TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SHARP COUNTY EAGLE AUGUST 23, 1918 P. 4
Dear Homefolks:
This leaves me all o.k., and I hope you are all well. We went into camp here yesterday evening. I like it fine and wish I could stay here. This camp is situated on the banks of the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay. We went in bathing in the bay yesterday afternoon.
I enjoyed the trip coming up here fine. The Red Cross ladies certainly treated us nice all along the line. I never had thought much about the Red Cross until we came up here. It is the best thing that can be gotten up.
We have been getting our overseas clothes this morning, and also have been putting supplies on the ship. Don’t know when we will sail, but it will not be long off. I saw a number of large ships yesterday loaded with sailors and all kinds of big guns. Also I saw a bunch sail for France.
We came through eight states coming here. I like North Carolina best of the states and Richmond best of the cities. We spent an hour or so in all the large cities along the way.
I guess you have had plenty of rain lately. Crops look fine here. I saw lots of tobacco growing in Kentucky and in both North and South Carolina.
We were put under quarantine at six o’clock this morning on account of measles and mumps breaking out among new men. Some of the boys are taking it hard because they are going to have to cross over. I don’t care one bit myself. I feel that I will get to come back home some time, and know that if I do get picked off I have a home in heaven. So don’t worry about me at all. Did you get the insurance receipt? I suppose I have everything that I need to take with me. I am going to take plenty of money, because some say we will draw only $7.50 a month while we are gone.
There are scarcely any boys that I know going across with me. We have a fine bunch of men, mostly from the North.
Will write as often as I can while gone, and want you to do the same thing. Take care of yourselves. Lots of love to all.
Your son,
Homer Phillips
Camp Stuart, V.A
NOTES: Phillips is writing to his father, Walter H. Phillips of Evening Shade, Arkansas. He was born on October 15, 1896 and died on August 20, 1941. He is buried in the Maxville Cemetery near Cave City, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Cpl. in the US. Army.
TRANSCRIBED BY JORDAN HOLYFIELD
Dear Homefolks:
This leaves me all o.k., and I hope you are all well. We went into camp here yesterday evening. I like it fine and wish I could stay here. This camp is situated on the banks of the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay. We went in bathing in the bay yesterday afternoon.
I enjoyed the trip coming up here fine. The Red Cross ladies certainly treated us nice all along the line. I never had thought much about the Red Cross until we came up here. It is the best thing that can be gotten up.
We have been getting our overseas clothes this morning, and also have been putting supplies on the ship. Don’t know when we will sail, but it will not be long off. I saw a number of large ships yesterday loaded with sailors and all kinds of big guns. Also I saw a bunch sail for France.
We came through eight states coming here. I like North Carolina best of the states and Richmond best of the cities. We spent an hour or so in all the large cities along the way.
I guess you have had plenty of rain lately. Crops look fine here. I saw lots of tobacco growing in Kentucky and in both North and South Carolina.
We were put under quarantine at six o’clock this morning on account of measles and mumps breaking out among new men. Some of the boys are taking it hard because they are going to have to cross over. I don’t care one bit myself. I feel that I will get to come back home some time, and know that if I do get picked off I have a home in heaven. So don’t worry about me at all. Did you get the insurance receipt? I suppose I have everything that I need to take with me. I am going to take plenty of money, because some say we will draw only $7.50 a month while we are gone.
There are scarcely any boys that I know going across with me. We have a fine bunch of men, mostly from the North.
Will write as often as I can while gone, and want you to do the same thing. Take care of yourselves. Lots of love to all.
Your son,
Homer Phillips
Camp Stuart, V.A
NOTES: Phillips is writing to his father, Walter H. Phillips of Evening Shade, Arkansas. He was born on October 15, 1896 and died on August 20, 1941. He is buried in the Maxville Cemetery near Cave City, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Cpl. in the US. Army.
TRANSCRIBED BY JORDAN HOLYFIELD