Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-06-08
PIE. MATTHEW WHITE
WRITES PUPILS OF
ARMY EXPERIENCES


very interesting letter from Mat
thew White. Ottawa young man who
taught the eighth grade in Marseiles
but resigned and went TO war, has
been received by his former pupils
from Camp Gordon, Ga The letter
follows:
Eighth Grade Pupils.
My dear young friends;
1t is certainly with pleasure tina
am able to write to you as a United
States soldier or in other words
Sammy" We were all thoroughly
examined Yesterday and I was one
If the fortunate ones to be accepted
as fit to fight
When we boys left Ottawa on Mon
lay morning We surely got a real
send,On. II was appreciated az "A fine
token of patriotism. We left Illinois
Monday at midnight, carrying nearly
| Dne thousand soldiers To- be, and let
me assure you it was some merry
crowd OF fellows. The bridge over the
Ohio river at Cairo, Illinois. is one
and Onequarter miles long, and
he scene is beautiful The noun.
tain scenery in Kentucky, Tennessee
| and Alabama is wonderful II is ex-
actly as pictured in those old south.
ern plays such as Uncle Toms Cabin
! The most picturesque part OF the
'onth in regard to mountain seen
cry Is Tennessee, and ii surpasses
he Imagination Of us Northerners.
II you remember in your history work
many battles and skirmishes of i'm.
portance in the Civil war were fought
near Chattanooga. We passed thru
here and saw many historic relics
uch as Lookout mountain and the
National Soldiers Cemetery. and the
monuments marking the falling place
If many brave men in battle.
The Arrival at Camp.
Upon our arrival here at camp
Il was | o'clock in the morning and
We had to register; then We were
marched five miles to our barracks
suit cases and all Wasn't that a
good initiation? One clownish fellow
from Ottawa fell down from supposed
exhaustion and was taken to the base
hospital, but we met him the next
morning and he said that he never
AIRED very much about walking so
ne just naturally quit
| am not very well acquainted with
army life yet, but know enough about
u to tell You that only regret that
! didn't get in at the beginning Of the
war j Is mans work and there
are many hardships 70 endure, but
heSe are all offset by the many ad
gan'ages gained. A man is not only
serving his country, but is getting
untold good out of this intensive train
i ne, Obedience that is the watch
word Of the army. Everything is done
IN military way and when com
mands are given they have to be done
with a snap. I'll bet YOU are glad
that | didn't get this training before
met you or would be trying some
Of it on You, No danger as the arm,
and civil life are vastly different.
Tells Of Camp Life.
Conditions here at camp are ver,
/ good. The officers are courteous and
are striving To make this mode
camp and ! think they will succeed
when work time comes we work
nard' and when play time comes WE
certainly get good chance TO cnio,
+ ourselves. There are all kinds of attn
etc games and musical entertain
mentS every evening Some of Won
BOYS should he here for some Of these
ports they're great The food Civ
an us here would surprise YOU. Today
foF dinner we had roast beef. mash
ed potatoes. tomatoes, corn bread and
lemonade? That isn't bad. it is?
You cant imagine how much
MEASURE It gives me to wear this
"rlsf watch which is SO valuable to
soldier When | look at it | know
It was given with a feeling of love
ana remembrance. and that is the rea
'on look so often.
Kindly give my regards to NV
friends and all the teachers.
with best wishes remain,
MATTHEW WHITE.