Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-10-10
Letter From Thomas VanMetre.
Third Casual Co,
Engrs. Repl. Troops
Camp Upton, N. T.,

Third Casual Co,
Engrs Rcpl Troops
Camp Upton, N. T.,
Sept. 20, 1918.
Dear Mr.. Snyder do not like 10
make so much trouble, but cannot do
without the Register, and will have TO
get you change my address again. Some
time ago was surprised to see one OF
my letters in the Register. That letter
was written just before taps, was in
hurry and expected but one person TO
see il. However, you were welcome 10
print il and could have had the liberty
TO make plenty Of corrections.
am now at my fourth camp, and have
been transferred TO six different COM
panies during that time. Until last
week | had only missed one copy OF
the Register, but ii now appears as ~
am 10 lose two more copies. SO FAR
most Of my work has been special duty
and have been sent here as a clerical
worker.
lust a few words about the southern
camp. and then will try TO say some
thing about the largest city in the world
and a camp near by. On September
10th, exactly ffty.fve years from the
time the battle OF Chickamauga was
fought, had the pleasure OF hearing
speaker, who told some very interesting
things about il. There was a we'll
known general courtmartialed for at
tending a chicken dinner, al nearby
farmhouse instead OF doing his share
OF the fighting. General Forrest, a
southern cavalry leader, resigned bee
cause General Bragg would not let him
follow the enemy after a great battle
had been won. I could never believe
that such great battles ever took place
in Tennessee and Georgia until actual
" saw the old battlefelds.
II seems 10 me that IL would be hard
TO find more beautiful scenery than that
OF Lookout Mountain. From Point
Lookout where the battle above the
clouds was fought November 24,lS03,
seven different States can be seen
Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Norm
Carolina. South Carolina Tennessee and
Virginia. Point Lookout is reached bya
wonderful incline. Between the cities
OF Chattanooga and Chickamauga are
three army camps-oglethorpe, Green
leaf and Forrest. There Is also Ger
man prison camp on the park near camp
Creenleat
We left Camp Forrest, Lytle, Ga, ten
O'Clock September ed, taking the most
direct route to New York City.At Jersey
CITY We took steamer and sailed down
he river with New York City on one
side and Brooklyn on the other. From
Jersey City can be seen many wonder
fui things that we all have heard 90
much about Among them being the
Woolwc1;h building, Singer building,
Municipal building, Broadway, Brooklyn
bridge and the Statue Of Liberty. After
leaving the steamer We still had about
sixty miles more TO travel before we ar
rived at Camp Upton, September 24th
at go .. m.
The Red Cross met Us everywhere
during the day and always had some
thing good for US to eat. The men north
OF Baltimore have habit OF blowing the
whistles in railroad yards and factories
as the troop trains pass. Camp Upton 10
very good camp, located about the
center OF Long Island. II is somewhat
like Camp Meade, although ! like 1t
much better. The buildings are large
enough for whole company. The Sec
ond floor furnishes sleeping quarters
for over a hundred men. The hrst hoor
is divided into a kitchen, dining-room
and a sleeping room for the remainder
Of the men
We do not expect 10 stay here very
long. As soon as we get our oversee
equipment we will most likely 60 TO the
nearest place OF embarkation.
Very respectfully.
THOMAS n. VANmETRE.