The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1919-02-06
To The School Children of Ran
kin County.

Aside from a military view,
there is always something to
learn in travel with the Ameri-
can army. History and Geogra-
ply offer interesting studies. So
+ am writing, by request, series
of short articles on the new life
to which we were accustomed;
including subjects such as, THE
Trip Over >. "A stay in England"
France at Last" and articles on
our life in France and England,
and impressions of the people. 1t
might be interesting to some OF
my intermediate readers to trace
the Geography of the routes.
'Going Over"
On Thursday, the 10th day of
September we arose at Camp
Shelby at an early hour, hastily
rolled our packs, and at 1920 a m
babe farewell to the Camp of our
initial training. When the train
gave the long last whistle in bid
ding the camp Good bye" and
the long line of Pullmans making
the troop train began to move, we
had real feeling of sadness
that we were leaving, but the
thrill of joy that our happiest
dreams of "going over" were a.
bout to be realized, soon put us in
the jolliest Of spirit.
Thee were fourteen coaches in
each train and dining car near
the middle. We were well fed on
the train, and nothing happened
to mar the trip.
Our route was over the South
ern railway. Soon we reached
Meridian, and a short ride put us
across the state line into Ala
bama. During the night we
reached Birmingham-that south
ern city Of iron and coal. The
factories, the furnaces, the mott
en- iron-all were interesting to
one who wishes to learn.
Friday morning we awoke early
and found we were near Chatta-
nooga, Tenn. We were already
beginning to enjoy the cool brac-
ing air of the mountains. From
the train we got an excellent
view of Lookout Mountain. All
day we raced through the mount
aims of Tennessee, were met at
Knoxville by the Red Cross ladies
who always breathed cheer to the
boys, and night found us nearing
Bristol on the boundary line be-
tween Virginia and Tennessee.
At Bristol we got off and para
ded, the band at the front, play
those military numbers that just
thrilled the heart Of everyone
whose fortune it was to hear it.
Again we were the recipients of
good things from the Red Cross
ladies.
From the train we saw for our
selves, the homes of the sturdy
mountaineer, and as we passed
through the Blue Ridge noun
tains, thought of "The Trail Of
the Lonesome Pine"
Now, we are in the "Old Do
minion," travelling over historic
ground. Manassas brought to us
memories Of long past battle
in a struggle all our own. Chan
cellorsville and Fredericksburg
soon had been reached and pass
ed.
We now realized that we were
in very historic state, where
some Of our greatest men have
lived. How many can my readers
name?
In Washington City, the Cap
itol, the White House, andWash-
ington's Monument were especial
attractions. Night hid the view
of the remaining distance, and
morning found us on Long Island,
on our way to Camp Upton
bout sixty miles from New York
City. Here we stayed two weeks,
during which time We were IT,
sued our oversee clothes, and our
steel helmets truly now We felt
we were soldiers.
Early on Sunday morning. oct~
ober, 9Th, We lined is Us III, tln6