Newark post., 1918-11-27
LETTER FROM
MAJOR SHORT
Tells of Work at Camp Travis

Tells of Work at Camp Travis
The following letter, under date of
NOV. IA, was received recently from
Major Clarence A. Short, who is an
adJutant at Camp Travis, Texas:
MANY times have l thought of
writing to you but duties have called
SO strenuously that friendly letters
nave been almost impossible. Had l
known the magnitude and variedness
| OF the work in the office of a camp
adJutant l don't believe l should have
mad the nerve to attempt the PROPOSE
ton. However, now, that have got
ten pretty good grasp of the tradi-
tlons the rules and regulations issued
IN the past fourteen months, the loca-
ton of the several organizations, and
passing acquaintance with the per-
sonnel of the various Offices in camp,
work Is not only interesting, but a
pleasure. So much of the material
coming in is not only military but
humanity itself expressing its wants,
or better put it, its desires. Especial
ly is 1t true of the period the quaran-
tine was in effect; for parents with
pleadings for boys to be sent home
for fear they might get sick, were in
abundance and furnished some of the
simpler problems to solve. We are
proud of the influenza record in this
camp. During the period since Oc-
tober when the epidemic was of such
proportions as to require quarantine
restrictions we had 35,700 men in
camp and from post influenza pneu-
monia only 2O6 death. This is about
one-fourth the normal rate in camps
in the United States. Our highest
number for one day was 25. This low
record, I believe, was due to the we'll
planned preparation made to meet the
epidemic before it appeared in camp.
Barracks were designated to be vacat-
ed by regular troops and turned over
in order surgeons to take charge of
each temporary hospital thus estab-
lished, equipment and supplies for
each collected and the Tubercular
Board appointed to act in advisory
capacity to discover pneumonia pat
tents in the influenza wards.
was sorry to hear of its ravages
in Newark, but feel from low loss OF
life at the College that you have as
great cause as we for self-congratula,
tions. Last night l read with great
interest the report made to the trus,
tees regarding attendance at the col
leges this year. What do you hear Of
probable changes in the status of the
S. A. T. c. at our colleges?
On Monday we lifted the quaran
, tine at Travis, San Antonio, and the
surrounding camps. They simply wen
wild over the news of the armistic'
8. and of freedom. That night at leas
: $4,000 men from near San Antonio
were in the city celebrating, but IL
e spite of the fact that restrictions ol
e part of the police were virtually re
moved, there was no real disorder. Oh
e Tuesday morning, however, there wer
= no "wet" advocates left in San An
tonic, but every one was thankful TO
Y Texas being dry.
/. There seems to be no idea of JUS
what will be done in camps in tn
d future; but we are going ahead wit
4 the training just as if no armistlc
:. had been signed.
Two organizations are being rushe
o for overseas service, hospital an
c an ambulance company, and they seer
! to think they will see foreign service
miss classroom work very mucf
but feel that this life is making m
6 physically. l hardly know | have
bodv and have gained Is pounds sine
- coming to Travis.
!. l I trust this year will be one of tn
- best Delaware has ever known.
looks to me that Delaware College
y :, entering on a new era for army lie
u opening the eyes of men to the valu
u of an, education to such an extent ths
q generation must pass before respe'
II for higher education can pass fro1
~ their minds.
I. With kindest regards to you and tf
Us other of my friends at Old Delawar
st .m Sincerely,
CLARENCE A. SHORT