packet 1 letters from Clarence Propst packet 1 May 25 1918 to June 29 1918 item 1 draft notice postmark Jan 15 1918 item 2 notice to appear postmark feb 21 1918 item 3 notice that he is qualified for military service item 4 recipt for a parcel item 5 recipt for a parcel postmark from Gettysburg PA Aug 30 Letter 1 white envelope return: Knights of Columbus (K of C arms logo) War Activities Postmark St Louis Mo May 25 6 pm 1918 Stamp: purple 3 cent Washington adressee: Mrs. Kate Propst Buckner Mo Stationary: letter 1 & 2 Knights of Columbus War Activities Flag on left K of C logo on right folded in thirds 2 different letters in envelope.... #2 likely from Clarence letter A May 24 1918 Dear Aunt Kate, Clarence didint (sic) have much to do yesterday but stand around and waight (sic). They examine in groups of ten or more and there is just 5 in his group so he might have to waight a dew days before he gets examined. He met the boys that left from Buckner and we think he will go to camp with them Clarence got to come home with us last night and I brought him back at 8 oclock this morning and am going to stay down all day. the girls will be down this evening. He had two meals at the barracks and liked them very much they put everything on the table home style and you can help your- self and eat as much as you want. He has to stay right around the examining room pg 2 (back of pg one) because they might call him any time so I am trying to write all the news he will be able to write this afternoon. Well I will go over and look him up again and will write again to- morrow With love to everybody your Neff Leo P S I have seen Clarence and he is being examined now. Mr & Mrs Child and Gladys and Mildred Roth are also hear (sic) to see their boys but they have gone to town to prade(sic) in a Red Cross demonstration and they will see them tonight. There must be 25000 men here and they are getting in about 5000 and shipping about 5000 men a day this place is a big city in it- self there must be 50 large brick buildings and about 100 wooden ones . Leo Letter B Jefferson Barrack May 25 1918 Well I was examined today took from 1 until 8 pm I passed and got shot in the arm which is getting awful sore they also vaccinated me for smallpox. you need not write for a few days till I know my real address and may not stay very long here as this is only an introductory camp. I had quite a time finding a place to sleep. I guess you got my card. I stayed at Leo's Fri. night. But won't get away any more. My duds and suit case were shipped today. back of page Grand 819 M Bill letter 2 small white envelope back: Buck postmark St Louis May 27 6 pm 1918 stamp: purple 3 cent Washington Adressee; Mrs Reeves Propst Buckner, Mo stationary: Knights of Columbus (as above) folded in 1/4 then 1/3 unevenly Jefferson Barracks May 27 1918 Dear Mother, I was examined Sat. took from Eleven till 9:30 pm the shot they gave me made me sick just made me dissy (sic) and lazy. It has all worn off now. I didn't feel like writing yesterday morn the Mitchells came out in the afternoon and stayed till 6 pm then I run across Reg & Dick and they were getting ready to leave and I wanted to go with them so we tried to get my papers and go along and thought I was going so Dick sent a telegram to that effect I won't go for a long time. I guess they left as i have not seen since 8 o'clock we sure got a good dinner today light bread beans, pickles, butter and pickles. Just address my letters to Jefferson Barracks General Delivery will write again as I am going to St. Louis for red cross Parade Clarence pg 2 (back of pg 1 ) I only had to drill one hour and worked rolling up tents about 30 minutes Well I better get back as it is getting time to report. Clarence letter 3 postmark (partial) St Louis Mo May 27 12M 1918 stamps: red 2 cent Washington, green 1 cent Washington Adressee: Mrs Kate propst Buckner Mo return: none envelope long narrow white stationary: unlined folded "card style" in quarters long edge to top pg 1 (date of May 27 1918 added in ink in another hand) Dear Aunt Kate Just came home from Jefferson Barracks.Clarence is feeling good and still there. Probably will be for 2 or 3 days he looks fine in his uniform, 2 of the buckner boys who are there were out, downtown yesterday solisiting (sic) for the red cross. Catterine will get the money belt tomorrow for clarence. He spent frioday night at our house and Leo went down with him sat (pg 2 inside of card blank) pg 3 to be escamened (sic) & equiped with uniform and etc. they parted at 10 oclock leo taking car of his maney (sic) and he didn't see him any more so left there at 6 30 with it & we were afraid he had been shipped off with out it. but he called up at 930 this morning dident (sic) get out of the examing room until 9 30 so you see soldiers have to hang on to their posessions for dear life for they never know what they are going to do next. I know you will all miss him but the only thing to do is all pray for the pg 4 safety of our boys and that the war will soon end they will be safe for 6 months any way. will close for this time & hope to have you come down this ummer. Love from al Your aff Neice Mary E Mitchell letter 4 tan envelope crumbling return :YMCA red triangle logo "with the Colors" postmark :St. Louis Mo May 29 6 30 pm 1918 stamp purple 3 cent Washington adressee Mrs. Reeves Propst Buckner Missouri Stationary:lined, flag, " with the colors "and YMCA red triangle logo folded in thirds also included is a recipt from Geo. C. Rissler store Buckner Mo dated May 28 1918 pg 1 jefferson Barracks May 29 1918 Dear Mother:------- I like this place fine as I haven't trained much. I don't know much about the Army They put most of us to work cleaning up & rolling the baseball grounds with a big roller which takes about 150 men to pull we work about 2 hours then all that can hide out and get into something else. I was up to Mitchells last night I got a pass I got back to camp about 1230 and got up at 545. They are preparing to have a big time decoration day I guess there will be a big parade. I don't have anything to write about only what happens in Camp The Mitchells are all pg 2 (back of pg 1) well. An aeroplane visited the camp yesterday I came from Ill. someplace where they have a training camp. It sure created quite an excitement in camp as he circled around several times. Did you get to go to church sunday? Do you use the car any If you do have Bill look about the oil and grease and if you don't use it for a long time have the kids make some trussles(?) and Jack it up off the tires. I may be here some time then I may go out tomorrow. Just write general delivery Jefferson Barracks and if I move the letters will follow me up. I haven't got any mail yet. I guess you couldn't understand that letter but I was writing and the chased me to work both times so I just put them in an envelope and sent them. I am at the YMCA as the K of C is so pg 3 crowded & hot. I will be glad when we get to a regular camp as we will know where we stand. It has been (scratched out) awful hot here yesterday and today. I think it must be about 90 in the shade now but it gets pretty cool about morning and two blankets make just about enough cover. The grub is good most of the time but it is the way it is served. Leo is coming out again today he has been out nearly every day. Just a little over 500 enlisted me (sic) came to campt(sic) up till noon today. All the drafted men are going direct to Desmoiness. How many had to go from Independence I guess the wheat is doing fine now I don't see anythings but tents Barracks trees soldiers. pg 4 (back of pg 3 ) and houses down here. Leo got some pictures from John Some of them were good expecially one where he was washing he(sic) duds in a creek. well I must go over to the car to meet Leo or he won't be able to find me Your Loving Son, Clarence letter 5 white envelope postmark St Louis Mo Jun (?) 11 am 1918 stamp: purple 3 cent Washington return: Knights of columkbus K of C logo, War Activities Adressee Mrs. Reeves Propst Buckner Missouri stationary: YMCA with the colors as aboveboth pages pg 1 Jefferson Barracks May 31, 1918 Dear Mother:----- I am leaving here in the morning or some time during the day. I am glad we are leaving here as this is no place to get any training as I have only trained one day and an hour was all then. I have most everything I need they Issued me a cake of Soap, Brush comb,two towels, three pr socks, two underware (sic) two shirts, two pr pants, one blouse, 1 pr shoes and hat. I need some under ware I guess as they hurried us so much when we were being examined that I only for one pr BVD and I suppose the rest will come home in the suit case and send me my books out of my coat I forgt (sic) them also. I have plenty at present Don't send any thing pg 2 (back of pg 1) till I send for them.Leo bought everything for me a sizors (sic0 included yesterday was a big day here we didn't do any thing but stand before the grand stand for about four hours and today the same way and both day I wanted to get a pas on each time we were out htere watching when it was time to get a pas they are isued from 9 am to 11 am then go back at 4 pm and get them they are good till rev. at 5:29 am. You can give the pictures to any one you want I will send some more to you. Leo took some pictures sunday he will send you some of theirs. He is trying to join the army again. He is going to be examined this afternoon. His (sic) going in as an auto driver in special servise (sic0 he wont leave the U. S. if he makes it he will be sent to Oregon. pg 2 This is sure a hot place it is so hot the sweat just rolls off of me just as if I was pitching wheat. how is the wheat I guess it looks pretty good now. Have they saved the wood yet? Have they put up the alfalfa yet. one of the boys just came up and said we have at 9 am June 1. Most all the boys in the tank corps are fine fellows most of them are business men of Kansas City & Kansas. We are considered better than all but the aviation Well I have nothing more to write will send some post cards on the train Your Loving Son, Clarence letter 6 (postcard) 1 cent Washington stamp added to printed 1 cent Jefferson card. no return postmark: O'fallon (faint and partial) Ill. Jun 2 10 am on train Just left the Barracks at 415 pm bound for Gettysburg. Wil be on the train about 40 hrs. I will send address when located have been all day getting examined and inspection. couldn't even get time to call Leo up. may get off at union Station tho. Saw Leo yesterday and everyone is well. I sure like the fellows they are fine fellows Clarence letter 7 white envelope stamps: 3 1 cent green Washington Return: The Central Young Men's Christian Association Cumberland Maryland postmark: Cumberland Md June 3 1130 a 1918 adressee Mrs reeves Propst Buckner Missouri stationary: heading The Central Young Men's Christian Association Cumberland Maryland unlined folded in thirds June 3, 1918 Dear Mother:..... we are waiting here for our train which leaves 1 15 pm came up here to clean up and take a bath. we rode all day through Ohio hills and W Va mountains we passed over about 9 pm last evening and did not get a very good view. we could tell how deep the canyons were by the lights below us and then look up and see the lights and tps of the peaks above it. Sure have had a good trip every place we got a good welcome the red cross met the train in several towns with coffee & ice cold grape juice We only traveled about 100 miles last night from 8 pm till 4 am. The people here say there are lots of fellows passing here to Gettysburg and most of them belong to the Tank Corps. We are sill (sic) on the same coach we started on leaving the St L. we took the Baltimore & Ohio and stay on the same road & now we change to Md & western. Getysburg is a kind of out of the way place is just a branch line. I am sending my watch home as it won't keep good time any more. have John take it to Snakes & see what he pg 2 back of page 1 will do about you know it is warrented to last a year just bought it in December Maby a gasoline bath would do it some good. I bought a wrist watch so the kids can have it if it is any good. Also bought a little pocket cmera and will take some pictures of the country and camp & will send them home. Leo took a few at jefferson Barrack and will send you some. This is a nice little town of 28,000 people on a small river surrounded by hill they call them but I call them mountains. Just Imagine sunny nook hill being about 6 or 7 times as high and just as steep then you woul (sic) have these hills. It is just about 90 miles to camp but it is all up hill so I guess it will be dark before we get there or mighty near It got pretty tiresome yesterday looking at the hills & rock & a hundred tunnels or more. but at most every town we stopped we got off and walked around on the platform Saw unkle (sic) John at St. Louis and he said Leo went back to work and give out the idea of being a soldier. This has been a short morning it is now 1030 doesnt seem we have been here long. You know this time is one hr ahead of yours. we changed when we crossed the Ohio River at Parkersburd W Va. From your son, Clarence letter 8 postcard with picture of St. Mary's Church South Cumberland Md. written on it : address all mail here till I tell you to change address. postmark: Gettysburg Pa 9 30 am Jun 5 1918 stamps 2 1 cent green Washingtons June 4 1918 I sleep on a bag of straw and got a rest will take an other shot today. This camp is on the old battle grounds of the civil war. Things are entirely different here. I saw Charlie McFarland but did not get to talk to him this is my address now I don't know how long Casual Co No 1 Clarence Camp Colt Gettysburg Pa letter 9 postmark Jun 7 1918 Gettysburg PA 8 30 am stamp purple 3 cent Washington adressee Mrs. Reeves Propst Buckner,Mo address no return envelope: white almost square word "address" on back Camp Colt Gettysburg Pa June 6, 1918 Dear Mother,----- Have been drilling pretty hard to day but at that it is not work. We won't do much this week then next week they are going to gove us rifles & revolvers if what the sargent says is true. they like to talk. Dick is in co. A 305 Batillion I am in Co B. "" Rigenald in "C"" We are all close together & we were in town last night together and rented a mail (smudge) box together so address my mail to Gettysburg Pa box 83. I haven't recieved any mail since I got here neither has the other boys I guess no one wrote to me at Jefferson Barracks. pg 2 (back of Pg 1) This is a nice little town a little larger than Independence is located in a low rolling valley we can see the mountains plainly to the west The whole camp is covered with munuments showing where each battery and other divisions fought and where some of their leaders fell and the old rock fence which they used for breast works is still here. There are lots of old cannons & cannon balls located around. Well how is the wheat & corn by now corn out (sic) to be knee by now. I saw lots on the road that was that tall and what wheat & rye I saw was fairly good but not as good as ours looked it was all headed out. Oats looked miserable except in a few places pg 3 there is a wheat field across the creek from my tent which looks pretty good. we don't expect to be here very long as they are going to use this camp for drafted men. It is reported we will be sent to camp Taylor Ky. near Louisvill.(sic) We had a shower last night but it scarcely layed the dust can't tell it has rained this afternoon. Tell Bill to write I sent him some cards & also a letter. I have wrote to nearly every one I know now but didn't give them my address so will send them some cards I have been vaccinated for small pox which took but didn't have only a small scar not as big as a dime and only made my arm sore one day & that was last sun while I was on the train. And two times for Thyphoid. pg 4 (back of pg 3) they used 5cc of medicine the first & 10cc second one. more c.c. than that small syringe we used to vaccinate the hogs Immagine (sic) how that would feel in your arm some of the guys couldn't stand it they just toppled over but soon got alright. I have one more shot and that will make me immune from Thyphoid & some more of the disases (sic) they catch by germs in drinking water. This is a clean camp cleaner than any I have been in. Well I had better get out or they will be after me and put me to work digging grass out of the street. We have to (smudge) dig (added later) up all the grass around our tents & streets. it is fine blue grass sod looks like a shame to dig it up address Clarence Propst Box 83 Gettysburg Pa. letter 10 white envelope YMCA red triangle return "with the Colors" Written across front left edge : From C. A. Propst Co B 305 BN camp Colt gettysburg, Pa Adressee: Mrs reeves Propst Buckner Mo Postmark; Gettysburg Pa Jun 10 1918 530am stamp purple 3 cent Washington stationary: poor condition, lined ,flag on left, YMCA logo right "With the Colors" folded in thirds both sheets Dear Mother,----- I am getting along fine and having a good time. There is nothing bad about this training only using your head and paying attention to the commands & being puntual.(sic) we are training a little more each day & yesterday we took a 5 mi hike. we had inspection this morning & trained from 9.30 till 11.30 Am.Then this evening we could go where we pleased and stay out till 10.30 pm. I am at the YMCA now there is no Knights of Columbus here. This is only a small camp now only about 7 or 8000 men here and they are scattered over about 3 miles of territory. I am sending you some post card views of the old battle grounds of the pg 2 (back of pg 1 ) Civil War. It gets awful cool here at nights last night I had 2 1/2 blankets over me and it wasn't any more than enough. I saw in a K.C. Times that Ben won his suit. They get the Times every day at the Y.M.C.A. we saw the Star to night Sat. otherwise it takes 3 day to get a card fom(sic) K.C. How is the corn & wheat. The wheat here is beginning to turn just a little I guess it will be ready to cut in a week or two. What corn I see doesn't amount to much as it is yellow and not a good stand altho(sic) they have a hard place finding ground enough without rocks on it to plant corn in. This is a pretty valley rolling & fertle(sic) where not so rocky. There are lots of peach orchards here among the rocks and I saw tree not more than 12 or 14 ft high just loaded with peaches about as large as walnuts and cherries are just getting ripe. The strawberries pg 3 are the souriest (sic) I ever eat & every one is hollow in the center and they don't tast (sic) like the ones we have at home. I told you that I neednt send them as I can buy them from U.S. Cheaper than you can send them and there is danger of them getting lost& besides they are going to issue us some more clothes we got rain coats yes. after runn(damaged) around all morning then as soon as the sun came out they gave us our coats. Unkle John met me at St Louis with a basket of eats including a cake which I just finished to day. I don't think I told you Dick got his hand broke he was boxing & hit his man two (sic) hard he's on the sick list all he hasto (sic) do is answer roll pg 4 (back of pg 3 ) call & go to the doctor everyday to get excused from work. every thing is stand line we have to stand in line to eat then to wash our mes (sic0 kits we got new kits yester day they consisted of an aluminum cup, spoon, knife, fork & oval pan with the cover just like you see in the pictures on the packs of soldiers. There was an eclipse of the sun this evening I guess you folks didn't see it as it wasn't supposed to to be seen west of the mts. I haven't got any more mail since I got here I wrote to John M I am only about 100 miles from him. I should have heard from him if he wrote right. Send me Leo v. adr. I am in Co B 305th Batallion (sic) Heavy Tank corps. Reg in Co A. 305th dick co. C. 305th. we have rented a box in town so please send it there Co. B Your loving son Camp Colt or Box 83 Gettysburg Gettysburg (but use this) Pa Envelope return Knights of Columbus (K of C logo) 5000M 12-17 War activities postmark: gettysburg Pa jun 12 1918 8 30 am adressee Mrs Reeves Propst Buckner Mo Letter missing letter 11 no return no stamp white envelope adressee Mrs Kate Propst Buckner Jackson co Mo postmark St Louis Mo Jun 10 130 am 1918 stationary lined Dear Aunt Kate Surely you have heard from Clarence. Leo had a card one day last week. He sure looked fine in the uniform. I wish he could have stayed with us while here he stayed only (added later) 1 night and got a pass another time an came up to supper. you ask if he seemed blue. I don't think so there is so much to watch at first and the strangeness of every thing keeps one from (added later) being blue. if he wanted to he seems such a cheerful nature that he will pg 2 back of pg 1 fit in no matter where he is. we asked him what he got on the tanks for he wanted to ride he said. Leo got him the belt and all the other things he needed. We recieved the picture and thank you it is fine of him. would like to see you all. Celia must be quite a young lady going to teach school. I can't think of her except a pretty blue eyed little girl. 7 o 8 yrs old. Well Love from all your aff neice Catherine Mitchell letter 12 return: YMCA red triangle "with the Colors" postmark Gettysburg Pa Jun 13, 1918 3 pm adressee Mrs. Reeves Propst Buckner Mo white envelope stamp purple 3 cent Washington back : Identification No 499967 stationary: lines manilla Camp Colt Gettysburg, Pa June 11, 1918 Dear Mother,----- I am writing before breakfast. It rained nearly al (sic) night & scarcely layed the dust. we are getting down to real work about 7 to 8 hr a day. I havn't (sic0 recieved any mail from any where yet. I wrote to John M. it is just a hundred mi to where he is and I didn't get any answer probly (sic) he has been moved. I have been going to send you my identification no. and would always forget . It is 499967 on two aluminum medals and we wear them on a cord around neck. We don't get very good feed here lately. You should hear the bunch yelling at the cooks in the morn. They pg 2 (back of pg 1 ) can't get up in time to cook. Very much so we go hungry till noon. I guess I will have to send my shoes home cause the (sic) issued an order that we could not wear only issued shoes. I haven't much to write about as I thionk I have told you everything I know. Dick got about 7 letters & 4 packages yesterday cookeys (sic) & candy. It sure tasted good. It will be a long time before we leave because we have a lot to leard we have to learn 4 branches of drils the Ordinance, Infantry, Signal & our own. So you see it ought to take us four times as long but we don't have to know the other's so well. They have a small tank here just tkes 2 me (sic) to run it. pg 3 The one we use will take 11 to 14 men. Last night we went to the movies at the Y.M.C.A. They have something every night except Sat night then you can go downtown to the movies if you got a dime. Most of the fellows are broke now. well I better go I hear then calling mess. Well I got back from mess alright but--- You needn't send me any clothes or any thing in that line because I canbuy everything here at the canteen cheaper than you can buy from a store or U. S. will issue nearly everything. when you get a hole in your socks just turn them (pg 4 (back of pg 3) in and get a new pair and the samw with underware. I have three suits and I can keep clean. I wash about 2 times a week. Write and tell me what is going on. Dick told me about Kieth (sic) A. Spencer & Owens Stewart joining the navy & he got a letter from his uncle Grahm saying he had to stack his own hay which almost got the best of him. How was our alfalfa? have they been bayling (sic) any hay? I guess they are awful busy plowing corn, cuting (sic0 hay & harvest coming on. The wheat here is sure turning fast. I was out in one field it was in the dough. Most of the wheat here is bearded. If you the Dodge much have Bill see that there pg 5 pleanty of oil grease & water in the battery I use rain water or distilled water is the best. Say a little later about threshing time you might send a telegram of some discription and maby I can get a furlough for ten days at that I would get to stay 2 days at home the rest of the time on the road. I will get some information as to the best way to come on what trains & so forth. It took about 54 hrs from St.L. & about 9 hrs from St.L to K.C. So you see I would have to do some figuring to get by on that. adr Gettysburg your loving son, box 83 Pa Private Clarence Pg 6 (back of 5) P.S> You know they don't saw dinner, supper or breakfast or call any one Mr. in the Army so Adr. Private C. A. Propst Box 83 Gettysburg Pa or any way you want. letter 13 grey envelope stamp missing return: Tank Corps tank logo Camp Colt Gettysburg Pa Postmark; Gettysburg Pa Jun 14 1918 530 am adressee: Mrs Reeves Propst Buckner Mo stationary: grey/green unlined folded card style Tank logo Campt (sic) Colt June 13, 1918 Dear Mother,---- Just rece'd your letter and the address of the boys also got a letter from W. L. Costello. Just sent a card to him sat & a letter came from him in two days. I have every thing I need they issue a sweater knitted by the red cross. Dick got a good one but it was a lot to big & Margurite also sent him one that was home knit and they also issue three pr of socks & a comfort kit which contains needles & thread sizors(sic) razor & such things so we are pretty well supplies before we go over. We dont use any but a haversack to put our stuf (sic) in and they won't let us have any bag to put them in I don't use the pillow to sleep on as you know I never used one at home but I got some of pg 2 (inside left side) things in there. Well I have told you everything that has happened from now on everyday will be about the same. We went on a 5 mi hike this afternoon as in last night's letter I said I would be on the sick list to day I stayed in (smudge) bed till noon. My arm is so sore yet I can't get it over my head it will be alright by tomorning (sic) It has been cool & windy here. My eyes are nearly out to night as I told you we dug all the grass away from our tents and the conquence (sic) is that we have our cots covered with dust which is not very nice. Don't be afraid to use the Dodge as it won't hurt it much. Make James learn to drive it and he can drive you around. I haven't had time to write all the folks but I will finnally (sic) get around. I heard that Toms regiment landed safely before I left St. Louis. pg 3 (inside right side) Dick got the last three issues of the (smudge) Record that is the last one was June 6. We took a few pictures I am send some of them. They are not very good but I think that they are not fiinished very good will send you the proofs as soon as I get some more It is time to get in camp. Your loving son Clarence adr. box 83 Just Gettysburg Pa If you put on the Co. ads. I have to stand in line & ths way can get it easy. letter 14 Envelope poor condition, tan return: YMCA red triangle logo adressee: Mrs. Reeves Propst Buckner Mo postmark: Gettysburg Pa 3 pm Jun 15 1918 stamps 2 green 3 cent Washingtons (1 torn off?) stationary: fragile! Left flag "with the Colors" right red YMCA triangle logo both pages poor condition, top 1/3 both pages disconnected Camp Colt Gettysburg, Pa June 12, 1918 dear Mother,--- I got your letter written the 9th & post mark K. C. 10th 1 pm. I guess the other letters you wrote are up at the Causual co It takes about a week to get them here and some times lnger. I told the postmaster at Jef. B to forward my mail to the Tank corps here but I guess he didn't do it. I got a letter from John M. after I mailed the one to you yesterday. he says they are all packed up ready ^ to go(added later) he also said if he was there next sun. that he would get a pass and come up to see me. I would get one but I am figuring on getting a furlough later and every pass cuts in on that. I don't think we will be in France for many a day. I was taking (sic) to charley McFarland he has been in since April 23 & he say he doesn't expect to go over till pg 2 (back of pg 1 0 Oct or later. It a cinch if we don't leave before cold weather we will stay over winter here. We heard that they cleaned out Furston and some of the other drafted men and snet them over. I bet the baler (sic) crew will sure trash lots of wheat with the new machine. Just got my third shot to day I sure have a sore arm to night. I will report for sick call to morrow and get out of drill for part of the day. we had another shower this morn rained like everything for a while but by noon the dust was flying. what does the look like (sic) it will make per A> It ought to be pretty good ripening so soon. The showers & cool weather has checked the wheat here. I looks (sic) pretty yellow tho. we drill every day over the fence from a ten A pach (sic) that is about all you see in one field. Tell DAd that he had better put in his winter coal if he hasn't already as they are issueing (sic) orders to the people to pg 3 put in their coal. That is to stop the shortage next winter. The coal mines of w. Va. they say are working overtime now supply the people and the Gov't want all the supply next winter. They are shipping cord wood in here every day. They have about 5 acres of wood corded about 8 or 10 feet high. Say if you ever make any fug (sic) you might send a little once & while. Tell Bill to write as I will sure get my mail now & won't have to stand around waiting to call my name out.. and if you don't hear your name you wait till night. They get mail at the Co noon and night. Thanks for the girls address must not have put my army address on the card she got. This has been a windy day blew some of the tents over. The pg 4 (back of pg3 ) Y.M.C.A. tent blew over. They have a K of C tent here but it is about a mile & this is just about 200 yds so I use it. I moved tents again today so you can see you don't know where you are at. We have a base ball team & are going to have a big dance pretty soon they are going to the neighboring towns in trucks to get the girls & take them back. They charge 50 ct to dance They said they made $300 which goes to the soldiers comfort League which takes care of soldiers in France. well the movies are ready to start so I will quit. Your loving son, Private Clarence Box 83 Letter 15 grey/green envelope Return Tank Corps (logo) camp Colt Gettysburg Pa. adressee: Mrs. reeves Propst Buckner Mo postmark Gettysburg Pa 830am Jun 17 1918 stamp: purple 3 cent Washington stationary: grey/green folded card style Tank Corps logo pg 1 pg 1 Camp Colt, June 16, 1918 Dear Mother,--- We took some pictures and am sending them to you to get them developed they don't do a good job here as you will see by the ones that I sent you. get some of them developed and send me a few of the best ones. I will also send you some of the proofs of those we had developed here. I guess you folk are in harvest right. I got a letter from Shug & he said they were cutting wheat in his neighborhood. I hope is is (sic) not so hot there now. I see a K. C. Star every few days it is two days old but it tells some (smudge) just the (smudge) (looks like a drink glass ring) pg 2 (back of page 1 left side of card inside) I am getting mail alright now as it comes right to the post office and they take good care of it. when it gets in those camp post orfice (sic) they may let it stay a week before the (sic) send it to the right Co. I think I have gotten ever letter that you have written to this camp & post office The wheat is getting ripe pretty fast now especially to day as it has been pretty hot today but nothing like 100. Then it won't hurt you as it gets cool at night and you can sleep and rest. Reginald's co is going on a hike tomorrow but we got out of it our Lieut. talked the captain out of it. He told us he had some fight but won and we would also as we were pg 3 (right half inside page) not in shape to take such a hike. guns & 20 lb pack for 25 mi. would sure do up a lots of us. we have a dandy Leiut. he never gets sore & tells us he wants us to make more noise after drill hours. Some times we sure make the noise too. we have a bunch of good pianists and singers and they entertain us with the latest songs since we got our piano we are the only Co that has one in the heavy tank. I (sic) is an old square one but it is a good one. Say you might send me a couple of those pictures that Leo took at Jef B. if you have any extras. Well Reg. and I missed our ^ or mess I should say (added later) supper so we will have to go down town to get some supper & we will sure spreat (sic) it on cause a regular meal cost 75 cts here. pg 4 (back of pg 3 left of pg 1 when opened up ) I guess you can see the finger print every is covered (sic) with dust here in this tent and that is why. You can hardly keep clean here as it is so dusty when the wind blows & it sure blew for a while yesterday & a while this morn. The resturant that we are going to eat at is the Spangler resturant. I don't whether (sic) or not they are kin to Lottie. Has bill (sic) got rid of the tractor yet. I wish I had the car part (sic) here I would mak (sic) a run about in it and could see some of the country during sun. or had the Dodge but I guess it would cost to(sic) much to have a car here. Leiut. said we could have a car here if we wanted as he wanted us to be men and not school boys. Your loving son, Box 70 Gettysburg Pa Clarence