Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1919-03-20
NOTES OF OUR SOLDIERS.

| Our friend Lieutenant Louis K.
Koontz, son of MIR. and Mrs. ID. Frank
koontz, east of Shepherdstown, has
written us an interesting letter from
Camp Grant, Illinois, and though he has
marked it personal" We are taking the
liberty OF sharing it in part with our
| readers. He writes under date OF
March 18th, and says:
81 want TO add my word of apprecia-
ton to the thousands you've already
received in regard to Bills letters TO the
Register. One of his first letters to
his home paper referred to the neces-
sity in the army, if one would get any
where, Of going after things. Well,
that very apt observation has been
burned into my mind ever since I've
been in the service, and TO his Sugges-
ton | have been indebted more than
once. ! got my commission at Platts-
burg Barracks last September all right,
and then proceeded to Camp Grant.
Ii has been bitter disappointment TO
me not to be able to go over but that's |
the hard luck for some of us. No hard |
work, nor wire-pulling, even, could put |
it across Having been a company |
clerk at Plattsburg (due to my admins
trative experience in college,, they set |
me to recognizing companies almost
upon my arrival at Camp Grant. From
that it was natural step TO becom-
ing battalion adjutant, which posi- |
ton | have held since December 4th. |
I've worked under the finest major | |
ever hope to have, and am reluctant, |
in way, to leave the army. | could |
have been discharged last November, |
but elected to remain in uniform long |
er. may be released in April, and,
again, it may not be until July. don't |
like to get out so long as | see any OF
the boys Except the Regulars still in
uniform. | wish every success for the
Register and send kindest personal re-
CARDS to its editor"
Private Hunter F. Swan, of this
county, who has been honorably dis
charged from military service, was
caller at the Register Office last Thurs
day, accompanied by his wife and his
mother-in-law, Mrs. Alice Hopper.
Private Swan was stationed at Camp |
Sheridan, Alabama, where he was
member of Company G, 10th Infantry,
9th Division, and was sent from there
to Camp Sheridan, Ohio, to be muster
ed out He served Uncle Sam for
seven months, and never had fur
Tough home, doing his duty faithfully.
He didn't get to go overseas. His out
fit was ready to start for France when
the influenza broke out, and instead OF
going across the big pond the men were
sent to the base hospital. Private
Swan was rather happy to get home
again and needed no urging when II
came to signing up the papers relating
to his discharge. Just two weeks be-
fore he left for camp he was married
young girl of Bakerton, and he had to
give her up before the honeymoon was
over. Mrs. Swan went to Washington
shortly after he left and took govern
ment position, which she resigned the
day her husband returned. After
spending while with their home folks
at Bakerton and Shenandoah Junction
Mr.. and Mrs. Swan will go to Wash
ington, where they expect to make their
future home.
Samuel Ransom, colored soldier
who has recently been discharged from
military service, spent several days
here the past week with his father,
Samuel Ransom, on the H. L. Lyme farm,
north of town. He had some thrilling
experiences while he was in the army,
not the least exciting of which &C.
CURED on the return trip from France.
He was one of large number OF color
IL -. -, - I NtFiN. lob Il
came near laundering in fearful
storm at sea- While the ST. Louis was
battling with waves of savage force and
mountainous height she was struck
broadside by a great wave which threw
her far over on one side. Everything
movable was sent slipping and sliding,
the lights went out and terrible con-
fusion prevailed. The colored soldiers,
who had fought bravely enough against
the Germans, lost their nerve at this,
for they thought their last hour had
come. They began to pray most fer
vently and in tones plenty loud enough
to reach to high heaven, while others,
not so gifted in prayer, joined in sing
ing camp meeting hymns. The ship
heeled over further and further, and it
seemed as if it would certainly cap
size, but she righted herself and got
back on even keel. The incident &C.
Cured at supper time, and the food was
thrown from the tables and the cook
stoves in the gallery were uptilted until
the pots and pans were all upset. But
nobody minded that very much, for all
on board lost their appetiteS when they
were falling off that wave. Ransom
frankly admits that he was scared stiff,
and it is currently reported that he sang
and prayed with the best of them.
Leonard Loudon, son Of Mr.. and Mrs.
D. E. Loudon, of Moler's Cross Roads,
has returned to his vessel, the U. S.
S. Castine, after spending thirty days
at home. He was on the Memphis
when that vessel was wrecked off the
coast of San Domingo, with loss of
81 lives. After the loss of the Men,
phs he was transferred TO the Castine,
and is now chief machinist's mate.
Since he has been in the Navy he has
been over most of the world, except
China, and he expects to get there
on his next cruise. He was in the
secret service for about eighteen
months. His visit home was very
pleasant surprise for his parents, who |