Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-08-12

i
fantry, Laredo. Texas, Aug. 5-The
glamor, the excitement, the newness
and the impression Of new and
strange country that greeted the SOL
diers Of the I'd Maine Infantry upon
it's arrival has completely vanished
and what is left Of the regiment at
this place, where it's headquarters is
situated, have settled down to daily
routine of drilling by the Machine Gun
Co., the Headquarters Co. and con-
certs in the evening by the Band. The
Band quite frequently gives concerts
at the Plaza, alternating with the 9th
U. S. Inf. Band which is stationed at
Fl. Mcintosh. Our band is very popu-
lar and now ranks well with the
Regular" band.
Laredo is the center for news dis
tributing and rumors of all kinds fill
the air and most Of them are conjec-
lures and formed from imagination,
although occasionally you get hot
trail" and it generally comes out right.
Most every day we receive news from
the boys on outpost duty at San
Ygnaceo, Dolores, Zapata and the 9TH
err posts brought in by scouts, order
lies, teamsters, officers, truck drivers
and details who ply back and forth on
special errands.
The officers and men Of the 9Th u.
S. A. are very cordial towards us and
our officers, and they are constantly
aiding and teaching US in the game Of
war. Capt. Drake is popular with
them and is working very hard, and
With the many transfers of officers
and men to and from different or
CARNATIONS. leaves him to do but little
of anything else thar administration
work, in fact you see but mighty little
lounging about as everybody is hust-
ling here at the base.
1t is pleasant to hear reports tina.
the Maine troops are SO popular down
here and may become embarrassing
after the truth is learned regarding
some of the cases of cold feet" that is
developing and which by the way is
not confined entirely to the enlisted
men. 1t seems too bad to learn
through some of the letters sent home
to Maine that there are So many con-:
plants among the boys who are dis
satisfied with the conditions of army
life down here. To be sure things are
not as they were up North before wo
left but we are playing the game
down here and among some of the
boys who we're loudest in their shouts
and yells on the dear old Muster Field
the day we left, yelling Are We
Downhearted? No." are now writing
home for political influence to get re-
lieved from their duties here. Every
man had the opportunity to drop out
at the time the oath was prescribed.
but no, they were fired by patriotic
zeal and the plaudits of the people
and the fine press notices we We're
receiving and the thoughts of nice
long trip to the scene of possible ac-
ton. Everything was rosy on the trip
down. being treated royalty by the
people along the entire route, meeting
pretty girls, all asking for a letter or
a card as soon as we landed. ETC.. but
after landing here and our work Of
real soldering had commenced things
began to look different and
"Grouchos" soon began to spring up
kicking was heard from all quarters.
don't know whether it was from the
fact that we were not thrown immedi-
ately into action with the "Greasers"
in which hardships and fatalities
would multiply. or the thoughts of
home and comforts left behind Were
driving them mad. Out of all this
discomfort there is consolation tina.
the boys from Augusta draw some re-
lief and that is the fact that when all
the companies on the Muster Field
were yelling themselves hoarse in
their eagerness to get away, dear old
M Co. remained absolutely silent and
gave the matter a serious thought.
Today the Mamma Boys" as some of
our own townsfolk called us, are the
gamest ones in the outfit and will
return home sometime with due credit
to themselves and their home town.
OF course you hear a little grumbling
now and then, but it Is not of any
bad treatment received. but it Is the
tremendous change in life that the
same ones are now becoming adapted
to and are making the best soldiers
in the lot The discipline is the hard
est thing to overcome and many boy
j who had a free and independent life
at home finds it hard to assume the
role Of private in the army, and 1t is
hard; not that our officers are severe
or officious, but 1t is part Of the game
and 1t is just beginning to dawn on
the most Of us that such a training IS
absolutely necessary and the fact is
becoming palmer every day. Most of
our officers share our feelings in the
matter and treat us very kindly and
seem to be proud Of us.
One officer has already received his
discharge and sent home and / learn
that two other officers, both from one
company, are DESTROYS Of receiving the
same and I think they will be &C
commodated. 1t is the general opin-
ion that winners be given their dis
charges and sent home as they are no
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