The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-11-06

e0ICmhe SE2l:Sc

The following letter was received
by Joseph NJ. Manning, Dilworth,
from his nephew. Walter ]. Manning,
Company A, 2sth Engineers. With
his nephew, at Camp Devens, Aver.
Mass, is William D. Dullea. Dill
worth.
Dear Uncle:
Just a line on camp life now that
Bill and are somewhat settled. We
had very interesting trip east, but
the first few days here were cold
provided for the first few days but
are now fully equipped and very
comfortable although the heating
plant at the camp is not working,
making il rather cold at times. I'm
derstand it has been showing at Dill
worth the past week or two-not so
here as we have had no cold
weather to speak of.
Camp Devens is about an hours
ride from Boston where / visited one
day recently. The camp is situated
in a large valley and our barracks
is located on slight elevation in
about the center so we have q fine
panoramic view Of the entire
grounds.
There are about $4,000 men here
and our company is made up OF very
intelligent and agreeable young men.
We have several good quartets in
the company. From what our cap
tain told us during a lecture period
ours is a surveying and printing
company. He also informed US that
we will be in France very soon.
This statement was received with a
cheer by the entire company.
We are up at 5:45 q. m, reveille at
6. mess at 6:15, air bedding. etc. at
6:45, physical exercise at z followed
by a squad drill and long hikes until
noon. The other day We took a hike
through the hills and along the pub
lie roads. On the way We passed
through a beautiful lane with hard
head stone walls for miles, on either
side. The country is wooded and
there are many varieties Of trees,
the pine being abundant The land
in this immediate vicinity is not
extensively cultivated as 1t is very
sandy and the surface has an ample
crop of stones. The country is very
similar to our old home in Wiscon-
sin.
Our program for the afternoons is
very easy. 1t, consists OF rife sight
ing. the general keeping of our
equipment. There is an athletic
period during which we have base
ball football and other outdoor
sports. Following lecture and school
periods come reveilIe and mess that
conclude the activities for the day.
We have the evenings until
O'Clock to ourselves and usually
spend them at the X. of g, Z. M. g.
A. or the camp auditorium. The x.
M. c.. A. is a very pleasant place 70
spend an evening. The rooms have
omen fireplaces and are provided with
movie equipment, pianos, DOCKS,
magazines and newspapers The use
Of writing material is free.
There are great activities here pre-
pairing the grounds for camp pur-
poses. Steam ditchers and motor
trucks are at work everywhere and
Tarvia roads are being built through
out the entire camp. The papers
state that the camp proper covers
1920 acres with q much larger area
included in the grounds.
Our meals are a. good as could be
had at a restaurant for from Is cents
to 35 cents. Bread Of the home
made variety Is baked in the camp
bakery, and is as good as most any
OF home make.
There are boys IN camp from every
part OF the United States and 1t Is
very interesting TO hear some Of their
life stories. Some are more OF less
exaggerated TO make them more
romantic. Magazines are received
by the armfuI several times a week.
These are sent by people from ali
over the country. and the reading at
fords US a pleasant pastime. We
have a parade every day led BY a
brass band.
Each man ia assigned, ct some
time or other. 20 special detail thar
ahordg him an opportunity TO
fan1fliarize himself with the details
Of camp duty. ! suppose Maurice -