TRANSCRIBED FROM THE COLUMBIA BANNER MAY 8, 1918 P. 1
Dear Friends:
I have heard from many of you and this I appreciate very much, letters from the only link of the fighters last life. Eagerly every sailor boy waits and the gladness or sorrow of a week may depend on a bit of scribbled paper. ‘Tis true I haven’t been on the water much but to see how glad a sailor is made when he hears from home or some friend while still in his own country proves that a letter has a real value on the high seas or abroad. When companies are lined up for the distribution of the mail it is noticed that some receive great quantities of mail while others never get any at all. Of course this is embarrassing for any one and makes him feel as though he is outclassed.
I have been in the navy five months and have seen and observed quite a few things – many more than I can write, but will give a brief view of my experiences.
On the 7th day of Dec. 1917 I enlisted at Little Rock and from there I was sent to the naval training station at Great Lakes, Ill. I found Great Lakes to be more homelike than I expected. At the same time many things were entirely new to me. The worse thing that I found to contend with was the cold. I think this was the cause of me having meningitis. A great number of the boys suffered from this and the greater number were from the South. Eighty percent of these survived, while some were left in critical conditions, as to the work of the hospital I have no complaint to offer. The medical attention throughout the hospital seemed to be good. We had plenty of clothing and plenty to eat and most of the time we had comfortable quarters.
Our first training was drilling and that lasted about three weeks and from then on we worked most of the time shoveling coal. Our drilling was done on the inside of a drill hall, which was more comfortable at times than our barracks. We were never rushed through our work nor were we ever given more than we could do. Seven hours per day was as much as we ever put in. We, seamen, were granted twelve hours liberty per week either on Saturday on Sunday afternoon. Many spent that time at the different clubs which are provided in Chicago and the surrounding towns about the Great Lakes, while some after forming acquaintances visited homes. Many of us went to church in town when opportunity offered itself. The sailors are never without some place to go and are always met with a hearty welcome. The clubs are doing a great good. They furnish almost every kind of amusement and are highly appreciated by the sailors and soldiers. I heartily wish to thank those who have given aid to this work. I know some who have already done so and I assure you that you are certainly remembered by us.
The Red Cross holds a very warm place in the heart of the sailors. This organization has done more in donation of clothing and supplies than any other. The Red Cross trains and ships are common in the east.
The Y. M. C. A. stands first in providing devotional exercises. I have found nice Y. M. C. A. buildings in every station that I have been in. They are kept open from early to 9 o’clock at night. At these buildings we find plenty of writing material and nice places to write. A phonograph is placed on the stand for our entertainment. Magazines and books are at our access. At Great Lakes the Y. M. C. A. sends men to the different barracks on Sunday at 9 o’clock to act as our Sunday School teachers and at 10 o’clock we are required to go to church.
From Great Lakes there were 500 of us went to Philadelphia but only remained there three days and then went to Hampton Roads, Va. This place is more like a city than any. It is very attractive. It has its own street car lines. Hampton Roads is a new name for the old historic Jamestown. Some of the old historic marks are still seen. The buildings which were erected during the Jamestown exposition are now used by the Navy.
While I was at home I was asked what a sailor or soldier would appreciate most and are allowed to have. Below I will give a list of some of the things which they are allowed to have after three months training.
Candy (small package at a time), kodak pictures (easy to keep), handkerchiefs (with full name and initials), gum (one slip in a letter is common), polishing kits, soap cases, French mirrors, tooth paste and brushes, home or county paper, stamps (hard to get at times) poodle bags and comfort kits.
Tracy H. Black,
U. S. S. Rhode Island,
Care P. M. New York.
NOTES: Tracy H. Black was born on February 19, 1894 in Nevada County, Arkansas and died on August 20, 1970 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He is buried in Shadowlawn Cemetery at Malvern, Arkansas. He enlisted in the Navy in 1st Reg., Great Lakes, Ill before draft registration was were completed in Columbia, County, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Dear Friends:
I have heard from many of you and this I appreciate very much, letters from the only link of the fighters last life. Eagerly every sailor boy waits and the gladness or sorrow of a week may depend on a bit of scribbled paper. ‘Tis true I haven’t been on the water much but to see how glad a sailor is made when he hears from home or some friend while still in his own country proves that a letter has a real value on the high seas or abroad. When companies are lined up for the distribution of the mail it is noticed that some receive great quantities of mail while others never get any at all. Of course this is embarrassing for any one and makes him feel as though he is outclassed.
I have been in the navy five months and have seen and observed quite a few things – many more than I can write, but will give a brief view of my experiences.
On the 7th day of Dec. 1917 I enlisted at Little Rock and from there I was sent to the naval training station at Great Lakes, Ill. I found Great Lakes to be more homelike than I expected. At the same time many things were entirely new to me. The worse thing that I found to contend with was the cold. I think this was the cause of me having meningitis. A great number of the boys suffered from this and the greater number were from the South. Eighty percent of these survived, while some were left in critical conditions, as to the work of the hospital I have no complaint to offer. The medical attention throughout the hospital seemed to be good. We had plenty of clothing and plenty to eat and most of the time we had comfortable quarters.
Our first training was drilling and that lasted about three weeks and from then on we worked most of the time shoveling coal. Our drilling was done on the inside of a drill hall, which was more comfortable at times than our barracks. We were never rushed through our work nor were we ever given more than we could do. Seven hours per day was as much as we ever put in. We, seamen, were granted twelve hours liberty per week either on Saturday on Sunday afternoon. Many spent that time at the different clubs which are provided in Chicago and the surrounding towns about the Great Lakes, while some after forming acquaintances visited homes. Many of us went to church in town when opportunity offered itself. The sailors are never without some place to go and are always met with a hearty welcome. The clubs are doing a great good. They furnish almost every kind of amusement and are highly appreciated by the sailors and soldiers. I heartily wish to thank those who have given aid to this work. I know some who have already done so and I assure you that you are certainly remembered by us.
The Red Cross holds a very warm place in the heart of the sailors. This organization has done more in donation of clothing and supplies than any other. The Red Cross trains and ships are common in the east.
The Y. M. C. A. stands first in providing devotional exercises. I have found nice Y. M. C. A. buildings in every station that I have been in. They are kept open from early to 9 o’clock at night. At these buildings we find plenty of writing material and nice places to write. A phonograph is placed on the stand for our entertainment. Magazines and books are at our access. At Great Lakes the Y. M. C. A. sends men to the different barracks on Sunday at 9 o’clock to act as our Sunday School teachers and at 10 o’clock we are required to go to church.
From Great Lakes there were 500 of us went to Philadelphia but only remained there three days and then went to Hampton Roads, Va. This place is more like a city than any. It is very attractive. It has its own street car lines. Hampton Roads is a new name for the old historic Jamestown. Some of the old historic marks are still seen. The buildings which were erected during the Jamestown exposition are now used by the Navy.
While I was at home I was asked what a sailor or soldier would appreciate most and are allowed to have. Below I will give a list of some of the things which they are allowed to have after three months training.
Candy (small package at a time), kodak pictures (easy to keep), handkerchiefs (with full name and initials), gum (one slip in a letter is common), polishing kits, soap cases, French mirrors, tooth paste and brushes, home or county paper, stamps (hard to get at times) poodle bags and comfort kits.
Tracy H. Black,
U. S. S. Rhode Island,
Care P. M. New York.
NOTES: Tracy H. Black was born on February 19, 1894 in Nevada County, Arkansas and died on August 20, 1970 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He is buried in Shadowlawn Cemetery at Malvern, Arkansas. He enlisted in the Navy in 1st Reg., Great Lakes, Ill before draft registration was were completed in Columbia, County, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT