On January 8 President Wilson address the Congress and outlines his famous "Fourteen Points" for achieving a lasting peace in Europe.
[YMCA envelope]
[addressed to:] Mrs. W. M. Parker
5 School Ave., Montpelier, Vermont
New Rochelle, [New York postmark (Jan. 12, 10 AM)]
Fort Slocum
January. 12, 1917
Dear Aunt Ida:
I got back here safe and sound and all my things now safe. The fellows from Vermont have all gone away but I would have missed them anyway as the[y] went Monday morning and [I] wouldn’t of got here until Monday noon.
The trains were late and I didn’t get here until eight o’clock last night, the boats had stopped running so I walked across on the ice. It was safe as there were about a dozen people (women included) walking across. We had a pleasant trip coming over.
I haven’t seen the Sergant yet but everything will be alright as they allow them about ten days before they plan on doing anything to them.
Last night the wind blew so that the building where I slept shook. I never saw anything like it.
January 12, 1917 notes:
Fort Slocum: Between the wars (Civil War and WW1) the post sent troups overseas to U.S. territories and the possessions, such as the Philippines, Hawaii, the Canal Zone, and Puerto Rico.
http://davidsisland.westchesterarchives.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=115&Itemid=88e
boats: The ferries between New Rochelle and Fort Slocum. Ervin and others walked across the frozen New York Harbor.
wind blew: The soldiers on Fort Slocum slept in barracks that were basically long wooden shacks that sat on supports that held them off of the ground. So the wind blew all around them.
[YMCA envelope]
[addressed to:] Mrs. W. M. Parker
5 School Ave., Montpelier, Vermont
New Rochelle, [New York postmark (Jan. 12, 10 AM)]
Fort Slocum
January. 12, 1917
Dear Aunt Ida:
I got back here safe and sound and all my things now safe. The fellows from Vermont have all gone away but I would have missed them anyway as the[y] went Monday morning and [I] wouldn’t of got here until Monday noon.
The trains were late and I didn’t get here until eight o’clock last night, the boats had stopped running so I walked across on the ice. It was safe as there were about a dozen people (women included) walking across. We had a pleasant trip coming over.
I haven’t seen the Sergant yet but everything will be alright as they allow them about ten days before they plan on doing anything to them.
Last night the wind blew so that the building where I slept shook. I never saw anything like it.
Will write you a good long letter tomorrow as I don’t imagine I will have much to do.
Hoping this finds you OK.
I remain with Love to All,
Ervin
January 12, 1917 notes:
Fort Slocum: Between the wars (Civil War and WW1) the post sent troups overseas to U.S. territories and the possessions, such as the Philippines, Hawaii, the Canal Zone, and Puerto Rico.
http://davidsisland.westchesterarchives.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=115&Itemid=88e
boats: The ferries between New Rochelle and Fort Slocum. Ervin and others walked across the frozen New York Harbor.
wind blew: The soldiers on Fort Slocum slept in barracks that were basically long wooden shacks that sat on supports that held them off of the ground. So the wind blew all around them.
