ssary; it can cover the ears and comes well below the
knees. Mysteriously--for I don't understand these things--it has the
military cut. I never felt so swell as when I first buttoned it on.

There has been no general conference on account of the cold, our captain
being the only one brisk enough to get overcoats for his men. But company
conference is now due, and I see the captain coming. These nights on the
rifle, always the rifle.

Love from

DICK.

PRIVATE GODWIN'S DAILY LETTER

Plattsburg, Tues. the 19th September.

DEAR MOTHER:--

We have had a long day on the rifle range, slow fire at three hundred,
five hundred, and six hundred yards, working for a total of 50 on each
target, and a possible grand total of 250 when, some other day, we have
our two tries at rapid fire. The work was hard for some of us, the
coaches and scorers, exciting for the rest. The captain worked hard from
first to last, trying to make it possible for us, with our slight
preparation, to qualify as marksmen, with a total of 160, or perhaps even
to do better, as sharpshooters scoring 190, or as expert riflemen with
210 points. Our new overcoats, for which we have him to thank, saved the
lives of many of us, for there was the keenest little north wind blowing.
I lay down in mine once, and slept very comfortably; and all the fellows
were grateful for the protection. There isn't a man in the company that
hasn't done his best today for the captain's sake, if not for his own.

Our company were waked a little early, and were extra prompt to
breakfast, which was extra good (eggs and bacon!)--again the captain's
foresight. He started us promptly for the range, surely the oddest sight
that we have presented so far. In front went a huddle of men with
benches, chairs, and tables, lamps for blacking the sights (lest they
glitter and confuse the eye), the captain's megaphone, and the
ammunition. We followed at route step in our greatcoats, some of us
carrying ponchos, and except for our rifles and belts, no other
equipment. Discipline was relaxed today, for the captain, hopeful of good
scores, was as gentle as a lamb.

Of the three dozen targets we had twelve for our share, and companies I
and J used the remainder. In front of our section of the line the company
flag was set up, the benches were placed, the scorers took their seats,
the pla