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Dear Family:
After the forty-eight hours of travel we were set down bag and baggage in
the center of Long Island, sixty miles East of N.Y. City. Came through
Baltimore, Washington, Philadelphia, New York, Brooklyn. We got into
Jersey City yards at 11:30 P.M. and lay there till four this A.M. We
arose at that hour and unloaded and carried our stuff to the ferry and
then enjoyed a great ride around lower N. Y. Down the Hudson around the
battery, up the East River and over to Brooklyn. On this short trip from
Jersey City to Brooklyn we had a guide who pointed out the points of
interest such as the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Blackwells Island
bridge and prison and also were convoyed on our way by the submarine
chasers. The day was fine and clear and it was surely a good sight of the
famous skyline. We then had to unload again at Brooklyn and load on to the
L.I. (rail)road. This is a beautiful country and the home of N .Y.'s
wealthy suburbanites as well as Theo. Roosevelt. We had corn flakes for
breakfast, a ham sandwich for lunch and salmon for dinner at seven thirty
this evening. You can talk about your southern hospitality but gimme the
northern "pep" all the time. Coming thru the south they would look our way
maybe and that was all. But after we left Wash. and from Baltimore they
surely handed some welcome. We came thru Philadelphia on the B & O right
past the tenement district and they cheered and waved flags, dishrags,
aprons and were surely enthusiastic. This A.M. when we were loading on
the ferry at Jersey it was another time for a crowd of commuters to cheer
and welcome us. I was surprised because I thot troop trains had long since
ceased to be a novelty. When we left Brooklyn they even blowed the factory
whistles. Was glad I could make the trip by daylight. This camp, like Lee
is all barracks and so far as I have seen is just laid out the same way.
It is good and warm here altho a strong breeze is coming from the sea. I
was glad to get back to God's country once more because the south don't
appeal to me. Hump and the rest of the gang will be in tonight I guess.
We had everything with our company from the Colonel to the band. I don't
want you to think that I am a regular bum because I wired you for money
because I really was conservative with what you sent me last but we are
forced to buy some things for our own comfort, even if it's only candy and
ice cream. The reason I wired is because we are no longer permanently
settled and I like to have some backing in case I should need it. We will
not be paid until the middle of the month now, if then. Don't know where
we'll be by that time. I can't tell you all I would like to because only
certain letters pass here. I am tired this eve. and will turn in now. Love
to all and write soon please.
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