Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-07-26

here called the Border Humming BIRD
known up north as the Jackass. These
critters wake up at night hungry anc
such a racket they make.
The chaplain distributed pocket
testaments among the boys and they
were in great demand. 1t was pleas
ing to see the men go after them.
Corp. Metcalf and myself went down
to the pictures and on our way filled
up on Hires and pineapple sherbot.
While we were at the show a terrific
storm came up, the first real rain
since last October. l have never seen
| it rain harder. The streets We're regu-
lar rivers and it meant a good wettinS
| to get home. Every so often we
| would step in a hole clear up to our
knees. Most Of the street lights were
out making the walking all the more
difficult. There are no catch basins
ir Laredo so the water has no place to
go except through the streets. l got
beautiful tumble going home over the
railroad tracks. When we reached the
camp it was bast lake. Many tents
had been blown down and practically
every tent floor was covered with
water Such a mess, everything streWn
all over. We dug trenches to take off
the water and then went to bed. l
was about ready to get in bed when l
saw big Tarantula crawling up the
side of our tent woke up Serg.
True and we managed to catch him in
a box and put him safely away. / do
not understand how it is that someone
has not been bitten before now
The next day, Sunday. was clear and
every squad got busy cleaning things
up. BY noon YOU would never know
it had rained in weeks. No work or
dered for Sunday and the time was
passed in resting and doing odd jobs
about camp. A few ambitious guys
started a wrestling match and when
they got through they looked like coal
heavens
A break in the water main caused
by one of our heavy trucks breaking
through the roadbed left us without,
water for the whole day. There was
no effort made to fix the break and
the men suffered considerable be-
cause of the lack of water
One young fellow made the mistake
of talking back to a non commissioned
officer who Immediately put him I'M
der arrest. For that little breach of
discipline he received kitchen duty all
day and a severe dressing down.
AT retreat we had several men drop
from the heat but all came around af-
ter little rest. The Maine boys are
holding up fine and will give mighty
good account of themselves before this
little game is over.
Such rush when the mail comes in
If the people at home could only real
lie what letter or card means to
the men down here they would write
twice day. 1t is pathetic to see the
ppointed look when a man is
turned away without mail. Especial
~ is this true Of the younger boys.
some of whom are away from home for
the first time
A practice hike was ordered for
Monday the 10th, with reveille at 4.3O.
They got us up on time but the hike
did not come off for some reason or
other.
Corp. Niles. Privates Stevens and
Grenier We're transferred to the
mounted staff. They were happy boys
when they got the news.
In the afternoon we got word that
We were to move out in the morning
FOR Zapata, 60 miles down river. This
means hike all the way. That after
noon was a busy time, every co,npany
IN the Sd Battalion mad to get all its
belongings together for the trim. I
was rushing to beat time trying to get
equipment out to the men and in the
midst Of 1t | was called aside bv Cant
Drake and informed that Corp. Met
salt and myself had received commits
slons as I'd Lieut.. Metcalf to STAY with
NJ CO. and | to go with K Co. 1t was A
peasant surprise to get word of NV
commission but 1t did not sound good
TO be transferred to another companv.
| However, those were the orders and In
the Army orders are orders and he
VINO is wise will do as he is told, The
whole battalion put in a mighty hard
AFTERNOON and by night every tent was
packed and provisions for the trip
were on the trucks. Went to bed late
70 be hustled out at 3.15. All kinds of
rumors were circulating about during
the evening. 1t was rather a blind or
Ger and everybody had a reason for il
we found out in due time what it all
meant
VIII write up our hike from
Laredo to Zapata as soon as can and
send it TO you.
Sincerely yours,