TRANSCRIBED FROM THE HELENA WORLD FEBRUARY 18, 1918
Headquarters Co. 204 Twelfth St.,
Camp Upton, Long Island, N.Y.
Dear Sir:
Yours of recent date was received today and contents duly noted. As I have nothing else to do at present, thought I would try and catch up with my correspondence. We certainly are having some peculiar weather out here on this island. It is raining. That is something very strange for this part of the country. We are shining and dusting up everything for Friday, when we will parade through Fifth Avenue, New York City. We had inspection this afternoon (arms and feet) and it was a “whang.” I am standing good physically so far. I can run in the relays as far and as long as any of the rest of the fellows. Well, to tell you the truth, I don’t think we will be here more than a month longer. This regiment is of the Ninety Third Division, whose headquarters are in Kansas City. I don’t suppose you will get a chance to see it. The papers stated that the 367th Infantry would be one of the first colored regiments to cross the pond. Awfully sorry to hear of Dr. Jennings’ accident. Yes, the boys certainly appreciate what you dear people at home are doing for them. We very often receive things from your people. I have a couple of good sweaters made by some good lady. I am going to put in for a furlough next week. I don’t think it will do much good because it will take too long to get home and back. Will always appreciate a few lines from you. A soldier is always running for the mail man. A few lines from some of your friends help a lot. Yes, when I reach the other side you can’t hear from me so frequently. Say, tell me who did you marry. Come on now: no camouflage!
Yours respectfully,
CHAS. W. MABREY
NOTES: Charles William Mabrey was an African American soldier. He was employed at the Jennings’ Drug Store in Helena, Arkansas before the war. He was writing Dr. S. H. Hargroves. He was born on January 19, 1894 in Georgia and died on September 17, 1928.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD
Headquarters Co. 204 Twelfth St.,
Camp Upton, Long Island, N.Y.
Dear Sir:
Yours of recent date was received today and contents duly noted. As I have nothing else to do at present, thought I would try and catch up with my correspondence. We certainly are having some peculiar weather out here on this island. It is raining. That is something very strange for this part of the country. We are shining and dusting up everything for Friday, when we will parade through Fifth Avenue, New York City. We had inspection this afternoon (arms and feet) and it was a “whang.” I am standing good physically so far. I can run in the relays as far and as long as any of the rest of the fellows. Well, to tell you the truth, I don’t think we will be here more than a month longer. This regiment is of the Ninety Third Division, whose headquarters are in Kansas City. I don’t suppose you will get a chance to see it. The papers stated that the 367th Infantry would be one of the first colored regiments to cross the pond. Awfully sorry to hear of Dr. Jennings’ accident. Yes, the boys certainly appreciate what you dear people at home are doing for them. We very often receive things from your people. I have a couple of good sweaters made by some good lady. I am going to put in for a furlough next week. I don’t think it will do much good because it will take too long to get home and back. Will always appreciate a few lines from you. A soldier is always running for the mail man. A few lines from some of your friends help a lot. Yes, when I reach the other side you can’t hear from me so frequently. Say, tell me who did you marry. Come on now: no camouflage!
Yours respectfully,
CHAS. W. MABREY
NOTES: Charles William Mabrey was an African American soldier. He was employed at the Jennings’ Drug Store in Helena, Arkansas before the war. He was writing Dr. S. H. Hargroves. He was born on January 19, 1894 in Georgia and died on September 17, 1928.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD