Daily Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1918-191?, 1918-05-29
BEN WAKEFIELD WRITES
l69th Co. 18th Reg't, U. S. Naval
Training Station. Great Lakes, Ill,
May "a. 1918.
Dear Mr.. Meacham:

May "a, 1918.
Dear Mr.. Meaeham:
You asked me to let you hear from
me and l will try and explain In de-
tail just what has occurred since ]
left Louisville.
We were all assigned berths on the
Monon road and left at 9:i0 p. m.
and arrived in Chicago at 1880 n. m.
the following morning where we were
given a nice breakfast at the depot.
We were then transferred to the
Northwestern depot Here we found
quarters provided by the railroad for
all soldiers and sailors. All the sta
tionery, shower baths, etc, free. Al
so two pianos, one vietrola, three
pool tables and nice dance floor.
We left for Great Lakes Mt 1920
a. m. over the Northwestern road and
arrived at about ii:20 as II Is about
SO miles above Chicago and about Is
above camp Sheridan.
After arriving we were marched
in line with about lis ST. Louis
fellows that we met IN Chicago to a
place where we were compelled TO
open our baggage for inspection.
They took out all Of our cigarettes,
chewing gum. whisky, beer and fire
arms as well as all patent medicines.
We then were marched about one
mile 10 another camp where we left
our baggage and were marched in line
to chow Chats what they call every
meaD You pass five big boxes the
LIST spoons, End forks. Ord knives,
9TH cups and 9th pans with tops on
them. And believe me you had bet
ter get all Of them too IL you don't
want to get a good jerking up. For
these northern fellows sure know how
to do IL. In your pan you get for
breakfast cat meal or corn mush and
y grape fruit every morning. For
dinner you get beef OF sausage, pota-
toes or corn. eggs boiled or fried and
pie or apple butter. For supper saus-
age or beef, rice or mush. fried or
boiled eggs, pickles and apples or
oranges. Plenty of bread, coffee,
tea and cocoa at every meal.
Going back to where we left our
baggage we found that they had been
inspected rs they are very particu-
lar that you do not have any cigar
cites, chewing gum or whisky while
you are in detention which lasts from
IL to 81 days while you are being
"shot" for every imaginable disease.
You are allowed TO use pipes and
smoking tobacco and only safety
matches. SO the fellows who had
pipes. smoking tobacco and safety
matches are the most popular fellows
In the company.
We were then marched in columns
Of two through long barraek where
they took up our Identification cards
and gave us a slip with clothing list
and pay slip. The next fellow gave
US a pay number. the next a card 70
notify your parents Of your address
and the last church card TO tell what
denomination you belong TO, SO that
the different ehaplains may call on
you.
The next fellow takes up your
church card and gives you some In
structions.
You are then marched over q
where you get your clothes and they
make you take OF all Of your civilian
clothes and roll up In a neat bundle
You are then given a mattress and
cover. The instructor then tells you
10 call the size Of your shoe. whether
narrow. broad or medium. No one
had better call for larger shoe than
he wears for they all are larger and
Il Is easier 10 change a pair too
small than II Is too large. Then
they Judge you from then on a. YOU