Putnam patriot., 1917-11-23

"l received the PATRIOT yesterday and appreciate IL very much. It cet- tsinly is fine thins to know what other Putnam boys are doing In camp.
 arrived here last Wednesday morn. ing and thought would be placed in barracks, but to my disappointment WAS put iu . tent, being told that 10 would be only for few days. The barracks are occupied now by students but they are to leave the latter part of the week, and those who arrived last week will go Into barracks then. Meanwhile we have ito rsmain under canvas.
 l It Is much warmer here than it was , inIthe fort from which 1 came, but still the nights are pretty cold and un less one has plenty of blankets he does not sleep any too comfortably. There are six fellows in the tent with the, and one Of them who had no overcoat and only two thin blankets, tried tho stunt Of putting two suit cases on top of him at night to see if that would keep him, warm.
 We have no restrictions hsre and ate allowed to 70 where we please at night 1 as long SIS we are back by 6sl5 in tho morning for roll call. Our duties con sist of machine shop work from 500 to | ll:a0. There Is work on the lathe, planer, shaper, drill, press and milling | machine. In the afternoon we have infantry drill from i:lb to 2.l5 and I then we have an hour of artillery drill, which Is work on the gans. From 3l5 to 4;i5 we have lecture en artillery work by our captain. This Is about the most interesting part of the days program.
 There are about 250. students here who are about to begin this special training In the school. The graduat. ing class numbers about l75, | The officers training camp Is at this l fort but Is on another street. About 1900 men arc in attendance at this camp. We have over 200 officers here
 
 but what have to salute about n doz- en of them. A private walking down the street has to keep his hand con- stantly in motion saluting officers. It might be good idea if some of us tied our hands to our hats as it would save us the trouble of so much saIuting.
 This Is one fine place and there are many sights to sec around here. In my next .ietter will tell you more about the place
 Here is the first letter from Herbert E. Smith, aviator at the U. $. Operat- Ing Base near Norfolk, Va:
 "A line to let you know v am still living and kicking. l have been get. ting along with my work first rate and have been flying aloae for about month. It seems good to fly alone as the instructors ball you out from morn- Ing until night.
 We are just across the bay fromNew- port News where Katherine Stimp-
  He holds the worlds record for loop. ing the loop. He did 1t i5s times in succession and that k some stunt. 1 have iooped once and that was enough.
 The finishing test for naval avistor is to 20 up 5000 feet, shut of your mo- tor and glide down in a spiral, land ing within 200 feet of certain point. When you have qualified you have to make cross wind and rough water landing, which means to land in the waves three feet high. You see it isn't all fun after all. 1 expect to go across before long.'
 Private Lucicn Giard writes a bit of news from Fort Terry. He says: "rhe boys of the 3Sth Company are sll we'll. We were surprised and shocked to learn of the deaths Of Joseph Daigle and Walter Wallen.
 Our company commander, Captain Withee, has been appointed Post Of iicer, and our First Lieutenant War. ren, high sheriff of the island. A few Of our boys have been assigned to spec- isi duty. You know thst private Gill; bert Perrylnas left us to join the en- gineefing corps st Fortress Munroe, Va. The company, through Captain Withee, presented him with a sliding rule, which will be very useful to him in his new position.
 Private Burnette had sudden call to Washington to join the motorcyie squad. The dock bell rang three times for them, being answered by the boat whistle. Our meas sergeant also ex- pecls call lo Washington soon.
 Work for thirty buildings Is being rushed here on the island for the com ing Of drafted men. The contract was let lo the SpaTry Engineering Com pany.
 Our company held meeting and voted for 4 company barber William BanIey wns elected to the position and has opened a shop iSs the oarfaks Adelsfd Ssivas K going to Boston to purchase the supplies and equap ment for the shop.
 It Is very cold here. Wind blowing all the time n liking II hard for the men on guard.
 This serK 1 have been working ln the kitchen, will oe quite n cook when | leave the service. We are ai- ways wondering whether Se are t0 leave or stay here.
 | I thank yoa for the paper aud s9nd 1 rssagds to sis.