Clarence Propst's letters WW1 transcribed by Kerry Propst Fleming March 1999 vol 2 July letter 1 no envelope stationary: white unlined folded half then thirds Camp Colt July 3, 1918 Dear Mother,----- I hope this finds everyone well. I am getting along fine just got paid to night I got $22.60 for the time that I have worked for Uncle Sam. The fellow that run away the 10 of June came back today & he was being escorted around by a guard with a loaded rifle with a bayonet. His name is James Sargant & they looke (sic) all over camp for him & could not find him. He is the first one to get put in the guard house from our Battallion. He will be court martialed & may get to spend a few months or a year in Leavenworth. I am getting along pretty good now. We get a day off tomorrow & the next day there will be an all day hike. I am going to stay in camp and rest cause we have been working pretty hard here lately. I got all the things you sent there is no danger of getting my mail cause it is taken care of well here. I wrote to you night before last & before I missed a day or two. I have several letters to write & have to arrange them so I answer them all. Pg 2 (back of page 1) I wrote to Tommy last night & hope he get it alright. We are still having cool weather. I got a letter from Herman Meeyers from Boston and he said his boat was chased by a U boat and they put the lights and raced away as fast as they could. He said he was going to be stationed for a while at Phidelphia (sic) pretty soon. I have about an hours work tomorrow and the rest of the day will be my own. So we will loaf around in town. Dick was out drilling today and he was pretty (smudge) tired out when night came. We are getting a bunch of new Lieutenants now and we will get along pretty fast. from now on. A K.C. man came to camp today to see his son & he gave our mess fuced (?sic) & took the boys all over and bought them all 10 cent cigars I lost out on that. He is a stock holder in the Commerce Trust Co. bank of K. C. His name is Goodrick. well I must hike to camp cause it is 10:15 Clarence Propst letter 2 brown envelope return: tank corps logo, Camp Colt Gettysburg, Pa stamp: purple 3 cent Washington postmark: Gettysburg Pa. July 4 1918 530 am adressee: Mrs. Reeves Propst Buckner Mo stationary: flag on left YMCA red triangle on right "With the Colors" both sheets lined folded thirds then 1 inch on left side Camp Colt July 2 1918 Dear Mother:----- I recieved the pictures last ^night & letter & als (sic) a letter from Aunt Nora. It is real cool here again was rather warm for a few days. It rained Sat & Sun & was sure needed. We went on a 7 mi ^hike yesterday & it will be about 12 or 14 today & then an all day hike Fri. Three of the fellows fell out yesterday We got some more clothes Sun but I did not get a sweater & don't know as I will get one. I got the cookies & candy they were in tip top shape & were not a bit stale. Nearly all of fellows are getting cookies & they pass them around. There is a rumor going around camp today pg 2 (back of pg 10 that we are going to move to an other camp but we don't pay attention to rumors but wait and see where we are at the present time and don't know the next minute what we are going to do. Dick has got his hand out of the bandage and I think he went on the hike today. He hasn't done anything but run errands for the Lieutenant of course they tried to keep him pretty busy. My feet have not given me much trouble. I have been pretty lucky every time my feet get sore I get a rest from drill such as K. P. & special duty I have lots of clothes now 3 coats 1 mackinaw, raincoat 4 pr pants 2 pr shoes 6 pr socks 3 pr overalls 3 suits of light underware & toilet articles 4 towels, a razor & mirror. pay day comes before the fourth. I have to arrange to send $10 dollars a month to you and you can buy bonds or put it in the bank or what ever you want to do with it. pg 3 It starts the first of August We have been training pretty hard here lately no foolishness like there was at first. That was too bad about Bob Clore. Dick folks sent him a clipping where dick Allen was injured in a aeroplane accident in N. Y. He lived in Independence. I new (sic) him pretty well cause we played baseball & basketball with him. Our barracks looks like a clothing every one has his clothes hanging up. Nearly all the wheat is cut here I will take some more pictures and send the proofs cause there are finished so much nicer than what they do here. I got letters from Mary Sick, Helen, Loretto, Catherine & some cake & candy from pg 4 Helen & Aunt Julia last week. I wrote to alot of the fellows Sat & Sun. Several of the fellows here have friends & they read the letters to us and everyone is getting along fine over there. We were on passing the whole Battallion marched (? very faint and in a fold) by the Captain. This was our first review they have it every evening sure is a great sight they have the band out to keep step by. Today has been the hardest day we have put in but no one seems to mind it no as they are getting pretty hard. when are they going to tresh (sic) my wheat? I guess it will awful hard (sic) to get water for treshing. (sic) Is Dad & the kids going to rent Jim's wheat ground this year? It looks like James could plow the ground & harrow it before school starts. Well I will close this time. Your loving son, Box 70 Clarence Letter 3 white envelope Return: tank corps (cat & tank logo) treat em rough Camp Colt, Gettysburg Pa adressee: Mrs Reeves Propst Buckner Mo stamps: green 1 cent Washington and red 2 cent Washington postmark: Gettysburg Pa Jul 5 1918 530 am back: return to Box 70 Gettysburg Pa stationary: white unlined folded card style , then in half Tank Corps "cat" logo pg 1 Camp Colt July 4 1918 Dear Mother:----- This has been a day of rest for us but will make up for it tomorrow cause we go on an all day hike with light pack & rifles. This is just like Sunday and nothing to show it is a holiday altho there are lots of visiting automobiles here visiting the national park or Cemetery as it is called. We were out for a walk on some of the place We had not visited before & saw some of the old relics that they have picked up over the battle field. pg 2 (entire inside of card, short side at top) They treated us witht he best feed that we have had since I was here. we had cold storage chicken it was as dry as could be but it tasted a little like chicken at that, mashed potatoes. dressing, new string beans, & salad made out of green pepers (sic) & cabbage & a dozen other things, our first pie raisen (sic) Ice cream & lemonade & good light bread without any meal mixed in it. I guess you are treshing (sic) by now. or thro. (sic) I just got a letter from Aunt Julia saying they got two letters from Tom mon. & that he was getting along fine. Dick got a telegram that his Grandfather was dead & would be buried Fri & he didn't have time to get there in time for the funeral so did not try to get a pass. Say have Bill look at the steering gear on the car as there is two Laps (?Taps?) that get loose where it connects to the axle. They need lock washers on them I intended to fix it before I left but neglected there are some Washers under the front seat that goes on the bolts just two of them. Maby (sic) John knows what I mean cause he was helping me one day & I could not find any washers but found them later. Say you folks haven't got an extra fountain Pen have you. That is some thing that is pg 3 (back of pg 2 ) awful handy around camp cause you can't carry an ordinary pen very well. I recv'd your cake and have not cut it yet we are saving it till sunday cause Reg got one the other day & we ate it today. dick also got some candy today. Say did the kids ever get the $1.15 from Frank Harra I told them they could have it if they collected it. Dick got a letter from Hayden & he said that Judge sure told some big lies when he was home & that everyone was worked to death. I got hold of a K. C. Times and it said you had a 1 1/4 in of rain sat. We sure had some to Sat night & sun night. The biggest corn here is only knee high but it has sure grew some since sun. Your son, Box 70 Clarence Letter 4 white envelope return: Tank corps (cat logo) Treat em rough Campo Colt Gettysburg Pa adressee: Mrs Reeves Propst Buckner Mo stamp: purple 3 cent Washington postmark; Gettysburg 530am July 8 1918 Pa stationary: white unlined folded card style with "cat logo" tank corps Treat em rough pg 1 written sideways at top of card: Those pictures Reg & Dick ^were good wants a couple of each of themselves write when they start treshing (sic) & when they get near mine. Where are they going to start. Camp Colt July 7 1918 Dear Mother:----- I recived (sic) your letter Friday night but was so busy yesterday in the kitchen that I did not have time to write. I got the cake the other day & it was real good only it got a little dry. I have not sent my shoes yet but I expect any time to be ordered to send them home. I think Carl's mother address was Mrs. Sarah Wiedman 113 or 119 South Spring St. Witicha (sic) Kansas. I am not sure of her first ^name or the street no. but the rest is right. pg 2 (entire inside of card, short side at top) I am sure you folks got such a good rain at the time you did. I wrote to John M but have not heard from him. About 35 Kansas City fellows went out to Devils den and had pictures taken. Reg & I went out and got in the picture but Dick was on K. P. and couldn't go. We can get one picture about Wed. & they are going to be printed in the Post. I don't know where but have some one watch for it. They took our names & probly (sic) they will send us a copy they said that was the plans. You will find Reg and myself ^in the rear on the right standing I supose (sic) that will be the one they send & if it is the other one ^we (smudge) will be the only ones standing I supose the river will get some of the wheat if it doesn't stop rising. Let the kids wear my shoes cause I supose they would be too (large crossed out ) small smudge for me now cause my feet are bound to spread in such shoes I have to wear but they don't hurt me. Only got my feet skinned a little the other day because I did not have heavy enough socks. so next time I will wear two pair or buy some heavy woolen socks. They are going to have a mission for the soldiers out at the Knights of Columbus tents next week for the soldiers. I don't know whether I can attend or not. They will have mass at 5 am every day pg 3 (back of pg 2 ) and it is about 2 1/2 miles so I don't know whether I can get up that early and attend & get back by 5 45 reverlle (sic) or not. They might excuse us from roll call for once if I get after there right. Say I am sending a code So should I get across you can tell where I am at. by signing my name. There is no danger of us going as yet but I wanted you to do this now while I was sure of no censor. There is report going that we will go to a rifle range at scranton N. Y. It is not more than a hundred mi. north of here in the mountains but that may be just talk we have heard that ever since we got here. Your son, Clarence Letter 5 white envelope stamp: green 1 cent Washington and red 2 cent Washington return: tank Corps (cat logo) treat em rough camp colt Gettysburg Pa Returen Box 70 addressee: Mrs Reeves Propst Buckner Mo (in pen ) Personal Bill (in pencil) postmark Gettysburg Pa Jul 9 1918 530 am stationary: pg 1 card style with cat logo then folded in half pg 2 has a new tank logo Tank corps Camp Colt Gettysburg Pa. and was meant to be used card style but was opened out so that tank logo is sideways at bottom of pg 4 then folded in 1/2 ( so in 4ths) pg 1 Camp Colt July 8 1918 Dear Mother:---- I just received your letter & was glad you folk are ok. To bad about emmit (sic) getting hurt so bad. What is the mater (sic) will Bill that he is borrowing so much money. Leo said he turned the straw money over to him. I wrote to him but he has not answered yet. You see we Paid (sic) for the tractor together that is the car part of it. and I don't remember just how much it was only he was to pay the Note which was $142 for the Attachment, I loaned him $25 pg 2 (entire inside of card, short side at top) towards that so I own a little over half of the car you see but he was to send me the balance if there was any when it was sold if it ever is I got the figures in my books. There is a guide of K. C. that has them in it which I think was in my clothes you had better look and see what is in the books you sent me. The drill belongs to me only the seeder if I remember right that is the way we figured it. It look like James & John could take care of the wheat on Unkle (sic) Jim's unless they are going to sow quite a bit at home. I think by the looks of things the war will be over by spring and I will be back to help. I see a N Y or Philla. paper every day and that is all the (sic) have in them now how the tanks and marines & so forth are. Disease is getting the best of the germans. I will write to Leo Costello right away. I wrote to John M. & did not receive an answer yet. what is the proce of wheat now it it (sic) any higher than last year or not. The papers here think the price will be $240 or $250 Dick is alright now they have him drilling every day now but he can't handle a gun yet. I got a letter from Pressly & Adolph this evening. They are getting a long fine or that (smudged but readable) is what they say. pg 3 back of pg 2 Is everyone selling their wheat right a way or not. Just as well sell it now. The Government set the price of milk here at 10 (cent mark) a quart and no one will sell any at that so we can not buy it at the canteen like we have been doing. I don't blame the dairys a bit. what happened to froggy any way. Does he think he has the only tresher (sic) in the country & they ought to paint him jellow (sic) for that. well we get all the bread we want to eat here on the hike the other day I got six slices & they were 3/4 in thick. Can you still grind grahm or have they put a ban on that. looks like they would let the one that produces the wheat. have enough to feed the help at harvest anyway. we get such good treatment here I guess we don't how hard it is to be pg 4 (second sheet) eating old corn bread & working in the dirt & heat. It is still cool here. I wrote to Tom, Bill & Hayden one of them ought to find time ti spare at home cause I had more time to spare at home than I have ever had here but we work on a schedule and have to ^do it or we get locked up is the difference. when does Tom think he will have to go. Did Bill have to be examined or was it just part of 4th class. I wrote last night and told you I received the cake all right. Dick has lost several letters & one came back But I don't think I have miss (sic) any you has written I seem to get my mail better than the other boys. some letters come in 2 days. Reg got three last night. taht was all mailed on differnt (sic) days one came in 2 days but the other was longer. He has not received The record yet this week it always came on Sun or Sat night. I supose (sic) the fourth delayed the mails. Get the post & see if you can see our pictures in it it won't be in till about sun or later. Have they plenty of help treshing (sic) we had the same Sotchman (sic) (Sandy McGredry) with us today he gave us a real nice talk again & is going to stay all week in town and visit all the different Battallions here. Ther (sic) is about 9,000 soldiers here now. pg 4 (back of pg 3) But a lot of these fellows will not pass the overseas examination which is pretty strict. They have sent about 4 or 5 hundred away from here now that will never cross. They will be left here to take care of the stores and arsenals & so forth & home guards. They call all the foreigners out the other day before the personal board & questioned them They won't go either they tell me. we saw Charles McFarland to night he is getting a long fine. when is the election going to be? in August I supose (in Aug I supose is underlined) I can't think of any thing els (sic) to say. Your loving son. Clarence Propst letter 6 white envelope tank logo adressee: mrs reeves propst Buckner, Mo stamps: red 2 cent Washington and green 1 cent Washington postmark: Gettysburg Pa 530 am Jul 11 1918 stationary: white unlined tank logo Tank corps Camp coilt Gettysburg Pa July 10, 1918 Dear Mother:---- I am getting along pretty good only they put me in the head- quarters patoon (sic) & that means I have to drill about 1 1/2 hrs a week more than the rest but they teach us a great deal more than they do in the others. I won't be in it long just till they get a vacancy in the other patoon (sic) It has got pretty hot here the last few days. but it is still cool a (sic) night. we are going pg 2 (entire inside of card with short side at the top) to take two more hikes this week. One tomorrow 1/2 a day & all day hike Friday. We were out to devil dens & had the company picture tuesday with full packs. My feet have been giving me a little trouble the last few days I have a new pair of shoes they are sure heavy ones. They have enough steel on the bottom to wear forever. If you can buy me a good pair of heavy woolen socks I sure would appriciate (sic) them. you can't buy any here that are any good. I find the heavier the socks you wear the easier it is on my feet. Dick's Co. has been confined to camp for a week cause they did not clean their barracks or make up their beds in right shape. It is cloudy & hot here to day I supose (sic) it will rain. Corn here the largest I have seen is not good waist high but if it (smudge) keeps warm it soon will be tassling I don't think it grows more than 5 ft high here cause I see some old shocks in a field & that is all the taller it is. How is everyone? I hope all are well? I have not received any mail for a couple of days. We missed the Record but probly will get it to night we generaly (sic) get it sun or mon. Last night mail was late so they did not get it assorted in time for to get it. They are ("letting" crossed out) giving a few of the fellows pases (sic) but thy (sic) are only for 3 to five days. pg 3 (back of pg 2 ) I supose (sic) by the time you get this you will be in the mist (sic) of threshing. I got the paper you sent me just now. And also got the Buckner Record. Was to bad about that Buss (sic) burning after running into Emmet. We Won the ball game to night. I think cause I saw my company with a whole bunch of kid marching with ball bats sticks and other things so by that they were celebrating. Well by the Sallisbury boy's letter they must be cleaning up the Germans right. Your Loving Son, Clarence Still box 70 Letter 7 brown envelope return: Tank Corps (tank logo) camp Colt Gettysburg Pa stamps: red 2 cent Washington and green 1 cent Washington postmark Gettysburg 530 am Jul 13 1918 Pa adressee; Mrs. Reeves Propst Buckner, Mo Stationary: page 1 brown folded card style then in half unlined. Tank corp with tank logo pg 2 manilla unlined Header is "cat" logo CAMP COLT pg 1 CampColt July 12, 1918 Dear Mother:----- Well they sent me up before the Seargans (sic) Discarge (sic) ^Doctor certificate Discarge (sic) board to be examined yesterday. They examined my feet good & I supose they are going to transfer me to something els (sic) where there is not so much drilling One of Sargents told me it would either be in the Ordinance or Quartermaster department. S. C. Discarge (sic) is what warren got out on but I don't think that I will get that cause they need men to (sic) bad now or at least that is what they say. Then they may send me to the hospital to have them doctored up (pg 2 inside page 1 entire inside with top at short side) I was talking to one of the Doctors & he said that they wouldn't operate cause the (sic) could not do much good that way. They only made you take certain exercises & put bandages & braces on you (sic) feet & put you where you do not have so much walking to do. They may keep me in the Tank Corps as Truck driver at the camp. I will write again as soon as they decide what to do with me. I went on the hike today. we just walked about 22 miles. I can scarcely walk tonight. But my feet are not so sore as they useto (sic) get when I plowed all day. Dick is still confined to Camp for a week. He will probly get out Sat. night his whole company is not allowed to leave Camp. About 1/2 of or (sic) company put on a shirt tail parade the other night & they got put in for 2 weeks. I was lucky not to be in the bunch. Our Lieutenant didn't care and said if he was giving the punishment he would have us do two instead of one. But the Captain of the Battallion had a different idea about it. Well as the company can't go out they put on a show of their own having ballgames & Boxing & wresling (sic) & songs & so forth. One Company is going to leave or at least they are all packed up. I just got a letter from Hayden also. pg 3 (back of pg 2) I got your letter of the 9 that 10th and was glad that it is raining as I supose the rain won't hurt the wheat & do the corn a lot of good. I got the paper & also saw the record of last week. I see by the papers that they won't allow the Breweries (sic0 any more coal so I supose there won't be much more beer made. I sent some pictures that we had taken out at Devil's den Sun. All the fellows were from K. C. An Automobile came along & stoped (sic0 & we invited the ladies to have their pictures taken with us & take notice of my Mustache (underlined) I have shaved it off now I am going to try to have some more taken by myself right away. I got a couple more to send you later. (sheet 2 pg 4) Gettysburg, Pa july 12, 1918 You asked me if we have certain hrs to go to bed. The lights are turned out in our Barracks at 9:30 but we don't have to be in till 1015 but we don't have to be in bed but there is no talking after 1030 & nobody is going to set up in the dark & not talk. Then we have to be up by 545 & be ready for roll call by 6 am. Well I supose the Theshers (sic) are having a great time treshing I must (smudge) hike back to camp cause Dick is waiting for Reg. & myself to bring his mail to him. I saw Charlie McFarland this evening He meet us at the Post Office once in a while. Your loving son, Clarence Letter 8 white envelope return tank logo stamp: purple 3 cent washington postmark; gettysburg 4 pm Jul 14 1918 Pa adressee: Mrs Reeves Propst Buckner Mo stationary: grey/green Tank corp logo unlined folded card style then in uneven thirds camp Colt Development Battallion July 13, 1918 Dear Mother:----- They transferred me to this camp this morning. and they won't allow me to leave here I don't expect to be here only a few days & then they will send me to an ^other camp where the Ordinance is stationed. There were 8 of us brought here today to be transferred from B 305 Bu. Most of the fellows here are not fit for service you see in the tanks. Reg & Dick will see that I get my mail all that comes to Box 70 (smudge) This is sure hard to stay in camp when all the rest of the fellows can go where they please but I can stand if the rest can. I am right pg 2 entire inside of card short side at top by the K of P tent & can't go to church. tomorrow unless I can sneak out and in again and that is pretty hard to do in the day time. Well I will get some rest again till I get settled. I will let you know all along as to what & where I am doing. The fellow moore that is the picture I sent is with me. We have stayed together all the way from Jeff B and no telling how much longer. There is no danger of him going over tho & if he does he won't get in any of the fighting. I didn't get the report of my case yet but will know soon. Today's N.Y. times is talking war pretty strong. I am sending a telegram so you would not write but I guess it won't make much difference as we get our mail all right even now when we get transferred like this. It has rained here since about 930 ^pm last night till 2 pm this afternoon and I was helping pich (sic) a tnet and in digging a ditch about six inches deep the ground was only wet about 2 inches. I can look out of my tent which is on a high place & see our drill grounds about a mile away. so Mon. I can see the fellows drilling if I am here. They may move me in an hours notice. I have no gun to shine up now and don't care much cause it was some work. Well don't be afraid about me cause I can get along if they give me something to eat I am not afraid to work a little like pg 3 back of pg 2 but turned sideways so if opened short side is at the top some of the City fellowsare. One report is that we go to Ft. Meyer but that is only talk just wait patient & I will let you know wnere I will be stationed might get back to K. C. or St. Louis Sure sorry to leave Reg & Dick but can't help it. This is a common branch of the service but that is no sign that it is no good. You can write to Box 70 if you wish for a while & Reg & Dick will send them to me so I am sure to get them. Well, here is hoping to see you soon Your loving (smudge) son, Clarence Telegram included in envelope: NIGHT LETTER (night scratched out and DAY written in) The Western Union Telegraph Company Gettysburg Pa 200 pm 7/13/18 Reves (sic) Propst Buckner Mo Transferred to Ordinance Department Leaving for Washington will send address Clarence 620 Letter 9 white envelope no return postmark St Louis, Mo Jul 14 1130 pm 1918 adressee: Mrs. Kate Propst Buckner Jackson co Mo stamp purple 3 cent Washington stationary : lined manilla 3402 Eads Ave St. Louis Mo July 14, 1918 Dear Aunt Kate, Your very welcome letter recieved and we are glad all are well. we got a card from Johnie Saturday (July 13) saying he had arrived safely in a Froeign Port. So he is in Europe some- where. I hope they will all come home safe after it is over. Leo enlisted in the aviation and is studying engines for autos and airoplanes (sic) He likes it fine except for the drilling and that is hard on him. pg 2 back of pg 1 He got his uniform amd gun last week and ke looks fine in it. We took some pictures and if they are any good we will send some up to you and Aunt Julia . Leo expects to ne sent to a camp probably south, on the 6th of Aug. so he will not be here much longer than Johnie was. He says they may be put in any branch of the service. Mary left this morning for Wequitonsing Mich. for the summer. She id going to work and will be back in Sept. some time. we are all well. How is Ella and Mike and all? Tell the girls to write. Love to all, Your aff. neice Julia Mitchell letter 10 white envelope return: (black & white )US flag stamp: purple 3 cent Washington Adressee: Mrs. Reeves Propst Buckner, Missouri postmark: Gettysburg 5 30 pm July 15, 1918 PA Stationary; thin... manilla unlined Camp Colt cat logo folded thirds pg 1 Development Bu. Gettysburg Pa July 15, 1918 Dear Mother:----- I am still here but I don't expect to be her (sic) very long just long enough so they can place me some where I am needed most. we have been digging sod again cause this is a new Co. compose of all the cripples in camp & just started Thu. There is about 150 men here. I am all right excepting my feet are a little sore. Some of the fellows were discharged today but they have been laid up for a month or more. I sent you a telegram saying I was going to Washington & that is what they told me & maby (sic) pg 2 back of pg 10 I will go yet but I am here & will be in camp all the time caus (paper torn) they won't let us out & by that we don't think we are going to be here very long. Dick came up yesterday to see me. Reg was put in the Kitchen for not passing inspection. Just write to me as used cause I will get them allright. I have had no mail since thu. Dick or Reg will get what comes to Box 70 & bring it up to me as long as I stay here I will write every few days I supose you are thro treshing (sic) by the time you get this. It is still real cool here at night. nearly froze last night & the night before. One Battallion 302 left this morning they were real near B. 305 & they say some more are going right away. well I won't have much drilling address Co B. Development Bn. Clarence Camp Colt Gettysburg Pa. Letter 11 white envelope return: (black & white) US flag stamp: purple 3 cent Washington postmark: Gettysburg Pa 630 pm Jul 17, 1918 adressee: Mrs. Reeves Propst buckner, Mo. stationary: thin unlined manilla camp Colt cat logo folded thirds both pages pg 1 Development Bu. Gettysburg, Pa. July 17, 1918 Dear Mother:---- I am getting along OK here We are going to drill 1 hr a day for a while to see if we can't get in shape so we can stay in the Tank Corps or not. I am going to try to transfer if they don't transfer me as they said they would. I want to get somewhere so I can drive a truck as that is what I enlisted for. My feet only bother me when I go on those hikes & we won't get any of those here so they tell me. The Lieutenant told us that we will drill & take exercises for three weeks till they find what good we are. only a few will get Discharges, The only fault of this Co. is we can't get out for a few days. pg 2 (front of second page) I got a letter from Lorretto Murphy Mon night but have got no more of any kind since then. I will see Reg & Dick in a day or two & see if it has come to the Po or they may bring it up to me this evening. I hope they got the late price for the wheat or have they sold it yet. It was awful hot yesterday here the hotest It has been since I have been here. But a shower came up about 8 pm & then it got cool again and today it is cloudy & cool. We get better feed here than we did at the other Co cause the (sic0 don't have so many to feed here and then we are right near the bakery & get fresh bread & can buy a pie if we wish for 25 cents. pg 3 (back of pg 2) Loretto said that they hadn't heard from John M. for quite a while and I haven't heard from him either I wrote two letters & put my return on them & they never came back. to me. Since I started this I was called out to drill 30 min. & then the whole camp was in a picture and was in the form of letters spelling "Treat em Rough" That is the Tanks motto. Charlie McFarland are in the R. in Bough. They built a tower just for the camera yesterday on the drill field just south of our tents. I got a letter from Julia M. just now & said that they got word from John & that he had arrived in some Foreign port. She said Leo was still in St. Louis going to school & was doing some drilling too. There are 50 in our drill Co. now the rest of fellows will do the work around the camp. well that is about the news for this time pg 4 (back of pg 10 Julia also said that Mary was going to Michigan to work for the summer. Maby (sic) I put those washers where they belonged but I don't think so. Any kind of a lock or common washer would do to put on that steering gear. I supose Leo Costello is at the Great lakes by now. I would like to see him drilling a little. everyone that joins the Army has to do some drilling no matter what they join. Well write soon and let me know what is going on. Your loving son, Clarence Propst address: Co B Development Battallion Camp Colt Gettysburg Pa. Letter 12 white envelope return: balck and white US flag stamp: purple 3 cent Washington Adressee: Mrs Reeves Propst Buckner, Missouri postmark: Gettysburg 530 am Jul 19 1918 Pa stationary: brown unlined folded card style then in half Tank Corps "cat" logo pg 1 Development Bu. July 18, 1918 Dear Mother:----- I am getting alright. We don't have to work so hard here most of the work is exercises that tend to develop us and get our minds to work with the muscles. We had Captain Isenhauser out to drill is. he is Commander of Camp Colt & he is some drill master too. he is going to drill us 1 hour for 18 days & all that show improvement will be sent back to their old Companies. pg 2 entire inside of card short side at top I was over at the hospital today to be examined again they just looked at y feet & placed me in class B if I was A. I would go back to Co B 305 in 18 days but B means there is a slight chance to go back. I am going to try to transfer to the Quartermasters. They do guard duty & take care of all supplies Bakeries & other things like that. How is everyone at home all OK I hope. I supose treshing (sic) is all done & the wheat all hauled away. Say that telegram that I sent stired up things didn't it. I thought I was going right off & the sargent that had controll (sic) of us said that was the order and I saw him since & he said that was the way the order was sent thro.(sic) and was changet (sic) at the last minute. I had a little spat with one of the Lieutanents that is the reason I don't want to go back to B. 305. since I left the officers had a fight among themselves & the first Lieutenant was transferred to another co. and one of Dick's officers hit a man. pg 3 (back of pg 2) He is up for court martial so it is not so bad to be a private in the army. Three me (sic) were out practicing with a machine gun Wed. & a shell exploded killing one man & injuring the other two pretty bad. I think one of them was a Lieutenant. Reg said they got a letter from wirt & that all was well. They were stationed in some old farm houses he supose in France. Well write soon. I will get your mail whether you mail it to box 70 or out to camp cause I can get a pass most every night to come down town & in a few days they will let go Co. B. Development Bu. Your son, Gettysburg Pa. Clarence letter 13 brown envelope return: Co B. Dev. Bu Tank corps C.A. Propst (Cat logo) adressee: Mrs. Reeves Propst Buckner, Missouri stamp: purple 3 cent Washington postmark Gettysburg 8 20 pm Jul 20 1918 Pa stationary: brown unlined folded card style then half "cat" logo pg 1 Co B. Dev. Co July 20, 1918 Dear Mother:------- I am all OK. I got off this afternoon & till 1030 Sun night. I expect to be here for 15 more days & then I don't know how much longer. I get my mail all right now and will as long as I stay here I was out again to have pictures taken of the Kansas City boys. They were 88 present & just as we finished a car camy by with a Mo. Lisence (sic) tag & we stopped them and they pg 2 (entire inside of card, short side at top) lived in K. C. The fellow was owner of the Garage at 10th & grand Ave. and some of the fellows knew him as they had kept their cars in the garage. The man & wife got out & had their pictures taken with them & he said he would put a little write up in the Star & Post when he got home. Reg. , Dick & Charlie & myself are all down town writing home. I guess our manes will be in the paper with the picture. The other one they sent got damaged & ^they did not print it. It has been pretty warm here the last few days. They are cutting their oats most of the people mow it & haul it in to the barn. The corn is tassling just about a foot & a half high & the tallest is not more than shoulder high. I wrote to Bill & Tom in the last few days. They sure are drilling the fellows for all they are worth now adays. I just thought that John M. had gone cause I wrote to him twice then I saw in the paper that the 38 engineers had arrive over seas safe then I got a letter from Julia M. and she told me that he arrived alright. pg 3 (back of pg 2) Does it take the new tresher (sic) crew that long to tresh a little wheat. What is wheat testing. $210 is a pret (sic) good price for it but it could have been better. wheat is quoted $2.88 here I could not find what it was a K. C. but by last years prices it ought to be around $2.20 Did they put Bill back in Class 1 Reg just said that the local ^board called Herman Meyers back & will put in the army/ well I have no more to write this time. Your son, Clarence address Co. B. Development Bu. Camp Colt Gettysburg Pa. letter 14 white envelope Postmark: St. Louis, Mo Jul 21 1130 pm 1918 stamp: purple 3 cent Washington adressee: Mrs. Kate Propst Buckner Jackson Co Mo return: none stationary: lined folded in thirds Dear Aunt Kate, You must think I am awfull (sic) not to write but I just couldn't with Johnie gone and Leo going Leo had been talking about it for a long time and I was glad when the draft board put him so far down the line but he kept after them till they took him. he thinks he might go to California he could never stand hard service because he is not heavy enough. we had a long letter from Clarence yesterday. his feet are sore from 20 mile hikes he said he was moved where it would be pg 2 (back of pg 1) eaisir (sic) I hope Uncle sams min everlastingly smash that Kissir (sic) bunch. and hurry back home. I would like to knock the socks off some of them myself. Have not been able to do any red cross work yet but start tomorrow. The weather has been so dry this summer hardly any rain to speak of at all. Julia made a nice box of cookies and sent them to Clarence. We would all dearly love to have you and Aunt Julia come down this summer Nellie will be here the first 2 weeks in Aug. I think. they only write once a month now because of the high postage rates so if you can come then would be a good time to come. Well hoping to see you and with love I remain You aff. neice Catherine (written sideways on the left of pg 2) Remember us all to Ella and her folks. letter 15 tan envelope stamp: purple 3 cent Washington return: black & white american flag postmark; Gettysburg 530am Jul 23, 1918 Pa adressee: Mrs. Reeves Propst Buckner Missouri stationary: thin manilla unlined folded in thirds camp colt cat logo all 3 pages pg 1 Gettysburg, Pa. July 22, 1918 Dear mother:----- I recieved your letter of July the 18. I wrote sat & sun and this id mon. It was awful hot fore noon but a good breeze is blowing no it was 95 ^degrees this morn. I have not a full list of the things I bought on the tractor or other things but We had it figured out that I owed him $29.65 but if he has the straw money & guess I only owe him about $4.15 Or I don't remember whether it the straw money was figured in or not. The tractor cost $396.65 all told. By our old figures but I have figured it over & I find we must have a mistake some where so i will write to him about it. Here is the list that I have just made up. I may not be right but I am sending it any how. pg 2 (back of pg 1) I have everything that they issued me cause if I didn't keep in my tent & Barracks bag it could not be found when it was wanted. I sure need the sox worse than anything els. (sic) I have three good heavy blankets and don't need any more at present. A good sweater will come in handy as soon as it begins to get cool also a pair of wristlets would be all right but you don't need to send anything but the sox at present. What is Len going to do with jer palce if she does not rent it to Bill. or has she got most of it in clover or did all the clove die from the dry weather. What was Hayden & Gene & John doing. I supose they are piching in the field? None of the other soldiers but what belong in the Dev.Bu. can get in here without & sunday noon they passed an order that no civilian will be allowed in camp any Co without a pass They are afraid of spies I supose. I have a pass every night except Sun & Sat pg 3 Sat night I slipped out by the guard that was the first night that I was here but since I have had a pass and from no I have a permanent pass. The guards did not have any loaded guns till Monday & now they use fixed bayonets too. I only get $30 a month. I don't know (smudge) yet where I will go from here and may not be transferred at all. No one knows anything when he is in the army. The Lieutenant told me today that all placed in a class A & B had a good chance of going over. but it all depended what branch one would be transferred too so all there is to do is wait and see. I will be ^here at least 14 days and lord only knows how much longer. pg 4 (back of pg 3) If any body send any bill against me don't pay them till you advise me about them. I don't think I owe anybody at all. and Bill is the only one that I didn't straighten up with entirely. I also borrowed $10 dollars from Tom but Bill was going to pay that for me you might ask Tom if he got it and if he didn't let me know. Did the kids ever collect that $115 from Frank Harra. What trouble do you mean Just me being placed here in thes (sic) or just me asking you to look up the account with Bill. I had a little trouble with one of the Lieutenants. He called me a coward & I just politely informed him that I wasn't. That had nothing to do with me being put here cause he does not have anything much to say where he is. He was just a new man in 305 B. My Leiutenant was a fine fellow & he always treated me fine but this other one just wanted to show a little authority Well how is everyone getting along at home. pg 5 I am in my tent waiting for them to sign my pass so I can go (smudge) down town & see Reg & Dick. I don't have half as much to do here as I did (smudge) down a Co. B 35. I don't think that the Tank Corps is going to be here so awful ^much longer. I get a letter from Shug real often. Has Leu. heard from Geo. or Ben. Lately, Geo. never answered my last letter about two weeks ago. The last letter I had from John was when he told me he could not come to see me on account of the dance. Well answer soon. Your loving Son, Clarence Propst I can get the letter if you address then to Box 70 or at Camp. Co. B Development Cu. Camp Colt letter 16 brown envelope return: Tank Corps (tank logo) Camp Colt, Gettysburg Pa postmark: Getysburg 530 am Jul 23, 1918 stamp: purple 3 cent Washington Adressee: Mrs Reeves Propst Buckner Mo. back: C. A. Propst Box 70 Gettysburg, Pa. stationary: brown, unlined, folded card style then half Tank Corps tank logo pg 1 Camp Colt July 21, 1918 Dear Mother:----- I forgot whether I wrote yesterday so I will write now to make sure. I wrote several letters yesterday & today & that is why I forgot. This has been the hotest (sic) day we have had since I have been here & it was so hot at that. There was not the slightest bit of breeze blowing was the reason It is awful dry again (today scratched out) here. we have two showers but in a few pg 2 entire inside short side at top hours after the sun shines one can't tell if it ever rained. Most of the land here is about half rocks & gravel and not very rich. They use lots of fertilizer or they could not raise much. Some of the corn is only about a foot & 1/2 high & is tassling. I don't know as I ever told you how I had the ground rented on Crisses. It was half at market & he was to pay for his half of the treshing (sic) bill & Jim's was the same. I am not afraid of Uncle Jim beating me but Criss might want to try to pull one over on me. where did they tresh (sic) in the field or did they have to haul it up to the house & then haul it back going to town. Is Charlie still home or has he gone back to town to work. Has Celia got a school or not? Is Helen going to teach at Sibley? It won't be long till school starts. You can send those socks if you can get them cause I can use them any time. My shoes are large & need a heavy sock to fill them up & wool is much better pg 3 back of pg 2 cause they are soft white cotton is hard & will stick to the foot or the shoe & cause blisters. Woo (sic) will also take up the sweat by my feet never sweat even with wool on. I hope it gets a little cooler by tomorrow cause it will be pretty warm driling if it doesn't. Well it is 915 so I better roll in early & rest. cause the mosquitoes nearly eat me up last night & I did not sleep much. It seems like it is going to be cool tonbight or will be by morning. Your son Co B Dev. Bu Camp Colt Clarence Gettysburg pa. letter 17 brown envelope Return: Tank Corps Camp Colt Gettysburg Pa (tank logo) stamp: purple 3 cent Washington postmark; Gettysburg 530 am Jul 24, 1918 Pa adressee: Mrs. Reeves Propst Buckner Missouri stationary" sheet 1 brown with Tank Corps logo folded card style then half, unlined sheet 2 manilla inlined tank corp "cat' logo pg 1 July 22 , 1918 dear Mother:---- I just recieved you (sic) letter of the 20th. we are having real summer weather now the temperature is from 90 to 95 o for the last few days. I also got a letter from Sadie & she said she was sending me a cake but it has not come yet. It always takes a package a day longer to come than a letter some letters get here in two days but most it takes 3 or 4 days. pg 2 entire inside, short side at top This place is real easy to what it is in the old company. I have a permanent pass now. All I got to do is to show it to the guard when I go out & again when I come back in. Reg is on guard tonight so I don't supose we will get to see him cause we don't know what post he has. There are 8 posts & they cover quite a large area. In my Bu. there are six guards for a space about three times as large as the garden. They caught a spy in camp so no civilian is allowed to come into the camp without a pass. And the guards are instructed to shoot any one found without the proper Authority in Camp that is certain posts cause there are guards around this place all the time. Todays paper says that the Allies are still winning & one on the boy just got a letter from his brother in France & said to have a big Turkey redy for Christmas cause the war would be over in time for him to be home then. If I am transferred I won't be in here cause they only have a few trucks her. (sic) 100 or 150 in all & about 100 motor cycles. & they pg 3 (back of pg 2) drivers for all these. Then I Thi (sic) they are going to make this a draft camp & winter camp cause they a (sic) building some new Barracks & the are only a few men coming in no (sic) One fellow got a discharge today he had the consumption. They keep them in a tent by themselves & they will all be sent home in a few days. There has only been 2 fellows that died in this camp & one killed by gun accident out of about 10,000 men since April 1st. I sure is a healthy place & they have good doctors here. I know two fellows who were operated for appendecites (sic) & they are getting along fine. (second sheet) address either Box 70 or Co B Development Bu. Camp Colt Say Mike sure got a good price for that old car. He said all the time after I took him a couple rides in the old Dodge if he traded it would be for a Dodge. They are lots of them used in the Army as light trucks when they moved me here I rode in a Dodge. They sound of the motor sure made me want to get hold of the wheel. I can get the mail at Box 70 but you might as well send it out to camp cause we get the mail at 1130 & 4 30. Then if I don't fell (sic) like going down town I will get them. George sure is working pretty hard sady (sic) said that he put in 16 hr a day. back of second sheet That is what they give them at the Officers school. There is one fellow from B 305 Going to officer school here. Then the hour of drill we get is the same as they give the fellows that are trying for comissions. they are going to pick corporals & Sargants here in a few days. I am working hard trying to get something a corporal gets $36 & Sargant gets $42 & if you get to be Top Sargent it is $54 a month. Then if we get transferred we go as the rank they place us. so it is different here. Most places when they transfer Sargants & corporal they are placed in the new comp-any as 1st class privates in the Tank Corps yet. well I have to close cause I have told all I know for this time. I get all the letters you write so don't worry about me cause i am getting along just as well as if I was at home & I getting plenty of sleep. Your Son, Clarence Letter 18 White envelope Return: black & white US Flag stamp: purple 3 cent Washington postmark: Gettysburg 530 am July 27 Pa adressee: Mrs Reeves Propst Buckner Missouri back of envelope: C. A. Propst Co B. Dev. Bu. Camp Colt stationary: thin manilla unlined folded in thirds Tank Corp "cat logo" both sheets pg 1 Gettysburg, Pa. July 26, 1918 Dear Mother:----- How is every one? I hope all O.K. It has been awful hot here. we had an awful big rain night before last & since then it is a little cooler but the steam from the ground is not very nice. I have just come in from drill (11am) & I am practically done for the day cause we are to sign the pay roll this afternoon & that will take an hour or two. Major Isenhauser (sic) told us today that if the drill team made good he would give us a three day furlough. I am going to try to get it extended ^to ten day that is if we get one We have 10 days to drill & then we are to compete against the pick platoon of 50 men after that so I do not know what we will do. Some of 305 Bu. are getting ready to leave. They are picking out the machinists and other mechanics & so forth. I think they are going to form a new Batallion (sic) out of them & they will go over as repair and salvage. Bu.(sic) No telling when they go. I was before the personal board yesterday they asked questions about what I could do do I told them I could drive & repair trucks so that is what they put me in as but I don't know as I will stay in Tank Corps. Only ones that are leaving are the ones who are getting discharges & most of them have Tuberlocious (sic) It has been cloudy all morning but has cleared away & is real hot now. Reg & Dick have to stay in camp today cause they are taking men out of every company & they don't want any one missing. I have been down town every night this week It takes 35 min. to walk down. I can catch a car if I wish for 15 cents. I only do that when I haven't time to walk. I haven't heard from any one for a long time but you & Sadie. I got the cake that Nora sent. It sure was good pg 3 Altho (sic) it was handled pretty rough on the road. There is a big bunch of masons leaving to take the 32nd degree & they get three days passes. A lot of officers are Masons that is the reason that they are going. Has Dad treshed (sic) his clover seed yet. Is he going to sow much wheat. this fall? Sadia said that Geo. was working about 16 hr a day at school. & was learning to fly & had been up 3,500 feet once. I guess nearly every- one of the fellows in A1 have been called by now. Nearly everyone in the whole camp I think is ready to go over. They are tired drilling the same thing over & over every day. Charlie McFarland's Co. is very little ahead of 305 Bu. pg 4 (back of Pg 3) what did the local board do with Turk Winfry? I supose nearly every one in K. C. that did not have a good job had to join the army. There is sure a lot of married men here. every day you run across more that are. Lots of them have brought their families. One (smudge) Iowa has his wife & two children here. his little boy is about the size of Richard. I saw him last night down town driving a new car around. I supose he just bought it here so he could see some of the country around here There is sure some pretty sights up in the mountains. well I have nothing new to write Your loving son, Clarence Propst Adress (sic) Box 70 or Co B. Dev. Bu Camp Colt Letter 19 white envelope Return: black & white US Flag stamp: purple 3 cent Washington adressee: Mrs. Reeves Propst Buckner, Missouri postmark: gettysburg 4 pm Jul 28 1918 Pa back: From Box 70 Gettysburg, Pa. stationary: manilla thin unlined camp Colt cat logo folded in thirds Gettysburg Pa July 28, 1918 Dear Mother:----- I recieved your letter yesterday & also one from Celia. She sent me some pictures and they sure were good. It is awful warm here today & has been that way for several days & looks as though it will continue that way. I told Celia I was going to send them some pictures & forgot to send them but will try to send them this time & also some proofs that you can have Developed cause they finish them so much better than they do here. There is some talk about the Tanks being moved again. Some more are ready to leave. as they are packed up ready to move One company left about 5 o clock this morning but no one seemed to know where (up the right side this is written) they went. pg 2 (back of pg 1) tell James he had better try to keep aray from Bings heels. I'll bet he sure did get a move on for once. They won't let us use arch supports or anle blraces. I did not have any trouble with blisters I skinned my heel once but I tped it up and it soon healed up. I don't know what Division John M. was in but I supose it was the 37th cause that is what it was called (the 37th Engineers) Then about the time they were to arrive I read in a Phydelphia (sic) paper that their boys in the 37. Division arrived in a foreign port safe. Now I don't know for certain just guessing I got the cookies from St. Luis & also Nora's cake. They were certainly good. They have been having several socials around & we have been attending them last night they had some real milk on ice & ginger cookies. well If I get that furlough I may get one long enough so I can come home. It will be about 10 days before I will know. pg 3 I went to church this morning at 7 30 and then I wrote a letter at the K. of P and decided I would be real good st attended 10 oclock mass. They sure have a lot of Catolics (sic) here. Most of the soldiers go to mass at the tent but I always go down town so I can get my breakfast right away. At camp they have mass at 7 o clock & one does not have time to eat & go to church to. (sic) We do most of our writing at the Epistoble (sic) rest room they have three good lounges here & we sometimes take a nap. Well I hope this finds everyone well. Your loving son, Box 70 Clarence Propst Co B Dev. Bu. you don't need to send a pen Camp Colt cause I bought a good one Letter 20 white envelope Return: Balck & White US Flag stamp: purple 3 cent Washington adressee: Mrs. Reeves Propst Buckner, Missouri postmark: Gettysburg 6 30 pm Jul 30 1918 pa stationary: manila thin unlined Camp Colt cat logo all e sheets folded thirds co B. Development Bu Gettysburg, pa July 30 1918 Dear Mother:----- It is raining this evening so I supose there will not be any thing to do this evening. I have 7 more days of drill here taht is if we are up to expectation then. Maby (sic) we will get a short furlough but I guess it won't be long enough to come home on. I will try to get one long enough so I can come home It has ^been pretty cool here the last two days except in the middle of the day & at night it get gool so one can rest. By the way things are going here I don't think the Tank corps will be here much longer. Lots of the fellows are being moved but they won't tell where they are going. pg 2 (back of pg 1) It has rained for about 45 minutes now & bide fair to keep up all evening. I see Dick & Reg. every evening as I go by their camp & we go down town together nearly every night. I saw Charlie McFarland last night & he said he thought that his Battallion would be the next to leave as they told them not to send any more clothes to the Laundry. Then a lot of the Lieutenants are being transferred. Toof (sic?) our officers are leaving today. I don't think that they are going over. Nearly everyone in Camp is ready to go over as they are tired of the drill & hikes they get here. How is everyone at home? I hope all O.K. I recieved the Sox last night & sure like them fine. I will try them out tomorrow as my feet got a little sore today we had two hrs of stiff drill. I supose we walked about 7 miles or nearly that much. Has Leo gone yet. pg 3 (second sheet) I see in the ^Sun New York Times that the 35 Division is helping to drive the Huns back. That is Tom's Div. It also composed of all Kansas & Mo. troops that were at Fort Sill. All the Buckner boy in 129th & 128th Field Artillery are in the fray I supose. It also gave the 35th engineers & 38th engineers but could not find the 37th engineers. listed in the lot. So I don't think John M is in the fighting yet. One of the fellows in my tent has a brother with the 35th engineers. He lives in K. C. I was at a social downtown last night they served cake & lemonade to all present. I think there were about 200 soldiers there. They sure pg 4 (back of pg 3 ) gave us some good cake. Has the gang finished treshing (sic) yet?It must be about time as most years everyone has finished long before this. Did the rains damage the wheat any or didn't you have enough to hurt? The corn here is just silking now & it sure has growed in the last week. None of it is over six feet hight but nearly every stalk has two shoots on it & this rain sure ought to make good corn here. I was talking to a fellow & he said this was an awful backward season here & an unusually dry one. I just learned that the water we use here is from a spring up in the mountains it is good water but is always warm cause the pipes are out of the ground in places. It is sure good to wash things like I do here at home they would be as black as the ground. My underware (sic) are nearly as white as when I got them. If I could boil them they sure would be fine. I don't get as dirty here as I did at home & then I take pg 5 sheet 3) a bath nearly every day & some times two and I wash my underware about twice a week. I have four suits in all & one suit has never been worn. Friday or Saturday is pay day. Nearly everyone is broke now and those that have money are to stingy to spend any or they would be to. Most of the fellows go to the neighboring towns on Sat. & Sun. I have not been to any of the towns yet. But I think I will go over Sat to York which is about 20 miles. It is about 5000 inhabitants. well all the fellows in my tent but one are snoring. I guess I will wake them up that is the way they do me when I try to sleep in the day time. One of the fellows in my tent has his feet all bandaged up to raise his pg 6 (back of page 5) arches & he sure does suffer with them. They put pads on them today under his instep & used adhesive tape to pull them up. it turns his feet over so he has to walk on the outsides of his feet. His feet are like mine were several winters ago when Penintons house caught fire. Who rented Unkle (sic) Jim's wheat ground? I wrote to Bill but I did not say anything about the Note with Porter but next time I write I will ask him about it. He has not answered my letter. So It won;t do any good for me to write if he won't answer. I supose the note is at the farmers bank & I think it is past due or is nearly so. Maby (sic) it runs till the 1st of August I don't supose they will have a Pink Hill picnic as they call last years off on account of the war. I haven't heard from Mitchells nor Murphys only what Celia wrote & she didn't say a thing only she was visiting them. Your Son, Clarence Propst letter 21 grey/green envelope stamp" 3 cent purple Washington return: Camp Colt "cat logo" Treat em rough postmark: Gettysburg 530 am Jul 31 1918 Pa adressee: mrs. Reeves Propst Buckner, Mo back; box 70 Gettysburg Pa stationary: grey/green tank corps cat logo folded card style then half second sheet ignores cat logo, opens it up with short side at top cat logo sideways upper left on pg 5 pg 1 Co B Dev. Bu. July 30, 1918 Dear Mother:---- I wrote one letter today & recieved one from you so concluded to answer right away I wrote the other one in my tent & when I went out to mail it there was two big supply trucks in the ditch in the company street they had to hitch another truck on them to pull them out. They set out anout 10 bbls (sic?) of potatoes for use & one on the trucks skidded & run over one & smashed about half of them. Pg 2 Those sox are all O.K. just about as one could buy I supose. You need not send those old ones cause they are too light. They soon will issue us some heavy sox. I don't have so much walking to do now so my feet don't bother much. They are little sore but they never blister. I use the powder. I have plenty yet and then I can buy it here. Say if you buy new tires or tubes for the car buy Ajax or Kelly Springfield. They cost more but will last longer. Lems (sic?) I think has been talking of moving to Buckner cause Bill said several times that his mother was going to move to town this winter. One doesn't get in trouble by slipping the guard unles (sic) you get caught & that wouldn't be called slipping the guard. Then all one would would (sic) be special duty of some kind or be confined to camp. The reason I could not gt out at first was this is a new ^Government order and at every Camp they have a Development Bu. for fellows that are slow in learning, crippled or sick some way & can not stand regular Drills. This Leiutenant didn't come right and accuse me of being but he said any one trying to pg 3 (back of pg 2) get out of the army was a coward. There were eight of us he was talking to so we just informed him we didn't want out of the Army or we would not have enlisted. He was just a new fellow & anted to make a big noise. He couldn't even show us how to do the manual of Arms. We didn't pay any attention and I am not going to have any trouble will (sic) an officer. Dick just told his mother that I could not get out unless by slipping the guard so she just took it for granted I had got in trouble, I have never been confined to Camp or any other punishment Dick got confined 3 day cause he sassed a Sargant (sic) & Reg. because pg 4 second sheet he did not have his gun cleaned up good. That is one thing they make us clean our guns & if they find the least particle of dirt or extra greese (sic) on it they punish by doing & extra hr of drill or something like that. That is no discrace (sic) cause some of the best soldiers are always doing something like that. I have a good chanch (sic) of staying in the Tank now and also going over. They are forming noncombatant corps now & also Salvage & Repair Corps & they will all go over. I never said anything about oil & grease but buy it by a large amounts & it will be cheaper. Tell John to put some Transmission grease in the differentials & Transmissions about every Thousand miles or two. I don't have any mending but to sew on a button once in a while cause I don't tear my clothes here like I did at home then they are better goods that I wore at home . Washing doesn't amount to much cause I can wash my clothes in twenty minutes & wash every day or two. They furnish us 10 bars of soap every month. I told you in one letter I got Sadie's cake & sure was good. I wrot (sic) to Sadia. I got the papers. Did you get the pg 5 back of pg 4 Pictures of the "Treat em Rough" & of the Kansas City bunch & also those I sent quite a while. you never mentioned getting any of them. Well we sure had a good rain here rained from 1 pm till about 6 pm & part of the time it just poured. It is much cooler here