Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1917-12-20
correspondent WRITES FROM
CAMP MERRITT IN BAND
Several Company Boys Transferred to BandLfe in New
Camp Mills and Merritt - Boys Enjoyed
Thanksgiving Day

Leaving there we rode through Fred
ericksburg, Camp Quantico, and other
interesting places and arrived at
Washington, D. c., just about dusk.
We could see the capitol building as
we pulled into the station.
We exercised about on hour there
but did not get to see much of the
city.
Sunday A. NJ. we awoke on Long
Island and were pulled into camp
about 10 A. NJ. Our cook car was
detached from the train before going
through the tubes under the East
River and Hudson River, consequent
ly we had no breakfast until about
l P. M. There was, however, very
little complaining and when we
marched into Camp Mills and found
a camp so entirely different from
Camp Greene our faces heightened a
little but after few popular airs by
the band felt better and proceeded to
clean up camp.
We had no floors in our tents, no
electric lights and no showers but
cleaned the camp as much as possible
and finally got settled so that we
were quite comfortable.
We experienced much colder wealth.
er there than at Camp Greene but
that of course made US feel at home.
While atCamp Mills we were issued
most of our new equipment. All cot
ton clothing was turned in and wool
ems took their place. We now have:
2 pairs woolen trousers, 2 woolen
coats, 1 woolen overcoat suits
wooden underwear, pairs woolen
socks, pair heavy shoes (hikers), 2
pairs Russet shoes, shelter half, 1
pancho, blankets, pack belt, shoulder
straps, and outfit for carrying equip
ment. This is besides our mess kits,
and smaller stuff and arms. So you
see xve are pretty well fixed for cold
weather.
believe every soldier in Camp
Mills enjoyed a real Thanksgiving
dinner. Thanksgiving Day we were
scattered all over the town and coun-
try around Camp. Many spent the
day in private homes in N. Y. city,
Freeport, Hampstead, Jamica and all
of the near towns. Our bunch of over
1900 men were given a special train
to N. Y. City, Thanksgiving dinner at
Lorber's Cafe, were entertained at
Madison Square Garden, special train
back to camp and everyone was well
pleased with his Thanksgiving Day
While at Camp Mills each Wednes-
day and Saturday rs per cent of the
men were given passes to go to N. Y.
City.
There is also an aerial school at
Camp Mills and every day there were
from 5 to 20 machines flying over our
camp.
We packed and left Camp Mills
last Thursday. We carried our packs
on our backs on this trip for the first
time. We came by train from Camp
Mills to the Ferry at Brooklyn. From
there we came by boat down the East
River, across the bay and up the
Hudson, landing at Jersey City. From
there we again came by train to Der
mont, N. j., and out to Camp. We
are in barracks here and are very
comfortable. All of the barrack
buildings are heated and are large
and roomy. We have iron cots with
good springs, new mattresses, ETC.,
electric lights, hot and cold showers,
place to wash clothes and the mess
halls are large, clean and we'll heated.
There is snow on the ground and
it is pretty cold but seems more like
home to US.
Well, l will call this letter and
get it off as soon as possible. If
do not get to write again from this
side, l will send some word at my
first opportunity.
Trusting that all at home are still
prospering and thanking them again
for the many kindnesses and atten-
tion and promising to soon return
with the "Kaiser's Goat" we are, with
love to all,
"The Bunch,"
- Per Musician Guy l. Putnam,
Hdq's. Co. 164 Inf. Band,
Camp Merritt, Dermont, N. j.
41st Division.
P: S.-We came from N. D. to N.
G. From N. C. to N. Y, from N. Y.
to N. j., and are still on our way to
show "Bill" that he is N. G..
MARRIAGE LICENSES