Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 February 1901 — As it Looks to Eph Hickman. [ARTICLE]

As it Looks to Eph Hickman.

Takes a Brighter View of Soldi*-ring w than Clay Hopkins. Presidio, San Francisco, Cal. Editor Republican: I thought I would take the pleasure of dropping you a few lines in regard to the army.. Well first, there is a great erf about the treatment of soldiers in the army. The treatment as far as lean see is of the best, and rations are of the best and a plenty of it. We have good places to sleep and eat, and the best of medical treatment, and plenty of good clothes to wear of the best material. ’ All the men that come back from the Philippines are in very good Of course there are some that don’t take care of themselves and they are the ones that are complaining of bad treatment. If a soldier don’t take care of himself he can’t expect to get along in the army, but If he takes care of bis health as far as I can see he can always get along. They are taking all the Vols. out of the Philippines and discharging them and putting the Regulars there. The Transport Warren arrived here the 28th of Jan. with the 26, 27 and 28 Vol. Inf. and are being discharged and the Transport Sheridan with the 37th Vol. Inf., and as far as I can 1 see are in very good health, are being discharged also. The Transport Shpridan sailed for Manila Feb. 16, with one battalion of the new 26th and 27th Regular Inf., as they are organizing 3 new regiments of Inf., and 3 of Cavalry, being the 11th, 12th, and 14th. We have one Squadron of the Cavalry here but havent been assigned to any regiment. We will be assigned to one of the new regiments of Cavalry, and as soon as we are assigned we wifl be Sent to the Philippines and take the 11th Cavalry’s place, as the 11th is on their way back to the states. They are due here about the 24th of Feb., and we will sail about the 15th of March. I am not caring how soon they sail us for I want to go. We will have two years to serve over there and I want to get my time in and get back. lam in the best of health at present and hope I always will be. For this part of California is about as unhealthy as the Philippines as there is always a damp air going. We are camped right on the San Francisco Bay and right in sight of the Pacific Ocean. All I can see when I look on the Ocean is water. San Francisco is situated on the Coast and is a funny looking town to my eyes as part of it is up on mountains and down in valleys. Us eastern boys always ride down town for we are not fond of climbing those tiresome hills. They don't have many electric cars here as the hills are so steep they cannot pull up them. Their street cars are most all cable cars, and go straight up and straight down they look awful scarry to get on one and ride down some of these hills. Yours Truly, Ephriam Hickman, Presidio, Cal.