The courier-index., 1918-07-19
From A. c. Samuel

From A. c. Samuel
 A. G. Samuel, who wrote from Fort Myer under date of June IT. has since arrived in France. His letter follows:
 am very slow about answering your letter. Not that it was not ap- preciated. for it certainly was, but because I am afraid my letters might break up the prayer meetings if they come too often It does not take much to cut the attendance down on Wednesday nights.
 have gotten quite bit of army experience since I wrote before. and I can say that like it much better. I feel more like soldier every day. have gotten to where I can do the hiking and keep up with the Yankee boys without any trouble. weigh 16O pounds. which is much more than I have ever weighed be- fore If I keep on gaining I will be in the heavy weight class.
 I was on guard duty one night last week down at the Union station in Washington. We were guarding some government stuff. It was more like a night off duty. for I was on duty two hours and off four. and the time I was off I could go where l pleased. Union station covers more ground than the capitol building.
 was on guard here at the fort Friday and Saturday and the fellows we relieved let a prisoner escape Friday morning, so we got plenty of instructions as to our duties. The poor fellow that let his prisoner get away was pat in the guard house and we had him to work Saturday. If ever anyone tries to run off from me l am going to try my Springfield on him. for that is our duty. and fellow gets in bad as quick for neg Iect of duty as for anything else. don't want my address changed to the guard house.
 The commander of the post had 1,0O0 of us out hunting the escaped prisoner Friday. but we never found him. l got in some jungle in three miles of Washington that beats any I have ever seen in Arkansas.
 We had a sham battle this morning but about all did was to run. Our side lost the decision.
 We have been ready to leave for the past ten days. I don't know why we are not moving l have signed up my safe arrival card and have gotten my helmet The helmets are water proof but I will not say they are bullet proof I am afraid mine will wear corns on my head.
 We had two show down inspections that is, we have taken all our stuff out on the field and had 1t checked up to see if we had it all.
 I saw President Wilson and wife at Arlington cemetery, Decoration day. He did not speak. Senator Cur tis of Kansas was the orator of the day
 have been through the capitol building and stood in the Halls of Fame. but only for few minutes.
 Gen. March. chief of staff. lives in Fort Myer There are large mum Der of officers homes in this place. It is not a large post, for 1t was built for peace time. reckon there are $500 soldiers here. and at least a third of them are in tents.
 Some that were ready to criticise Secretary Baker last winter for being too small for his job will have to change over, for we can now seq what he is building on the foundation he laid
 It certainly looks like we mean business around here. think it will be 1920 before we finish our job, but there is no doubt in my mind that we will finish 1t. and convince the Huns that America can put up real scrap don't believe that this bunch would fear round with the Germans. This training puts nerve in a fellow We might run, but l don't think we will
 I enjoy the Bulletins and wish l could visit Marianna and be with you people before leave, but that cannot be done.
 We are all anxious to go over, but that does not keep a creeping feeling from coming on one when he realizes that his time in the | s. is drawing to a close It is the same feeling experienced when was ready 70 leave Marianna last March.
 From Eugene Hampton . IT. s. Convoy Station. Co. H. li4th