TRANSCRIBED FROM THE VAN BUREN COUNTY DEMOCRAT SEPTEMBER 20, 1918 P. 1
Quantrio, Va.,
Upon leaving home I went to Paris Island, passing through Memphis, Atlanta and Birmingham, I sure did see some fine country. I remained at Paris Island fourteen weeks and after going through the recruit training I was detailed to Signal school, taking a six weeks course at main barracks. My highest score in Semaphore was 26 words, and besides we had Heliograph Blinkers, Wig Wag and Map Reading.
After finishing at Paris Island I was detailed to Quantrio. Leaving Paris Island we passed through South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia, the latter being the prettiest country I have ever seen. The people were all nice to us while coming through, and especially the Y.M.C.A. and Red Cross. They gave us cards, stationery, ice cream, and candy. At Quantrio I was detailed to A Company, 13th Regiment. We sure have good officers.
I was also on rifle range for three weeks and we sure did have to learn to shoot. Shot both slow and rapid. In the rapid fire we would have to fire ten shots in sixty seconds. I made 248 points out of a possible 300 which gave me Sharpshooter class. As we will be moving again soon I will not send my address. Believe me, this is some fine life.
NOTES: This partial letter was written by Joe Bishop from Quantico, Virginia to the editor of the paper,
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Quantrio, Va.,
Upon leaving home I went to Paris Island, passing through Memphis, Atlanta and Birmingham, I sure did see some fine country. I remained at Paris Island fourteen weeks and after going through the recruit training I was detailed to Signal school, taking a six weeks course at main barracks. My highest score in Semaphore was 26 words, and besides we had Heliograph Blinkers, Wig Wag and Map Reading.
After finishing at Paris Island I was detailed to Quantrio. Leaving Paris Island we passed through South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia, the latter being the prettiest country I have ever seen. The people were all nice to us while coming through, and especially the Y.M.C.A. and Red Cross. They gave us cards, stationery, ice cream, and candy. At Quantrio I was detailed to A Company, 13th Regiment. We sure have good officers.
I was also on rifle range for three weeks and we sure did have to learn to shoot. Shot both slow and rapid. In the rapid fire we would have to fire ten shots in sixty seconds. I made 248 points out of a possible 300 which gave me Sharpshooter class. As we will be moving again soon I will not send my address. Believe me, this is some fine life.
NOTES: This partial letter was written by Joe Bishop from Quantico, Virginia to the editor of the paper,
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD