Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-10-18
Letter from Charlie ST. John.

S'''Hf'A OI1. u
| enclose herewith check to paw
my subscription to the Beacon. /
Away look forward to Monday
morning when lean get my home pa
pcrand see just what is taking place
back aronud the "IIome Fires" NV
mother forwarded me a letter from
Davis who has recently landed in
France and | noticed that his last
statement was as follows: "Sead
me the Beacon while / am in France"
He tells a pretty good story of his
trip across. For six days they did
not see the sunand sometimes the
transport would rock like a tomato
can as the great waves dashed over
deck, After the storm had passed
and the troops were allowed on deck
agaln,one big colored soldier who had
suffered from sea sickness a great
deal stepped up to the captain and
said, "Cap'n is dare anyway a niger
kin git back to de States after dis
war scusen by boat?" The CAPTAIN
smiling shook his head. The negro,
with a look Of mnch disappointment
and resolve, bowed his head and said
"Well, den goodbye Memphis Tenn"
! had hoped to be on the other side
ere this. We have no definite date
set as yet but the last Post Order
that reached us stated we would
leave not later than October 10Th.
We were scheduled to leave here for
Quantico, Va, some three weeks AFRO
but since there are so many cases of
Spanish Flu. in the army camps
everywhere, we have been held up by
%luaranteen. VIZ are fortunate. We
haven't a single case. Due to the
fact We are taking advanced train
ing here, drilling with gas, masks
throwing grenades, building trenches
intensive bayonet drill (if
such be possible here) and all man
Jycring is done with Heavy march
ing Order Packs. Long hikes are
frequently the order of the day and
The spirit Of the men is wonderful.
Very frequently, on these hikes, a
man will drop because of his failure
to keep training as the athletic ex-
preston goes but the ambulance is
right there ready and the boys 90
marching ON, singing and cheering
and blaming the Kaiser for the bis
,ers that sometimes develope.
Yesterday a wireless was received
Post Hcadless stating that Germn-
lg had decided to accept American
.erms. This was a blue camp for a
inc. ltmay not be American for us
o want revenge, but there is going
o be an awful howl sent up from
lere if this body of Marines is not
rlven q pass at the Hun"
The Fourth Liberty Loan has been
ecelyed here with much enthusiam.
can safely say that ninety per cent.
II the men are taking bonds. The
government is making it convenient
or the men and taking the monthly
'ayments from the salary. Our ba-
'ayments from the salary. Our ba-
talon has the honor Of purchasing
he largest amount of any battalion
n Che Island. We also hold the BAN
ler for wal saving stamps. These
Wo banners, one now waving over
'ur quarters.
After thcLiberty Loan campaign
S overthere will be another cam
'aign which will be watched by the
nen in camps, especially. That is
he campaign to raise 500, 700, 900
or war workers use. | would not
e true to my co-workers in the un-
form If | failed to ask that Nox-
bee county support this campaign.
inc cannot realize the Importance Of
he Y. NJ. c. A., Knights of Columbus
eWlsh Relief Association and other
rganl2ations connected with the war
amp unless directly associated with
he camp. All of my men are will
gn to die for their country but a
many are not willing to live
or 1t. The soldier has more temta-
ions to withstand than any man on
arth today. Recently a young man
service was notified that he must
e discharged on account of his nhys-
condition. He protested and
RED to picture to the officials the
Embarrassment of facing loved ones
/ home. He was sent over the pro-
nded his life. Herewas a man will
ne to die for his country if allowed
0 remain in the service but unwilling
o i've for his country while in the
erVlce. These men must be re-
eemed and can be through the pow
,rtu! influence brought to bear by
he War Workers Association. 1t IS
ut OF the question to depend entirely
pom the chaplain. There are too
eW and ranking as officers, as they
o builds a barrier between them
nd the enlisted men. The Y. Nj. c..
\ receives the tale of woe as told
y the private and | do not believe
nat the people of America are so
undS that are essential to the use
HIneSs of this inter-denominational
Institution.
Frank Grace, formeralIy Of Macon
M Wallace Peterson of Brooksyiue
re ON the Island. Both are making
GOD. Wallace is standing bv ready
or a call a call to Boston to enter
larine Aviation service. Frank is
a my battalion and | see him fire.
uently. He has qualified as ex-
ert rltteman on the range and our
commander has intimated that he !
MI be detailed as Coach on the
ange.
| am, .
CHAS, j. ST. JOHN,
5Oith, CO., F. ,