The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-10-20
Camp Dodge, Ia.

Camp Dodge, la.
Co. Z, 313 Eng, Oct. 13, 1917.
Dear Mr.. and Mrs. Baney:-
l received your letter this morning
and as this afternoon is a holiday;
I'm going to answer it right now.
Some excitement in camp the night
before last. All of us woke up at
o'clock in the morning, at the cry OF
fire. When we got outside bar
rack about three buildings away from
ours was all in blaze; so all the
fellows scattered to different build
ings around and kept the roofs soak
ed with water. The fire was ex-
tinguished in half an hour, thanks to
the fire department we have here.
We have two departments in camp;
all apparatus auto driven, etc. For
few minutes that night we all
thought we would lose our home.
When a fire once is started it's pretty
hard stopping it. The buildings are
all frame and as there are 200 men
in one barrack, 1t means 200 straw
ticks. A barrack is just a swell dish
for a fire.
Just finished reading the bulletin
board and on it is my name for kit
chen detail for Monday. Swell; all
l have to do is wash dishes from 8
o'clock in the morning until about
o'clock in the evening. Between
times mop the floors. They're very
particular here in camp. About ev-
cry five minutes an inspector pops in
and places his hands everywhere to
see if everything is dustless.
Last night l enjoyed myself the
best / have since came here. We
had a little musical program at the
Y. NJ. c. A. All talent was supplied
by the fellows here at camp. Some
good talent, too; piano solos, vocal
solos, ragtime singing and playing,
violin, banjo. and a few more after
which we heard a lecture on the
French Army, by a French captain,
who has spent twenty-six months IN
the trenches. Real interesting
was there now,
Believe me: We sure are getting
linked" all over, now. We hike and
drill all morning; then stop for some
thing to eat; then the same thing in
the afternoon again. They pick out
the worst routes, too; over hills and
through swamps. Six months Of this
will either kill or make a man. Next
summer we all hope to be in Berlin.
The French captain said last night,
when we start for Berlin, 1t will be
in Pullman cars. / hope so.
L
nesday. This time it put me fiat on
my back on my bunk. l felt all right
for about two hours after it happen
ed; then things started to feel differ
ent. / got as stiff as corpse. Only
have to be inoculated once more,
then I'm through for awhile.
We have some real fighters here
for commanders; Major General
Plummer is the commander Of the
camp. He has had quite career in
the army. / remember him from
about ten years ago when he was
commander at Fort Smelling. Be-
sides him we have four brigadier
generals. / don't remember their
names, though. General Plummer
we see quite often as he is out at
the rife range. when we drill. All
officers here above colonel are regular
army officers. They see to 1t that we
get the real training.
No! / won't know where Mac Keene
is. According to Bodenschatz there
are only three men drafted from
Hubley's district, and they are here
at camp, Hammergren, Esbauch and
myself. You probably know that
Charley Englin enlisted.
1t was very good of you to give my
address to some Of my old acquaint-
ances, of Fargo. A letter cheerS a
fellow a whole lot more than per-
haps, most people realize. This new
life is still a little strange. nothing
but wood buildings and sandstorms.
Sometimes these storms are so bad
that one can't see more than half a
mile.
I'd like to be there with the Fight
ing Irish. a few Swedes mixed with
them would make them invincible.
Next Fourth OF July. the Stars and
Stripes will be flying over Berlin.
/ have a knit sweater and double
blanket coming from my sister and
mother. Every week always receive
a box with ali kinds Of eats. Pretty
swell for me, think, to be soldier.
III it's possible I'm going home for
Thanksgiving: at which time intend
to have a photograph of myself TAX
en-. The folks are always begging
for my likeness, but, hate to spoil
my reputation.
Thank you for your letter and
when you folks feel like writing Just
remember my address.
Saw hello" to my friends that YOU
may meet and tell them that I'm
feeling better than ever.
From an old Fargo inhabitant,
Ernie Davis.
rrht- st,seruri1s life doesn't hermit