TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ATKINS CHRONICLE FEBRUARY 22, 1918 P. 1
My dear cousin:
After so long a time I will write you tonight. I am in a great country for an army camp, and I feel fine all the time. I wish you could see this place. I will not take time to describe it.
I am working very hard now, but I do not mind that, as I want to make a good soldier and hard work will do it.
We got here about 1 mo. late and will have a hard time to get a commission at the end of the school, but if I fail I am sure it will do me good the rest of my days.
I shave every day and dress up every evening as if I were going to see my best girl. I have my shoes shining all the time.
We are getting all any one could ask for in the way of eats—the grub is extra good and I have a good cot and a good mattress to sleep on and I have two overcoats, one slicker and a trunk full of clothes to look after, so when you read in the papers about the soldiers not having plenty of clothes you may know that the noted Senator Chamberline is just pulling towards the President’s chair in his imagination. He should be kicked out of the senate and a sensible man put in his place.
I am in a company of boys from the regular army. They are from every state in the union and they are nice guys.
We had a great trip out here. I was in 20 miles of the Gulf of Mexico, but the fog was so thick early Sunday morning I could not see 100 yards. We came over the Sun Set route that goes from New Orleans to San Francisco. I saw the sun set on the prairios. It was one of the most beautiful sights I ever saw.
We are 30 miles from San Antonio. It is some city. I saw 12 aeroplanes flying over the city Monday morning. Some of them looked like birds they were so high.
The poor Germans do not know how many American soldiers are training for them, but by the first of April they will think that the world and the sky is on fire.
I havent heard from home in two weeks and am anxious to hear. I am looking for a letter the first of the week. I hope every thing will be so that I will be home this time next year and then I will be there to stay.
We study two hours every night, except Friday and Saturday nights. We do not have anything to do on Saturday evenings and Sunday and can go to town Saturday and stay until Sunday at 6, but I don’t guess I will go at all. I have just come from the Y.M.C.A. and heard a lecturer, which was great. We have to attend lecturers and take notes from a French officer, who has been wounded and has a very ugly scar on his left cheek. I heard a British officer lecture yesterday who wrote the book, “The First 100,000”.
Well my time is almost up and I will have to fill my bed.
So love to all.
Oscar Alewine.
1st Infty. Co. A, Leon Springs Training Camp, Camp Stanley, Saturday February 9, 1913
NOTES: Oscar Monroe Alewine was born on November 19, 1886 and died on November 25, 1975. He is buried in the Oakland Cemetery in Atkins, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON
My dear cousin:
After so long a time I will write you tonight. I am in a great country for an army camp, and I feel fine all the time. I wish you could see this place. I will not take time to describe it.
I am working very hard now, but I do not mind that, as I want to make a good soldier and hard work will do it.
We got here about 1 mo. late and will have a hard time to get a commission at the end of the school, but if I fail I am sure it will do me good the rest of my days.
I shave every day and dress up every evening as if I were going to see my best girl. I have my shoes shining all the time.
We are getting all any one could ask for in the way of eats—the grub is extra good and I have a good cot and a good mattress to sleep on and I have two overcoats, one slicker and a trunk full of clothes to look after, so when you read in the papers about the soldiers not having plenty of clothes you may know that the noted Senator Chamberline is just pulling towards the President’s chair in his imagination. He should be kicked out of the senate and a sensible man put in his place.
I am in a company of boys from the regular army. They are from every state in the union and they are nice guys.
We had a great trip out here. I was in 20 miles of the Gulf of Mexico, but the fog was so thick early Sunday morning I could not see 100 yards. We came over the Sun Set route that goes from New Orleans to San Francisco. I saw the sun set on the prairios. It was one of the most beautiful sights I ever saw.
We are 30 miles from San Antonio. It is some city. I saw 12 aeroplanes flying over the city Monday morning. Some of them looked like birds they were so high.
The poor Germans do not know how many American soldiers are training for them, but by the first of April they will think that the world and the sky is on fire.
I havent heard from home in two weeks and am anxious to hear. I am looking for a letter the first of the week. I hope every thing will be so that I will be home this time next year and then I will be there to stay.
We study two hours every night, except Friday and Saturday nights. We do not have anything to do on Saturday evenings and Sunday and can go to town Saturday and stay until Sunday at 6, but I don’t guess I will go at all. I have just come from the Y.M.C.A. and heard a lecturer, which was great. We have to attend lecturers and take notes from a French officer, who has been wounded and has a very ugly scar on his left cheek. I heard a British officer lecture yesterday who wrote the book, “The First 100,000”.
Well my time is almost up and I will have to fill my bed.
So love to all.
Oscar Alewine.
1st Infty. Co. A, Leon Springs Training Camp, Camp Stanley, Saturday February 9, 1913
NOTES: Oscar Monroe Alewine was born on November 19, 1886 and died on November 25, 1975. He is buried in the Oakland Cemetery in Atkins, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON