Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1918-09-10
LETTER FROM THE RICHMOND
TRAINING CAMP.

Mr.. J. F. Mason has received the
following letter from Private Edgar
F. Jacobs at the Richmond Training
Camp:
Mr.. ] F. Mason,
Dear Sir:-I am writing you to let
you know how / am getting along. |
like it fine here, it is fine place. Tell
James if he has to go any where to
make a dive for this place. This is
considered the best place in the service
and they sure have the best set OF
officers in the United States. They
have been kind to US, but firm. L
have not been balled out yet but don't
know how soon it will happen, | don't
think at all, for any man with COM
mon horse sense can understand or
ders if he keeps his head and don't get
excited. | also have the best kind of
a man for an instructor and there is no
sickness in the whole bunch.
We are going to have chicken for
dinner today. They have $50 pounds
to feed US on. One OF the cooks said
they worked all night last night get
ting them ready and was not done at
z o'clock this morning. We get extra
good grub here, good sleeping quarters
and everything is fine here but the
water, and it is good but very warm.
had my second shot of incubation
yesterday and am still going but | am
sore where they inserted it, and my
vaccination is awful sore, so | could
only lay on one side last night, and
have a cold and my bones ached 80
| could hardly sleep, but | am feeling
much better. | have come from Sun
day School in the Y. M c. A. as we are
not allowed to leave the grounds yet.
| tell you the Y. M. C. A. and the Red
Cross are doing wonderful work. A
person not Connected with the army
can't imagine how much, and both
causes are deserving all that anyone
can do for them for they are both
helping, God only knows how much, to
the salvation of souls. lam trying to
keep straight and help some one else.
| had one boy to promise he would not
swear another oath from that day on,
and | have seen him very frequently
with his testament several times since
and that is only one instance. | am
Ifndingnew friends each day and | am
| finding out those who are christians
too, as it is not hard to distinguish
them from the rest. | am footing a
bugle now, and one of the boys in the
buglers squad is a christian and
a mighty fine boy, so you
see | am among friends and l don't
have time to get home-sick. There are
lots Of real nice pretty girls down here
in the Y NJ. G A and they are not the
bad kind either, they are people right
out of the churchas of Richmond. The
manager of the Y. M. C. A. told me
the other night that lot of folks were
only waiting until we are allowed to
leave the grounds and they are coming
out here in automobiles and take US
down to church in Richmond and then
home to dinner with them, and won't
that be fine? | told the manager to
be sure and put me down as a single
man and see that | got to the right
place. The manager of the Y. NJ. G. A.
went away the other day and turned
everything over to me until he came
back in about two hours. People come
to me and hand me their money to
keep for them while they go for a
bath. They must think have an hon
est streak about me somewhere.
want you to know | am doing my best
to make good down here and am go
ing to do it too with the help Of a
higher power than mine. Give my
regards to the boys, | often think of
you all, and remember me to all of my
friends. Write to me when you have
time. l hope all are we'll and hope
Henry's foot is better.I must stop now
and don't all of you forget me down
here, for want to hear from some
one every day. | want to try and get
home next Saturday evening if l can
get away, but am not depending too
much on it for fear | may be disap-
ointed. l will say solong for this time
Respectfully,
| (Private) EDGAR F. JACOBS,
Company A, Richmond Training
School, State Fair Grounds, Rich
|