TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SCOTT COUNTY ADVANCE REPORTER FEBRUARY 28, 1918 P. 4
Paris Island, S. C.
Mr. J. B. Cox and friends of Scott County:
Am greatly pleased to send you a few lines from this wonderful island.
I am much pleased with my new life, although it is very different to the civilian life.
I left Heavener, Okla., January 25th, came via Kansas City, St. Louis, Nashville, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Augusta and arrived t Port Royal, S. C., Feb. 2nd, we boarded a marine steamer for the island.
I must say that I viewed many beautiful, as well as historical scenes on the way down; especially as the train slowly ran through the Cumberland Mountains. There is some wonnerful tunnels and cuts as well as extreme deep bluffs. Just across the Cumberland Mountain alongside the Cumberland River lies the Lookout Mountains. The St. L. & N. C. Railway follows this range of mountains several miles, giving to the traveller one of the most beautiful sceneries of the world.
When the train rolled into Chattanooga, Tenn., I had the pleasure of seeing the old “iron horse” a locomotive ____engine, similar to the _____tractor (or A. W.____. This old engine pulled ____largest trains of the ____ing the Civil War, and was captured during the latter ____the war by the Union ____. The whole crew on _____was killed except the engineer. I suppose his life was because no one was capable of running the engine. I was told by ___that he died four years _____. Around the old engine were some old cannons and ___relics.
Before I take so much time I will tell you something about the camp and marine life.
The Island is three miles off the Coast of South Carolina. The dimensions of the Island are seven by thirty miles. Is t is covered with palm trees and other semi-tropical vegetation, giving the Island a very beautiful appearance. Sea shells are not far from sight here, in fact everything is very attractive to the eye of a native islander, “that’s me.”
I must say the U.S. Marine is the best equipped and best organized defense body in the world. Only strong bodied men can be mariners. Many boys are rejected here who go to the recruiting station of the Army or Navy and are accepted. When you see the fellow wearing the forest green uniform, you can say that he is as sound as a hickory stump. I do not mean mentally, but physically.
There are only two marine camps in the United States; here and at Mare Island, Calif. A marine boy is drilled in the same manner as the soldier while on land, but the marines duty both on land and sea therefore, he must learn the ___ a sailor as well as a soldier.
After he has learned ___he is known as a “leather neck.” There is more truth in the two words than poetry. On all marine statues, badges, emblems, etc. is printed over the eagle SEMPER FIDELIS, meaning “always faithful.”
The uniform of the marine is forest green; we also have a suit of khakis. The famous old 1903 Model, Springfield Rifle is found hanging on the bunk of each marine, I mean while not in use. (Most of the time we have them in our hands drilling.)
There is three separate camps on the island. First, the applicants camp, where the new life is begun and all equipment received. Second, the maneuver grounds; here you learn to use the rifle and learn many other things essential to the life of the Leather Neck. Third and last, you are transferred to the Main Barracks where the mariner completes his drilling. I am now at the Maneuver Grounds, a very beautiful place indeed.
The island is not so much of a desert as you imagine it is. We have picture shows, preaching, speaking and music by the wholesale. In fact I do not see how anyone could keep from being satisfied with the life of a marine.
I guess I am the only person from Scott County in the Marine Corpse.
I know when I come back you will have one barber, one tailor, one bootblack and a real cook, I am learning these trades each day.
I assure you that each letter received from Scott County friends will be greatly appreciated and promply answered.
Very Respectfully
Private, Emmett C. Addison.
100th Co., Marine Barracks.
P.S. Say, Mr. Cox please send my paper to enclosed address, also post me as to when my subscription expires. E.C.A.
NOTES: Emmett Cravens Addison was born on March 26, 1896 and died in July 1980. He is buried in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Heavener, Oklahoma. Portions of this letter are missing due to missing paper. He was writing to the editor/owner of the paper, Mr. J. B. Cox.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON
Paris Island, S. C.
Mr. J. B. Cox and friends of Scott County:
Am greatly pleased to send you a few lines from this wonderful island.
I am much pleased with my new life, although it is very different to the civilian life.
I left Heavener, Okla., January 25th, came via Kansas City, St. Louis, Nashville, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Augusta and arrived t Port Royal, S. C., Feb. 2nd, we boarded a marine steamer for the island.
I must say that I viewed many beautiful, as well as historical scenes on the way down; especially as the train slowly ran through the Cumberland Mountains. There is some wonnerful tunnels and cuts as well as extreme deep bluffs. Just across the Cumberland Mountain alongside the Cumberland River lies the Lookout Mountains. The St. L. & N. C. Railway follows this range of mountains several miles, giving to the traveller one of the most beautiful sceneries of the world.
When the train rolled into Chattanooga, Tenn., I had the pleasure of seeing the old “iron horse” a locomotive ____engine, similar to the _____tractor (or A. W.____. This old engine pulled ____largest trains of the ____ing the Civil War, and was captured during the latter ____the war by the Union ____. The whole crew on _____was killed except the engineer. I suppose his life was because no one was capable of running the engine. I was told by ___that he died four years _____. Around the old engine were some old cannons and ___relics.
Before I take so much time I will tell you something about the camp and marine life.
The Island is three miles off the Coast of South Carolina. The dimensions of the Island are seven by thirty miles. Is t is covered with palm trees and other semi-tropical vegetation, giving the Island a very beautiful appearance. Sea shells are not far from sight here, in fact everything is very attractive to the eye of a native islander, “that’s me.”
I must say the U.S. Marine is the best equipped and best organized defense body in the world. Only strong bodied men can be mariners. Many boys are rejected here who go to the recruiting station of the Army or Navy and are accepted. When you see the fellow wearing the forest green uniform, you can say that he is as sound as a hickory stump. I do not mean mentally, but physically.
There are only two marine camps in the United States; here and at Mare Island, Calif. A marine boy is drilled in the same manner as the soldier while on land, but the marines duty both on land and sea therefore, he must learn the ___ a sailor as well as a soldier.
After he has learned ___he is known as a “leather neck.” There is more truth in the two words than poetry. On all marine statues, badges, emblems, etc. is printed over the eagle SEMPER FIDELIS, meaning “always faithful.”
The uniform of the marine is forest green; we also have a suit of khakis. The famous old 1903 Model, Springfield Rifle is found hanging on the bunk of each marine, I mean while not in use. (Most of the time we have them in our hands drilling.)
There is three separate camps on the island. First, the applicants camp, where the new life is begun and all equipment received. Second, the maneuver grounds; here you learn to use the rifle and learn many other things essential to the life of the Leather Neck. Third and last, you are transferred to the Main Barracks where the mariner completes his drilling. I am now at the Maneuver Grounds, a very beautiful place indeed.
The island is not so much of a desert as you imagine it is. We have picture shows, preaching, speaking and music by the wholesale. In fact I do not see how anyone could keep from being satisfied with the life of a marine.
I guess I am the only person from Scott County in the Marine Corpse.
I know when I come back you will have one barber, one tailor, one bootblack and a real cook, I am learning these trades each day.
I assure you that each letter received from Scott County friends will be greatly appreciated and promply answered.
Very Respectfully
Private, Emmett C. Addison.
100th Co., Marine Barracks.
P.S. Say, Mr. Cox please send my paper to enclosed address, also post me as to when my subscription expires. E.C.A.
NOTES: Emmett Cravens Addison was born on March 26, 1896 and died in July 1980. He is buried in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Heavener, Oklahoma. Portions of this letter are missing due to missing paper. He was writing to the editor/owner of the paper, Mr. J. B. Cox.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON