The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1918-07-18
ANXIOUS TO GET ACROSS
UNCLE SAM FEEDS AND CARES
FOR HIS SOLDIER BOYS IN
SPLENDID SHAPE.

Dear Mr.. Wallace:
I believe I promised you that I
would drop line when I had time,
as it is raining today will write just
a few lines in greeting and perhaps
say a few words that will be interest
ing, although I suppose you are get
ting many letters from the army and
have heard all the things that I
could tell.
was at Jefferson Barracks, Mo-,
just two weeks and ] met men from
almost every state in the union, men
from all classes and walks of lii
Some men are as old as 45 and others,
16. Of course they look over 16 and
under 45. Some are woodsmen and
they range from that to bankers. But
when they get into the army, no mat
ter what their position in civil lifc
they at once become soldiers of Uncle
Sam and are all equal. The conrad
ship is something fine especially at Ft.
Leavenworth, which is for signal corps
only, with the exception of few en-
gineers and medical corps men.
We drill from one to six hours per
day. Some days we get practice with
the flags or wig-wag. Other days it
is semaphore work which is very in
teresting and is easy to learn or at
least it was for me. The hardest
thing I have run up against so far, is
forgetting the old Morse code which !
haveyto do. It is hard after using that
code for so long.
I have been appointed corporal and
am given to understand that I stand
a good show for sergeantship if I am
not transferred to another company.
I think will be transferred soon, how
ever, as this company is composed of
all trades of the signal corps and /
want to get into a company Of tele-
graphers only, IL possibles
The eats here are sure fine. For
dinner today we had boiled beef, beef
with noodles (Which just struck the
spot) potatoes, pickles, also fEesh
cucumbers, iced tea, pudding and sew
eral other things. Meals are changed
every days, we hardly ever have the
same menu twice.
All the boys are full of pep and
want to get at the Germans. For in
stance, yesterday there was a cali for
all telegraphers to step out of line and
report OF the first sergeant's room.
About 20 made a rush for the room.
and when we arrived the orderly asked
all men who could take % words per
minute to hold up their hands. About
10 held up their hands and the balance
were dismissed. Then he said he could
only use four and asked who wanted
to go. Of course every one of us
wanted to go but they had to pick
them out at random and I did not get
a look in (being so small, I guess,
they couldn't see me.) Anyway I was
not particular about leaving here at
present as the instruction here is
worth great deal and one cannot get
too much of such important work.
The barracks I am in are about the
largest in the fort. A new battalion is
being formed here. We now have
about $50 men and our barracks hold
about $50 men for four campaines.
A soldier knows not where he will
be tomorrow, so / do not know when,
If at all, will be sent across the
pond, but if am sent there, Willard
and / will bring back something in the
way of a souvenir, If it is only a
German helmet, for the Herald office.
wish you would greet the Home
Guard for me and tell them / would
be glad to get line Of news from
any who would like to take the time
to write. would also like to send
geetings to the Star in the West No.
so, should you happen to be there. I
have met several of the boys here and
it seems like talking to the home
folks. With best wishes,
Clinton Fl. Child,
18th Service Co. Barracks 45a
Leavenworth, Kan.