Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1917-09-18
Letter From the New Army Camp.

MI. ". II. AAdiuCcs
Editor Spirit Of Jefferson.
Dear Sir:-The Natioral Army hay
ing been called into service and the first
! five per cent of the quota of each coun-
ty having been duly examined and de-
tailed to one of the Government Can
tonments, and that the next forty per
cent of each quote is soon to leave for
the camps, we of the jefferson County
| first five per cent who have been in
camp for two weeks and became accli-
mated and habitated to camp conditions
and who have had very extensive two
weeks of army life. feel that it will be
of interest to our Jefferson county
friends as we'll as help to the men
who are to come here next week, to
have short description of life at camp
and the work we are doing as well as
description of the camp.
The camp is constructed in the shape
of horse shoe. From the heel of the
shoe on one side around through the
toe to the heel on the other side, is a
distance of seven miles, there being
four thousand four hundred and eighty
square acres in all.
The camp is situated on branch of
| the N. & w. railway running from
Petersburg to the city of Hopewell.
Va, situated almost midway between
the two cities. The Petersburg and
Hopewell electric railway connects the
camp with both places.
| This camp is the eightieth division of
the army and will have the following
branches of the service in it: Infantry,
composed of men from Virginia; En-
gineers and Machine Gun Companies,
from Pennsylvania, while the West
Virginia men will make up the Field
Artillery Regiments. and we think this
the pick branch of the service and are
envied by all others.
Taking up the construction and dis
tribution of the camp buildings AGAR
we find that the camp is south OF
Petersburg. the toe of the horse shoe
facing said city. On the west end Of
the shoe is located the quarters for the
colored troops. In the middle of tht
shoe is situated the Virginia Infantry
and on the west end is the West Vir
ginia Artillery.
We are of the B5th Brigade of the
313th Regiment. Each Regiment i:
composed of A B C and ID Batteries
each battery having 156 men and foul
guns, caisons, etc.
This | feel is enough of description
of construction and the men coming
can find out details later on. The lif,
is excellent. plenty of exercise ant
work, good quarters to sleep in. an'
the food is simple but good. Tell thu
men coming to bring every thing LISTED
on the pink card. We were a wees
getting uniforms.
Sincerely yours,
LOYAL GRAVATT, Jr.
Capt. Fl. C. Getzendanner, Secretar,
of the Exemption Board, has also r,
ceived a letter from Mr.. Gravatte
which we take pleasure in publishing.
Camp Lee, Petersburg, Va.
September IA, 1917
Dear Captain Getzendanner.
1t drawing close to the time wher
the rest Of Jefferson County squoto will
have to leave town for here and will,
write few lines to you to tell the boy
that they will lot dislike it here at all
The discipline is very strict but il
makes man out of any one. Some
few will have to change thier manner
of Lying and hours of rising and will
have to eat beans, but its all in tn
game and we are getting along fine sc
far.
All West Virginia men are in the Ar.
tillery, Virginia men in the Infantry
and think we have the pick of the
service.
Tell them to bring along a couple of
pairs of socks. two or three shirts and
collars, an old suit of clothes that they
do not care about, tooth brush. hail
brush, shaving apparatus and that
all. 1t will be week or ten days be-
fore they get uniforms.
am glad | am here and hope that
| DUPONT does not bother me.
Sincerely yours,
LOYAL CRAVATT, Jr
Battery B. 3l3th Field Artillery.