Gunnison news-champion., 1918-05-31
BOYS EXPECT TO BE
IN FRANCE SOON
Gunnison News-Champion,
Gunnison. Colorado.

bunnlscil. NOlOTdnO.
Dear Mr.. Lake and Friends:
| will have been here just two
weeks tomorrow morning about ZOO
o'clock and to say the least would be
SAYING that | have seen and learned
great deal about army life in that
short time. Our trip here was not
particularly attractive as the train was
crowded and poorly ventilated. We
were awakened Monday morning and
told to hurry as we would reach
Funston soon. Surely it was long
faced bunch that stepped from the
cars a few minutes later. We were
grouped in companies according to the
counties, marched in single file before
a strong search light and given pre-
liminary examination by doctor. We
were then distributed in our tents.
happened to be near the end of the
column and was lucky enough to be
put in a tent with two other men of
the Gunnison contingent. Usually
eight are put in tent but for two
nights only three of US occupied tins
one. We were given two blankets
and a comfort and told to get some
sleep. We found some sacks Of straw
and some iron cots with springs and
we're soon dead to the world. But not
for long for 5:45 we were again
awakened by the shrill blast of
whistle and the voice of the corporal
calling "An Out. We lined up, or
rather tried to form line which was
almost impossible on account OF the
great numbers of Mexicans who mo
savy".
We did very little the first three
days but scrub out the hunks and eat.
The medical department sure has
fine system. Early Thursday morn
ing they informed US that we were to
pack our things and be ready to march
to real Camp Funston. The camp
Funston we are in now is the deten-
ton camp-Rookies are kept here
three weeks for quarantine.
Upon arriving at Funston we were
assigned to barracks where we waited
our call for the trip thru "The Mill.
The experience of going thru this Won
derful system of tabulation and ex-
amining is something, the value of
which cannot be estimated. A man
enters in his civilian clothes and
leaves as a soldier. The medical ex-
animation is quite strenuous and /
saw at least dozen fall by the way
side. / was lucky enough not to be
affected by these first shots. We were
then given a sack and all our belong
ires, which we were allowed to keep,
were piled in. After short interval
time given US to adjust our clothing
some of which did not look anywhere
near the right fit-especially shoes
we were sent back to detention camp
in trucks, many being too sick to
walk.
have been fortunate in being ap-
pointed a tent corporal SO did not have
to go on kitchen duty or walk a beat.
l had charge of one of the guard re-
liefs. Each man has two hours on and
four hours of for period Of twenty
four hours.
Our meals are fair. Really tho the
men in the army are lots more saw
ing than civilians. One piece of bread
is handed out to US perhaps with but
ter-most generally minus, tho. The
first few days YOU feel pretty hungry
but hunger finally gets the best Of you
and you eat anything.
After supper we congregate on the
hill back of the Detention Zone and
sing-listen to the colored troops sing,
watch pr1Ze nghterS ana wrestling
matches. Generally we retire about
8 o'clock; lights and candles out at
10 o'clock.
Last Tuesday we received our sec
ond innoculation, and it is some in
Hardly q man in camp
was able to be around for about tven-
ty-fcur hours. It will not be long un-
til we will be assigned to regular work.
We are still under, quarantine in the
Detention camp.
8 uncle Sam Is sure pushing things.
Guns arrived to-day and we are ready
for them. Formerly it took several
moaths- / think it win be only . mat
ter Of few months before we win be
in France. Troops are leaving ev-
cry yrday.
Well, / must stop as retreat = be-
ine sounded and we must fall n.
: kindest regards 70. IN friends. / m
Sineegely,y01fs,
s!sA Coz lA Dspek E Ssl!3
10