The Yale expositor., 1917-11-15
FROM SOLDIER BOYS.

u
Camp Alpa Vail, Little Silver, N. j.
The letters were written to friend at
Bad Axe and are taken from the HUI
ron County Tribune
Aug. 27-This is Monday night,
about p. M, and have served one day
in the army, and will say it is going to
be some life. and think l will like it
fine after / get accustomed to the
run of army life. What amuses one
most is what they call "the mess kit
1t consists of soup plate, bread plate,
knife, fork, spoon and cup. Everybody
washes and takes care of his own dishes.
This morning we got up at 5 o'clock,
had physical culture until 5:45; then
roll call Breakfast at 6:45. Then we
took teD-mile hike; got back to camp
at 10 a. m. Thirty minutes rest; fell
in line, marched about one-half mile
to the drill grounds and had one hour
lectu re on camp sanitation and army
discipline. Then we marched back to
camp. One hour and fifteen minutes
for dinner and rest. Then at Ills p.
m. we fell in line and marched down
to the drill grounds and had wig wag
practice until 500. Then we had sup
per. At $50 we all went over to the
hospital and were innoculated for ty-
phoid fever. This makes you mighty
sick for few days.
Sept. 6-This has been very event.
full day. Got up at 5:15, had physical
culture until $50. Then 10 minutes
for breakfast. At Gas we fell in line
for a hike, or practice march as they
call it, We marched five and one-half
miles to Mrs. Pullman's residence.
There 200 of us went in, sat down on
the porch, and were served coffee,
cookies and cigarettes. Then marched
back to camp. On our way back, we
went past shadow Lawn" that is
President Wilson's summer home, and
it is beautiful.
That Mrs. Pullman | spoke of is the
widow of the man who owned all the
Pullman cars. Her home is wonderful.
Sept. 14-This is Friday p. M; just
came back from two-day hike, and
will say it was some experience. Will
try and tell you as near as possible, all
that took place. We left camp at 1920
Thursday morning, marched until IL 80,
then halted and had dinner At pm.
marched two hours, had 10 minutes
rest, marched two more hours, had If
teen minutes rest; then two more hours
marching, which made it 7:3O, when
we pitched tents and got our beds
ready, Then we had supper, which
brought the time up to 800 p. m. Then
we built big bon fire and all sat
around the fire and sang for an hour,
then the bugle sounded taps, and ev-
erybody went to bed, which was two
blankets and the cold ground. Then
this, Friday, morning we got up at $50;
at 5:45 We had physical culture exercise
until 6:10; then. we were all marched
one-half mile at double time, which is
running, down to river. There we
washed and cleaned our teeth and then
we marched back to campi breakfast
at 6:45; then at 1870 we took down our
tents and started back, arriving at
camp at II 80; and now will say that |
am some tired.
On this trip we carried our regular
outfits on our backs, which is two
blankets, one rain coat, one suit OF
underwear, three pairs of socks, one.
half shelter tent, tooth brush, soap
comb, mess kit, belt and gun, and water
canteen, the outfit weighing forty-seven
pounds, and we had to carry it four
teen miles. This was our 2-day hike
October 10-I am getting along just
fine. When left Bad Axe l weighed
159 pounds; now l weigh 172 pounds
Y ou ought to see me; just as straight
They sure set you up in the army.
am really beginning to like the army
life. The barracks is our only home
Just wish you could see it Everything
is spotlessly clean. You know every
man has to keep his bed all nicely
made up and all his personal articles
and clothing, clean and piled on shell
and if it is not that way he is giver
what we call fatigue duty,"-that is
working in the kitchen, sweeping th'
barracks floor and cleaning up the bar
racks floor and cleaning up the batf
house. So each one looks out his stuff
is clean and tidy. SO you see we have
to beware of little troubles.
This is some place for good eats
Today we had for breakfast muskmel
lon, fried cornmeal, toast and coffee
For dinner, mashed potatoes, brown
gravy, roast beef, bread, butter, pump
kin pie and coffee. For supper, hash
bread, butter, fresh grapes, pumpkin
,.fo onof,, on1 oooon