TRANSCRIBED FROM THE DEWITT ENTERPRISE JANUARY 23, 1919 P. 8
Paris Island, S. C.
Jan. 12, 1919.
Dear friend:
Yes, I guess it is every boy’s ambition to do something for his country. Here I am now in the marines (PAPER MISSING) and I will explain to you what we do, etc.
You already know of my trip down here, so it is useless to relate it to you again.
At first we were brought to the recruit camp, where we remained for about two weeks. When I say “we” I mean myself and the bunch of boys I met coming down to the Island in Atlanta, Ga. They are all fine fellows and are the only ones that I associate with now. There are nine of them and nearly each of them is from a different state, none from Louisiana but myself. After receiving our uniforms and equipment we were sent over to the camp, the “maneuver grounds” as it is called.
When we first came over here we were required to live in tents without floors, but later we were given tents with floors in which we now live. The tents are equipped with two bunks, two boxes at the head of each bunk for clothes which have to be folded and placed in the boxes according to regulations.
Then we have an oil stove which furnishes us all the heat and light we have. On each bunk there is a mattress, a pillow, and three army blankets. Our overcoats are also used as bed clothing in very cold weather.
Our bunks have to be made up at night as to regulations, and also in the morning.
As the “flu” epidemic has started again on the island we are required to leave one of our tent flaps in the front of our tents rolled back and at night one of us sleeps at the foot and the other at the head of our bunks.
The tents are 9x9 feet and two of us sleep to one tent. At present no more than two are allowed to be in a tent at the same time.
Today is Snudany, and our company was on police work which means cleaning up. This morning I was detailed to the commissary where all the supplies are kept for the mess halls. That was a crip, but this afternoon I wan on the garbage truck, which is not a very pleasant job as you can imagine from the name of the truck on which I worked.
I expect I will tell you more about marine life in my next letter, as I have quite a to answer, and I know one will not be able to digest any more of this stuff.
So I will bid you good night, and please remember me to all the members of your family, not forgetting to write to me when you can, as I am always glad to hear from you or your folks.
Sincerely yours,
Roy White
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS
Paris Island, S. C.
Jan. 12, 1919.
Dear friend:
Yes, I guess it is every boy’s ambition to do something for his country. Here I am now in the marines (PAPER MISSING) and I will explain to you what we do, etc.
You already know of my trip down here, so it is useless to relate it to you again.
At first we were brought to the recruit camp, where we remained for about two weeks. When I say “we” I mean myself and the bunch of boys I met coming down to the Island in Atlanta, Ga. They are all fine fellows and are the only ones that I associate with now. There are nine of them and nearly each of them is from a different state, none from Louisiana but myself. After receiving our uniforms and equipment we were sent over to the camp, the “maneuver grounds” as it is called.
When we first came over here we were required to live in tents without floors, but later we were given tents with floors in which we now live. The tents are equipped with two bunks, two boxes at the head of each bunk for clothes which have to be folded and placed in the boxes according to regulations.
Then we have an oil stove which furnishes us all the heat and light we have. On each bunk there is a mattress, a pillow, and three army blankets. Our overcoats are also used as bed clothing in very cold weather.
Our bunks have to be made up at night as to regulations, and also in the morning.
As the “flu” epidemic has started again on the island we are required to leave one of our tent flaps in the front of our tents rolled back and at night one of us sleeps at the foot and the other at the head of our bunks.
The tents are 9x9 feet and two of us sleep to one tent. At present no more than two are allowed to be in a tent at the same time.
Today is Snudany, and our company was on police work which means cleaning up. This morning I was detailed to the commissary where all the supplies are kept for the mess halls. That was a crip, but this afternoon I wan on the garbage truck, which is not a very pleasant job as you can imagine from the name of the truck on which I worked.
I expect I will tell you more about marine life in my next letter, as I have quite a to answer, and I know one will not be able to digest any more of this stuff.
So I will bid you good night, and please remember me to all the members of your family, not forgetting to write to me when you can, as I am always glad to hear from you or your folks.
Sincerely yours,
Roy White
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS