The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1918-07-11
SOLDIERS LETTERS
Interesting Series of Letters From .
Cbgm of The Late Richard lee OF
Dorset.
On the Big Broad Ocean
May is.

Dear -------.
am going 10 Try TO make tins
record Of the daily events of me
aboard a transport
AS sit down on the desk TO write
this. / am surrounded By doughboys
who bother me with foolish questions
The weather Ia balmy cnd the band Is
playing. while 5000 soldiers are sing
ing. Il makes one feel glad that he Is
alive.
We left Newport News on the loih
of May, AZ l2 o'clock. About :, as we
were proceeding down the river, ZIP
we ran right on TO a sand bar. We nid
the same thing last trip. After we
had stayed on the bar till 4, twenty
tug boats pulled US Off. We Travelled
about an hour more when a heavy
fog settled down upon u.s. we couldn't
get any sleep all night for the log
horn blowing. The next morning
about S the fog lifoed, disclosing to
ones view III big bouadless ocean.
Nv, How the soldier boys did cheer;
TO the majority Of the boys II was
their first time on the ocean. we OF
the hospital corps arise at o. get
bathed, shaved, and trimmed up Tor
the day. At 7:l5 we have breakfast;
three quarters, and morning inspection
nv the head doctor. After inspection
we have physical exercises for about
20 minutes. Then we go in and settle
down to the days work. The first
thing is sick call: the time when any
one who is sick can come up to see the
doctor. After sick call we spend the
rest Of the morning getting the SICK
quarters spick and span. AT II O'Clock
the big morning inspection is held
dinner follows at IL After dinner we
have time to ourselves till about 2:3oi
al 2.3O we have TO 20 out on deck and
do boxing and wrestling and bag
punching. AT $50 we go down te
chow and after supper we have to our
selves up to Q o'clock; then taps are
sounded Life on board ship is th'
game monotonous round of events
We are in convoy of 119 ships-som'
large. some small. 1t sure does MAKE
pretty sight, and one which IS no
often seen.
Tuesday, May Il.
Another day, and it is beautiful; tn
sun is shining, and the air is balmy
For breakfast we had apples, oatmeal
sausage, potatoes, bread, butter an
coffee. After drill we cleaned up IN
sick quarters; the soldiers are all bus
taxing exercises. After big inspec
tion al II o'clock, wrote some let
ters and did some studying. FOR dln
ner we had roast beef, potatoes, kld
ney beans. bread. butter, taploca pud
ding coffee. After dinner ! did som
studying, and then vaccinated 4Zo sol
diers. Just before supper one OF Tn
ships lost man overheard, but he wa
rescued. After supper studied awhii'
and then sat out on deck talking VIII
tho soldiers. As it was so ti1e, five 9
MS bows decided to sleep out on dec'
so out we brought our cots and rlgge
them up. My, it was nice to be thei
and look up at the moon ana s'ar
while the music of the waves put n
to sleep. All was well TIL about
o'clock. when the ashes from the boll'
room are hoisted up and dumped owe
board. This time half the ashes wei
over us instead of into the wate
When we awoke is was to ma clhaeI
in our eyes and hair, and on our pl
lows, and in fact, everywhere "
soon moved indoors.
May %.
Awoke at 6, feeling fine, except f
the ashes. but a good bath and sha'
made me feel great. After breakfa
had morning inspection and drill, lh'
went down to the officers bake sh'
and had big piece of strawberI
shortcake with cream. MY. u q
taste good
The weather is much cooler and
very cloudy. For dinner we HI
ftankfurtcrs, sauerkrsut, bread, bu
ter. corn starch pudding, coffee. At
dinner loafed till o'clock, then spe
an hour boxing and wrestling. va
cinated nearly 500 soldiers before su
per :,
May %.
Tn at 6; the weather sure is col
feels like February day in New fo'
everyone is wearing his overcoat; h
a bum breakfast. This morning
saw whale and how those troops
cheer, After II o'clock inspection
wen, to see my friend in the Office
bake shop; he gave me piece
peach shortcake and cream Gee,
I'm hungry for a good old fashion
doughnut! After dinner ] yaecina'
s25 men. after which another fell
and myself had a party in the oper