Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04

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machinery to defend the kaiser and his
| dictators.
THREE TO SERVE COUNTRY
But the sad part Of my story is
this. My two brothers were likewise
drafted. Ny oldest brother who Is rs Is
| now at Plattsburg where he is to re-
ceive his commission as second lieu
tenant in two more weeks. MY otnes
brother is at a camp in Georgia. ! hao
another brother of draft age, but ne
died a few years ago. I have another
sister at home, just II years old. Shs
is a music teacher and lives with my
mother who is very lonesome just now.
There are many hardships in this
camp life, but the American boys 40
not look at it in this way. They, smile
when it rains and they smile when IT
stumbling block to them. Although we
get but so cents a day, we work yer?
long hours, and most of the boys are
as faithful as when they were getting
big salaries at home. When left home
I lost everything, and my little paper
will have to wait until the terrible war
is over.
1850 SICK IN CAMP HOSPITAL
"The nights are very cold up here.
although we have plenty of blankets.
We sleep in open barracks, but might
just as well be sleeping out in the cold
At Camp Devens it is extremely cold
midwinter at Danvers. Camp Devens
is on the New Hampshire border and
the air is very dry. Many Of the boys
have died of pneumonia already, ana
there are still 1900 or more in the hos
p!tal out of total of $4,000 soldiers.
Our camp covers ten square miles ana
has Just $500 buildings which cost
the country something like $4,000, 900.
II am very tired now for have
worked all the week from a. m. in
the Office until II or IL p. m. on the
pay roll am the battery clerk. and to-
morrow will receive my rating as ser.
geant. I am going home for couple OF
days then to see nv folks. It Is Just
70 miles away.
GAINS WEIGHT AT CAMP
1.-The army life is a very. very Won
derful life for the boys today. 1t is Il
gigantic hospital where the weak are
made strong and the saddened heart
is made happy. The food is very fine,
nothing could beat it. and have gain
ed IL pounds since L arrived at camp.
weighed just 10 pounds when arriv.
ed at Camp Devens, and I would not
have got by were 1t not for the fact
that l ate big feed just before the ex-
animation.
1--WE will soon be shipped to France,
that is in about five weeks more-then
our real hardships will begin. but with
so many good people left behind us l
think that can stand it,.
DISCIPLINE Is NECESSARY.
There is just one more thing which
I would like to tell you about, and that
is the discipline OF the New National
army. Discipline above all other virtues
is an important factor in Uncle Sans
army. 1t is indeed vital test to the
American youth. 1t is despised by
some. but is welcomed by many. With
out it no nation could hope to live and
prosper. 1t is true test Of the youths
makeup in the army. Those who have
been opedient to their parents, their
teachers and all their lawful superiors
in civilian life, do not in any way dread
discipline, but on the other hand, those
who have been stubborn to their SUI
periors in civilian life find army dis
cipline an unwelcome hardship.
When Uncle Sam sent out the ap-
peal for its vast army Of men in the
selective draft, the United States took
upon it's hands the most gigantic
proposition Of the kind in he worlds
history.
MAKES YOUTH OVER AGAIN
According to the statistics it was
found that over so per cent of the
American youths between the ages OF
81 and 81 were physically and morally
unfit for military service. This KNOCK
at the woor' as it were. to the Amer
lean youth is sufficient to convince us
OF the great need for this movement.
Uncle Sans new method is no less
no e>iV ran0v9tlOn
American youth. The young man who
today makes himself unfit for service
to his country is numbered with the
lowest Of traitors. To be good
American citizen and soldier then Is to
make ones self morally. physically
and mentally At for service. In that
manner only shall America show to the
world. now maddened beyond realiza-
ton, that democracy is preferable to
autocracy, civilization is preferable to
barbarism, honor is preferable to dis
honor and freedom is preferable TO
TAPS is GODS HOUR IN CAMP
You will excuse me now. Taps is
sounding, and is the most solemn OF
all moments in the army. All is now
quiet within the cantonment. and as
out it's farewell as remembrance OF
another days work well done. it re-
minds me Of the Angelus bells ringing
in the monastery. 1t is the signal for
$4,000 souls to make a pause In their
days occupation, to lift up their eyes
to God, and ask him to hasten the end
OF this terrible war brought on by the
folly of mankind.
again might I sincerely thank you
for your kindness, and I assure you
that you will be rewarded, for when l
am far away on the battlefields of Eu-
rope will never go to rest at night un-
til have asked God to bless you ana
the other great women Of American for
their patriotism. their loyalty and
their Kindness to the poor soldier boys.
IF it is not asking too much OF you,
as you suggest in your letter. would
state that I would be pleased to get a
few cigars some time as this is one Of
the things which is great luxury at
Camp Devens.
Sincerely yours in Uncle Sans Army,
Henry F. j. Lynch,
Battery Clerk,
&C Battery, 301st F. A.
Camp Devens. Mass"