TRANSCRIBED FROM THE LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT DECEMBER 13, 1917 P. 2
Editor Log Cabin Democrat:
I subscribed for your paper about a month ago and have been getting it regularly ever since. I thank you for your prompt service.
I thought perhaps you would like to hear from us fellows here at Fort Snelling. I volunteered for the service June 30, 1917. I was living 12 miles south of Conway prior to my enlistment. I was preparing to farm when war was declared on Germany, but gave it up and went at once to the recruiting station and took the examination. I passed o.k. and was then sent to Jefferson Barracks, Mo., where I took the final examination. About 500 of us took the examination at once and most of us passed. We stayed at Jefferson Barracks about two weeks and were then sent here.
We have been drilling nine long hours per day ever since we came here. There is nearly every nationality in the world represented here, except the negro. We think we are going to be shipped across in January, as our six months’ training will be up at that time, but we never really know when we are going until we get there. Some of the boys are terribly homesick. Several have tried to get discharges and some have succeeded. Of course all of us would rather be at home if we were not in war.
The Thirty-Sixth regiment bought more liberty bonds than any other regiment in the united states. Almost every soldier bought from one to four. I took two $50 bonds myself. I think everybody whose financial conditions will permit should buy at least two bonds.
We all thank our lucky stars that we are volunteers instead of drafted soldiers. I would like to see this printed in the Log Cabin Democrat.
Private Lester W. Patterson.
Co. E., 36th U.S. Inf., Fort Snelling, Minn.
NOTES: Patrick Lester Ward Patterson was born on December 8, 1897 in Granby, Missouri and died on June 22, 1979. He is buried in the Seligman Cemetery in Seligman, Missouri. His military headstone identifies him as a Cpl. serving in the US Army during WWI.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS
Editor Log Cabin Democrat:
I subscribed for your paper about a month ago and have been getting it regularly ever since. I thank you for your prompt service.
I thought perhaps you would like to hear from us fellows here at Fort Snelling. I volunteered for the service June 30, 1917. I was living 12 miles south of Conway prior to my enlistment. I was preparing to farm when war was declared on Germany, but gave it up and went at once to the recruiting station and took the examination. I passed o.k. and was then sent to Jefferson Barracks, Mo., where I took the final examination. About 500 of us took the examination at once and most of us passed. We stayed at Jefferson Barracks about two weeks and were then sent here.
We have been drilling nine long hours per day ever since we came here. There is nearly every nationality in the world represented here, except the negro. We think we are going to be shipped across in January, as our six months’ training will be up at that time, but we never really know when we are going until we get there. Some of the boys are terribly homesick. Several have tried to get discharges and some have succeeded. Of course all of us would rather be at home if we were not in war.
The Thirty-Sixth regiment bought more liberty bonds than any other regiment in the united states. Almost every soldier bought from one to four. I took two $50 bonds myself. I think everybody whose financial conditions will permit should buy at least two bonds.
We all thank our lucky stars that we are volunteers instead of drafted soldiers. I would like to see this printed in the Log Cabin Democrat.
Private Lester W. Patterson.
Co. E., 36th U.S. Inf., Fort Snelling, Minn.
NOTES: Patrick Lester Ward Patterson was born on December 8, 1897 in Granby, Missouri and died on June 22, 1979. He is buried in the Seligman Cemetery in Seligman, Missouri. His military headstone identifies him as a Cpl. serving in the US Army during WWI.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS