The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1918-03-14
CHAS. TUCKER WRITES
FROM JACKSONVILLE, FLA
My Dear Friend J. B.:

My Dear Friend ]. B.:
l am as good as my promise but
l reserve the right not to promise to
write within any definite time.
| have been here nine weeks and
out of that time there has hardly been
nine minutes that l have not been on
the jump, so consequently have sew
eral names on my visiting list to
whom promised to write but have
not done so as yet.
No doubt the first question you ask
me is how do like the army? and to
this answer, like it fine so far, but
just what we are going Into across the
water no one knows, but so far can
say that I never felt better in my
life, and l am now in my second uni
form, the first one having been turned
in on account of size. My weight is
now 1870.
Our Liberal party arrived here just
as the rush to this camp was coming
in, the camp just having been COM
pleted. AS soon as we reported to
headquarters we were placed in
charge of an officer and taken to the
camp medical examiner who looked
us over, said o. K, took our finger
prints and sent us on. We were then
put in receiving barracks and shown
our beds. The next morning after
chow we were taken over to the cloth
ing warehouse and after standing in
line almost half the day finally gained
the interior. Having played some
football, ! first thoaght waswitness-
ing game, but afterwards discov-
cred they were only calling off the
numbers for my new wearing ap-
parel, which was showered at me
from all directions. On returning to
my barracks I tried them on and, well
nothing fit but the hat cord and it
was adjustable. But this was only
starter-we are equipped fine now;
most Of US have our cover seas issue"
For four weeks was in the receiv-
ing barracks. We were drilled here
, and the task Of making soldiers out
of us was begun. For seven hours a
day, 6 days in the week we labored
up and down that drill field in cloud
of dust, until we had the infantry
drill like veterans. Coupled with this
to complete our eight hous of teach
ing was an hours calisthenics which
soon learned to despise, but which
nevertheless has done me great deal
of good.
The last five weeks have been in
this company-Training Co. No. q
which is a non-commissioned officers
school. II l make the hill here will
be given warrant for quartermaster
sergeant, senior grade, which pays
| $500 per month here and $4,000
over there. 1t is considered better
than first or second lieutenant un-
less it is merely honor that is sought.
There are 500 Of us in this unit. On
ly 800 will be chosen and sent across,
but believe me, want to be among
the "chosen few" Our course will
be over about April 1st and we will
be moved out Of here Immediately
after that time as this is going to be
used as an infantry camp for the next
draft.
This is a wonderful climate. It
never gets cold enough here to wear
blouse but neither is itsextremely
warm, and is apparently healthy
climate. There are about 25, 900 men
here now but at the present time
there is not barracks under quar-
antine.
have been on several side trips
out of here and we are treated fine
by the people. All the entertainment
possible is secured for us by the Y.
M. c. A.. Jesse Willard gave box
ing bout here last Saturday for the
boys, and believe me when say we
were all there. st. Augustine is also
very popular place for the soldiers
to Sunday the day. was there. We
were taken. thru the old fort with
guides. This is the old Spanish fort.
Ft. Marion was built in 1867. Only
soldiers are admitted.
Well, ]. B., this is the last sheet in
the book, so guess I had better make
arrangements to ring off.
CHAS. M. TUCKER.