Mount Vernon signal. (Mt. Vernon, Ky.) 18??-current, 1918-03-01
THE BOYS WHO
LEFT MONDAY
A JOLLY BUNCH
SAYS E. r. GENTRY
Y. NJ. Z. A. I53,
Camp Taylor, KY,
Feb. 26, 1918.


Editor Mt. Vernon Signal.
Mt.Vernon, KY.
I used SO much space in the
last issue of tie Signal that I hest
tate to use more this week, but I
feel that the splend d "Get Away"
yesterday of the soldier boys
would not be complete without
some one giving to the people an
account of the trip. First, I want
to thank everybody for the earnest
consideration shown me every
minute 1 was home and no words
of mine can explain how much l
appreciate this and the many
kind words spoken in encourag.
ing me in what am trying to do.
Perhaps some may have thought
that the rousing way in which the
boys left Mt. Vernon was only a
bluff aud would settle down to sui
len obedience to the mandate of
the law as soon as they were out
of reach, but not so. | have been
on a lot of picnics and / have
never seen a bunch of fellows so
thoroughly enjoy a trip as they
did. l would not have missed be.
ing on the train for anything. 1t
seemed that we had hardly gotten
started until We were in Lebanon.
1t was the shortest trip to Louis.
vile I have ever made. Even
Mr.. Brown who could no. bear to
see US leave without him did not
fuss" one bit ON the "trip. I
found when I got on the train that
the Railroad Y. M C. A, at Corbin,
had two men on with more litera-
ture. stamps, checker boasds, and
other games, which along wit b
the post cards and literature
which 1 had, gave all the reading
matter the fellows wanted. but few
of the Rockcastle boys took time
to read. 1t began raining about
Lebanon Junction and I began to
wonder what would happen to me
when the bunch from home had to
get off at Camp Taylor In the mud
that I knew would be here.
felt pretty safe tho as Mr.. Brown
and "Chuck" Firth decided tC
come out to the camp with us
The rain got wocse and when We
ARRIVED about FIVE thirty, it was
simply raining pitch forks anG
the boys with about enc mile Il
lgo and it getting dark, but ever
this failed to dampen their spirits
and they yelled and sang until
had to leave them to get Mr.
Brown in out of the rain. He hat
failed to bring his overcoat anG
was soaking Wet and of course
began to fuss at me as soon as hi
lgot out of hearing of the boys be
cause he came without his coat
The railroad men on the trail
said Mt.Vernon put on the fines
bunch of men getting on yester
day and in better spirits. I wa
over to see them early this morn
ing. Not a blue one in the bunch
They made them take of thei
wet clothes and to bed at sever
o'clock last night and every on,
was feeling fine. They were max
ing out what is known as a per
sonel card and will get their uni
forms today. This afternoon the,
are taking the tubercular exam
ination. Two or three of then
told me they had learned what
meant when I said a person ha,
to learn to sleep in bunk. !
the boys who come 10 the futur
will come in the same spirit tina
these have come. I shall fee
mighty proud of them.
& They are at present in the SGT
s Company, gid Battalion, Isst
! Depot Brigade" Their parent
will be rendering their country
/ real service by taking this matte
! il the same way that the boys ar
! taking It,. They ate here and
see no reason why single ma
should have any trouble in pass
ing the physical examination
They all look good to me. An
time any Of the boys people war
to write me, / shall be very gls
! to do anything possible for til
! boys, except encourage them
! try to get out. I will not do ths
and [ hope / will not be asked ar