TRANSCRIBED FROM THE DARDANELLE POST-DISPATCHNOVEMBER 7, 1918 P. 1
Camp Merritt, N. J.
Nov. 1, 1918
Editor Post-Dispatch:
As I am several hundred miles from home and friends and am just a little lonesome tonight I thought I would write to the P-D., for it is my favorite paper. I will tell you of my trip from Camp Pike to Camp Merritt. Camp Merritt is a beautiful camp. It is near the coast and is not far from Hoboken, N. J. We were well equipped and had everything ready to sail for Europe when one of the boys got sick with meningitis and another with mumps on the day we were scheduled to embark, so we were at once quarantined for an indefinite period and that is why I am lonesome.
A train of 15 cars of troops left Camp Pike on Friday, and we travelled about 85 hours. We passed through parts of eight States, getting off the train at Memphis, Tenn., Chattanooga, Tenn., Nashville, Tenn., Ronoke, Va., Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Md., and Philadelphia, Pa. At each of these places the Red Cross ladies met us and served us with coffee, cakes and apples. They gave us stationery and magazines. They gave the boys who smoke, cigarettes and matches. The Red Cross is always ready to serve a soldier and is our best friend. This evening each of us were given an extra pair of woolen socks and a woolen sweater by the Red Cross.
Enroute here I saw many beautiful rivers and mountains. We came through several tunnels and passed the big Lookout Mountain at Chattanooga, Tenn. At Johnson City, Tenn., we passed by the Old Soldiers' Home. It is a large and beautiful structure. The old soldiers were dressed in uniforms like those they wore during the Civil War. As the troop trains passed they cheered us and waved their caps and walking canes. We stopped at Washington, D. C., and could see the White House, the Capitol Building and many scenes that were of interest to us. As we crossed the bay at Jersey City we could see the lights of New York City in the distance.
We all have our over-sea clothes and equipment and are mighty proud of same, also of our Uncle Sam who issued them to us. The pack which each man carries weighs about 85 lbs, in addition to which we must carry our rifle, cartridge belt, canteen, (filled with water) and sundry trench tools. My pack contains 3 blankets, one shelter half, (half tent) 5 tent pegs, one tent pole, one slicker, one heavy overcoat, one woolen cap, one pair of yarn-fingered gloves, one pair of wool-lined leather gloves, 5 pairs of heavy wool socks, 2 pairs of heavy hob-nailed shoes, 2 woolen shirts, one sleeveless sweater, 2 suits of woolen underwear, one pair of woolen pants, one coat, one razor and extra blades, one tooth brush and tube of dental paste, one comb, one brush, 2 towels, one New Testament, one knife, one fork, one spoon, one bacon pan, one can filled with sugar, coffee and salt, 4 boxes of hard-tack, one can of corned beef, one first aid kit, one mirror, 2 boxes of shoe grease, and a few other little necessary things. The food included in the foregoing list is known as a reserve ration and is to be used only, in case of ship-wreck or when cut off from our base of supplies. It is presumed to last 12 days.
I have written a long letter, too long, I fear. My excuse is that I want the folks back home to know that the boys are well-equipped and well fed. We have been under such a strict quarantine for influenza that I have heard only 3 sermons preached since I was drafted in August. Will write again when I get "over there." Best wishes to the people in Yell County and the P-D.
Bill Dawson
Camp Pike, 10th Co., Oct. A R
Camp Merritt, N. J.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Camp Merritt, N. J.
Nov. 1, 1918
Editor Post-Dispatch:
As I am several hundred miles from home and friends and am just a little lonesome tonight I thought I would write to the P-D., for it is my favorite paper. I will tell you of my trip from Camp Pike to Camp Merritt. Camp Merritt is a beautiful camp. It is near the coast and is not far from Hoboken, N. J. We were well equipped and had everything ready to sail for Europe when one of the boys got sick with meningitis and another with mumps on the day we were scheduled to embark, so we were at once quarantined for an indefinite period and that is why I am lonesome.
A train of 15 cars of troops left Camp Pike on Friday, and we travelled about 85 hours. We passed through parts of eight States, getting off the train at Memphis, Tenn., Chattanooga, Tenn., Nashville, Tenn., Ronoke, Va., Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Md., and Philadelphia, Pa. At each of these places the Red Cross ladies met us and served us with coffee, cakes and apples. They gave us stationery and magazines. They gave the boys who smoke, cigarettes and matches. The Red Cross is always ready to serve a soldier and is our best friend. This evening each of us were given an extra pair of woolen socks and a woolen sweater by the Red Cross.
Enroute here I saw many beautiful rivers and mountains. We came through several tunnels and passed the big Lookout Mountain at Chattanooga, Tenn. At Johnson City, Tenn., we passed by the Old Soldiers' Home. It is a large and beautiful structure. The old soldiers were dressed in uniforms like those they wore during the Civil War. As the troop trains passed they cheered us and waved their caps and walking canes. We stopped at Washington, D. C., and could see the White House, the Capitol Building and many scenes that were of interest to us. As we crossed the bay at Jersey City we could see the lights of New York City in the distance.
We all have our over-sea clothes and equipment and are mighty proud of same, also of our Uncle Sam who issued them to us. The pack which each man carries weighs about 85 lbs, in addition to which we must carry our rifle, cartridge belt, canteen, (filled with water) and sundry trench tools. My pack contains 3 blankets, one shelter half, (half tent) 5 tent pegs, one tent pole, one slicker, one heavy overcoat, one woolen cap, one pair of yarn-fingered gloves, one pair of wool-lined leather gloves, 5 pairs of heavy wool socks, 2 pairs of heavy hob-nailed shoes, 2 woolen shirts, one sleeveless sweater, 2 suits of woolen underwear, one pair of woolen pants, one coat, one razor and extra blades, one tooth brush and tube of dental paste, one comb, one brush, 2 towels, one New Testament, one knife, one fork, one spoon, one bacon pan, one can filled with sugar, coffee and salt, 4 boxes of hard-tack, one can of corned beef, one first aid kit, one mirror, 2 boxes of shoe grease, and a few other little necessary things. The food included in the foregoing list is known as a reserve ration and is to be used only, in case of ship-wreck or when cut off from our base of supplies. It is presumed to last 12 days.
I have written a long letter, too long, I fear. My excuse is that I want the folks back home to know that the boys are well-equipped and well fed. We have been under such a strict quarantine for influenza that I have heard only 3 sermons preached since I was drafted in August. Will write again when I get "over there." Best wishes to the people in Yell County and the P-D.
Bill Dawson
Camp Pike, 10th Co., Oct. A R
Camp Merritt, N. J.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD