Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-10-18
OUR BOYS AT CAMP LEE.
Camp Lee, Va, Oct. y, 1917.


Editor the Register thought would
take the opportunity TO write 10 my
friends by means of the Register, so that
they may get some idea what Camp Lee
is like. As has been stated, the camp is
apparently laid off in the shape OF horse
shoe, although this shape cannot be dis
tinguished until you have made the trip
around The camp. The officers quarters
are on one side OF the main road and the
soldiers quarters are on the opposite
side.
The West Virginia boys are all in the
artillery. Everyone thinks that We have
the pick OF the service. Our hat cords
are red, which is supposed TO represent
the highest branch OF the service. The
Virginia and Pennsylvania boys think we
were favored in getting this branch Of the
work.
A good mnny Of The Jefferson county
boys are attending non commissioned Of
ficers' schools at night, which takes an
hour OF valuable time now, but which will
be beneficial in the long run. Some Of
them are showing up very good now.
Grove Banks is making good as a nom
com. attend a special detail school at
night, but have not made good yet. The
work we are taking is very important and
interesting, and think most OF the boys
in this special detail will make good. The
work OF this detail is range finding signal
work, both codes OF the Morse teleg-
raphy and hand signaling. There will be
lot OF scout work attached TO this also.
The field pieces we have TO drill with
are The 3-inch size. The horses for our
regiment have not arrived yet, although
they are looking for them in most any
time now. The stables are all ready for
them. All the boys will be glad TO see
the horses come in, as we have TO take
foot drill until they arrive. The men are
divided into gun squads, each squad hav-
ing corporal and seven privateS. Most
OF the boys catch on 10 The drills Tine, but
we still have an awkward squad. They
have 10 drill on Saturday and Wednesday
evenings, which they don't like very well,
because these are the evenings that we
get off 10 90 TO town. The boys that can
not keep step are the ones that don't get
off these evenings. There is a trolley
line that runs right by the camp and makes
connections for Hopewell and Petersburg.
The boys make good use OF The trolley
on their off evenings.
Most all OF the boys have their full uni
forms now. Our overcoats came in last
week, but they have not been issued TO
US yet. We are hoping it won't be long
until they are issued, for the weather here
is pretty cool at night. The captain in
SistS on us leaving the windows open, as
there are 1913 men in battery-you can
see we need ventilation with so many
men sleeping in the building
Everybody has been vaccinated and in
oulated, so there is not so much danger
OF disease. We have fine set OF officers
and they do anything they can to help
their men. A chance is offered 10 every
man if he wakes up and takes advantage
OF it. What men need in camp like this
is pep, and they can get along so much
easier.
We get plenty TO eat here. OF course,
il is not very fancy food, but it is good
after you have drilled about seven hours.
Another thing here for the benefit OF
the soldiers we'll worth mentioning IS the
work the Y. M. c A. is doing. There is
no reason for any boy 10 60 wrong here.
AS rule, there are fine fellows here in
this camp, many OF them good, Christian
boys. The Y. M. c. A. has services on
Sunday mornings and evenings. There
are quite a few branches OF this work
here, and there is opportunity for every
boy to 90 TO service on Sunday. Rev.
Mr.. Dandridge, the Episcopal minister at
Petersburg, formerly OF Jefferson county,
invited all The Jefferson county boys to
his church on Wednesday TO service. and
refreshments after the service. We all
considered this great honor.
The second contingent from Jefferson
county came Thursday. They are stationed
in the same quarters with the first call,
and we had the pleasure OF introducing
them into soldier life. They were BASH
ful at first, but are learning quickly.
AS this is my first letter Of this sort, !
will close, with best wishes TO all my
friends. Truly yours,