Sgt. Ervin Reuben Wakefield

ABOUT ME: Sgt. Ervin Reuben Wakefield - I was born on January 21, 1890 to Reuben Edson and Adaline Miles Wakefield (Frost) in Hardwick, Vermont. I was the sixth of seven children. At the age of four, I was sent to live with my maternal aunt, Ida May and her husband Willis Parker. I joined the Vermont National Guard.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Leter to Aunt Ida - December 13, 1917


No envelope
Stationary reads at top: “YOUNG MEN’S HEBREW ASSOCIATION 171 WINYAH AVENUE NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. TELEPHONE 1062”


New Rochelle, N.Y.
Dec. 13, 1917


Dear Aunt Ida:
I passed my Exam., at Albany this morning and tomorrow I have my finale at Fort Slocum.  We are staying here as the barracks at the Fort are filled and running over.  It is supposed to accomadate about 4000 and at present they have 11,000 over there and about 3000 here in New Rochelle.  We are placed around in private families and such places as this.  They say that about 10% of the boy[s] fail in their finale Examination  Out of the five that came with me one has been sent back that was Chiquette [?] the one that worked at pines Uncle Will will know who he is Myers[?] Tuttle has been seperated from us but I expect he is in town somewhere.
At this place where we are they are having entertainment’s from some of the leading stars 12 Acts in all and they are going from one place to another it is very good.  They also pay for all mail and pkges that boys want to send away
I pass the Examinations very easy and expect to get through without any trouble.  I was very lucky to get in as I just squeesed in on the last examination at White River.
We are having plenty to eat and a comfortable place to sleep I will let you know what the plans are.
One young fellow that I like very well was seperated from us tonight but I expect to see him again as he is in my Company.  We think quite alot of each other he is only 20 and I expect he will be lonesome tonight.
Coming down from Albany, we had a very pleasent ride we had a special car and in it there was 100 men.  When we got off the train we met a bunch of fellow from Cal. Phil. and Springfield going out to their respective camps.
Some of the boys are having the times of their lives and if they were sent home it would break them all up but I don’t feel that way as I have had more of this transporting around than they have.
    When we get into our camps it will be much better.
Will write you again soon and let you know all
With love,
Ervin
Keep this as I don’t intend to keep a diary.   

November 1917