Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-01-10
Another Letter From the Junior.
San Antonio, Texas,
December 80, 1918.

San Antonio, Texas,
December 80, 1918.
Dearest Dad guess that you think
| must be either dead or in Jail, but not
so. This has been the busiest week
have ever spent in my life, and have
not had a minute to write home. ! am
still holding my place as top sergeant,
and have necessarily been on the move.
Unfortunately it falls OH me to attend
to practically all OF the business OF the
line. | am supposed to drill the men,
too. but have had so many other duties
TO look after The duties OF first ser
geant include any and everything that
has to be attended to. have the guard
roster to make out, the details to ap-
point, the roll call and attendance record
to keep, the sick record to take care OF,
the general discipline, to interview all
men before they are permitted to speak
TO Lieutenant Lefferts, and just about
everything that is done have to do or
see that it is done.
Nv duties start at $50 a. m. and from
then until 1890 p. n. ! scarcely have
minute OF my own, and when that time
comes take off my shoes, leggings and
coat and tumble upon my cot. | never
have any trouble in sleeping. II is al
WAYS so late when get through that I
lust can't write. After we get little
better organized will have more time.
Friday afternoon Lieutenant Lefferts
let me off to go to town and get my mail.
| got twelve letters and the Christmas
package from home and one from the
Red Cross. II ever anything was well
come they were, for aside from the Reg
lister and letters in Columbus they were
the first | had received for some time.
AS soon as get time will write TO the
Red Cross and thank them. The KIT
YOU sent me was just what | need ana
has been in constant use. The candy
from Louise Anna, Lawrence, Rose and
Mandy was also just what | needed, and
while am trying to save it am always
at it. The Tuxedo was also in line. |
have bought myself corncob pipe and
am getting to be regular soldier. The
powder from Rachel was also boon,
and am using it copiously. The wash
rag from Aunt Lula was also a great
need and is even now hanging up to
dry.
Just at this point had to leave and
get a detail of ten men to 60 to brigade
headquarters for work. The details are
the things that take the work. | have
to be careful that the men get an equal
amount of work, which means that |
have to know just what each man has
done since he has been here. That is
my hardest job and takes lot OF work.
The different details include guard de-
tail, IL men; kitchen detail, 10 men;
police detail cleaning up street,, 3
men; sanitary detail, 2 men; carpenter
detail, men; and detail to headquar-
tiers of from 20 to 40 men as needed. !
have to keep an accurate record so that
know what the men are doing.
Just word about the camp. Kelly
Field is about mile wide and four or
five miles long. In the centre OF the
camp are wooden barracks, where the
men who have been assigned to squad
rons live. Behind them are the aero
plane hangers and flying field. Aero
planes are so common that never even
look up any more. | counted eighteen
in sight at one time the other day. Then
to right, left and in front are row after
row of tents in which we enlisted men
are stationed. There are now 100 men
to a row. At first we had $50, but
on Tuesday they took so to another
line. That makes five to tent. ! sleep
alone in headquarters tent, and don't
like to be alone. But then | don't even
have to make up my own cot, for / have
an orderly always on the job who takes
care Of the minor details at headquar-
tiers. | think there are about 10000
men here in tents, so you can imagine
the crowded conditions.
Our chief trouble is keeping clean,
for the soil is very sandy and dusty, and
every little breeze stirs up cloud of
dust that Sits into the tents and every
thing is full of sand, particularly our
faces. have the worst time keeping
clean, but have to wash at odd times.
Keeping clean towels is out of the ques-
ton, and we have to 60 in details Of 20
to get baths. Our own bath-house is
building now and should be done some
time this week.
If my letter seems disconnected you
will have to overlook it, for am inter-
rupted about once minute by some one
who wants something. Today being
Sunday, twenty men were given passes
to San Antonio. The rest are either
working or on special duty-which
means working. No one quits work
for Sunday. There is so much to be
done and so much we can do that every
one is busy all the time. Christmas
day on our line we kept our men busy
all day, so that they had no time to get
homesick. Well, must close, as have
to get out my details before 5 o'clock
retreat. You can imagine my job;
whenever Lieutenant Leffert is away
am in charge, and he is here only about
half the time, since he has so many
other duties to perform. Give my love
to all the folks, and thanks a thousand
times for all the letters and the fine
presents. Will write as often as | can.
Send the Register to me hrst-class,
please; | want it, and we never have
gotten any second-class yet.
Lovingly,
pII