The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1918-11-14
Letters From, 'sOur Boys''
From Arthur Welsh


Dear Friends: On July 20, 1913.
from Ellendale came call for men to
wear the livery Of service. We left
on the Milwaukee to Aberdeen then to
st. Paul. While was at st. Paul I
sent telegram to my relatives and
friends to meet me at New York Cen
tral depot. for could get no stop
over for troop train.
I had only about two hours to spend
while at Chicago. Our train left at
1880. Our train got into Syracuse, NJ
Y, about nine o'clock and yard en-
gine came and pushed us to the state
fair grounds. There we were met by
some of the officers who ordered US
in line. but of course we didn't know
much of military order. After we all
got in line the officer said Forward
March!" It would surprise you all to
see US march, all out Of step. out Of
line, awkward way of carrying our
grips. They marched US up to the
oh1cd-a two mile hike.
We all got our examination. Our
officer marched us another little hike
up the hill. AS we marched up this
hill on the Van Uleck road, the boys
that were stationed at the camp were
lined up side Of the road to greet US
all, the call coming from them, you'll
like it," You'll like it!'
We were supplied with tents and
was furnished with two blankets, one
tick. But we had no straw. The first
couple nights the floor was our spring
bed. It wasn't soft. we all found that
out. In a couple of days, a company
commander formed company of 250
men and issued each one spring, bed
or COT.
Two weeks past, our company was
called to go and be examined and get
vaccinated and innoculated. For about
a week We boys were FEELING rather
bad for II any thing touched either
arm pain was result. During the
evenings boys would go down to Y.
NJ. G. A. or X. Of c. hut to be enter
tanned by speeches or music. The
camp organised a band and they Of
fered music every. night until the
camp was struck by the epidemic Of
influenza, which made many com.
rades victims. This camp was put
under quarantine, for two months.
During the quarantine each tent was
given . stove to keep warm during
the coM sssning1 with front Of each
tent open for fresh air.
I I'll write little information. Until
you have learned the o. D. slang you
will not really get acquainted with
many soldiers. in this mans army.
Attention: A command given when
the soldier wants to rest the most.
Private: The poor devil who does
all the work and gets the least pay
He is the only man WHO can't be
busted. but financially he has the
habit.
Bugle: The ancient horn that gets
US out Of bed just when we are fallen
into sound sleep.
Transfer: What everyone tries to
get, after he gets it he wishes he was
back where he came from; generally
like jumping from the frying pan into
the fire.
| Cook: The recipient of more un
complimentary remarks than any man
in the Company.
| Corporal: He wears two stripes on
his arms and in his own estimation
is Just little short of a general.
Fall in: The most hated command
Means throw away cigarettes and gel
information.
Fatigue: Sort of labor on the sol
diers just when we want to go to
Syracuse.
Furlough: A leave Of absence to
go home. and to bid all good bye.
Guard: Soldiers detailed to stay
up all night to report men on restric
tion trying to sneak in camp at 3
a. m.
Hospital: Right here the place
where they have electric fans, iced
cooled lemonade and real beds.
. 1ncinerator: Large tin pan into
which garbage is thrown and a pri
yate builds fire and coaxes the gar
bage to be incinerated. Incineratore
are not as fragrant as the rose. Fol-
fired one day and that was enough
for me.
Money: verv rare substance and