TRANSCRIBED FROM THE HOME NEWS JULY 5, 1918 P. 3
Dear Sir:
As I am not busy at the present, thought I would drop you a few lines. I am beginning to feel like a real soldier now, for I have gotten straightened out and know where I am going to be the next day and what I am going to do.
I am on the tuberculosis examining board, thus get to see all the new men as they pour in to answer the call. It is one continuous tramp, tramp, all day and night now. Our brave boys are filled with awe but they show the right spirit. I have seen very few out of the many thousands we have examined show the yellow color.
They are surely giving them strenuous training now. They have to drill from 7 a. m. until 5 p. m. and it is no play job to carry that rifle and go through the many manuvers you are required to do. I have had no drilling to do for some time. All my work is in the office but I have plenty to do.
Any old time you hear a fellow saying that a drafted man has no chance for advancement you just tell them that they are sadly mistaken. The boys that have the ability and pep are getting some of the best positions the army affords. It is just as much honor to be a selected man as a volunteer. I have had officers tell me that we have the best bunch of boys that ever been camp before.
I hear the tramp of the boys coming to visit us so will have to knock off for the present time. Wishing you and yours the best of success in your business, I am,
Sincerely yours,
ROBERT CLAYTON
NOTES: Clayton was born in 1895 and died in 1978. He is buried in the Buckeye Cemetery in Woodruff County, Arkansas. His military grave marker simply states that he was a private in the U. S. Army.
TRANSCRIBED BY LANDON TEER
Dear Sir:
As I am not busy at the present, thought I would drop you a few lines. I am beginning to feel like a real soldier now, for I have gotten straightened out and know where I am going to be the next day and what I am going to do.
I am on the tuberculosis examining board, thus get to see all the new men as they pour in to answer the call. It is one continuous tramp, tramp, all day and night now. Our brave boys are filled with awe but they show the right spirit. I have seen very few out of the many thousands we have examined show the yellow color.
They are surely giving them strenuous training now. They have to drill from 7 a. m. until 5 p. m. and it is no play job to carry that rifle and go through the many manuvers you are required to do. I have had no drilling to do for some time. All my work is in the office but I have plenty to do.
Any old time you hear a fellow saying that a drafted man has no chance for advancement you just tell them that they are sadly mistaken. The boys that have the ability and pep are getting some of the best positions the army affords. It is just as much honor to be a selected man as a volunteer. I have had officers tell me that we have the best bunch of boys that ever been camp before.
I hear the tramp of the boys coming to visit us so will have to knock off for the present time. Wishing you and yours the best of success in your business, I am,
Sincerely yours,
ROBERT CLAYTON
NOTES: Clayton was born in 1895 and died in 1978. He is buried in the Buckeye Cemetery in Woodruff County, Arkansas. His military grave marker simply states that he was a private in the U. S. Army.
TRANSCRIBED BY LANDON TEER