The Redwood gazette., 1918-05-01

was a red, white and blue turkey
which was recently presented by the
president. We had to climb the Wash
ington monument as the elevator was
so busy. We climbed the 5551s feet
and it surely was an endurance test.
The height afforded US view Of all
the city. The National Museum told
the tale Of many curious species of
both plant and animal life. Most of
the government buildings were open
to visitors.
On my first trip I didn't find time
to visit Mount Vernon, so I went the
following Saturday to see this place
as | didn't want to miss it.
Mount Vernon is located on the
Potomac River, sixteen miles below
Washington. Duncan and | went
down in an electric car. The lay of
the land makes the whole trip very
interesting. The house overlooks the
Potomac at an elevation of about $50
feet There were numerous large
elms, sycamores and naples in the
yard. The house has many rooms.
such as living room, dining room,
music room, guest room, Martha's
room, Nellie Curtiss' room, spare
room, La Fayette's room, Rover room
and banquet hall. The bed in which
Washington died is in the south room.
There are many relics here which
Washington used every day such as
the books, furniture, flute. swords,
etc. The tomb of George and Mar
tina Washington is made of brick and
seems quite substantial still. The
coach is still usable. We were very
well pleased to have seen Mount Yer
non.
Some time ago we spent two weeks
| in Philadelphia. l believe l wrote of
having visited Independence Hall,
Carpenters Hall, Betsy Ross house,
Franklin's grave, Penn's house and
the Baldwin Locomotive Works. The
next day we piled in a Ford and drove
through Falrmont Park and Valley
Forge. The former is 5000 acres in
extent and is very much like Ramsey
| Park. Valley Forge is about 1S or
20 miles west of Philadelphia and
is all parked. The trenches are near
ly erased. Fort Washington has a
few small guns, rather modest COM
pared to the modern guns. From a
high point we could observe the sur
rounding country where Washington's
army spent that hard winter. His
headquarters are still intact.
Our week days are now devoted to
drill and trench digging. We are
taught to build an elaborate system
of trenches such as are used on the
| battlefront. This is hard work and
when the red clay gets wet it sticks.
Schools are being conducted in learn
ing the use of the bayonet. Others
again, are drilling with the>caterpil-
lars. The way those prospective
tanks climb embankments and plow
through rocks and barbed wire would
indicate that they will do some quick
work when they get into action. We
are getting nearer the western front
as the days go by.
We hear so often how the people
back home are supporting the cause.
The Red Cross surely is a worthy
institution. Now the Third Liberty
Loan drive is under way and will be
over subscribed l am sure.
Dave (Monson) with seven others,
were transferred recently to Paris
Island, off the coast of South Caro-
lima. They will attend the non-com-
missioned officers training school there
this summer. He wrote me a letter
soon after arriving there and said
he was already busy. Recruits gen.
orally go there for their training. So
Dave and the others may help drill
recruits.
All is well with me and hoping that
all is well at home, l remain as ever,
Your son,