The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1917-09-07
First Line Defense.
Milbdnk Marines Arrive at Barracks
and are Feeling Fine and Fit.
Paris Island, South Car,
Ca,~A Vn17

al - lSldIlu, DOulH SdT.,
Sept. l, 1917
Dear Mr. Downe: We arrived
here Wednesday evening, Aug. 20,
after fine trip, via Chicago, Ind
annapolis. Chattanooga, Atlanta,
Augusta and Port Royal. We
especially enjoyed the trip from
Chicago down, as the country is
entirely different from Dakota.
Corn in Illinois and Indiana being
SO very tall and being the main
crop. At Chattanooga we stopped
over one day and took in the old
battlefield and historical places.
We also went up Lookout mountain
on an incline railway; the car goes
up the side Of the mountain dis
tance Of 1900 feet. and the grade is
70 per cent in the steepest part,
The cars are especially built, and
they told US that 80 per cent Of the
tourists who 90 up refuse to ride
back in the car, but take the rect
railway which winds around the
mountain. On the top of the noun
tain the wealthy people Of Chatta-
nooga have beautiful homes and
live the year round. From Chatta-
nooga we commenced seeing the
first cotton growing, and near At
lanta and Augusta they were pick
ing it and hauling it to the cot
ton gins, which were going in full
blast.
Upon our arrival here we were
taken to the mess hall and given
our first touch of a soldiers life.
The meal consisted of beans, coffee
without milk and bread without
butter. We ate very little, and af-
ter washing our dishes we were
given clean linen and taken to the
quarantine barracks where we were
assigned hunks and set to work
making them up. We then took a
good shower bath and were pretty
we'll satisfied to go to bed. The
next day we were given another ex-
animation, and the following day
vaccinated, swore into service and
given our uniform. They are very
severe on the physical examination
and reject 25 per cent for one rea-
son or another.
We are now assigned to a COM
pany and will commence drilling.
We have to get up at O'Clock
drill 2 hours before breakfast, do
police duty for several hours after
breakfast and than more drill. One
is kept on the move continually.
The drill is so hard that it is not
uncommon for men to faint in the
ranks.
By the time one completes the
training they aim to have the man
able to go on an island and take
care of himself. The training in.
cludes one being able to wash and
mend clothes. cook, shave without
a looking glass. mug or brush. and
be thoroughly able to take care of
himself under any conditions, aside
from being physically perfect.
We have men from every state in
the Union here.
A rather peculiar incident occurred
to Otto. While driving down to
the cities last summer near Granite
Falls, he stopped and inquired for a
farmer who was dragging the reads
the way to the cities, talked with
him few minutes and drove on.
Yesterday this same man entered
the service and is in our company.
Otto. Roy and myself were assigned
to the same company and doubtless
we will stay all thru together. so We
feel pretty good over it.
We have an ex-congressman and
men from every vocation Of life
here.
The government takes very good
care of the men and all are given an
equal show.
We had some very lonesome days
at the start, but we are commen-
cling to get used to this life now and
having good time. Q
Yours very truly
Hugh j. Wood