The Washington herald., 1916-10-07
MEMPHIS "LOOKS GOOD"
TO DISTRICT GUARD
J. P. Amin Writes Chatty Letter on
Troop Train Life.
Memphis, Tenn, Oct. 1.

Memphis, Tenn, Oct. 4.
ION board troop train en- route to San
Antonio, Tex).
Dear IN. E."-rm stalled here in the
station. guarding our train, while the rest
of Troop cavorts around Memphis for
four hours. 1t was my turn as noncom.
coming. But Memphis certainly looks
good, even from the station. and I did
want to see the river front However, it's
been merry trip so far. In fact, 1t
started out like picnic-altogether un-
like the departure of soldiers as describ-
ed in our best works of fiction. There
wasn't tear to be seen in or around the
two tourist sleepers occupied by Troop
A, and the sounds issuing from the cars
occupied by Battery A didn't sound like
the "waillng and weeping one might
have expected. But this is one oversight
for which the War Department shouldn't
be blamed.
AS a matter of fact believe the depart
ment did everything 1t could to supply
the deficiency for I saw an officer in the
uniform of a major of infantry indus
triously passing around blanks advertis-
ing the success with which a Washington
lawyer prosecuted claims for widows
and orphans OF soldiers or for disabled
soldiers. But even this grim reminder
from one in authority didn't seem to
squeeze out tear which isn't to be
wondered at in view of the history of
troop movements under this administra-
ton.
In fact, when the train pulled out the
boys were feeling much happier than
few hours later when the first effects of
several hundredweight of "dainties,"
passed through the car windows by fond
sisters, ct al, began to be felt Jack
Harnsburger, Sergt. Kenneth Cugle. Bob
Pollock and others set out course suppers
of homemade dainties and delioatessen
shop beauties and the regular troop sup
per aroused little interest. Even yester-
day, when stops were made at Bristol,
Va, and Knoxville, Tenn, food held notn-
| ing OF interest except to John Bukley,
Sherman McCallum, Tommy Heald and
Arden Bing, who missed the train at
Knoxville while waiting for a basket Of
sandwiches. They managed to overtake
| the train at Chattanooga, however-it be-
ing a troop train and therefore subject to
siding for freight and passenger traffic
alike. The battery didn't lose any men.
We are still two short-Horseshoer Gran
Vile Stone and Cook Mack Anderson be-
ing still among the missing.
We almost lost our stable sergeant,
George Arthur Bell. at Knoxville. A
State fair was in progress and Bell, who
OF the country-in private life he is as
sistant chief Of the division OF animal
husbandry, Department OF Agriculture
became professionally so interested in
the live stock exhibit that 1t required
all of First Sergt. Sam Rays coaxing to
get him back to the train on time. At
that, Bell allowed that the Knoxville ex-
hibit couldn't hold a candle to our dear
old Hagerstown fair George isn't the
Shar 4 haHy
with US. Sam Ray Is one of the depart
ments cattle experts and Sergt. James
Bebout, in addition to being the heaviest
and tallest man in the troop, is the de-
partment's hog expert.
Some day I'm going to sit down and
write you all about this troop. It's one
OF the most remarkable soldier organiza-
tions I ever heard of-not millionaires or
even wealthy men, but every one a man
OF real substance, intelligence and, in
more than the majority OF cases. OF
prompt and steady success in his young
business or professional career. don't
believe Washington has ever fully appre-
ciated the character Of the men in her
cavalry organization. But more Of that
later.
This absolute" prohibit1on-we have
been in dry" territory since yesterday
moming-has it's advantages after all.
| For instance, If 1t were beer couldn't
sit in a troop train with a cold bottle
beside me, but as I am assured by the
cap on the bottle that It Is a product of
the Purity Extract Tonic Company"
and is permitted to be sold openly in Ten
nessee, 1 need have no Qualms Of con-
science. Perhaps later Wen have near
Scotch" and then prohibition need have
no further terrors.
Most OF US have done lot Of sleeping
so far. OF course, the poker experts have
burned the midnight oil, particularly
since match games between the troop and
the medicoes were started. 1t is re-
ported that Rosser Hunter, Sergt. Arnold,
Roth and Corp. "Bnl" Squier are sending
money home. I am spending a good deal
of time in my bunk, but sleep is rather
problematical. I am bunking with Jimmy
Nolan, who is source of delight by day
and something less by night Just be-
tween us, girls, Jimmy snores in a way
to discourage the racket OF even a South
ern train and his legs were not built for
a tourist sleeper.
We are leaving the battery here-that
is-well. anyhow. they go from here to
Ell Paso. while we branch of to San An
tonic. I'm sorry for more reasons than
one. We have many friends among them
YOU know Jimmy Coulahan and Arthur
King are in the battery-and besides
without the horses our stops en- route
probably will be briefer But for the
necessity Of watering and exercising the
horses we shouldn't have spent three
hours in Knoxville yesterday.
I've written this excellent fountain pen
Tom Grant gave me as a farewell gift
almost dry and I'm about due to steal
some more sleep Hoping you are the
same (as our friend Wallace Irving wouId
say, I am, with regards to our friends
very sincerely yours,