Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-01-24
Letter From Sergeant Snyder.
San Antonio. Texas,
Ioouoru II 1Q14


have been awfully busy, going day and
night, getting the line in shape to be
moved. We are more than likely leav-
ing today or Friday for Augusta, Geor-
gia, where there is another large train
ing camp. Just what We are going to
do is very vague, so can't give any in
formation. We are all more or less en-
Unused over the idea Of leaving here for
any place else. None OF the men seem
to like it here, but | like it, maybe be-
cause am fixed up little more COM
fortably than the rest Of them.
Last Friday was the warmest day we
have had since we have been here. The
sun was hot and the thermometer got up
10 about IS, and we almost actually SUI
fered from the heat. Have told you
about the soil here? Well, it is fine
sand. and whenever there is much walk
ing the dust gets to be a couple OF inches
thick, and a smart breeze stirs up con-
siderable of cloud, which is not at all
agreeable.
Last Friday was as fine day as we
could hope for, and we were all pattlng
ourselves on the back that the fuel
shortage had no terrors for US. About
four o'clock bought an evening paper,
and the weather man said that we were
due for "norther" some time during
the night. Well, it was pretty hard to
believe, with all the warm weather we
had been having. Nevertheless, as
matter of precaution, got the men out
and We went over every tent, Tightening
up the ropes and resetting loose stakes
and getting everything ready for what
ever might come. The men were con-
Siderably amused at having to tighten
up tents when there wasn't even a
breeze, and believe our line was the
only one in the vicinity that did any pre-
pairing against the uncertainty OF a
weather report. About six o'clock |
noticed in the northern sky peculiar
yellow cloud, which kept rising rapidly,
and il looked as though there would be
something doing in very short time.
passed the word along the line for the
men to set themselves, and in a very
short time the storm broke with roar
that was appalling. The wind whipped
up swirling clouds of sand and it was
impossible to breathe without hand
kerchief over your face, and in second
it became as black as night. For over
two hours the wind swept over the camp
and everything was confusion and tur-
moil. We kept our men out and kept
all OF our tents standing. The men all
worked cheerfully for once since they
were in the army. About nine o'clock
il began to rain and called the men off
the work, and they scurried into their
tents in hurry. We were then treated
to a regular Texas thunderstorm, and
for perhaps an hour the lightning fash
ed wildly and the thunder rolled con-
tinuously. Then the rain turned to hail
and sleet and soon the tents were groan-
ing under the burden of ice. The tenn
perature by ten o'clock was down to
about twenty-a drop of about IS de-
grees in less than five hours. Then it
started to snow. On account Of the
high wind We could not have fires, so |
went to bed and went to sleep. When !
woke up it was broad daylight, some
thing unusual, for we always get up at
$50, and it doesn't get light until near
ly seven. looked at my watch and it
stood 7.30. | hustled into my clothes
and stuck my head out OF the tent, and
was never more amazed in my life, for
there was over an inch Of snow on the
ground. Some few bare places showed
up where the wind had swept it away,
but the snow was there-and only the
day before We had been complaining
about the heat. started down the line
and got the men up and soon the cooks
had fires going in the kitchen.
We had not single tent down in our
line, and were lucky. The line in front
of US had eight tents fiat, the line be-
hind US had seven down, and all over
the field it was the same. About $50
Lieutenant Lefferts came out to the line
and was very agreeably surprised that
we were in such good shape. We had
breakfast about $50. Ii was still very
cold, but after the sun got up pretty
we'll the snow began to melt and we
stopped around all day. understand
that one or two men froze to death, but
il was hardly cold enough for that, I'M
less they were sick from some other
cause.
Since wrote you last We have had
nothing particularly exciting going on,
and We have been moving along |
smoothly, and it certainly is fine since
We have gotten things organized. Now
comes the order to be ready at any
minute to leave for Georgia. | think
We are going to Augusta, but am not |
sure. | will let you know as soon as
ind out definitely what we are going to
10. Just now we are to 60 out for
irill. Will finish later.
Just got back from a drill Of two
hours, and am feeling just little tired.
The drill included calisthenics and
squad movements. Must get ready for
ness now. got Rachel's two letters,
'ne from Jack and the Registers and
etter from dad. bought sweater,
mood to cover head and neck, a suitcase
and number OF smaller items that are
to comfort. | buy myself
good square meal whenever get to San
which is about three times a
week. Our food is fairly good, but
there is so much sameness about it that
you can hardly eat It unless you get
good in between once in a
while.
Word just came that we are going to
Augusta, Georgia, on Friday. Love to
all the folks.
Lovingly,
BILL.
Real Estate Transfers.
r. E. Boyd to James E. Willing
ham, a house and lot at Summit