men but
there is no humidity and there have been
no prostrations. And every day there is a
cool breeze blowing. which offsets to a
degree the heat of the sun. And the
nights are the most delightful have ever
experienced. Our sickness so far is from
minor ailments due to change of living
and food and we believe that we have
not so much sickness as we would have
in camp at Augusta. The food supply is
ample and of excellent quality, and water
is piped through the camp, with tap at
each kitchen. and an ample supply for
bathing and watering streets about camp.
/ The water Is filtered but we are ordered
to boil 1t before drinking which Of cours.
takes time and causes some objection.
I In relation to certain Diamond Dick"
or "Nick Carter" tales which have been
related in certain State Of Maine papers.
IN regard to stabbings. shootings and
suicides, / would state that it has never
been the experience Of the Regiment to
be Quartered in place where they were