TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ROGERS DEMOCRAT JANUARY 24, 1918 P. 2
I was assigned to Headquarter Sanitary Squads the first of January and we now have things running smoothly. There are two squads, No 1 and No. 2, and I have squad No. 2. There are two squads to a division and there are 27 men, including officers, in each squad.
Our duties are to keep the area from the landing place to within a few miles of the firing line cleaned up and to take care of epidemics, test water, food, etc. We have two auto tracks with a mobile laboratory that will join us at the point of embarkation, and we are to sail one month in advance of the division. Each squad will work independently and is under the direct supervision of the Division Surgeon. I am commanding officer of my squad and report direct to the Div. Surgeon. The "L. of C." on the heading of the letter means "Line of Communication, and is necessarily a part of the name or designation of this organization and so remember in addressing me to add them.
We are the best known organization in the camp as it is a new addition to the army. The officer in charge of Squad 1 is also from Ft. Oglethorpe, and we received our instruction in sanitary work there. I don't know whether I can hold the job or not but will try hard, and if I can't I will fit in somewhere else. I will receive $200 a month and have two bars on my shoulders.
Have been busy of late getting men and equipment together. Have beds, blankets, coal, and have been making mess arrangements for the men, and am now getting their clothes preparatory to sailing. I mess with fifteen other officers and it costs me $1 a day. Have our own private quarters, steam heated rooms, taken care of by an orderly.
We have two first class sergeants for each squad and they look after all the clerical work. They are dandys; both have a college education. Two of our sergeants are lawyers, one a doctor, who was drafted and did not have time to get a commission. Some of our boys are rich, and most of them are very bright. The sergeants drill the men every day, and we will soon start lectures and instructions in French. Next week will take the squads out all over the camp for inspections.
You asked if I had given up the medical work for military work. No, but I am trying to keep out of the hospitals, and that is why I took up this kind of work. Sure wish I could see you and tell you some of the funny experiences I have had since I have been in the army.
NOTES: This letter was written by 1st Lieut. Claude Isaac Wheatley to his mother Nellie Wheatley. He was born on February 20, 1876 in Indianapolis, Indiana and died on April 5, 1944 in Winter Park, Florida. He is buried in the Woodlawn Memorial Park in Gotha, Florida. His military headstone identifies him as a Florida 1st Lieut. Medical Corp serving in World War I. He enlisted on September 18, 1917 and was discharged on October 24, 1919. He was living in Arkansas by 1902. He departed New York, NY on July 12, 1918 onboard the Olympic. He was listed as a 1st Lieut. MRC Sanitary Squad No. 2. He departed St. Nazaire, France on June 27, 1919 onboard the Wilhelmina. He arrived in Hoboken, NJ on July 3. He was listed as a 1st LIeut. MC CP Hosp. #52.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
I was assigned to Headquarter Sanitary Squads the first of January and we now have things running smoothly. There are two squads, No 1 and No. 2, and I have squad No. 2. There are two squads to a division and there are 27 men, including officers, in each squad.
Our duties are to keep the area from the landing place to within a few miles of the firing line cleaned up and to take care of epidemics, test water, food, etc. We have two auto tracks with a mobile laboratory that will join us at the point of embarkation, and we are to sail one month in advance of the division. Each squad will work independently and is under the direct supervision of the Division Surgeon. I am commanding officer of my squad and report direct to the Div. Surgeon. The "L. of C." on the heading of the letter means "Line of Communication, and is necessarily a part of the name or designation of this organization and so remember in addressing me to add them.
We are the best known organization in the camp as it is a new addition to the army. The officer in charge of Squad 1 is also from Ft. Oglethorpe, and we received our instruction in sanitary work there. I don't know whether I can hold the job or not but will try hard, and if I can't I will fit in somewhere else. I will receive $200 a month and have two bars on my shoulders.
Have been busy of late getting men and equipment together. Have beds, blankets, coal, and have been making mess arrangements for the men, and am now getting their clothes preparatory to sailing. I mess with fifteen other officers and it costs me $1 a day. Have our own private quarters, steam heated rooms, taken care of by an orderly.
We have two first class sergeants for each squad and they look after all the clerical work. They are dandys; both have a college education. Two of our sergeants are lawyers, one a doctor, who was drafted and did not have time to get a commission. Some of our boys are rich, and most of them are very bright. The sergeants drill the men every day, and we will soon start lectures and instructions in French. Next week will take the squads out all over the camp for inspections.
You asked if I had given up the medical work for military work. No, but I am trying to keep out of the hospitals, and that is why I took up this kind of work. Sure wish I could see you and tell you some of the funny experiences I have had since I have been in the army.
NOTES: This letter was written by 1st Lieut. Claude Isaac Wheatley to his mother Nellie Wheatley. He was born on February 20, 1876 in Indianapolis, Indiana and died on April 5, 1944 in Winter Park, Florida. He is buried in the Woodlawn Memorial Park in Gotha, Florida. His military headstone identifies him as a Florida 1st Lieut. Medical Corp serving in World War I. He enlisted on September 18, 1917 and was discharged on October 24, 1919. He was living in Arkansas by 1902. He departed New York, NY on July 12, 1918 onboard the Olympic. He was listed as a 1st Lieut. MRC Sanitary Squad No. 2. He departed St. Nazaire, France on June 27, 1919 onboard the Wilhelmina. He arrived in Hoboken, NJ on July 3. He was listed as a 1st LIeut. MC CP Hosp. #52.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD