Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 May 1918 — Walter Nagel Writes Home From Ft. Foote, Maryland. [ARTICLE]

Walter Nagel Writes Home From Ft. Foote, Maryland.

Walter Nagel, who left Rensselaer with the bunch of Jaspef county boys bound for Camp Taylor on April 27 and was recently transferred to a camp in Maryland, writes home as follows; Washington Barracks, Fort Foote, Maryland, May 21, 1918. Dear sister and all: Thought 1 would write you a letter and tell you about my trip. We left Camp Taylor Sunday morning at 11 o’clock, and arrived in Washington, D. C., at 3 o’clock Monday afternoon, it sure was some trip. Did not sleep much Sunday night on the train. We went through Louisville, Kentucky, and then through Columbus, Rushville, Shelbyville and Richmond, Indiana. Then we went through New Madison, Greenville, Bradford, Urbana, Columbus, New--ark, Dennison and Steubenville, Ohio. From there we went through the corner of Virginia a-nid into Pennsylvania. in the latter state we went through Pittsburg, Altoona, Huningdon, Newport, Oovallen, Harrisburg and York. From there we went into Maryland, through Baltimore, and then to Washington, D. C. Here we had to walk for an hour before we got to a place where we got on rafts. A tow boat towed us about seven miles up the river to the camp. It took us about two hours after we got on the rafts until we landed. The rafts had five boats under some of them, and others had three. The last ones were not so long but they were loaded pretty heavy. There were about 750 or 800 on them. They had four rafts and tied them together. We arrived here in the camp about 8:15 at night, and before they had roll call and we got to our tents it was after 10 o’clock. We ate supper at half past 10. Guess that’s going some. At Dennison, Ohio, there were about 1,000 people at the depot to meet us. They thought the boys from Dennison were going through there that day. At Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, the Red Cross gave us an apple, a chocolate bar, package oi cigarettes and a post card. Did not get very much to eat here yet, so I hope it gets better. We did not get very much to eat on the train, either. Got a little canned beef, bread, tomatoes, a few beans and coffee. I went to the canteen and bought me half a peach pie this afternoon. It was pretty good. I enjoyed the ride ,here but got a little tired. We had to stay in our own car. Had guards at each door. I had to guard for two hours. We certainly saw some hilly country. We lire all surrounded by brush here and are in about a twenty-acre space. The water we have to drink is slop warm. There were nine of the Jasper county boys transferred. They were Kroening, Krueger, Wiseman, Worden, Zimmerman, Grube, Van Weinen, Sekema and myself. About sixty of the boys were taken out at Washington and left there. Wiseman, Worden and Zimmerman were aimong them. Kroening is in the same tent as I am. r I am certainly glad he is with me, too. There are about 150 tents hetre and each one holds eight men. They say this is an old fort that was used in the civil war. It is certainly some place. We are situated

along the Potdmac river and Virginia is right across the river from us. The only light we have is a candle, so it will be hard for me to write to everyone. We had to pile our barrack bags together and I haven’t found mine yet.„ I hope that I will get it for, aU my things are in it. you can send me a comfort kit, for I

could use it to a good advantage now. ; 4 I expect to -leave here in about two weeks to go to some other place. We will be there about one week and then, go to France. 1 don’t know when I will get back home again. I guess it will be awhile. We are in the Engineers corps here. They issue us all woolen clothes and they certainly are heavy. It is so hot here a person almost roasts, so I don’t know what I wlll 4 do when I get the woolen clothes. The officers here are much nicer than at Camp Taylor, so it seems to me. We drill eight hours a day time. We drill eight hours a day here, so guess we'll be tired when night comes. 1 don't know what to do about The Democrat. If 1 don't get it you write and let me know who is in the next draft Tell them to change my address. You can write to the relatives and tell them where I am and give them my address also. Tell them I will write to them sometimes but they can write home and you can tell me what they write. I may be changed before I Could get their letters. Tell Joe and Father Daniel what my address is now. 1 think there is Mass here in the hospital at 7:30 on Sundays, so I guess I will get to Mass anyway. Did not get to Mask last Sundayon account 'mf moving. 1 am almost lost when I can't go to Mass on Sundays. When we came here I sat with a Catholic boy on the train, lie was a K. of C. Is LoFetta home ygl? How is she getting along? Hope that all the rest of you are well yet. If I knew 1 would be here long 1 would have you send me some candy, cake or cookies. Well, I must close for this time, with love to all, YOur loving brother.' WALTER. P. S.—My address is. B Co.. 1 Btn.. 1 Rid. Rgt. Eng.. Washington Barracks, Washington. D. C.