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.
