On this day, Germany announces the renewal of unrestricted submarine warfare in the Atlantic as German torpedo-armed submarines prepare to attack all ships, including civilian passenger carriers.
Mrs. W. M. Parker
5 School Ave.
Monpelier, Vermont
[Stationary reads at the top:] “AT FORTS JAY, SCHUYLER, SLOCUM, WADSWORTH AND WOOD, NEW YORK HARBOR”
[Stationary reads at top left:] “PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCE TO INSURE
THE RETURN OF THIS LETTER IF NOT DELIVERED, WRITE YOUR NAME AND STATION ON
ENVELOPE IN WHICH IT IS POSTED”
[Stationary reads at top right:] “ARMY BRANCH OF THE YOUNG MEN’S
CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK”
Fort Slocum, New York Harbor
Jan. 31st, 1917
Dear Aunt Ida:
Your letters came and also the box of candy I was glad to get it.
The doughnuts were very good. I took them over to the mess hall and ate them
with coffee for breakfast.
My hand is cold and it is hard writting. I just came in from
muster. We stood out for a hour and one half. We expect to get paid Sat., or
Mon., our first pay.
Tell Uncle Will that I will get the blank he sent me signed and
sent to him soon. The Major has been busy and I haven’t been able to see him
yet.
Last Sat., I got a pass and went over to New York. Ida, Martha and
I went to the Strand Roof Garden and had a fine time I expect to get off every
Sat., now untill Sunday night at twelve as long as I stay on the island. But
expect I will be shipped out soon.
I haven’t taken out any insurance yet but am going to as soon as
they are ready to accept it.
I don’t expect I can get the position in the canteen store as I
expected as I am in the National Guards and I can not get transfered from the
N.G. to the regular army.
I will write you again soon as it gets a little warmer. I am
getting along O.K. and like it better all the time Remember me to everyone
.With Love,
Ervin
[On back of envelope]
E. R. Wakefield
2nd Company
Fort Slocum, NY
January 31, 1917 notes
Strand Roof Garden: A caberet in Manhattan
that provided vaudeville variety shows that were all the rage at the time.
