Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1916-11-22
DAVIS WRITES FORM BORDER.
Guardsmen Well Cared for, But Will
Be Glad to Get Back.

keowee Courier: Just few lines to
you and the friends in dear old South
Carolina. ! will try and write you
something of my experiences as a
member of the Georgia National
Guard, and also something of this
part of the West. No doubt some Of
your subscribers have been to this
place and know far more of the coun-
try and border life than have learn
ed so far.
! enlisted in the Georgia National
Guard on June 27th, and left with the
First Georgia Brigade June 28th for
the mobilization camp at Macon, Ga.
We stayed there in training until
october 23d, entraining for El Paso,
Texas, on the morning Of that date.
We had great time coming over;
stopped at several places and parad-
ed. The first place we paraded was
at Meridian, Miss; stayed about two
hours and 40 minutes. We reached
New Orleans at 11.30 p. M, and did
not get to see any Of the town. We
were all allowed to leave the Pull
man cars, though we were not allow
ed 10 go into the heart OF the city;
stayed there only two hours. From
there we went up the Mississippi
river to Baton Rouge, La; there we
crossed the river on a ferry boat. Left
there about 12 a. m over the South
ern Pacific railroad and reached
Houston, Texas, some time during
the night. All were sleeping and did
not get to see any Of the city. The
next stop we made was Temple,
Texas, a fine little town-a city
might cal! it, with it's population OF
10000. We paraded there, and |
think all the boys like that little city
better than any we passed through.
All three sections laid over three
hours. The next stop we made was
at Sweet Water, Texas. Don't like
it at Although town; population
5000. We stopped there only fifty
minutes, leaving over the Texas
Pacific for Big Springs, feXas, where
We again paraded. Like it all right,
though it's small; population about
5000. We stayed there two hours.
1t is only 200 miles from El Paso.
We were five days making the trip,
leaving Macon on Monday and reach
ing El Paso Saturday morning.
We relieved the Massachusetts
troops, and have a dandy camp-onc
Of the finest at this post All the
tents arc walled and hoOrcd: electric
lights; hot and cold baths. Our drill
grounds are us level as a moor, aud
our camp IS only 200 yards from the
border ,the Rio Grande).
At times we have some excitement,
especially when some Of the Mexi-
cans fire across the international
bridge, although as yet it has not
been necessary for any of the troops
to return the fire. There are about
10000 Guardsmen and regulars. The
Michigan and Georgia troops are here
at Camp Cotton, and the South Caro-
lima, North Carolina, Pennsylvania
and Ohio troops are out at Fort Bliss
and Camp Stewart. The Pennsylva-
MIA Field Artillery entrained for
mobilization camp last night leaving
only the Georgia Field Artillery Of
Guardsmen at Fort Bliss, although
there are a number of batteries of
regulars here yet. The Guardsmen
are doing most Of the border patrol
ing east of Ell Paso and as far as Fort
Hancock-three companies at time
Companies x, l. and NJ Of the Fifth
Georgia Regiment will go on to-mor-
row morning, using 50 privates, ii
non-commissioned officers and three
officers. In all they will have II
posts to patrol.
Our regiment had the regular army
inspection Of equipment to-day. To-
morrow will be payday, and OF
course all the boys are delighted.
Pay day is a real Xmas to us.
All are very we'll satisfied, but
would much rather be in Atlanta. and
it looks now as If we will be back in
a couple Of months. Then we will be
mustered back into the National
Guard and out Of the Federal service
Back to dear old South Carolina for
me!
My best regards to ALL
Sergt. Thos. j. Davis.
Co. NJ, Fifth Georgia Regiment