TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SCOTT COUNTY ADVANCE REPORTER AUGUST 15, 1918 P. 2
Troop “F,” 302 Cav.
Douglas, Ariz.,
Aug. 4, 1918.
Dear Mr. Editor and friends:
I will tell of some experiences I have had in the army.
We have begun to do mounted drill. Some are having some bad luck trying to ride their horses. They seem to be fast with them, they sometimes take time about with them. We are having some hard time with our remount, but they tell us now that we will not be cavalry men any more. They say that the 302nd Cavalry are going to become artillery men and we will soon move to some camp in California just a half mile from the ocean. That will be some trip for us, and I am most sure we will go somewhere.
Our experience as cavalrymen have been great for the last few weeks. It is very hard for me to learn to ride like a cavalryman but I have been lucky not to get hurt yet, but will not boast.
We all will be glad to see this war close, but most all are ready to go help end it. Army life is not like being at home doing as you wish but it sure is a fine life to live, it will make a man of you. The taps are what worries us; then you are in your bunk asleeping; your head in the hay buried deep and you dream of home and loved ones, and of good times and pleasures sweet. But a sound then breaks the silence, and you jump as tho you were shot. Then you grunt and groan but out you turn at the “whistle of the tap”!
O why did God make such a creature?
With that thought you start in the day; And whil you dress
There are things you think, that you know you dare not say.
Deep down in hell you wish him, where the fires are good and hot. But you pile right out to review;
At the “Whistle of the Tap.”
His eyes are upon you always, at work and drill or play. And he thinks of lots of things at night, for you to do next day.
Through the sleet and snow in winter; On the dust when the sun shines hot. You go right ahead and obey commands,
At the “Whistle of the Tap.”
For you are being trained to battle on the blood-stained fields of France!
And we are going to whip those Germans
As the Kaiser has no chance,
The men who fight for Liberty
Cares not for his gas or shot,
We’ll go over and into old Berlin
At the “Whistle of the Tap.”
But some day when the war is over
We’ll be free to do what we like.
There’ll be no more K. P. drill or fatigue,
And never a thought of a hike.
At night when you crawl in your feathers,
You can smile on your happy lot,
For you know you wont move next morning,
At the “Whistle of the Tap.”
Cpl. S. J. Kilburn.
NOTES: Seldom J. Kilburn was born in Arkansas on April 4, 1895 and died at Charleston, Arkansas on October 9, 1979. He is buried in the Bixby Cemetery in Bixby, Oklahoma.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS
Troop “F,” 302 Cav.
Douglas, Ariz.,
Aug. 4, 1918.
Dear Mr. Editor and friends:
I will tell of some experiences I have had in the army.
We have begun to do mounted drill. Some are having some bad luck trying to ride their horses. They seem to be fast with them, they sometimes take time about with them. We are having some hard time with our remount, but they tell us now that we will not be cavalry men any more. They say that the 302nd Cavalry are going to become artillery men and we will soon move to some camp in California just a half mile from the ocean. That will be some trip for us, and I am most sure we will go somewhere.
Our experience as cavalrymen have been great for the last few weeks. It is very hard for me to learn to ride like a cavalryman but I have been lucky not to get hurt yet, but will not boast.
We all will be glad to see this war close, but most all are ready to go help end it. Army life is not like being at home doing as you wish but it sure is a fine life to live, it will make a man of you. The taps are what worries us; then you are in your bunk asleeping; your head in the hay buried deep and you dream of home and loved ones, and of good times and pleasures sweet. But a sound then breaks the silence, and you jump as tho you were shot. Then you grunt and groan but out you turn at the “whistle of the tap”!
O why did God make such a creature?
With that thought you start in the day; And whil you dress
There are things you think, that you know you dare not say.
Deep down in hell you wish him, where the fires are good and hot. But you pile right out to review;
At the “Whistle of the Tap.”
His eyes are upon you always, at work and drill or play. And he thinks of lots of things at night, for you to do next day.
Through the sleet and snow in winter; On the dust when the sun shines hot. You go right ahead and obey commands,
At the “Whistle of the Tap.”
For you are being trained to battle on the blood-stained fields of France!
And we are going to whip those Germans
As the Kaiser has no chance,
The men who fight for Liberty
Cares not for his gas or shot,
We’ll go over and into old Berlin
At the “Whistle of the Tap.”
But some day when the war is over
We’ll be free to do what we like.
There’ll be no more K. P. drill or fatigue,
And never a thought of a hike.
At night when you crawl in your feathers,
You can smile on your happy lot,
For you know you wont move next morning,
At the “Whistle of the Tap.”
Cpl. S. J. Kilburn.
NOTES: Seldom J. Kilburn was born in Arkansas on April 4, 1895 and died at Charleston, Arkansas on October 9, 1979. He is buried in the Bixby Cemetery in Bixby, Oklahoma.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS