TRANSCRIBED FROM THE COLUMBIA BANNER SEPTEMBER 25, 1918 P. 1
114 Trench Motor Bn.
Camp Mills, N. Y.
Aug. 19, 1918
Miss Fannie Caswell.
Dear sister:
How are you today? I’m just all O. K. Well, we have just got to our Camp. I have seen some of the world since I left Louisiana. I think we came around the world. This A. M. at 2 o’clock we were further north than we are now. We turned south about daylight, came through New Jersey, then took a boat that came to New York.
I like the looks of the Camp fine. Don’t know how long we will be here. We have been training day and night since we left. I came through six states. We had some fun on the trip I am getting all the fun out of it I can.
I haven’t seen any cotton since I left Arkansas.
I don’t mind training on top of the ground, but don’t like to go under it. As we came through New York, we went through mountains several hundred feet high. It was so dark under there that we could not see anything at all while the train was going through. We got through in 30 minutes, but it was dark, the darkest I ever saw.
One thing sure, I don’t want you all to worry over me if I go to France. I feel just like I am coming back safely, if I don’t I will meet you all in a better world, you can rest assured of that.
You can tell the people that the Red Cross is all right. I never saw the good of it until this trip. Well, I am in a rush now. I will write more next time. If I don’t get to write any more soon don’t worry, for if I don’t see you any more in this world I will meet you in a better one.
Ira I, Caswell.
NOTES: Ira I. Caswell was born on February 27, 1889 in Columbia County, Arkansas and died on March 14, 1955 in Springhill Louisiana. He is buried in the Springhill Cemetery, Webster, Louisiana. His military headstone request lists him as a Wagoner in the 114 Trench Motor Batt. 39th div. He was described as being short and slender with gray eyes and brown hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
114 Trench Motor Bn.
Camp Mills, N. Y.
Aug. 19, 1918
Miss Fannie Caswell.
Dear sister:
How are you today? I’m just all O. K. Well, we have just got to our Camp. I have seen some of the world since I left Louisiana. I think we came around the world. This A. M. at 2 o’clock we were further north than we are now. We turned south about daylight, came through New Jersey, then took a boat that came to New York.
I like the looks of the Camp fine. Don’t know how long we will be here. We have been training day and night since we left. I came through six states. We had some fun on the trip I am getting all the fun out of it I can.
I haven’t seen any cotton since I left Arkansas.
I don’t mind training on top of the ground, but don’t like to go under it. As we came through New York, we went through mountains several hundred feet high. It was so dark under there that we could not see anything at all while the train was going through. We got through in 30 minutes, but it was dark, the darkest I ever saw.
One thing sure, I don’t want you all to worry over me if I go to France. I feel just like I am coming back safely, if I don’t I will meet you all in a better world, you can rest assured of that.
You can tell the people that the Red Cross is all right. I never saw the good of it until this trip. Well, I am in a rush now. I will write more next time. If I don’t get to write any more soon don’t worry, for if I don’t see you any more in this world I will meet you in a better one.
Ira I, Caswell.
NOTES: Ira I. Caswell was born on February 27, 1889 in Columbia County, Arkansas and died on March 14, 1955 in Springhill Louisiana. He is buried in the Springhill Cemetery, Webster, Louisiana. His military headstone request lists him as a Wagoner in the 114 Trench Motor Batt. 39th div. He was described as being short and slender with gray eyes and brown hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT