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From: "Cathy Joynt Labath" <>
Subject: [IAPALOAL] Camp Life of Co K (continued)
Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2004 18:26:00 -0600

...continued...

CAMP LIFE OF COMPANY K
SPANISH AMERICAN WAR 1898
A Souvenir Booklet Compliments of L.H. Mayne, Emmetsburg

Prefatory
The matter in this booklet is a reproduction of letters published in the
Reporter of thirty years ago, which were written by L.H. Mayne when he was with
Company K during the Spanish American war. These letters faithfully chronicled
the events that happened during the Spanish American war. These letters
faithfully chronicled the events that happened during those memorable days in
the 52nd Regiment and in which Company K boys participated.


Camp Thomas
Chickamaugua Park, Georgia.
June 20, 1898

In our last issue the fact that the long drought in northwestern Georgia was
broken down briefly mentioned. On Sunday, the 13th, the rain came down in one
vast sheet for nearly half an hour, and in a short time the small creeks,
rivulets and gulches were pouring a perfect torrent of water toward the
Chickamaugua river so that the stream was swollen far above its normal
condition. All the refuse and excrement in and around that part of the park
sloping toward the river was washed into the stream, so that its water, (none
the best at any time) was made turgid with the filth and debris that had been
gathering for weeks. This stream is the course of the water supply of the
southern part of Camp Thomas and its waters were rendered so dirty and nauseous
that none would venture to drink it or even to use it for cooking purposes. The
water for cooking and drinking was carried over by the boys from springs over a
mile distant before and after drills. Fortunately the mules for the regiment
were assigned to the wagoners the fore part of the week, and now the greater
share of water used is hauled in barrels from Crawfish spring, a distance of
five miles. The rain has continued the greater share of the week, coming in
showers and has been a great blessing and in our opinion has warded of some
malignant disease. In the first place it washed the camp clean of filth which
would have been sure to breed some such disease as typhoid fever. Then again the
heated spell was broken and almost every day a nice cool breeze has blown and
put new life and vigor in the boys. This was made manifest by their actions on
Monday evening, for hitherto after the drills of the day were all over all were
listless and sat around and moped or else tried to find a cool spot to brood
over real or imaginery [sic] evils. Now a new spirit came over their dream and
part of their old rollicking ways returned and as parade was formed shouts of
laughter and merriment rang throughout the camp of Fifty-second Iowa and even
invaded the camp of the First Mississippi that lay first south. The effect of
cooler weather is also seen in the decreasing sicklist, and another such week as
the past one will so improve the health of the camp that but a few of the worst
cases will be left in the hospital. The measles still cling to the regiment and
several cases are now in the hospital. The first of the week the entire regiment
was marched by companies to the hospital and vaccinated for smallpox. It seems
strange, yet it is a fact that three were several of the men who actually
fainted away when they were being vaccinated. Thus far none of the boys are laid
up with sore arms but it is pretty safe to say that this week will find many of
them yelling, "O my sore arm!" when some other fellow thoughtlessly gives him a
slap on it.
Tuesday forenoon Major Hill commanding the second battalion took it to
Snodgrass Hill, about three miles distant, on battalion drill. This hill is the
most celebrated part of the battlefield of Chicamaugua, as it was here that
Bragg's hitherto victorious progress was arrested and his army held in check by
Thomas until the remainder of the army had time to retire to Chatanooga. On the
summit of the hill the government has erected an observation tower seventy feet
in height. The hill itself is the highest point on the battlefield and from the
top of the tower one gets a splendid view of the topography of the entire field
and surrounding country. In brief, the battlefield might be described as a
triangle with the shorter lines on the west and north with the Chickamaugua
river approximately as the hypotenuse. In the apex of the triangle stands
Snodgrass hill rising above the plateau below, with quite a precipitous ascent.
Away to the southeast across the Chickamaugua, lies the line of hills in which
Bragg's army was posted before the battle. Just to the north, and extending to
the northeast lies Missionary Ridge, which was the scene of one of Grant's most
brilliant victories, while seven miles to the northwest Lookout mountain towers
aloft with it jutting and precipitous cliffs overlooking the Tennessee flowing
placidly onward around its base. It was certainly a grand view and he who looks
once will look again and become lost in wonder at nature's marvelous works.
Snodgrass hill is covered with monuments erected to the memory of the
various regiments that stood on its fated crest that memorable day. Just to give
an idea of the stubbornness of the fight we will give the percentage of the loss
sustained by the three regiments that occupied a position on the right center of
the union line. First came the Second Minnesota with a loss of killed and
wounded (none missing) of 47 per cent. The Eighty-seventh Indiana came next with
a loss in killed, wounded and missing of 51 per cent. The Thirty-fifth Ohio of
the same brigade sustained a total loss of 50 per cent. Here, then, was an
entire brigade in which the loss was practically one man out of every two failed
to answer the roll call that night. The living and the dead who took part on
such a congested field well deserve to be classed among the bravest of the
brave.
As one stood and gazed upon the grim reminder of such a gory field he
instinctively wondered if the sons of the participants in such a sanguinary
contest who are now tenting on the old battle ground, would render such a
glorious account of themselves when once the minions of Spain were met on the
field of battle. If they do (and we believe they will) no army that senile and
decrepit old Spain can put in the field will stand long before them.
A sort of rivalry has sprung up between the Maine Canteen and the Y.M.C.A.
tent as to which will be the greatest attraction. The Canteen was the first on
the ground and for a few days had everything its own way. Beer was dished out at
a great rate but it often occurred that it was stale and hot and the boys tired
of it. The Y.M.C.A. tent was then pitched close to the Canteen and as it has all
sorts of games, and furnished tables and writing material free of charge it soon
outstripped the Canteen as a popular resort. We can't say that it will do so
permanently, but are awaiting a pay day to mark the effect this will have on the
crowd at each place, for we are uncharitable enough to believe money has
something to do with the matter. However, the Y.M.C.A. is doing a good work
among the boys and should receive encouragement of all true men and soldiers.
A little incident in connection with the above came under our observation
the other day. One of the boys got paper and envelope and wrote a letter. He
then stepped up to the man in charge and asked him to loan him a postage stamp.
He got it. This was all right, but the same fellow a day before had money to
squander on beer and whisky and to throw away in a game of poker. He should have
gone to the Canteen or to the fellow who won his money to borrow his postage
stamp.
The Fifty-second has no Canteen owing to the fact that Col. Humphrey refused
to sanction one in the regiment. He has been repeatedly pressed to give his
consent but thus far has positively refused to do so.
--
Company K Notes.
The health of the boys of the company has improved during the past week and
on Thursday and Friday last every man in the company was reported on duty.
Saturday, however, a couple were again laid up with the usual complaint.
Saturday afternoon was inspection of arms and every spare moment the boys had
was put in in cleaning up the guns and belts and as a result everything was in a
very creditable condition.
Sunday came the inspection of quarters by Col. Humphrey and the tents were
about as neat and tidy as they could be made under the circumstances.
Private Sophus Richards has been transferred to the division hospital corps
much to the regret of the company. He is considered an excellent hand with the
sick, hence his transfer.
D.E. Berry has resigned his position as cook and his place has been filled
by F.E. Letson. We presume Dan's time was so occupied by his extensive
correspondence with the fairer sex in the various towns through which the
company passed while enroute that he was compelled to give up cooking and devote
his time to the more pleasing occupation.
Several of the other boys devote much energy in this direction and several
romantic alliances may result from their efforts. Judging from the description
that some of these correspondents give of themselves of loveliness and no one
could resist their charms.

...to be continued...

Cathy Joynt Labath
Palo Alto Co, IA USGenWeb Project
http://www.celticcousins.net/paloalto/index.htm

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• [IAPALOAL] Camp Life of Co K (continued) by "Cathy Joynt Labath" <>