The Delta independent., 1917-10-26
MIR. CHARLESWORTH
WRITES FROM CAMP
Camp Kearny, California,
Oct. 5, 1917.

self that | would send you a letter of
information concerning the welfare of
Delta's soldier boys, but had to allow
of a sufficient mental reservation with
each promise for the purpose of guard
ing against that greatest of all neces-
stiles, time.
By this time many friends will know
that we are established in the great
training camp at Linda Vista We left
Fort Logan. Colo, on September 26th.
arriving at our California destination
at 1925, September 80. The long trip
was entirely without any unusual in
cident or accident Company E was
not with me during the journey. as my
battalion, the 3rd. occupied section
of the train, and E company was in the
section following mine. Three stops
were made enroute of from 3 to
hours each, allowing time to feed, wat
er and exercise the animals and to ex-
ercise the men. These stops were at
Ration and Gallup. New Mexico, and
Needles, Calf. At Needles we were
according a most enthusiastic recep-
ton.
At this place the Santa Fe railroad
company has erected a large recre-
alton building at a cost of $4,000,
which contains large swimming pool
The superintendent invited the entire
battalion to a swim, and it is needless
for me to say that the men took ad-
vantage of it and enjoyed the plunge.
l can truthfully say that enjoyed it
and know that every officer and man
felt the same about it. After the swim
a large dance room was thrown open.
and by furnishing our own music.
hundreds of the men became occupied
in the terpsichorean art until it was
time to resume our journey. One of
the Santa Fe officials took me for a
ride in his car about the town and
vicinity. But. my, how exceeding hot
it was. This was the hottest point we
had touched on the trip. The restau-
rant keepers were equally hospitable
for they would not accept pay for their
wares from any of the men. Needles
will long live in the minds and hearts
of the 3rd battalion.
From Needles we began a journey
across the great Mojave desert. This
ride was sitting. but fortunately it
came at night We now went on
through Barstow, San Bernardino.
Riverside, Orange, Santa Ana and to
Linda Vista. We did not touch Los
Angeles. At Ocean Side hundreds of
the men saw the great American pos
SESSION., tne fdClilC OCEAN, lOi tlt ilTSt
time in their lives. The demonstra-
ton they made made one think. after
all. men are but overgrown children.
ready to applaud whatever pleases,
and as ready to condemn that which
displeases. 1t was a pleasure to watch
them manifesting their keen enjoy
ment as they watched the eternal bill
lows roll shoreward, breaking into ef-
fervescent foam. in perpetual success
sion. We had crossed a desert OF land
but here was a desert of water. The
two extremes. As we crossed the
great Mojave one could not help but
think of the hardships endured by
thousands of pioneers who left their
bones to bleach in the burning sun
before the great iron highways were
constructed. Now pretty little towns
dot the trail which are well kept and
orderly. This part of the journey
made me reminiscent. I had crossed
it before. many years ago. ! thought
this time, as I did then, of these lines;
Hyar oncet the Injuns TUX thar de-
lights:
They fit. and fought and bled.
Now the inhabitants are mostly
whites.
An nary Red.
In the universal order of things
there must come an end. and an end
came to our trip. In twenty minutes
after our arrival ! had the men de-
trained. the cars officially inspected
and officially released bv the cavern
ment, which. ! was told. constituted
the record. and 1t lis still the record
for the troops arriving at the camp.
That night we silent under the stars.
L>r,rt IN tes1H zt-n had and
blankets. but the tents were not con
venient and were not nut up until the
next day We are to live under can
vas. The only frame buildings are the
kitchens mess halls and bath houses
Each bath house has ten showers and
there is an abundance of good water
Gas Is used as a fuel and the luxury
Of electric lights will soon he in force.
The camp is situated on large mesa
* miles north Of San Diego At night
the lights of the city can be plainly
seen but the ocean is not visible to MS
The camp will entertain nearlv 10000
mer. when all the troops OF the divt-
sion are here and the training is to be
of the most intensive character.
The 1st Colorado Infantry is now
officially known as the 157th u. s. In
fantrv. We are in the roth brigade
and the 4Oth division. The Division
is under the command of General Cam
ron. while our brigade. which consists
of the LIST Colorado. and the LIST Art
zona Infantry. with the Hath Machine
Cum Battalion. is under the command
OF Brigadier General Alexander NJ.
Tuthill I am indeed fortunate in
plearant acquaintance with the Gen
eral Tuthill as he was Colonel of the
1st Arizona Infantry during the Mex
lean Border service and was stationed
2n miles west Of nnr nnsf But alas