Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-04-17

Harold E. Nichols in
Headquarters Co. 12s Inf. N G. Camp HILL
gone an operation for tOnsilitis and is getting
along nicely. While at the hospital he wrote
his folks letter telling of his trip from
Waco. Texas TO Newport News, which is as
follows, dated March II.
Dear Folks Will | am here in the hos
pital, l will try and tell something about my
trip from Waco to Newport News. l left
Waco, the 3rd of January with 20 head of
officers horses. l was the only one from our
regiment. The train had about 500 horses
with IS men. These men were picked from
different regiments with officers horses the
same I. The train was made up of 10
stock cars, one baggage car used as cook
car. and one Pullman. We left Waco about
$50 in the evening. Then unloaded at
Texarkansas. About 10 next morning. fed
and watered, loaded and left about in the
evening. The next place we unloaded was
Louisville, Kentucky. We had IL hour lay
over and we were all let to go where We
pleased. except seven at a time for guard duty.
in luck, | was on the first relief from
Z to 9, then had the rest of the night of.
Now / tell you three of fellows all the
town could. 1t was not the city ! thought
IL was. We left there at seven O'Clock next
morning The next place we unloaded was
Hinton, West Virginia. This is a picturesque
place. 1t is q small town situated in the
foot hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Every
time you met anyone they had a smile and a
word for you. The only thing We didn't like
that only had two hours in that town.
We left there in the evening After leaving
Hinton we started through the mountains.
wish il could have been daylight. But as
it was. the moon was bright as day.. We
went through one Of the largest tunnels IN
Right up at the top of the mountains we
could feel the train II went over the top
The water runs both ways out of the tunnel
on ont side Of the train looked straight
up, the other straight down; and once in a
while we could see a small mining town way
below us. We stayed up till two o'clock in the
Nhar. hner tn raf sVen thn Ennf
hills again. We got into Richmond about
eight o'clock next morning and the arilr0ads
were all blocked SO couldn't get out of
there till eight in the evening. We got into
Newport News at twelve that night We
the road seven days and seven nights /;
some trip.
has of the largest dry docks in the United
States. l would like to tell you lot about
the ship building but don't think it best
There are some great historical places around
here. One place in Hampton Road. where
the Merrimac and Monitor had that big bat
tie; also different places where some Of the
Sunday a few weeks ago, ! went out TO Cape
Henry and also Virginia beach; it was quite
trip. l left here at 1 AS in the afternoon
large steamer for NOrwalk, about one
hour ride up Chesapeake Bay, and
Hampton Roads then from Norwalk took
street car out. Virginia beach is a big sum
mer resort. Cape Henry Is right on point
where the waves do come in wild and high.
They sure came in wild that day. Got back TO
camp about IL D. m. 1t seems funny TO walk
about FIVE or six rods and get all the fresh
oysters you care for. The other day six of
us went out when the tide was out and got
two grain sacks full. When we got them
cleaned we had about eight quarts of nice
big fresh oysters. There were only Is Of US
for supper, and believe me, had SOM
feed.
l don't like TO say much about this camp
because they say the mail is watched pretty
close. But will say in fine barracks.
The camp itself lies the bank of Chesapeake
Bay. We a great many sea-gong vesse els.
/ am the only fellow here far from " acO
but I expect some more from my company.
but havn't heard from any for a long lime
received a letter to-day from Hazel; she
said Jack Owen had landed safe in France,
so l suppose the rest of the fellows with
him. II il hadn't been for my throat | would
have landed in France about the 10th of
February. because that's the time the ones
came here with landed. But in two or three
days are going TO take my tonsils out, then
hope 1 get through with having quinsy.
We get fine here in the hospital; some
people came up from Newport News mad
brought fruit. An old lady sent flowers.
have big full on my table. All we
have to is suit of pajsmas and bath
robe. but believe you have to keep clean.
must close; I have written long letter
for But il you hear of any one wishing
TO write TO a soldier in the hospital tell them
to write.