ly submitted.

(In camp near Crossroads 75, south of Sciota, N. Y., Tuesday evening.)

I am sitting on a piece of canvas, being one among a dozen or more men
outside the Y. M. C. A. tent, all writing. Men constantly come between
me and the light or step on my outlying portions; there is much cheerful
talking and laughing, and all about is the usual bustle of the camp.

We arrived at camp late, as battle-scarred warriors, and found the
peaceful first battalion already encamped. At once we pitched tents and
then hastily fed; at home, after hours of such exertion, I should have
had a half hour's rest before eating. But the food was ready and hot; if
I did not take it at once I could not get it at all; so my stomach took
the risk, and I had my meal first and my rest afterward. Then a wash in
oh! such a soft-bottomed sluggish brook, where many shaved, and others to
my amazement cleaned their teeth. For that ceremony I keep my canteen
water, which is served out to us at the head of the company street in
proper dippers by orderlies; it is all I shall have, I foresee, both for
drink and for absolutely necessary washing. We have better holding-ground
for our tent-pins tonight, but the sky is cloudless and again we have not
trenched. There are northern lights--a change in weather? The hay today
cost but ten cents, and the adjutant assures us of that tariff in future.

Imagine the camp as yesterday, and me well. Love from

DICK.

EXTRACT FROM THE LETTER OF ERASMUS CORDER,
ASSISTANT-PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH, HIGH
PRIVATE IN COMPANY H, 10TH TRAINING
REGIMENT, TO HIS WIFE. SAME DATE

... Instead of yesterday's steady marching, with the first battalion
driving the enemy away for our convenience, duties were today reversed,
and our battalion took the advance-guard work, ending in a very bloody
skirmish, in which, I regret to report, one dear to you was slain. We
marched--and it was marching!--at a good pace after the first few miles,
having no one ahead to hold us back except when we had to duck into the
roadside ditches to avoid machine-gun fire. Our advance guard had died
gallantly and cheered (jeered?) us as we went forward to dislodge the
enemy. The problem was explained to us: the enemy was 800 yards ahead,
having command of a shallow valley, which we must cross. This we did by
rushes, squads or platoons at a time, three companies abreast no sooner
achie