TRANSCRIBED FROM THE WYNNE PROGRESS AUGUST 9, 1918 P. 1
New York, July 29, 1918
To the Editor of The Progress:
There are so many friends in Cross county to whom I would like to write that I thought I could better reach them, with your indulgence, through The Progress.
Leaving our pleasant pastorate and friends at Wynne the 6th inst. we arrived in New York the 8th and got lined up the 9th for intensive training at Columbia University out on 116th street. The work there consisted of two drills a day in French, lectures on overseas work, lectures and filled---demonstrations on athletics—those phases of athletics that are used to great advantages in the army. Every night inspirational addresses were given generally by men who have seen service overseas. Another great pat of the work was the two drills a day in chorus singing. The songs used are those the boys are singing over there and in the home camps. Mr. Robt. Lawrence of Birmingham, Ala., one of the greatest chorus leaders of America, has charge of this department. Wednesday night a great “community sing” was held in the open air on the university campus where thousands of people gathered. A great military band of the city was used to accompany the singing. The band also gave a special program of their own in connection. Mr. Lawrence kept his Y.M.C.A. men in front to lead the great crowd. On familiar numbers the singing of the great multitude was wonderful. Most of the Y.M.C.A. men are singers.
At the close of the week’s training at the University our group of 347 men had to be moved to make room for the next contingent. Because of unusual care at Washington in issuing passports under present conditions only a few of our group had been cleared, hence the War Personnel Board secured quarters for us in a group of hotels down on Broadway at 72d and 73d streets and arranged a further course of preparation. We now have two French lessons a day, and military drill in the afternoon under officers of the regular army. In these drills the men are required to wear the regulation army uniform but in this country they are allowed to wear the uniform only at drill. At the request of the military authorities in (FOUR LINES MISSING) confusion they wear the red triangle or the cap and right sleeve of the coat, an the ______Y.M.C.A. on the coat collar.
The military drill and the study of French will be continued by all the men until they sail. Passports are arriving very fast now. the announcement was made yesterday that 3,500 men have already been sent over, 1,500 are ready to sail and 1,500 more will be ready within thirty days. It will be gratifying to you people to know that your district, the southwester, is furnishing her quota.
We had a 10-mile hike last Saturday up through Central Park and back down the Hudson. Several of the fat fellows had to fall out. It was a hot day but all were able to be back in time today for drill. I find that my hikes with the scouts are proving to my advantage now.
Mrs. Sewell is still with me but will go up to Matunick Beach, R.I., to visit friends for a few weeks when I sail.
When I write again perhaps it will be from over on the other side.
Permit me to say before closing that after seeing how things are done at the central office, I do not think there is a business institution in our country more wisely and carefully conducted than the Y.M.C.A. and it is assuming gigantic proportions.
Mail addressed to me care War Personnell Board, 347 Madison Ave., will be forwarded to me. Will be glad to have a line from any interested friends.
With best wishes to all, I am,
Your friend,
E. K. Sewell
U.S.A.
NOTES: Rev. Emmett King Sewell was working for the YMCA. He was born on October 30, 1969 in Lone Oak, Georgia and died on November 11, 1962 in Memphis, Tennessee. He is buried in the Ermen Cemetery in Osceola, Arkansas. The Mrs. Sewell referred to in the letter was his wife Eliza Chunn Sewell. He departed Bordeaux, France on April 11, 1919 onboard the Santa Teresa. He arrived in Hoboken, NJ on April 23, 1919. He was listed as a Secretary for the YMCA.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON
New York, July 29, 1918
To the Editor of The Progress:
There are so many friends in Cross county to whom I would like to write that I thought I could better reach them, with your indulgence, through The Progress.
Leaving our pleasant pastorate and friends at Wynne the 6th inst. we arrived in New York the 8th and got lined up the 9th for intensive training at Columbia University out on 116th street. The work there consisted of two drills a day in French, lectures on overseas work, lectures and filled---demonstrations on athletics—those phases of athletics that are used to great advantages in the army. Every night inspirational addresses were given generally by men who have seen service overseas. Another great pat of the work was the two drills a day in chorus singing. The songs used are those the boys are singing over there and in the home camps. Mr. Robt. Lawrence of Birmingham, Ala., one of the greatest chorus leaders of America, has charge of this department. Wednesday night a great “community sing” was held in the open air on the university campus where thousands of people gathered. A great military band of the city was used to accompany the singing. The band also gave a special program of their own in connection. Mr. Lawrence kept his Y.M.C.A. men in front to lead the great crowd. On familiar numbers the singing of the great multitude was wonderful. Most of the Y.M.C.A. men are singers.
At the close of the week’s training at the University our group of 347 men had to be moved to make room for the next contingent. Because of unusual care at Washington in issuing passports under present conditions only a few of our group had been cleared, hence the War Personnel Board secured quarters for us in a group of hotels down on Broadway at 72d and 73d streets and arranged a further course of preparation. We now have two French lessons a day, and military drill in the afternoon under officers of the regular army. In these drills the men are required to wear the regulation army uniform but in this country they are allowed to wear the uniform only at drill. At the request of the military authorities in (FOUR LINES MISSING) confusion they wear the red triangle or the cap and right sleeve of the coat, an the ______Y.M.C.A. on the coat collar.
The military drill and the study of French will be continued by all the men until they sail. Passports are arriving very fast now. the announcement was made yesterday that 3,500 men have already been sent over, 1,500 are ready to sail and 1,500 more will be ready within thirty days. It will be gratifying to you people to know that your district, the southwester, is furnishing her quota.
We had a 10-mile hike last Saturday up through Central Park and back down the Hudson. Several of the fat fellows had to fall out. It was a hot day but all were able to be back in time today for drill. I find that my hikes with the scouts are proving to my advantage now.
Mrs. Sewell is still with me but will go up to Matunick Beach, R.I., to visit friends for a few weeks when I sail.
When I write again perhaps it will be from over on the other side.
Permit me to say before closing that after seeing how things are done at the central office, I do not think there is a business institution in our country more wisely and carefully conducted than the Y.M.C.A. and it is assuming gigantic proportions.
Mail addressed to me care War Personnell Board, 347 Madison Ave., will be forwarded to me. Will be glad to have a line from any interested friends.
With best wishes to all, I am,
Your friend,
E. K. Sewell
U.S.A.
NOTES: Rev. Emmett King Sewell was working for the YMCA. He was born on October 30, 1969 in Lone Oak, Georgia and died on November 11, 1962 in Memphis, Tennessee. He is buried in the Ermen Cemetery in Osceola, Arkansas. The Mrs. Sewell referred to in the letter was his wife Eliza Chunn Sewell. He departed Bordeaux, France on April 11, 1919 onboard the Santa Teresa. He arrived in Hoboken, NJ on April 23, 1919. He was listed as a Secretary for the YMCA.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON