Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 November 1899 — From Another Soldier Boy. [ARTICLE]

From Another Soldier Boy.

The following letter was handed us by L. L. Lefler, of Pleasant Ridge, it being from his brother, Robert, a soldier in Co. E. U. S. V01.,39th reg’t, which expects to do service in the Philippines: Ft. Crook, Oct 14, ’99. Dear Brother: I will now give you an account of our trip from Ft. Crook, to Vancouver Barracks, Wash., most of which was written on board the train. We broke camp Saturday morning, Oct. 14, at about 10 o’olock,

and it was 9 o’clock p. m., be» ’ fore we got aboard the trnijS Maybe you think it wasn’t tiresoxgM to stand around all of that time, 1 laden with our knapsack, h&ve£i| sack, canteen and blankets. at last we started and after plidiwjii swiftly over the rolling country! all night through, morning fou®wo us far into Nebraska, Lincoln be4l ing one of the points passed. Of ? course I can but give you 4|| very limited account of our jou»|| ney during the various nights. Oct. 15—Just arose—made my bed and ate breakfast. The country through this part of Nebraska is very hilly, with deep ravines running back inland as fatfi; as we can see. We are now in Colorado, but scarcely realize it, the* change of country being so slight. During the 16th, we had quite a snow storm, the crystal flakes adding greatly to the beauty dfi the country. As I have to perform the duty of guard to-day, I will be compelled to leave this day’s proceeding to the dead past. Morning has at last arisen from the lap of night, and I am relieved of guard duty and am free to write, although I feel rather “bum.” We are now on our journey across the “Rockies,” the scenery being very picturesque, indeed. We have just passed through a dark tunnel, nearly a mile in length,

only to emerge into a beautiful valley, about 15 miles long and 1 mile wide, protected on either side by mountains, and upon whose grassy surface countless numbers of cattle graze. But we must now leave these pleasing scenes and be carried into Idaho, to find larger mountains, which are rather noted for their great height than any additional beauty, but the wheels keep moving swiftly on and after a good night’s rest in the Pullman sleepers, we arise to find ourselves not in Idaho, but in the magnificent country of Oregon, with its beautiful waterfalls, fine orchards laden with fruit, and picturesque mountains all covered with a bountiful, green foliage. The 19th finds us in Portland, where we change our mode of travel from the rail to the water. I helped reload our goods into the ship and soon we found ourselves sailing down that broad, majestic Columbia river. This new found pleasure had but a brief life, as we soon arrived at the Barracks, which are only a distance of twenty miles from Portland, where we are to remain until our transports are ready. We were compelled to pitch our tents in the rain. It is said, and I think truthfully, that it rains here ten months out of the year and snows the other two. There is part of a regiment of colored soldiers here. All told, we number about 3,000. . Promising to write more at some future date, I remain Your Brother, Robert Lefler.