TRANSCRIBED FROM THE LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT JULY 12, 1917 P. 3
It would, no doubt, be interesting to you to spend the Fourth of July with the soldiers at the barracks, but since all of you many never have this pleasure, I shall tell you some of the many pleasant events of the day.
We were called at 5:15 this morning and all marched out in front of the captain’s home where the army band played America, The Star Spangled Banner, and a few other patriotic pieces. Then we marched in double columns to the “mess hall” (as we soldiers call it) where we ate our breakfast, which consisted of three eggs (each) boiled Irish potatoes, butter, rice, hash, light bread, and coffee. After breakfast we were excused from all drill duty and permitted to spend the morning as we chose. Most of the boys spent it writing homefolks and reading letters from them. A few however, might be seen playing ball, boxing and running and a very few played cards. At 11:45 we again marched to the “mess hall” where we ate a very nice dinner consisting of mashed potatoes, hash, chicken, oranges, bananas, butter, bread, coffee, and ice cream.(It might be interesting to tell you the amount of chicken we ate). There are at pesent about 10,000 men here and we ate 2,800 pounds of chicken for dinner and other eats in proportion. Soon after dinner we gathered about the cannon which stands at the south end of the parade ground, and while the band played patriotic music, 48 shots were fired in salutation to the flag (one for each state in the union). Then after a few minutes’ silence one shot was fired for Germany. The crowd soon dispersed and next we gathered at the ball park where Uncle Sam’s bays defeated the Arcadie Tailors in a fast ball game.
The day is now closing and I am seated in the center of the parade ground. Just back of me to the north the band is playing Dixie. In front of me a short distance thousands of soldiers are marshing; at the other end of the parade ground masses of people are passing. Just now the band is playing The Star Spangled Banner, and every soldier has taken the position of a soldier and every officer has lifted his hand in salutation to the flag, while all others have uncovered their heads in respect to Old Glory. Not a word was uttered until the old cannon announced the close of day just as the band stopped playing. Now the boys are rushing to their tents and all others are passing quietly to their homes.
“A Conway Boy.”
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY JENNIFER PARK
It would, no doubt, be interesting to you to spend the Fourth of July with the soldiers at the barracks, but since all of you many never have this pleasure, I shall tell you some of the many pleasant events of the day.
We were called at 5:15 this morning and all marched out in front of the captain’s home where the army band played America, The Star Spangled Banner, and a few other patriotic pieces. Then we marched in double columns to the “mess hall” (as we soldiers call it) where we ate our breakfast, which consisted of three eggs (each) boiled Irish potatoes, butter, rice, hash, light bread, and coffee. After breakfast we were excused from all drill duty and permitted to spend the morning as we chose. Most of the boys spent it writing homefolks and reading letters from them. A few however, might be seen playing ball, boxing and running and a very few played cards. At 11:45 we again marched to the “mess hall” where we ate a very nice dinner consisting of mashed potatoes, hash, chicken, oranges, bananas, butter, bread, coffee, and ice cream.(It might be interesting to tell you the amount of chicken we ate). There are at pesent about 10,000 men here and we ate 2,800 pounds of chicken for dinner and other eats in proportion. Soon after dinner we gathered about the cannon which stands at the south end of the parade ground, and while the band played patriotic music, 48 shots were fired in salutation to the flag (one for each state in the union). Then after a few minutes’ silence one shot was fired for Germany. The crowd soon dispersed and next we gathered at the ball park where Uncle Sam’s bays defeated the Arcadie Tailors in a fast ball game.
The day is now closing and I am seated in the center of the parade ground. Just back of me to the north the band is playing Dixie. In front of me a short distance thousands of soldiers are marshing; at the other end of the parade ground masses of people are passing. Just now the band is playing The Star Spangled Banner, and every soldier has taken the position of a soldier and every officer has lifted his hand in salutation to the flag, while all others have uncovered their heads in respect to Old Glory. Not a word was uttered until the old cannon announced the close of day just as the band stopped playing. Now the boys are rushing to their tents and all others are passing quietly to their homes.
“A Conway Boy.”
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY JENNIFER PARK