Letter to Aunt Ida - February 27, 1918

Ervin at Fort Slocum (?).

Fort Slocum

Feb 27, 1918

Dear Aunt Ida:

Your letter and Uncle Wills check came some time ago but I have been very busy lately and neglected to answer it.

I have been on Guard three times in the last week and that is too much. But I don’t see how I can change it. You see there was an accident in the Harbor and they put on an extra Guard so that makes us go on afternoons.

There was a couple of fellows fell through the ice and drowned and last night 2 girls and two fellows started to row over from New Rochelle and tipped over the two girls were drowned and the fellows are in the Hospital they are draging the Harbor for the bodies today.

I went over to New York last Sat. afternoon and met Martha and Ida. They took me to a Cabaret we had a very good time. We went to the Winter Garden Cabaret.

The weather is getting much warmer here now and I enjoy it more. The snow is off the drill grounds, and we have a nice large place to drill and it looks fine where you see all the boys out there drilling.

Some of the best drilled on the island gave an exibition in the Hippodrome. They say it was very good. I dont’t no, I didn’t to to see them.

There was a large parade in New York last week. The boys of Zaphauke [?] marched and it was wonderful sight by what everyone says. They were the drafted boys and they got a wonderfull reception.

I don’t know when I will be able to get home but will try and get home next month to stay two or three days. I would like to come up there once before I am shipped farther away. One can never tell where he is going to be the next day in this life.

I suppose if I came home I would have a Band to meet me and David Spicer leading it.

We will be playing ball here soon as the ground is drying up fast and if my arm is in good shape I may make the team here and they will probably hold me all summer.  This would be a fine place to stay this summer.

Tomorrow is muster and I expect it will be a busy day.  Today has been very busy.  I have had to clean everything I have got and have it ready for inspection tomorrow.  Still have my gun to clean. This morning we drilled and this afternoon we scrubed out our barracks and washed all the windows, cleaned our bed, washed our legging, shined our shoes, and shaved so you see I have been pretty busy.

It is getting near nine o’clock and the lights go out so I will close for this time. Hoping this finds you both O.K. I remain

With Love

Ervin

Remember me to Beulah and Ruth and Lucy if you ever see her.