Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-02-28
Letter From Sergeant Snyder.
February le, 1918

DCdlGSl DdG-llSlN w aAN 81 SAA-af
Merritt, New Jersey, some fifteen
miles from New York City. As |
wrote you, We left Augusta Sunday az
ternoon, arriving in Washington about
two O'Clock Monday afternoon. We
left Washington about 430, and at l.
30 We pulled out from Camden station
in Baltimore. | don't know what the
trouble was, but know that the delay
kept US from landing here in the mid
die of the night. We made fine time
from Augusta to Washington, but after
that We stood still most of the time.
We got TO Jersey City Tuesday about
noon. This camp is about fifteen
miles up the Hudson River from New
York.
We had a ra ther uneventful trip,
except for a little excitement last
night. Sunday night one OF the boys
had a pocketbook and some money
stolen, and the circumstances led us
TO suspect the porter Last night
when he was ready TO make up the
berths we set a trap for him, and so
help me. he fell right into it. We
nabbed him right on the jump, and
took him TO the captain, who formed
military court in short order. We had
the goods on him and he was turned
over TO the authorities in Philadelphia.
We had an exciting and interesting
time for a while, and the poor fellow
was scared to death. BY the way, We
had Pullmans on all the way, and be-
leve me, il was some relief 10 be able
TO 20 to bed in real bed with sheets
on it-being the first had seen since
| left home. The company clerk and
| had a stateroom, and we ran the
business of the company, which were
in four cars, from there, because Cap
tain Edwards was in charge OF all
three companies on the train and had
his hands full of other business.
One thing that want TO mention
is that the Red Cross of Washington
has the heartfelt thanks of the whole
regiment, for they supplied us with a
most delicious lot of sandwiches, cin-
namon buns and real coffee. 1t was
certainly appreciated by the whole
bunch. They saved our lives, for our
travel rations, corned beef, beans and
bread, were beginning to get a little
tiresome.
We got to Camp Merritt about l.3O
this afternoon, and unloaded in the
rain, which has been falling steadily
all day. had visions of damp, sog-
gy and cold tent and was beginning
to wish that | was back home, for the
rain gets my goat. The three compan-
les of us marched up a rather long
hill, and after about half mile march
on a good tarvia road we arrived at the
camp. Will wonders never cease Z!
All of us have double-lined wooden
barracks, two story, and accommodate
ing 33 men to each floor or 66 men to
a building. In the center of each room
is a big pipeless heater, and just out
side the door a nice, big bin Of hard
coal. Can you beat that ? All OF
the barracks are well-lighted and good
and warm and as comfortable as can
be, and it is certainly a pleasant re-
lief to have roof over your head and
a floor under your feet Then the
mess hall is fine, too. Instead OF the
usual more or less unhandy field
stoves there are three great big ranges
with a big boiler for hot water, which
means that cooking is going TO be
greatly facilitated and improved. And
the whole is as clean and tidy as any
thing vou ever saw. We had our sup
per there tonight, and we all felt the
change for the better, both in sur
roundings and food. Just now we are
beginning to get the real comforts, and
you can't imagine how much ii means
TO us. Here we are, warm, comfort
able and dry, and outside is the rain
and cold, and with one accord we are
thankful. But, wonder OF wonders,
best Of all, we have our own bath
house, with hot and cold showers and
all the modern conveniences. Now
this is the first time in my travels
that a bath-house with warm water
has been available, and that am go
ing to take advantage OF the opportu-
nifty goes without saying, and my next
move will be under the shower.
lust how much of a camp there is
don't know, for | haven't seen much
OF it as yet, but one big advantage
is that just around the corner is the
Y. M. C. A., and that means further
comfort, for when we want anything
we 20 to the Y. for il. The folks in
our community who contributed so lib
orally, would not regret their Offer
ing if they only knew what big part
is being played in the army by the
Y. NJ. C. A., and the least that | can
say is that if they are called on again,
to give twice as much as they gave
before All the money is put TO good
use. am reaping the benefit OF my
own home folks contribution, as is
every other boy from home.
Nothing has been said about fur
loughs and from the general talk |
don't believe that there are going to
be any. hope that ! can get a cou-
pie of days off anyhow, and il there
is any possible way to get it, ] am go
ing to do it, but it looks pretty doubt
full. II there are any given out, I'll
get one il have TO steal it. Well, |
must close, for want to take bath
(oh joy) before turn in. Love
all the folks.
Lovingly,
BILL.