The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-04-24
LETTERS TO THE
EDITOR
WITH BARRE BOYS AT FORT.
They Are Getting Comfortably Settled in
Army Life.

j Army Life.
i Headquarters Co., ist Vt. inf.
The Editor, The Barre Times,
Barre. Vermont.
Fort Ethan Allen, VT, April 81, 1917.
Dear Sir:
In view of the loyal support and inter-
quarters company, it is but proper that
some word should reach them by which
they can keep informed on what is going
on in the organization. With this object
in view ] win cover briefly few of the
things that have taken place in the last
| few days.
| Up TO the 18th of the month the COM
pany was quartered in the band barracks
at the post, but since that date the men
have been under canvas. Although the
weather mas been chilly and cold, very
| little inconvenience has been experienced
in the field. Board floors have been built
in all the tents and these with the Sibley
stoves have combined very effectively in
keeping out cold, dampness and nois-
ture. Soft coal has now been provided
for these stoves and with little care
the tents can be made as comfortable as
field is new to most Of the boys, but ii
will not take long to get 'acclimated,"
and when they do they will not exchange
the free air and out OF door life for that
of the barracks.
Mattresses have been ordered for the
entire company and these will add ma
terially to the comfort of the men. At
the present time the regulation bed sacks
filed with straw are being used and al
though they are comfortable the mat
tresses will be an appreciated improve
ment.
The men are still minus part Of their
equipment, but they are no worse off
in this respect than some of the other
companies at the post Uniforms have
not as yet been issued, but now that
they have been received by the Supply
company they will doubtless be distribut-
ed in few days. Horses for the mount
ed scouts came in with shipment last
night.
Another thing that viii doubtless be
of interest, especially to the women OF
Barre, is the receipt of the Housewives
They reached here in splendid condition
and have been distributed to the men in |
accordance with the directions in the |
box. The remarks of appreciation that I
went around when the men examined 7
the kits was proof enough that they We're /
appreciated, and one sergeant who has
seen many similar devices pronounced |
these the best yet They certainly are
models of neatness and efficiency and TO
say they win fulfill their mission is I'M
The only fault the men had
to find with the kits was the fact that
they contained no clue to the maker,
thus making it impossible to write a
word Of personal thanks. The interest
taken by Barre people is not unappre
ciated, and the sentiment OF all was well
by one of the men when he
passed the remark that Barre people
are certainly the cream" ] might add,
too, that the testaments were not given
out at first, but as soon as it was ru
mored that they could be obtained, the
men were not slow in requesting them
Then again, the z volumes sent under
he direction of Mr. John w. Gordon are
being extensively used. They are in care
VI the first sergeant and charged as tax
N out All the books are now in use,
10 it is evident that the idea of sending
hem was good one. Two or three
magazines could also be used to good
advantage. The books, we hope, will be
nucleus for company library.
Still another item OF interest will be
ound in the recent promotions in the
announced at retreat last
when orders were published
promoting John Heney from private to
ook, John Spera from musician, third
lass, to sergeant. and Garibaldi Barberi
rom musician. third class, to musician,
econd class Each of these promotions
arries an increase in pay and response
ility.
As far as food is concerned the men
re provided with all they can eat Of
chow that is plain though wholesome
nd cooked in way TO please the most
astidious under the direction OF Mess
ergeant MaeIver and two efficient cooks.
asst Sunday the dinner was topped off
nth smokes, thanks to the kindness OF
fr. s. Hollister Jackson, :
The men look forward to receiving The
lines every day, and on their behalf {
fish to thank you for sending them. 0
Very truly yours,
Gustaf A. Nelson, "
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