The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1919-03-04
SOLDIERS LETTERS
February y. 1919

FEBRUARY IL, 1918
Dear Mr. Trego:
Back in the land of milk and
J honey" as one of my friends well
put 1t. My senses are not stunned
or paralyzed, but they haven't YET
fully valued the goodness of home
coming. came, saw and haven't
had time to think yet. Believe me
its different. My first American let
ter, to Sagehurst, and on the day of
my great and good old friend A.
Lincoln. Well, read your telegram
an hour or less ago, and it was my
first word from. anywhere on this
side since November, 1918, which al
ready seems long while ago. Your
kindly heart-whole message was a
bracer worthy of this bracing, frosty
day. ! am still warm with the glow
Of it.
But of course l can't get loose to
go roaming around on my own. Pm
too obscure. The army is too con-
scientious about herding the man
from the ranks. Most of us say
simply, LET us out and we'll call it
by-gones!"
/ shall buy some clothes or shoes
and leggings, here when have some
assurance that they won't be taken
away from me, and I'll see New York
too. If possible, and look up the
Ryans at the McAlpin, which is
soldiers hotel much advertised in
Europe among men of the A. E Fl.
The voyage was long and tedious
beyond all worst expectations. Four
teen days watching the dull Allan
tic go by. 1t was decks or hunks,
both cold. We had plenty of air
above and below. Weather mild un-
til two days out of New York, then
frigid. Had a blow several days be-
fore that. The big ship bounced on
the pillows like the proverbial cork.
We were glad of the experience, tho
1t held us back 100 miles in one day.
1t was an Italian ship. The food,
second class, was wholesome and
clean, but had an uncanny taste.
And then some more,as l have for
many months, I conjured up mind
pictures Of Sagehurst's every day
feasts and Idaho seemed as far away
as Mars. determined, nevertheless,
not to waste any money on eats en-
route home. ! want to save nv
whole appetite and see If l can't
satisfy Mrs. Trego by the great depth
of my hunger.
We were knocked off our pins by |
zeal of kindness with which the as
ISOLATED charities met us at the docks
at noon yesterday. Salvation army
girls, Red Cross girls, Y. M. C. A.
men, Jewish welfare men all hand
ing out good things to eat: Choco-
late, nut bars, cookies, buns, coffee
real coffee, (what joy.) My re-
tachment came off last. We were
loaded on ferry on the New York
side and taken across to Jersey. j.
There we met more Red Cross and
Y. M. c. A., who fed us. Then a
short train ride-another luxury
and walk to camp of mile or so
IN perfect spring day.
While our boat was out in the
larbor the mayors committee and i
band came out in boat and circled
'ound us, with music and flag waving
md threw newspapers, cigarettes
Ind apples abroad. We knew we
we're home again.
What a difference from lover
here" Here sit in large splendid
library. Next room is a gigantic,
lean restaurant and in front big,
ounglng space near a wonderful ]
'lazing open fire. "Over there" the {
'oys are taking turns at the Saturday
evening Post, month old, and on
fiction, and only little of
hat.
They are sitting around little bar I
acks stoves on damp dirt floor '
when they will be remem- G
'ered and sent home. 1t costs half {
months pay in francs to buy d
rst class feast in Bordeaux. t
After we had been quartered here U
q one of the roomy, two-storied bar n
acks, of which there are hundreds,
ne Of the boys said, "Too much
indness 1t hurts mot used to it," v
l think l shall be sent, with the c
Jtah boys, to Camp Funston, Kan. 8
Or discharge, perhaps in three or \
our days. This is a casual camp. n
We go into sections representing a
roups of states and wait until there a
re twenty-five or thirty, then. they
re sent out under an officer. A
shall try to- drop in at Black a
,ot on my way home. n
l am not resenting it even If I
Id fail to see New York, because the 0
'oner free man the better. l can G.
I'm time come back and do as
lease, unbothered by M. P's. and
lch.
Best to Mrs. Trego.
Sincerely, :,
FREMONT. II II