January 14, 1915

Letter From Laredo, Texas.

 

Laredo, Tex., Jan. 5th, 1915.

Mr. S. M. Jenkins,
Marion, Ky.

Dear Sir:--

Please find enclosed $1.00, which will pay my subscription up until Oct. 13th, 1915, and please do not let me miss a copy, for I certainly enjoy reading the dear old paper.

I am stationed at Laredo, Tex., just across the Rio Grand [sic] river from Neuvo [sic] Laredo, Mexico, which town was burned by the Federal soldiers, April 24th, 1914, and was almost completely destroyed, at the same time the Federals tried to destroy the I. & G. N. railroad bridge which at that time was being guarded by the soldiers of the Nineth [sic] U. S. Infantry; several shots being exchanged between our soldiers and the Federals, several of them being killed, while none of our boys were hurt.

Since that time every thing has been quiet here, though Neuvo [sic] Laredo is garrisoned by about 1,500 Carrawza [Carranza] soldiers, and they are expecting an attack at any time from Villa soredlis [?], who are reported to be only a short distance from there, now.

Our duty here at present is very easy. We have practically nothing out of the ordinary to do. A guard of four men is kept at each of the two bridges crossing into Mexico for the purpose of not allowing any soldiers, either American or Mexican to cross from one side to the other and filibusting [sic].

We have here, now, about 1,200 soldiers. The entire Nineth [sic] U. S. Infantry four troops of the Cavalry, and Battery "E." Sixth Field Artillery.

There is lots of good hunting down here. The boys of the Nineth [sic] Infantry alone, have killed over one hundred deer. And quail and rabbit! Why we are all sick of them.

I am sending you a menu of our Christmas dinner which you may publish if you wish, so the readers of the Press may see how the soldiers live, at least one day out of the year.

MENU.
Company "D" 9th Infantry.
XMAS--1914
Oyster Soup with crackers.
Roast Turkey, Oyster dressing,
Baked chicken, Giblet dressing,
Roast Pork Loin, Brown gravy,
Cranberry Sauce, Tomato Catsup,
String beans, Early June Peas,
Mashed potatoes, Sugar corn, Creamed asparagus
BREAD and BUTTER.
Quail salad, Mayonnaise dressing,
Queen olives, Sweet pickles,
Celery, Lettuce, Cauliflower,
Chocolate layer cake, Orange cake,
Rich fruit cake, Marble cake,
JELLY ROLL.
Pumpkin pie, Egg custard,
Hot mince pie, Lemon meringue pie,
Oranges, Grapes, Bananas,
APPLES.
Mixed candy, Assorted nuts,
Chocolate and Cream,
Sweet Cider, Cigars.

This is a great country. I have often heard the remark, "That everything that grew in Texas had horns." Well, I believe it now. For the life of me I can't understand where they ever got the name of "Silver Rio Grand [sic]." It should have been "Muddy Rio Grand [sic]," for it certainly is the muddiest river I ever I [sic] saw. But there is one thing I must say for Texas, it is the healthiest place in the U. S.

The principle products are onions, cabbage and yams, 2,500 car loads of onions being shipped from Laredo last season. As a rule, it is very dry here, and the land is all irrigated; but 1914 was an exceptionally rainy year. Since my arrival here in March, 1914, there has been a great deal of rain. During November and December there was hardly a day but what there was some rain. However, on Christmas day was bright and clear, like a May day in the north. It has been raining now steadily for the past two days, and doesn't look as though it would quit.

There are lots of cattle raised here. In fact most all the large ranch owners in the northeast part of Mexico have sent their cattle into Texas for safe keeping.

I guess it will sound strange to some for me to say that now, here in Laredo are a great many beautiful flowers, all in bloom. I have a vase on my table full or beautiful roses, and I suppose there in old Marion you have snow and ice.

Well I shall have to bring my letter to a close by saying that the soldiers along the Mexico border are diligently performing the duty of "watchful waiting," and their patience is unlimited.

Wishing you, and the many readers of the dear old Record-Press a prosperous and happy New Year.

I am respectfully,
R [B]. E. WOODY,
Serg't Co., "D" 9th Infantry.

 

Source:  Crittenden Record-Press. (Marion, Ky.) 1909-1919, January 14, 1915, Image 8 - Chronicling America - The Library of Congress.

 

[My comments are in brackets.]