TRANSCRIBED FROM THE BRINKLEY ARGUS JULY 27, 1917 P. 1
Quarantine Camp, Battery "E" Tenth Field Artillery, Douglas, Arizona. June 30, 1917.
Dear Mother:
Your letter reached me yesterday, just as I was released from special quarantine. I was too busy yesterday to write, and to-day I worked from 7 a.m. until this moment (6:30 p.m.) working on pay rolls, muster roles, and similar monthly data in connection with the battery. I have been doing considerable typewriting for the battery commander, and even while I was in special quarantine he had the machine sent over to my tent for me to work on.
I am feeling fine now, and trust no repetition of my last week's illness will recur. In consequence of the development of several cases of measles, mumps, smallpox and diphtheria, the whole battery has been placed in quarantine, the old camp having been moved over close to the Mexican border. None of us are allowed to leave the immediate vicinity of the camp, and it probably will be at least two weeks before we can go to Douglas. We are receiving mail regularly, however, and do not let the fact that I am in quarantine interrupt you correspondence with me.
The rainy season starts here in about two weeks, and will last for a month or more. Coming as it does in the hottest part of the year, is a God-send for the residents of this part of the country. Outside of the month's rain, an absolute drouth prevails during the rest of the year. Dust storms are of very frequent occurance. In fact, a very strong one is blowing now. The dust and sand rise to great heights, and filter into every crack and cranny, making it necessary to close all openings in buildings, in spite of the great heat, and the heat certainly is intense. Temperatures of from 120 to 130 degrees are by no means uncommon, but unlike the heat of the north, no casualties ever result, for the air is so dry that perspiration evaporates immediately, keeping the body in good condition. At night the thermometer falls to 45 or a50, and the two heavy blankets we are issued come in very usefully. We sleep on folding camp cots, with no matresses or pillows, almost in the open, for the tents which house us are thoroughly ventilated. During the daytime we spend all out time in the open. I am so brown now you would hardly recognize me, but I havn't been given enough hard work to toughen me, and I am not likely to be overburdened at any time.
There are two regiments of artillery and one of cavalry in this camp--almost 5,000 men. The cavalrymen, who are seasoned soldiers, police the border. The Mexicans also turn out guards ever so often. The artillery regiments are both newly-organized and devote themselves to recruit drilling.
Douglas is a town about the size of Fort Smith. It advertises itself in the local press as "The second city on the Southern United States border, and the gateway to Sonora, the treasure house of Mexico." Sonora is the name of the Mexican state directly south of us. The two newspapers, one morning and one evening, much resemble the Times Record and Southwest American. When I go to town I am going to call on the editors.
Billy Patchell, who is not in quarantine, and consequently can go to Douglas whenever he wants to, located a member of Delta Chi, a prominent lawyer. They spent the afternoon in reminiscenses of college days and afterwards Billy was given a good feed at his home. It's too bad I couldn't have gotten in on it.
The toilet articles you mentioned in your letter I should be glad to receive now. When I left Jefferson Barracks I couldn't have taken them, for I was overburdened as it was with the stuff the government issued me. Now, however, if I get my suitcase, I can take care of more personal needs. Do not send any clothes, however, for we are not allowed even to have civilian clothing in possession. I should like to have some luxuries in the way of food now and then, too, but it must be packed very carefully, both on account of the great heat, and the long distance it has to travel. It takes from three to four days for a letter to come from Brinkley.
It is getting dark, and as we are not equipped with electric lights, and we havn't any oil as yet for lanterns, it is impossible to write after dark.
Let me hear from you as soon as possible.
With love, Charles Overholt.
NOTES: Charles William Overholt was writing to his mother Christina Overholt of Brinkley, Arkansas. He departed on August 23, 1918 from Hoboken, NJ onboard the Tenadores. He was serving as a Sgt. in Battery E 10th FA Regular Army. He departed Europe on March 20, 1919 onboard the Artegah. He arrived in Newport News, Va. on April 7, 1919. He was serving as a Sgt. Major in the Field Artillery.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Quarantine Camp, Battery "E" Tenth Field Artillery, Douglas, Arizona. June 30, 1917.
Dear Mother:
Your letter reached me yesterday, just as I was released from special quarantine. I was too busy yesterday to write, and to-day I worked from 7 a.m. until this moment (6:30 p.m.) working on pay rolls, muster roles, and similar monthly data in connection with the battery. I have been doing considerable typewriting for the battery commander, and even while I was in special quarantine he had the machine sent over to my tent for me to work on.
I am feeling fine now, and trust no repetition of my last week's illness will recur. In consequence of the development of several cases of measles, mumps, smallpox and diphtheria, the whole battery has been placed in quarantine, the old camp having been moved over close to the Mexican border. None of us are allowed to leave the immediate vicinity of the camp, and it probably will be at least two weeks before we can go to Douglas. We are receiving mail regularly, however, and do not let the fact that I am in quarantine interrupt you correspondence with me.
The rainy season starts here in about two weeks, and will last for a month or more. Coming as it does in the hottest part of the year, is a God-send for the residents of this part of the country. Outside of the month's rain, an absolute drouth prevails during the rest of the year. Dust storms are of very frequent occurance. In fact, a very strong one is blowing now. The dust and sand rise to great heights, and filter into every crack and cranny, making it necessary to close all openings in buildings, in spite of the great heat, and the heat certainly is intense. Temperatures of from 120 to 130 degrees are by no means uncommon, but unlike the heat of the north, no casualties ever result, for the air is so dry that perspiration evaporates immediately, keeping the body in good condition. At night the thermometer falls to 45 or a50, and the two heavy blankets we are issued come in very usefully. We sleep on folding camp cots, with no matresses or pillows, almost in the open, for the tents which house us are thoroughly ventilated. During the daytime we spend all out time in the open. I am so brown now you would hardly recognize me, but I havn't been given enough hard work to toughen me, and I am not likely to be overburdened at any time.
There are two regiments of artillery and one of cavalry in this camp--almost 5,000 men. The cavalrymen, who are seasoned soldiers, police the border. The Mexicans also turn out guards ever so often. The artillery regiments are both newly-organized and devote themselves to recruit drilling.
Douglas is a town about the size of Fort Smith. It advertises itself in the local press as "The second city on the Southern United States border, and the gateway to Sonora, the treasure house of Mexico." Sonora is the name of the Mexican state directly south of us. The two newspapers, one morning and one evening, much resemble the Times Record and Southwest American. When I go to town I am going to call on the editors.
Billy Patchell, who is not in quarantine, and consequently can go to Douglas whenever he wants to, located a member of Delta Chi, a prominent lawyer. They spent the afternoon in reminiscenses of college days and afterwards Billy was given a good feed at his home. It's too bad I couldn't have gotten in on it.
The toilet articles you mentioned in your letter I should be glad to receive now. When I left Jefferson Barracks I couldn't have taken them, for I was overburdened as it was with the stuff the government issued me. Now, however, if I get my suitcase, I can take care of more personal needs. Do not send any clothes, however, for we are not allowed even to have civilian clothing in possession. I should like to have some luxuries in the way of food now and then, too, but it must be packed very carefully, both on account of the great heat, and the long distance it has to travel. It takes from three to four days for a letter to come from Brinkley.
It is getting dark, and as we are not equipped with electric lights, and we havn't any oil as yet for lanterns, it is impossible to write after dark.
Let me hear from you as soon as possible.
With love, Charles Overholt.
NOTES: Charles William Overholt was writing to his mother Christina Overholt of Brinkley, Arkansas. He departed on August 23, 1918 from Hoboken, NJ onboard the Tenadores. He was serving as a Sgt. in Battery E 10th FA Regular Army. He departed Europe on March 20, 1919 onboard the Artegah. He arrived in Newport News, Va. on April 7, 1919. He was serving as a Sgt. Major in the Field Artillery.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD