The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1918-03-15
LETTER FROM A SOLDIER BOY
IN THE SERVICE.

4xv AxxG oxlxt v 4OxIs
Letters from the soldier boys in the
service are always welcome to THE
NEWS columns. As a general
thing, they are encouraged by the
military authorities, with the under
standing that there shall be nothing
published that will tend to hamper
the service or be of help to the en-
envy. But our boys do not write
that kind THE NEWS is permit
ted to make the following extracts
from letter written recently by
Sergt Lawrence James, now in the
service at Camp Bowie, Texas, to his
mother, Mrs. Mollie James, of Paris:
Camp Bowie, Texas, March 2, 1918
Dear Mamma: comes one
of those ten minutes editions of me,
for ten minutes is really more than
am able to spare, considering the
fact that / have to shave, and shine
my shoes all the same day. Oi
course there are a few other things
to do besides the regular program
from $50 a. m. to $50 p. m.
Things are humming at Camp
Bowie now. Tuesday there was di-
lCtlCW vi CtCIy
horse, wagon, mule, caisson, truck,
motorcycle here, in all $4,000 SOL
diers and as many of the above
named. The parade passed the re-
viewing stand in line of mass, and
measured fifteen miles from head OF
mass to the rear. 1t required four
and one-half hours for it to go by.
Had the division been in column for
nation it would have been sixty
miles long. Some soldiers!
ITO the civilian it seemed so ire
mendous that it was overawing and
to military observers it was a most
inspiring sight. l had a chance to
observe most of it and filled a not
book with criticisms, too, just for
fun, and to discuss at our non-com
school the following night. The 149rd
regiment was the first regiment to so
by and the Machine Gun Company
was the thirteenth to go by, and at
that we had a great record. Of
course, the criticisms that could be
made were just minor details of in
fractions of regulations, and, as a
whole, the division is in excellent
shape, fit, / should say, for service
overseas. The main thing to be seen
as each company passes was the line
straight as an arrow, each man in
step. and stepping thirty inches,
head erect, chest out, and full of con-
fidence, each rifle carried at the cor
rect angle, and oh boy the way
they snapped into that eyes right, as
they passed General Bribly and staff!
of 70 ha
Good Night Willie Hohenzollern.'
1.-THE papers call General Grizzly
the grand old man. but we call him,
in an affectionate way, and meaning
no disrespect whatever, old Hellon-
Wheels and it fits him, too. If you
don't think so, try enlisting, show
up on the drill field for a bit of drill
and go to it in half-hearted man
ner. He deserves a great deal of
credit, for he has whipped the divis-
ion into shape, while we were aw-
fully handicapped by lack of equip
ment, sickness and bad weather.
1T can't be long before we're go
ing over. ALI the officers say a month
or six weeks at the most, and ev-
anxious TO go, for we want
Jul 1Iuh OdNu, ohu VIC lC all dlu
there won't be enough left to so
around unless we get there soon.
There's an aviator killed here
every day on an average, though we
don't pay any attention to it, for it
is all in the game. However, when
Capt. Vernon Castle fell, it threw J.
curtain of gloom over everything,
for he was well-known and well-liked
by one and all, and on account of his !
prominence in American life, and d |
high ace in the flying game.
Il have a 500 Liberty Bond about !
paid for, which will be enough to !
BUY me a civilian outfit when the !
Kaiser is canned, and l won't lose !
my hair worrying about when that |
will be. Guess now my ten minutes
S up, so, with love, 1 am,
LAWRENCE"
Another of Mrs. James sons, Cor
,elius Buddy James, writes her
hat he has made three round trips
across the ocean, on big ship |
guarding transports carrying soldiers
md munitions of war to France, but
If course, is not permitted to give
my details. He stated that he was
Enjoying life, was in the very best of
health, and was well satisfied with
life in the navy in every respect.
(Since the above was placed in
ype Maj-Gen. Edwin st. John
irebly, who is referred to in the
hove, has been relieved from COM
nand of the seth (National Guard
)ivision) at Camp Bowie, discharged
rom his commission in the National
Army, and assigned to other duty
With his re1ular army rank of Rrio |