TRANSCRIBED FROM THE DEQUEEN BEE SEPTEMBER 7, 1917 P. 4
San Antonio, Texas, Sunday.
Dear Colonel:
Haven’t had time to write before. Work from 5:45 until 10:00 at night now. Didn’t believe a civilian could be made into an army officer in three months when I came down here but now I am sure it can be done. A man who can endure this desert sunshine and dust for three months can do anything. The dust is the worst thing we have to contend with. It is the color of cement and as fine as talcum powder. You can imagine how much of it a regiment will kick up on a march. You can see a body of troops ten miles by the clouds of dust.
The instructors are crowding us to the limit of our endurance now to eliminate the physically unfit. There were about 150 fell out yesterday. I am holding my own so far. Am carrying a 55 pound pack now, besides my gun and belt. Have to march at “attention” all the time. We have 10 minutes rest every five miles. Can’t rest though for there is no shade and the sand is red hot.
Give my regards to all my friends and tell them I’ll write when I have time. You would hardly know me now. Am brown as a “greaser.” If I have any mail please forward it to me. My address is
Co. No. 7, Camp Funston,
Leon Sprnigs, Texas
With best regards,
Roy Turrentine.
NOTES: Turrentine is writing to a Col. W. E. Ogletree.
TRANSCRIBED BY JARED GILLIAM