Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-08-07
A REPORT FROM OUR BIGGEST SOLDIER
CONTINGENT


IBy Oscar P. Grimsby. 1sth Co., Isl Depot
Brigade Camp Grant, July ISL
Editor BIunson the Vernon County boys
s-e anxious TO send home general news let
ter 20 their friends and relatives. and nave
asked Tse 10 do Il for tksm. We were 4 lively
bunch Who 7eft gireuua last Wednesday. In
fact Of the officers told Us tnat we were
one OF the most Intelligent and jolly groups
which he had ever net IN spite q me rslher
gloomy DAY. As ! was waiting Tor the tram
10 cut. my mtnc wandered bacE t"o
years, whea in june of 1915, the NlroQna boys
of the Headquarters Company marcned tafeHSh
the rain TO the depot at the cali OF the Presi-
,tnt 70 settle the Mexican trouble. Hiany OF
those boys are now IN France engaged IN
real fight.
We wish 10 thank the people of VirOqua ard
the surrounding community who made our stay
in the city as pleasant and agreeable as could
be wished. On the train We enjoyed pleas
ant smokes al the expense OF U. e. Munson,
for which we extend special thanks. We had
reason 10 be cheerful after receiving such an
enthusiastic farewell by the largest assembly
Of friends and relatives ever gathered TO WIT
mess the deuarture of a quota Of soldiers for
the national army. Westby, az usual, had
large patriotic crowd al the depot. An were
gathered around a heaping bonfire as our
TAIN came to 4 halt. Upon ingulrIng into
the object Of the ceremony, we were told that
the High school building had been raided and
relieved of about 100 German books. These
were given to the flames as the train approach
cd Al Sparta, two dining cars we're switched
onto cur troop train. Here also the l5j draft
ed men from Monroe county boarded our troop
train. A. Portage, Juneau county added an
ether quota OF about 100 men, making tho
troop train complete.
The two meals which were served to US in
tho dining car will be remembered by most
of us for some time 70 come, not because OF
their delciousntss bat for their after effects.
Before Camp Grant was reached many OF tAe
fellows were feeling pretty sick. BY the time
we had merched the one and one-hah miles
TO our barracks carrying our suitcases, We
were perfectly satisfied to lean over into the
sewer and give up the two meals, The fol-
lowing day, the battalion surgeon came over
and gave each a measure Of salts. Since then
no complaint of sickness has been heard.
The physical examination dCpleated oar ranks
considerably. Twenty men OF the 80 ''ere
sent horne yesterday on account Of their phys
icai condition. Harry TuilOch OF Genoa was
one OF the unfortunates, being over weight,
But Harry is not gutter. After an inter
view with the Colonel, he was permitted 10
stay We find the meals fairly regular here
except when cheated out of them. We cali
them MESS-and il certainly Is true, for when
we get all the grub one tin plate II IS a
big mess Most of the fellows think it is no
disgrace to be poor in the army. Money only
comes handy when visiting.
We will be under quarantine for two weeks
after which many will be transferred TO other
organizations. Greetings TO all at home from
happy and cOntented bunch. Send me the
Censor for year.