The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-11-30
WATSON CONNER
WRITES MOST
INTERESTINGLY
Of CAMP JACKSON

u. watson Conner which he passes
ON to readers of the Telegram:
November 26, 1917.
| feel that l want to write and per-
sonally thank you for the interest you
so kindly took in my behalf-when
the very unfortunate affair-the
Reyes forgery came up. While l feel
that my friends would know that Il
had nothing to do with such an act,
am very glad for the public at large
to understand it also, and l shall al
ways feel very grateful to you and
your splendid paper for the excellent
explanation you gave and the steps
you took in my behalf.
Am glad to say that l have been
making very good progress since COM
ing to Camp Jackson, and like the
work very much, although you hate
to hear the calls for Reveille these
cold mornings. The organization of
this cantonment, land | understand
the others are the same) is something
wonderful considering the fact that is
was only started this summer. The
men are being rapidly developed into
excellent soldiers and everyone seems
to have the proper spirit and realize
that they are preparing to serve their
Country for the sake of the greater
law.
| will not enter into minute details
regarding the camp as you of course,
are already familiar with the various
cantonments, but the following may
be of some interest to you:
There are two Brigades of Infan-
try, one Brigade of Field Artillery,
Depot Brigade, Regiment of Engi-
neers, Regiment of Signal Troops to-
gether with the necessary trains and
their auxiliary services. The Camp
is entirely independent for mainte-
nance ct cetera, but at present is Sc
curing its water supply and lights
from the city of Columbia, which is
situated five miles from the Camp.
When completed, there will be twelve
miles of paved boulevard road in the
Camp. The Base Hospital is thor
oughly equipped in every respect
there being 1000 beds. and there will
be an additional 500 put in very soon.
Immediately adjoining the camp is
Remount Depot, consisting of 5000
horses to be used in an emergency.
In other words, these are considered
as an extra supply to be called for
when the necessity arises. There is
also an Artillery Range seven miles IN
length-also trenches, barb-wire en-
tanglements which we have the pleas
ure of negotiating every few morn
ings.
There are five Y. M. C. A. buildings
in the camp, which is a fine thing fol
the soldier The Y. M. G. A. is do
ing a wonderful work in the Camp
they have lectures of an educational
nature every night, also music, and al
so an immense amount of literature
They also have schools and you car
pursue any particular subject you de
sire. 1t is rather difficult to realize
that there are a great many men here
who can't read, and the Y NJ. C. A
has made it possible for these mel
to learn-also anyone can study, al
they have a corps selected from thu
best instructors in the country.
At a very early date, the Govern
ment will have their own theaters
that is, managed under the supervis
ion of the Government, in the Camp
where the soldiers can have the bes
of entertainment in the theatrical lin
at a nominal figure. Understand tha
Klaw and Erlanger are sending tn
best talent obtainable on circuit @
cantonments. The Y. w. C. A. ais
are building quite an elaborate plac
where the soldiers can have thei
friends and families call on them
this is a great convenience.
The people of Columbia also, ar
perfectly lovely to the Soldiers-ever
Saturday night, the churches have
social, where the soldiers can com
and enjoy a pleasant evening an
,, meet the people of the city. That i
every church has social; therefor
having a number on the same evel
ing they are not crowded and ever,
one has delightful time.
You can reach the Camp from c,
lumbia by Street Car, Shuttle-train {
acknowledgement of the traffic is hal
died by the Street Car, although th
| shuttle-trains and automobiles q
, quite a bit of business.