TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SPRINGDALE DAILY NEWS NOVEMBER 1, 1918 P. 1
San Diego, Calif.,
Dear Dad:
This is one of the deadest Sundays in a “D” camp and I think will probably be my last, as they have already told us that we will leave just as soon as the quarantine is lifted.
Fatty has taken to the barracks Thursday afternoon along with 29 other fellows and they were drafted into the seaman guard.
Got my first liberty Wednesday afternoon, and went to a ball game between two teams from the barracks, for as long as the quarantine is on we can’t go to town.
We have read in stories how the passing of the colors or playing of some national air stops games around camp, well, this thing happened over there, the ball field is next to the 21st infantry camp and at 5 o’clock every afternoon they take down their colors and bugles blow salute to colors, well, theirs started blowing and every sailor, ball game and all stoped stood at attention and saluted through the entire call.
We had our first dress parade Friday afternoon, every man in “D” camp that is in our battalion which is about 600 men, had on clean white suits, shoes shined and clean shaved, passed in review before an ensign from the barracks. We had a bugle and a drum corps from barracks 13 buglers and 5 drummers, believe me, it sure makes a man think he can whip Germany by himself, when the bugle starts and we all pass in review, every man in step, swinging their arms at the same time, with their heads erect, it surely is a great picture.
The greatest thing I have seen since coming here was the airplane exhibition yesterday afternoon advertising the Fourth Liberty Loan drive. Am enclosing picture and clipping from paper which will explain it better than I.
Congress passed a bill to take effect 1st July for $100 cloth allowance for sailors, and I can’t tell for sure whether we will get that or not, some say you had to enlist after July 1st, other, just so you were called after July 1st. if I don’t get it am only furnished $60 and have to buy $40 worth myself.
Must close as it is almost “chow” time.
Your soon,
Raymond.
NOTES: Edward Raymond Stafford was born in Springdale, Arkansas on December 15, 1997 and died on March 30, 1957. He is buried in the Bluff Cemetery in Springdale. He was writing to his father John P. Stafford.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON
San Diego, Calif.,
Dear Dad:
This is one of the deadest Sundays in a “D” camp and I think will probably be my last, as they have already told us that we will leave just as soon as the quarantine is lifted.
Fatty has taken to the barracks Thursday afternoon along with 29 other fellows and they were drafted into the seaman guard.
Got my first liberty Wednesday afternoon, and went to a ball game between two teams from the barracks, for as long as the quarantine is on we can’t go to town.
We have read in stories how the passing of the colors or playing of some national air stops games around camp, well, this thing happened over there, the ball field is next to the 21st infantry camp and at 5 o’clock every afternoon they take down their colors and bugles blow salute to colors, well, theirs started blowing and every sailor, ball game and all stoped stood at attention and saluted through the entire call.
We had our first dress parade Friday afternoon, every man in “D” camp that is in our battalion which is about 600 men, had on clean white suits, shoes shined and clean shaved, passed in review before an ensign from the barracks. We had a bugle and a drum corps from barracks 13 buglers and 5 drummers, believe me, it sure makes a man think he can whip Germany by himself, when the bugle starts and we all pass in review, every man in step, swinging their arms at the same time, with their heads erect, it surely is a great picture.
The greatest thing I have seen since coming here was the airplane exhibition yesterday afternoon advertising the Fourth Liberty Loan drive. Am enclosing picture and clipping from paper which will explain it better than I.
Congress passed a bill to take effect 1st July for $100 cloth allowance for sailors, and I can’t tell for sure whether we will get that or not, some say you had to enlist after July 1st, other, just so you were called after July 1st. if I don’t get it am only furnished $60 and have to buy $40 worth myself.
Must close as it is almost “chow” time.
Your soon,
Raymond.
NOTES: Edward Raymond Stafford was born in Springdale, Arkansas on December 15, 1997 and died on March 30, 1957. He is buried in the Bluff Cemetery in Springdale. He was writing to his father John P. Stafford.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON