The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-06-08
SERVICE AT SEA.
Letter From Edward Dick Who Left
College Year Ago to Enter The
Navy.


was momber OF the senior class at
Clinton when the United States enter
ed the war. Three days after the
declaration OF war ne enlisted IN the
navy. without waiting for commence
ment. but received his diploma. Since
that time he has been i'm active SER
vice. His paternal grandfather. the
late DIR. w. II. Dick, served with the
Confederate army throughout the war
between the States and his maternal
grandfather. the late Col. j. ID.
Handing, served i'm the Mexican war
as lieutenant I'm Company a. Palmetto
Regiment and i'm Confederate army
was Colonel OF the 9th S. c. Regiment.
The following letter from Mr.. Dick
To his mother Is most interesting. Civ
ing an intimate personal view OF the
life and service OF our young men in
the navy:
My Dear Mother:
Well. well. another successful voy-
though We are now only several miles
out from New York. / will not say
completed. for the fact that there's
many slip twixt the cup and the lip
has been impressed upon me so
strongly on this our recent trip across
that fear. or more properly. knowl-
a nf al
fSrbids the use OF the word complet-
ed yet n while. We. however hope
TO dock late this afternoon or early to-
morrow n. IN. When you get this you
will have learned OF my return from
telegram I expect to send you on
our arrival I'm New York. This will
give you in detail as far as possible
an account OF our second voyage
across the Atlantic. But before going
into my diary n few preliminary re-
marks are necessary. AS you well
know. l was never n liker OF wide
or lengthy corespondence-in short. n
man OF ew words and my present
life. as you may imagine. is not the
best for breaking me OF this fault of
mine. However. l kept notes on the
voyage. and with the aid OF these
hope to make this letter interesting
Tor you at least. Let me drop a
word OF caution right here while ]
think OF IL. IL is probably unneces-
sary. but still j am getting used to
always being on the safe side i'm ref
erence to taking n chance" II you
have noticed. / never mention the
name OF our ship i'm giving any Incl
dents In regard to IL and IL you repeat
any such incidents would advise
YOU To use the same precaution (of
course. | mean this for outsiders who
might thoughtlessly spread tie infor-
nation To dangerous persons). !
don't believe. though. that what
send you will ever have enough value
attached to endanger u.s.
Mother. as I aaid in previous
letter, u Is useless for me TO tell you
that my mind Is now always filled
with thoughts OF home and loved
ones. Each days end sees the long.
ing and desire for quiet home life
and loving and refined surroundings
intensified within. My prayers go up
In behalf of the home folks, some
times In my busiest hours. and Ii II
thoughts OF you all that keeps me
from going to the dogs and the gut
ters: and pray that the Same
thoughts will make of me n man that
can be called a man.
How long we will be In ]
cannot say. Several days / suppose
10 think of u furlough or even Is
hours leave would be foolishness. so
Wen have to give up this thought
yet while. Hut now To my diary
Don't let anything in 1t make you
dread my leaving again. only let II
make you thank our merciful Father
that our trip was not disastrous
one.
March 22. Friday
y. m. Pulled out OF an American
port loaded with troops (white and
blackJ. p. m. Cast anchor just
outside OF New York harbor.
March 23. Saturday. $3.50 a. m.
Weighed anchor AMI put on east
ward. Sea calm and beautiful wealth
er.
March ~ Sunday. Sea roughens
up and sickness among tcoops. ON.
cOlored contingent iinds great
amusement in watching big waves
and being rolled over or the deck ~