Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 172, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 July 1918 — THE FIFTH ACROSS. [ARTICLE]

THE FIFTH ACROSS.

On Train, July 24, 1918. Dear Dad: We are well on our way to the place of embarkation, will go through somewhere in Indiana, should I find it somewhere near I will wire you to meet us and be sure and come if I do. Our regiment sure did hate to leave Corpus Christi, but not as much as the people hated to see us leave. There were many tears shed and many a broken heart. There were 127 of our men who had married girls of Corpus Christi, also about that number had married home girls and brought them there to live. All had many dear friends, that is we volunteers who had been in Corpus Christi so long. I left a number of dear friends all of whom were mighty fine people, a Mr. Barrett, whose daughter I went with for about six months, is going to write you a letter and I wish you would tell me when he does. Mr. Barrett is a prominent Mason. It was a great sight to see the corn fields looking fine instead of the large cotton fields so numerous in Texas. Well Dad, this might be my last chance to mail you an uncensored letter and I will have to slip this off in the dark. We are now about one hundred miles from St. Louis on the M. K. & T. Our regiment, the sth Engineers of the regular army, is traveling in four sections, Co. D 'and C are on the third section. We are now. leaving Hoboken, N. J., and soon as we get twenty more men we will have another physical examination and draw full equipment and clothes. We have already been given new; guns. I have my full equipment now. I have been promoted again. Dad I am having my two Liberty Bonds sent direct to you. They will help to. pay you for money sent me, which Gods knows I’m truly thankful. So many extra things are needed that it keeps a fellow flat about half the time, but we’ll pull through. Things are beginning to look pretty good, that we will be back in the U. S. A. in a year or two anyway. They are putting those d Huns back farther every day and I hope that the Fifth will be able to put a big hole in them too. Whether I’m to get mine or not I want one crack at the dirty low down heathens, to help crush the German kultur. When I return I will know that I’m still under the flag of America and Germany cruched never to rise. Anc they will have to be whipped before our chief executive gives them any terms. In closing Dad, give my love to Mamma, Deborah and Jean and my love to Dad, also'my regards to all friends. Write when I get somewhere, we don’t know where, maybe to Italy. RICHARD. P. S. Dad they sure know the war is on in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, but in the south they seem to think it a celebration. Well Dad, we are just out of port of embarkation. George and I are feeling fine. We just met Herman Stewart. So good bye till we get the Kaiser’s huns.