The Oskaloosa herald., 1918-08-01
LETTER FROM WEST
BEN GOULD is WITH THE REGu.
LARS IN CALIFORNIA.

BEN GOULD is WITH The REGU-
LARS IN CALIFORNIA.
Here is the first letter from Camp
Fremont, California by an Oskaloosa
boy, Ben Gould, son of Mr.. and Mrs.
Morris Gould, born and raised in Oska-
loosa and well known here. He is a
brother of Mrs. Phil Gould to whom
he has written. Ben was I'm Chicago
where his parents now reside and was
ATTENDING the Chicago University when
he ented the service. He was sent to
Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. and
thence to Palo Alto Camp as the
/ letter states.
Camp Fremont, Calf
May 1S, 1918
Dear Folks: Received your vel
come letter today and glad to hear
! from you.
AS to feeling like a veteran, there
is lot to learn yet before feeling
that way.
Was only at the Barracks until Sat.
urday, May 4, 1918. Left there about
1900 p. m. and arrived here Wednes-
day. May 8, 1918 about 600 p. M.
Some trip. Worst part of 1t was about
two and one-half days crossing Ari-
iona, Texas and California desert
,Our route was on Missouri Pacific to
Kansas City where we arrived about
200 a. m. Then on the Santa Fe to
Stockton, California and from there
TO Camp on Southern Pacific. Seemed
to avoid all large cities by detouring
them. First section of train had over
500 men and second like number
Camp located about 80 miles from
Frisco, one mile from Palo Alto and
Menlo Park and four miles from
ocean.
Mountains visible all around. Very
warm days and sun is very bright ac-
fcount of clear air-very seldom and
lclouds visible after about 1000 o.
clock a. m. Can look over the clouds
in the morning and see the mountain
tops.
The nights are always cold and have
la h of time keeping warm, while
about HOO to 800 in the afternoon
we roast Getting sunburned already
Il Placed in 18th Infantry of 8th Div
ision of Regular Army, not National
All the other draft men will be en-
vious of us because We will be wearing
the button with U. S. on instead OF A.
A. The other fellows in the Company
recently returned from four years Phil.
lipines Service and before that served
in China.
They treat us fine and so do the of.
ficers. Our First Lieutenant is n. A.
man. The older fellows mix with us in
our tents at night and give us good
pointers, also get into our games, &C
Regular Fellows!
Each Company has its own mess
hall and We have some cook Good
food. For instance we get such things
as good pie, strawberries and cream,
ice cream, fresh fruit, cake, oatmeal,
good butter, canned sliced peaches,
apricots, mountain fish. fried liver cut
let's and lot Of other good things.
Believe me We are better fed than
National Army men. All we can eat.
Had lemonade for dinner today.
Our tents have wooden floors and
electric lights. Bath house has hot and
cold showers. each Company having
its own bath house and other facili-
ties. Sixteen Companies altogether in
the 18th Infantry. The Sth Infantry is
also located here. About $4,000 men
e rhenow and room for $4,000. Camp
covers an area OF 10000 acres, taking
in part of the mountain.
The drilling had at the University
helps some but of course we all have
to be held back some on account of
those who are slower in picking up
the work. Next week the Awkard
Squad begins, also intermediates
AS to becoming corporal. don't
think there Is as much chance as in
the National Army on account of so
many of the older fellows here whom
they can put in.
Haven't seen any of the University
boys yet. but may run across them il
there are any out here, after we are
out of quarantine, which will be in
few days. . ..
Could keen writing all night IL I
kept up, so will close with best re-
CARDS. Yours
Ben Gould, Co. A. 18th Inf
Tarnn CoIffnr,fr