The Delta independent., 1917-01-12


Alabama infantry and a regiment of
Arkansas infantry. took the other side.
Our party rode out for 13 miles in
motor trucks and then started to
march back. The other party march
ed out OF meet us and the problem
then was to maneuver for position.
blank cartridges being used by both
jnfantry and artillery 1t was a great
considerable of strategy in the shift
ing about for position, as well as in
the use of flank guards while the
fight is in progress.
4 I am pleased to state that while
the general health of the camp is good
and few have been sick, yet we. like
other companies, have had some sick
ness, due to weather conditions and
er. On the other hand, the winters
here are far more mild than in Colo
RADIO. 1t is the extreme heat of the
day and the freezing temperatuer at
ulSHl lHdI CduStu U1oSl VI Tie lIOuDlt
Sergeant Frederick w. Mccarthy and
Corporal Earl McMichael are both in
the base hospital at this writing, al
though the latter is now almost re-
covered. Privates Glenn Swan and
Herbert Hustled have also had their
turn in the hospital, but both are back
again with the company and doing
duty.
During the Christmas season was
the happy recipient of many personal
remembrances from friends. Cakes,
cigars. cards and other things were
sent to me personally, and I take this
opportunity of extending my appre
ciation of these tokens of friendship
and esteem.
There is as yet no indications of
any immediate return home, or even
an order to get ready for it. On the
contrary. there are indications that
we are here for some time. The fact
OF walling and flooring the tents. and
the further fact that the War Depart
ment has asked Congress for an ap-
preparation sufficient to maintain the
National Guard at the border until
June 80 next, would suggest that. un-
less something not now contemplated
happens. we may be kept here until
that time, perhaps longer.
One thing may cause us to be sent
home before June. and that is, provid-
ed General Pershing's expedition :.
withdrawn from Mexico. If that is
done there will no longer be any use
for keeping the guard at the border
In fact. that is the way we look at it.
The men are not complaining by any
means. They consider their presence
here a duty and they are serving cheer
fully. They are healthier and more
rugged than when they began service
There are very few who are not
heavier by reason of the training they
have received. The men of f. Com
pany are well behaved and l have not
had a man in the guard house for
months. Those who have been in are
strangers to Delta, with two excep-
tions.. ! would not exchange COM
panies with any other commander in
camp.
The character that E. Company has
won and their standing in the camp,
induces the battalion commanders to
draw upon them for special and extra
duty, fact complimentary in itself
and flattering to the company
The regimental commander knows
that a duty assigned will be done
right, and ii speaks well for all the
men in the company. While | was
writing this letter an order was issued
designating one man from my COM
pany to attend special course of in
struction in machine gunnery, a com
plimentary fact. for he was selected
out of the whole battalion and is the
only enlisted man in it given this de-
sirable privilege.
In behalf OF L. Company, wish to
thank the noble women of the Relief
Corps for their work in soliciting con.
tributions to the Christmas boxes for
the men Of my command. l wish to
thank all those who so generously
contributed thereto. These reminders
brought cheer to the hearts of the
men who, performing grim duty at
the nations behest, are denied the
comforts Of home, the joys of the fam.
lily circle, the happiness of personal
friendships and ties, and l feel that