Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-09-17

The following is a letter written by
Leo F. Marquardt. to Judge A. H.
Reid:

i
Camp Grant, ILL.,,
| Sept. 2, 1918
Dear Judge Reid:
am still sticking with the army
and hope to until America has set.
tied the war for good.
1t will be six weeks tomorrow since
I we came to Camp, and what has trans
pired since my arrival. seems toe
much to comprehend III thought. The
moment we hit camp, our life as 9
soldier began. 1t was after eleven
O'Clock p. M, the train pulled in, and
at the steps of the coaches boys in
khaki were ready to receive us. Fall
in double rank were the first words
that greeted us, and do it quick fin
ished the first command we received
Though tired after the long journey
all of the boys were in cheerful mood
and each tried to outdo the other in
remaining in step. We marched, well
1t seemed to us that night about G
miles, to our Barrack, when in reality
1t was only about a mile and a hall
at the most. Our mess kits, blankets
and hunks were assigned to us the
first night and it was about 1:3O be-
fore all Of us got to bed. $50 next
morning came around pretty early
nevertheless, all the boys were In line
for reyielle.
The first two weeks In camp all of us
boye were Quartered in the same Bar
rack. l mean the boys / came down
with or rather those from District No.
2. We had some mighty good times
together even though we were quaran-
tined. Then the time came, when
some of the boys were transferred,
and in few days our fBarrack was
practically deserted. Then l first was
made aware of the fact that | belonged
to Uncle Sam. and from then on my
comforts were only secondary. One
day when | returned from special duty
and found most of the boys gone, well,
I'll admit | never was so lonesome in
my life, but l made up my mind /
would not weaken, and hoped the time
would soon come, when I too would
be transferred to some company per-
manently. Today most of the lads /
came with are stationed at Camp
Upton, New York, part of the fam
Gus Black Hawk Division.
The first three days here | received
strenuous drilling, and pride myself
in remaining in line all the while,
while others fell out, over fatigued.
Those days were extremely hot, and
consequently were very much or great
ly responsible in playing out some.
Well l haven't had day of drilling
since, as l have been doing clerical
work ever since. The next ten days I
was detailed to work at the Y. M. C. A.
auditorium, writing insurance, and
government allowance to those who
had dependents. Then l was detailed
to work at Infirmary No. 1, and after
putting in another ten days at that
place, was assigned to do clerical
work at Brigade Surgeons office, and
remain still at this Office.
! feel considerably better than l
have for some time, though my health
is far from good, yet hope to stay in
the army long enough to get whack
at the retreating Boches. 1t looks as
though we are going to be late, for
the Yank's got them retreating at a
mighty hot pace. Just few nights
ago, all the soldiers in camp were
marched down to the drill grounds to
listen to speech delivered by some
minister, who had been in France and
saw the Germans halted in the great
battle of the 'Marne.' He certainly
was a grand orator of unusual ability,
and every soldier couldn't help but be
interested in his message. His des-
cription of the multitudes of Ger
man soldiers rushing down III masses
on the French was very vivid and
realistic, and then how the brave sons
OF France stood as q stonewall, and
drove back the Kaiser,s troops only
20 miles from Paris. / am sure every
American soldier out there at the drill
grounds was stirred by his words, for
they applauded the speaker time and
time again with such force and volume
as l never heard before.
One thing the speaker said i'm
pressed me very much. He said he
| thought perhaps he had seen more
| men in uniform than any other man
in the United States. He saw thous-
ands upon thousands of German
troops. He had spoken to many
thousand British Tommies, also the
French Poilus and the Italian Mac.
| cironi, last but far from least the
brave soldiers of Belgium, yet he sai6
without doubt the American Sam
mics were far the greater soldiers
physically, morally and mentally. The
American soldiers have higher ideals
and are much more intelligent thar
the average foreign soldiers and art
Iimbned with spirit of freedom I'm.
excelled. He said his only son was
fighting with the Sammies in France
and that he was only 20 years old
Then he remarked he loved his bo,
just as much as any parent could
but he was not worried, for the rea
son that his boy was with the bes
soldiers on earth, with the colors o
America and fighting for the creates
cause known, Humanity, Democrac.
lend everlasting peace, and that he wa
certain fighting for God Almighty too
III just loved to hear him talk an,
would have remained all night to lis
ten, If he had continued speaking.
ldidn't get his name when introduced
He is sent out by Secretary Baker t
speak to soldiers at the various camps
III hope | may have the pleasure O
listening to him again sometime.
Il / just hate to see the physician
1 nj " ASeoAe LILY rnCdAlus LOi lu
! reason i don't want to be placed i
the development battalion and disqual
flied men. I'm going to tough it on
| as long as / can and perhaps finall
regain my good health.
i The boys here once Ia a while com
plain about army life, yet there ar
J very few who would, return to civ
life even if given the chance. Ther
. are times fellow gets discourage
: and disgusted with camp life; after
! nights rest this feeling disappears an
then he is Just as cheerful as ever.
am hoping this life will make m
stronger than ever, so when the wa
is over and all of US return home,
will be able to eat spikes, and handl
railroad ties as though they wer
ball clubs. OF course that is hopin
: too much, will admit.
. Eugene Thayer is sitting next I
me also writing. and has asked n
. to extend his compliments and bei
? regards to you. My address for q