Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1918-05-31
HARDENING SAMMlES
FOR WESTERN FRONT
Marion Wilkinson Writes From Camp
Fremont Describing Vigorous
Training Given Recruits
Camp Fremont, May 81, 1918.

Camp Fremont, May 81, 1918.
Dear Parents.--We are back from
our hike; got back yesterday morning.
We certainly had some test of phys
ical ability. Quite number "fell OUT
and there are some lame ones in camp
now My feet stood the racket very
well. We marched twelve and half
miles the first day in four hours, car
rying our packs and guns. think l
overestimated the weight little in
my previous letter, but they are heavy
enough. think they will weigh very
close TO fifty pounds. The second day
we marched sixteen miles and had al
imaginary battle over hills and fences,
adding about two or three miles TO
the sixteen mentioned above. This
skirmishing was mostly double time
or running, which is very vigorous"
exercise with fifty pounds on ones
back, and climbing hills, scaling fenc-
es and scrambling through brush. The
third day we marched six miles into
camp in one hour. The second days
march was done in about five hours.
Now | will tell you how | stood the
jaunt. The first day was quite sick
when got IN, and | had fever all
the way. / don't believe could have
gone another hundred yards; but we
were given more than half day to
rest in, and my fever burned out oy
the next morning, as did not feed 1T
any fuel for supper or breakfast. The
second day felt fine, and when it
came to the skirmish part got quite
in the notion of fighting Germans and
really enjoyed it. So when we reached
camp | think ] felt little fresher
and less fatigued than anyone in my
immediate vicinity; and our company
was by far the best preserved of the
regiment. All the other fellows from
Cedar City stood the trip fine and
could go as for us any. Our Captain
is sure a fine fellow. He treats his
men much better than the other com
panes' captains treat them.
When we reached Camp Fremont
we had a very busy time getting our
deserted quarters in shape again, and
we had quite a rigid inspection at
eleven o'clock At these inspections
we have to stand just as still as "Lot's
wife" did after looking back; and /
just want to tell those of you VINO
have not tried it that it is the hardest
work | know Of. One hours atter-
ton makes me as tired as four hours
of hard work.
Today is Sunday and am going to
rest and read when / finish writing
the letters | owe. | tel! you for a
fact that if | stay in the army very
long, may become a man yet
Yes, | got my pay, but was only
paid for two months and after having
insurance and other charges taken out
had only about forty dollars left
What did the bill amount to at the
store? If | cannot pay it all this time
| will finish next. When YOU write,
let me know just what owe and
will get it Strengthened up lust as
soon as possible. Then if ! meet a
Hun who is bigger and better than |
am, | will not leave any debts rrpaid.
No, | am not going to the None
COMMISSIONED Officers school now;
| don't know whether we are through
or not, but my chances are slim while
a certain lieutenant is connected with
our platoon. He seems TO have taken
dislike to me and takes the opportu-
nifty of demonstrating his dislike quite
frequently.
Well, it is "chow" time and | must
go and get it,"
With lots of love to all, | am as
ever, your son,
MARION WILKINSON