Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1917-11-21
GRANT BAYMAN LETTER.

Jefferson Barracks, Nov. IL, 1917.
To the editor and my many Grant
county friends:
Yesterday afternoon our Sergeant
and Corporal took us from our quar-
antined quarters for a mile hike
to Cliff Cave the cave is IL miles from
ST. Louis and 31a miles from Jeffer-
son barracks. For short distance
we marched through a lot Of brush,
tall timber and entanglements of every
description, finally we struck the
asphalt road built by the government
walked about one mile and a half on
the Iron Mountain railway tracks
along the Mississippi river The cave
is back short distance from the
tracks in tall timber on reaching the
cave we walked in four abreast about
one-eigth of a mile, the entrance is
about 80 feet wide and 20 feet high,
in earlier days this is where Jesse
James made his headquarters. We
where all tired when we got there but
still more so when we returned from
the hike. The Mississippi river is
about three-QuarterS Of a mile wide
and on the opposite side there is a
sand bar One-quarter of a mile wide.
We were quarantined for dipther1a
on the 9th day of November. Just a
few minutes ago two Of the examining
doctors entered our barracks and eX
amined our thrOats. [ belong to the
Aviation section of the Signal corps
and the chances are good for advance
ment from a private as [ understand
that all those belonging to this branch
of service will be drilled a while here
in the country then sent to France.
| will be assigned to a camp in Texas
but as long as we are in quarantine
quarters are compelled to stay here
and make the best Of it. We have a
little liberty, at meal time we all
march out side and line up then we
march to the mess hall for our meals.
A special hall is held in reserve for
all companies that are Quarantined
Just across the way there is a COM
pany of negroes quarantined but they
haven't the liberty like we have as
all meals are brought to them inside
Of the building. We have very good
sleeping quarters with stove in each
room and each one has three wooden
blankets and a pillow. We were all
issued wooden uniforms but will not
receive them until assigned to our
camps throughout the United States
We are having beautiful weather, no
snow, the nights are cool, sometimes
fOggy in the morning but always warm
during the day.
The government has 5000 acres
that front on the Mississippi river
and most of the ground is covered with
timber all the roads are built with
crushed rock, wide cement walks, a
beautiful place, just like a real little
city.
The aviation section requires men
of nearly all trades and all those that
are active and easily trained will be
advanced. Now l haven't anything
to do but sit and lay around, eat and
sleep and take care Of myself and look
wise, but do hope it doesn't last very
long as we are anxious to get in &C
ton. The sooner the war is over the
better is will be for us and the whole
nation. Only hoping that God will be
with us during this war, freedom is
what we want our liberty and liberty
forever The United States or our
commanding officer will draft nine
million more men and now just word
to those who are subject to this draft.
All those who are physically able to
become fighting me1z had better turn
out now, [ say, and serve under our
flag, no matter if your father uphOldS
the German government makes no
difference the majority of you are
American born, then in order to de-
fend our constitution, our rights, free
dom and liberty, for goodness sake
and our sake turn out and volunteer
for service. Don't wait to be drafted
as all drafted men will be separated
from the volunteers and another thing
save lot of expense and trouble for
the government to through the draft
ing operations.
Now boys, l mean you let us all join
together and be one unit and serve our
country under our glorious old stars
and stripes which [ do hope will wave
forever and forever.
Will try and write another letter
some other day ON army life in camp.
| remain as ever,
Grant V. Bayman,
Co. %, Jefferson Barracks. |