St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1916-07-26
A LETTER FROM FRONT
Quarter Master Sergeant Knapp
Tells of Co. DIS Trip and Life
In the South.

The following letter was written by
VIM r. Knapp to his family here. 1t
was not written for publication but
there is so much Of general interest
the family has offered it for publica-
ton:
Eagle Pass. Tex, July 6, 1916.
Dear Folks:
suppose you are all on the anxious
seat but don't worry, for I am up
to my neck in work and I have to
steal a few minutes now and then to
write. Well, dear ones, let me first
tell you of the trip. 1t was beautiful
until we reached Texas, and then we
began to run through deserts of hot
sand and cactus plants, and believe
me, 1 shall never complain about
foundry heat. You have no doubt
read of western climate, and every
thing that goes to make up western
life. Well, have seen them all We
went through Is states. and my
cooks were in the baggage car of our
section doing the cooking. At every
station we stopped everybody was out
to cheer US on. 1t was great the way
people turned out and gave us all
kinds of food, cigars, etc.
At Dennison, Tex, 1 dropped off to
get some supplies, and a man, fine
looking man, with two ladies, one of
whom was his wife, walked up to me,
and asked me to what outfit I be-
longed. 1 told him, and he jumped
in the air and gave three cheers.
He proved to be a Mr.. Irish, who used
to live in st. Johnsbury. We talked
and talked, until the train began to
move, and I missed my supplies, but
it was worth it, to meet one of our
own so many miles away from home.
Sometimes it is small world after
all.
1t was a grand trip, well worth the
heat and desert sand we live in here.
Farther, we passed through hundreds
of miles of corn, cotton and wheat,
and talk about farms, a farm in the
West of a hundred acres is a mere
garden in the east. But one never
knows when a cyclone or sand storm
will change it.
1 miss you all, and will, of course,
welcome the day when we break
camp for dear old Vermont. We
don't know how long we will be here,
mother, but cheer up, dear, things
look pretty bright, and we all think
the trouble will be settled without
our going into Mexico. Believe me,
our hearts and sincere thanks go out
to those in st. Johnsbury who so
kindly contributed to the Co. D fund.
We are called the most healthy regi-
ment here.
Are you getting the money from
the shop every week? Pay up my
insurance, mother, and keep the rest
for yourself, just the same as if I
was there. 1t was good of Fairbanks
to allow US half pay, and we ap-
preciate it.
This is a funny country. Sand,
sand, and more sand. 1t is hot from
in the morning until in the after
noon, and then it begins to cool, and
about o'clock at night we have a
sand storm. You can see it coming
miles away. We all wear sun glasses
to protect our eyes. We get pretty
dirty and have to take a bath three
times a week, and do our own wash
ing. It is a great life, but I am get
ting a little too old for it. I love the
land of my birth; it is only natural
We are all human, and l go where
duty calls, but let us all hope for the
sake of the dear ones left behind, that
we all come back to the arms that
extended to US God speed, and a
speedy return.
The people here are partly Mexican
and peaceful, and do not want trouble.
I am going to get some post cards
soon and send you all some. Well,
dear ones, it is near time for mess.
The captain is calling me now to put
in a requisition for tomorrow food
1 do all the ordering. The dog We
brought along as mascot is all right,
and a great favorite with the boys.
started this letter this noon, and it is
now o'clock. The sand storm has
just left us. 1t did not last long. 1t
rained here yesterday afternoon for
the first time in seven months, so you
can judge how much vegetation there
is here.
Well, dear ones, viii have to close
for this time, hoping to hear from
you SOON