Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-06-08
COLBY BOYS
Write FROM
PLATTSbURC

Waterville, Me-, June 7.-(Specta).-
Captain Harold Leon Pepper is in re-
ceipt Of letters from some of the Colby
boys who are at Plattsburg, which are
full of interest to their friends here.
The first, from Norman d. Latin,
speaks Of the work there in part as
follows:
There are 5000 men in camp, includ-
ing $500 from New England, and they
are the cleanest bunch of men l have
ever seen, all well educated and many
refined, the majority are gentlemen in
the finest sense of the word. Our life
as you know from your long expert
ence in the military world, is not an
easy one. 1t means work from in the
morning until 8 at night and by work
do not mean the kind we were ac-
customed to al Colby, that was a mere
bagatelle as the expression goes, but
it is a healthful life, work full Of big
opportunities, a glorious usefulness.
and more glorious death if that must
needs be. In the morning we have our
drills, which consist at present Of plat
Don and company movements, bayonet
and rifle practice, the latter being
without ammunition at present, and
practice marches. l find myself en-
tering into them with much enthusi-
asm and with all my strength. l am
trying my hardest to become efficient
in my duties but have little hope of
getting a commission as there are so
many men here who have had an I'M
usual amount Of military training.
&c for
some of the others will hump to hold
their own, as you probably know our
soldiers Bible, the I. D. r., is studied
mostly at this early stage. the A. F
NJ, r. S. r., NJ. I. G. D., and Signal
Book, are sending US unto the realm of
the officer whether we land there f.
nally or not. as l say l am so green
at this game that an citizenship looks
far distant. but here's hoping"
One from High S. Pratt says in part
as follows: Il have intended to write
you before but on account of the new
environment l have been so busy try
ing to systematic myself and make
most effective every hour of the day
that l have not before he'd the time
Nevertheless, | am beginning to get
onto the ropes somewhat and am try
Ing to live by some sort of schedule.
/ hope that the interest in the military
company continues and that at the ehd
of the year no one will regret taking
the military drill. I am glad l went
into 1t for 1t il proving a great help to
me. The Colby boys who are here are
all in good condition and are enjoying
the experienc greatly. The camp is
located on the shores of Lake Cham
plain. about three quarters of a mile
from the town of Plattsburg. which
latter place seems to be little larger
than Waterville. The country here
abouts is beautiful and picturesque
and the air although chilly for the past
week or 50 is invigorating.
The land ir the immediate vicinity
is surprisingly level but miles distant
one can see the snow capped noun
tans pushing their noses up towards
the heavens. The men are quartered
in long. narrow. low-roofed wooden
buildings. each company occupying one
building. They are arranged in rows
about five or six to set for the most
part they run east and west facing
the macademized street which leads
to the mess hall. Each company has its
own mess building, consisting of side
less. rooted shelters containing long
wooden tables thanked by wooden
benches. Other buildings, some Of them
brick and stone dot the camp ground
at various places, these being mainly
ofncers' quarters, the exchange. Y. NJ.
c. A.. stables, etc. Now concerning the
food. life and amusements. the food is
causing the most criticism Of anything
and there is some grounds for this and
yet believe most Of the fellows can
not get themselves to realize that they
are now st a military camp where all
the usual comforts Of life are not al
ways provided. still efforts are being
made to improve the grub. The life is
somewhat similar to college life. only
here one loses much Of his individual
ity more so than one does at college
and he has to work more intensely
Up at $50 we drill from 7 to II. eat
start work again at l.30 and keep 1t