The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-02-12
May Be
Home ON
FEB. IS
Sergt. E. S. Peterson of Co.
B Says N. D. Troops Will
Probably Return Then
DEPENDS ON CONDITIONS
Present Crisis in Affair With
Germany May Delay Mus
tering Out, However

For a while it seemed the mastering
out of the regiment would be delayed
or stopped, but unless something I'M
usual occurs we will be home Feb. 49,"
says Sergt. e. S. Peterson of Co. B,
First North Dakota infantry, in a
letter to The Forum from FIT. Smelling,
| where the regiment has been stationed
| since returning from the border.
In his letter Sergeant Peterson says:
Forty above Zero-a cold, dark,
rainy day-the day we left Mercedes,
Texas. but the good people of that
town had filled our cars with flowers
and palms, presented us cards of ap-
probation, and otherwise made us feel
that our stay there had not been in
vain-that they desired to express
| their gratitude in some unforgettable
way.
"On our way back though, the
| weather was cool. We struck the first
snow in Iowa and there also the boys
were delighted to shake hands with
Capt. Bob Thomson who used to be
regimental adjutant.
Sunday morning. the day of our
arrival in Minneapolis, the weather
was delightfully."- warm for this time
Of year, but since then the spirits in
the thermometer have been dancing
close to the zero mark and most of
the time below.
"Since arriving here the boys have
had the afternoons and evenings 10
themselves-the mornings being taken
up with mastering out processes, de-
tail work, etc.
"St. Paul certainly made her car
niVal week a hotter one, and the dog
derby created almost international in
terest. The winners and Hartman are
being shown at the Strand theatre
in st. Paul thlS week, and are draw
ing record houses. When called upon
for speeches during their display on
the stage, Hartman seems to be the
only one able to find his voice, and
then only soon to lose it.
Minneapolis has her auto show this
week and well, very few of the boys
stay in the barracks afternoons and
nights.
THE breaking off of diplomatic re-
lations with Germany created quite
stir in the twin cities and at the
fort here, and for a while it seemed
the mastering out of the regiment
would be delayed or stopped, but I'M
less something unusual occurs we will
be home the 18th.
"a number of Fargo and North Da-
kota boys are visiting the different
companies, and the boys are certainly
glad to see them.
"A friend Of mine Of Spanish Ameri-
can war days said that Mayor Van
Lear is the most logical thinker in
Minneapolis. Be that as it may. the
mayor, the press and the people of
the two cities seem to be very far
apart in their ideas. The mayor is
backed by the state committee of So
cialists, who back up their defense
resolution with these words,-in
the event of a declaration of war we
urge the workers of the United States
to refuse to fight The mayor is go
ing to have a peace meeting, and the
loyalty league is going to have
Back up the President meeting. The
mayor may wake up-for this friend
of mine told me that he had seen SER
vice in both regular and volunteer
armies of this good old u. S. A.
1.-The boys are all ready for real ac-
ton. but before they go they all want
to visit their home towns and see
their dear home folks again.
Edward s. Peterson.
MESS Sgt. Co. B., LIST N. D. Inf"