Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-09-25
ANOTHER [IhF: FROM
THE SOLDIER BOYS
Extracts From Interesting Letter
Written by Albert Smith, For
!, merly of G Company.


transferred to.-the Third Iowa and
sent to Mineola, l.. L., are writing
interesting letters concerning their
trip east to relatives and friends
here. Albert Smith, son of Mrs. A..
C. Smith, has written an interesting
account of the trip and the camp,
and extracts from his letter are cop
led herewith:
We arrived in Chicago at about 5
O'Clock Monday morning and left
there at 1880. Got in Fort Wayne,
Indiana, at II the same morning.
While there we took hike of few
blocks, which was much needed, as
I'VE were getting stiff. Stayed there
until 1890 when we left for Cleve-
land, Ohio, arriving there at about
midnight. When awakened Tues
day morning we were going through
some little town, and by noon we
were in Buffalo, where we INDUCED
in another little hike Of some four
miles. From Erie, Pa, to Buffalo
we followed Lake Erie-could see
the steamers coming across the lake.
This trip along the shores of one of
the worlds largest lakes was, in
itself, well worth going miles to
take and was experienced with the
utmost enjoyment by the Hamilton
county boys. All through Pennsyl-
vania and New York it is nothing
but grape vines and vineyards.
After leaving Buffalo we went
south to Scranton, Pa. I didn't get
to see much along this part of the
trip as was sleeping most Of the
time. When awakened the next
morning we were travelling through
some very beautiful scenery. We
were riding upon some very high
hills that looked almost like young
mountains One place called DAM
vile was down in valley about
1000 feet. 1t is said to be the pref
test city in the east and guess
1t is.
In a further description of the
trip east, Mr.. Smith says they fol-
lowed the Delaware river for about
miles before reaching
Trenton. The soldiers were deeply
impressed when they viewed the
monument in Trenton which marks
the historical place where Washing
ton crossed the Delaware.
The Mercer auto manufacturing
concern, a very large plant, was
passed at Trenton and viewed with
much interest by the boys.
The patriotism Of people every
where is at the highest pitch, &C
cording to Mr.. Smiths letter, which
says that as the troop train passed
through every place, whether city,
town or village, crowds Of people
were on hand to greet the soldier
boys, waving American flags and
banners, while the engine would
whistle long and loud, reminding our
boys of the time when the troop
trains left here.
At Jersey City they entered the
tunnel under the Hudson river, and
for over an hour were in darkness.
emerging to find themselves in New
York City, but still underground
they weren't in New York City,
they were under it. They had sup
per in the underground portion Of
the New York union railroad sta
ton. Upon leaving the station it
was quite an experience for the boys
to look over the ground under which
they had been travelling and they
were greatly impressed with the
fact that they had passed under
some buildings twenty-five stories
and more in height.
Long Island was reached the after
noon of Wednesday, and Thursday
morning the boys made their ap-
pearance at Camp Mills, Mineo1a,
L. 1.
Treachery is abroad. One soldier
Ia German attempted to poison
the drinking water the day of the
arrival of the Iowa troops. He was
court martialed and shot.
1t is forty-five minute ride to
New York City from Camp Mills,
and Mr.. Smith says eve" get Wed
nesday and Saturday afternoons Off
SO are going to Coney Island Sasur.
day If we" get paid Whether I'VE"
u,cabs all of the Webster City boys
or Ltt is not certain.
TIE Third Iowa boys have n"ist-
bors on one side in the persons of
a machine gun battalion from; Geor-
gia and on the other side ,hcy
neighbor with a regiment frol1 Ala.