Letters from Clarence Propst transcribed by Kerry Propst Fleming March 1999 line length and spelling as found within the notes especially as noted (sic) rubberbanded packet #4 Sept 2 to Sept 30 1918 letter 1 envelope: grey postmark :Sept 2 Gettysburg Pa 6:30 pm return :"cat on tank logo "treat 'em rough " C A Propst C P Div. Bu. Stamp: 3 cent purple Washington Adressee: Mrs. Reeves Propst Buckner Mo Stationary: lined paper 6 in x 11 in page 1 folded in quarters unlined "tank corp cat on tank logo page 2 and 3 folded in uneven quarters p 1 front Camp Colt. Sept 2, 1918 Dear Mother:------ I am on guard today again and it is pretty tough cause it is a holiday here and nearly all the fellows got from Sat. noon till Mon. taps except us fellows on guard and the fellows who are marked quarters. and they let some of them out. Well some one had to do it so it happened to fall on me this time. It is real cool here now and it sure is nice and clear. We had a rain here Friday & Saturday and it always gets awful cool now after rains. We haven't heard a word from Dick or any of the fellows that left the other day. I suppose they are all going over right away or where they are placed now they won't alow (sic) them to write. 2) (back of first page) They gave them some pretty strict instructions about what they could write and where. i hope you folks are getting a little rain by now. It is about time for some fall rains to begin and I suppose you will have lots of rain there. The corn here is sure fine but there is onl (sic) a little here. The ground is so poor here they have to use fertelizer except along the streams and there it is real good. Some of the corn on the best ground looks as tho it will make 50 or 60 bu per acre. I suppose Reg and I will stay here as long as the rest of the Tank corps do. They will take us south I think for winter cause they are not preparing for winter here and I should think it was time. Cause they would have to build barrack or make wooden bases for the tueto(?). There are lots of fellows coming in here but I think they are all drafted men. I haven't seen any there to talk to. They are quarintined at the causual Co. Pg 3 front Well I suppose the kids will all be going to school by the time you get this. I will be here 3 months. & it only seems as tho it has been a month. I haven't done scarcely anu drilling since I got the furlough. we just simply work in the morning and then 2 hrs we take exercises but when on guard we do not do the exercisis. I have gained nearly 20 lbs since I lift (sic) Jef. B. I don't do enuf (sic) walking to hurt my feet. I am on guard every 4th day and Reg every 3rd da He or I am on guard nearly every Sunday so we don't get to loaf together Next Sunday we will both be off 4) (back of pg 3) and we are planning to go to some nearby town to see if we can't get a good free meal. Any town except the people pick up the soldiers and take them to their houses to dinner and generally they bring them back to camp. Two (?) Bu. are loading their things in express cars yesterday and today They will leave soon. The do not go over seas as they have not their equiptment like the others did. I am going to send Celia, Mary & June an overseas Cap That is one cap for the three they are most dear to buy each one. All the girls around here(this word looks to have been added later )are wearing them now. The only trouble with them they are not large enuf for a lady with much hair. I got the largest one I could. Reg is sending one to Gladys also. I will send some sock back to 5) James &John as I never use them and then they would not last very long wearing them with these shoes I have to wear. The first pair I got at Jeff B. are nearly worn out and I have been trying to get a new pair and had to go to the Dr. to get an order. I suppose I will get them sometime before Christmas. I suppose Tom is getting ready to go to Camp & He is lucky going south for the winter now. It will be pretty tough if they leave us here. It was cold enuf to wear a blouse last night while I walked post. How are the hogs? I suppose they p 6) (back of page 5) have a bunch ready for Market by now. We just had some excitement on guard last night. A couple of fellows ran by the guard and he halted them and they did not stop. His gun was not loaded or he would have shot them. we don't stand for any foolishness here now. To many of the fellows are trying to do as they please and us guards catch it when they get by so now we are going to teach these fellows a lesson. There are just a few who do this and they are not to leave camp withous a guard along. Well I am about exhausted all my news. Write when you can. Your loving son Clarence P S I forgot to tell Reg & I were out riding with Gov. Whitman of N.Y. Sat. evening. Sunday was Gasolineless day here only Gov. car and buiness cars could run. letter 2 envelope: white postmark Gettysburg Pa sept 5 1918 5:30 am stamp purple Washington 3 cent return: Tank Corps (cat logo) treat 'em rough adressee: Mrs. Reeves Propst Buckner Mo. stationary: tank corp with cat logo folded quarters "card style" pg 1 (written with the short side of the paper to the left) address Co B Dev. Bu. for a while Camp Colt. Sept 4 1918 Dear Mother, I just recieved a letter from Mary written in K. C. I am pretty well only I had a little cold which I caught Sat & Sun. while it was so cool. I am all right now tho. I also recieved a letter from Nora and she said that Her and a friend & Mary had been over to U. K. C. to the camp. p 2 (inside note... short side is at the top now) I think I go on guard again tomorrow night. It falls to me every 4th day now. we are getting more more news now about 70 came in to our battallion today but they are fellows who were sent to hospitals in washington & Baltimore for operations. Out of 83 one died & 70 more sent back the other 12 were discharged. no telling what shape they are in. Must be disabled or they wouold still be here as they havve fellows here that are walking on crutches & they told them they would be in camp till the war was over. We are all quarnitined (sic) in camp for 2 weeks and can only get out once in a while cause 5 were absent without leave tues. morn where they called the roll. I worked last night till 8#0 white washing the mess hall after sleepiong all morning not having a thing to do. This was supose to be for fellows who were not there for p 3 (short side to the left) guard duty. sun evening and when they picked us out they got eight of us who were there in time and one who it was meant for. So I am going to pester them every night for a pass till they get tired. I had no trouble getting one tonight. Well it is real cool here & I am glad to hear you had a good rain. Hope it was enuf to make plenty of water. How does Celia like teaching as far as she has gone. Well must close your loving son Clarence letter 3 postmark Gettysburg Pa Sept 6, 1918 12M envelope: grey stamp: purple Washington 3 cent Adressee: Mrs Reeves Propst, Buckner Missouri return: none Stationary: grey/green unlined short side at top Camp Colt. Sept 6, 1918 Dear Mother:-----I am on guard again and it sure was a tough night cause it started raining about 6 pm and is still raining at 10 am. I haven't been doing any drilling for about 3 wks only doing exercises every morning & about 2 hrs every evening. There will not be anything doing here today as everything we do is done out side. we are taking a few lessons in physiology and first aid to the wounded this last week we have to learn all the names of the bones of the body and how to dress a cut or give first aid to a broken bone or snake bite & drowning of burning gassed. (?) We have school for 1 hr every afternoon. I knew all this stuff when I went to school but have forgot it all. Have Celia send me a list of all the names of the bones(underlined) & never (sic underlined) and blood vesles (sic underlined) Have you foilks had much rain I hope you have so you don't have to haul water any longer. we have plenty of rain here and it doesn't do any good cause there is hardly any thing for it to benefit. p 2 Has Tom left for Camp yet? I have not heard from Leo or any of the other boys for several days. I guess they are all too busy to write. I guess you heard that Robert Gibson was married. Reg's company is quarrintined (sic) for 10 days and we are nearly the same way. I haven't heard from the fellows who left so I supose(sic) that Dick and the rest are on their way over seas. One of the supply trucks just came in and skidded into a ditch and they are having a hard time getting it out. This (scratched out word) sure is disagreeable cold day and if it continues to get cold as fast as it has in the last few days it will be snowing here before long. They put up a Y.M.C.A. tent here yesterday and we will have a place to write in a few days. I have only been downtown one day this week. You might address my mail right out to camp so I will get it. I am going down to night. All the jews are getting passes to go home to attend their servises (sic) they hold from the 8 to 16 of September. Co B Dev. Bu Your loving son, Camp Colt Clarence Letter 4 return: American Flag postmark: Gettysburg Pa Sept 9 1918 5 20 am stamp: purple 3 cent Washington Back of envelope: C A Propst Co B Dev. Bu. Camp Colt. envelope: white adressee: Mrs. Reeves Propst Buckner Mo Stationary: Camp Colt with cat logo Treat 'em rough all 3 pages folded in thirds unlined (printed) Gettysburg Pa...... Sept 8 (written) 1918 (printed) (only dated p 1 ) p 1 Dear Mother, --------- It has been raining and awful cold all week & 2 caught quite a cold from getting wet the other night on guard. It is some better tho. now. Just in my head & throat. I am going to the doctor tomorrow & maby (sic) I won't have to go on guard Mopn. evening. There was a whole train load of draft men came in today and they were still in civilian clothes so they are draft men by that. You see we have to be tough here and treat em rough or you are not considered a soldier. So when I am on guard pg 2 (back of 1) I sure show them I am It while on duty any way. I don't see why they examined Warren again cause he got a (S.C.D.) discharge & it is suposed (sic) to be good. All the fellows here that leave on discharges will never have to be examined again. I am sending you Louis letter he seems to like France good. Tom C will never go over seas & there if he did he will never see any fighting. The army is not so bad only every one look at it wrongly. If they see one soldier drunk they say the whole army is drunk. every one here hates a soldier for some reason or another. We use to care but now we don't even look a civiliam and if they say anything we call them a slacker. pg 3 (cat logo) To had your corn burned up and you got the rains on the fodder to ruin it. Bill sure must be going to be some farmer now does he run around like he did when I was home. You must have had an awful wind to have blown the clover all away. I asked Tom about the tem (?) and he never told me a thing either way. I don't see why we can not get any passes here cause nearly every one from around home has got them but us fellows here in the Tanks. I haven't tried lately but will about the first of next month if we are p 4 (back of pg 3) still here. There is nothing wrong with Reg they just wanted some men to fill in those companys that left and Reg was not transferred. His company has 85 new men now ,they will start training again. His (scribbled out) is quarintined & maby (sic) they will be moved ("then "scratched out) soon. Hardy Hill is sure have some hard luck. with that old ford. I got a letter from Tom C. saying he did not have to go but expected to be called any time now. Well I haven't much news any more only the same old story. I sure was suprised about Bob Gibson so was Reg. Nora told me about it & I asked Reg and he sure was suprised & didn't believe it till he got a letter telling that he was married. Tom said Warren had a new Auto. He must of had a big wheat crop. I wiley sill (?) at pg 3 cat logo Holleys or has the moved back to Kan. You might have Celia nit (sic) me a pair of wristlets as they will come in awful handy cause I can not get a coat with sleeves long enuf. I have a coat with sleeves long enuf but the collar is about 6 in to large and there it is. They issued us Mackinaws Friday I sure got a dandy. & I will sure use it cause it get pretty cold at night now They tell me that it frosts here about the 10 or 15th. It may when it clears up after this cold rain today. p 4 (back of pg 3 0 Well I haven't any more to write about so will close hoping that all are well. write when you find time. I will write to all the boys & have already answered Tom M. letter. I have a card from John Mitchell also.Leo C. has never answered my letter yet. Your loving son Clarence P S Address to Co. B. Dev. Bu cause I may be put in quarintine any time now. Then too we can not get out like we did. Letter 5 Return address: none envelope: grey/green stamp: purple 3 cent Washington Adressee: Mrs. Reeves Propst Buckner, Missouri Postmark; Gettysburg Pa 5:30 PM (?) sept 5 1918 reverse of envelope: C. A. Propst Co B Dev. Bu. camp colt. stationary; Grey/green folded in quarters. short side at top unlined Camp colt Sept. 9, 1918 Dear Mother:----- I am on guard again tonight again. It is awful cool here now nearly frosted this morning. It got warm in the middle of the da (sic) tho. Reg left today and he wanted me to write and tell his folks and Gladys I don't know where they were going but it is to some camp in the South. They took their tents with them. They loaded up at our place again. There were 11 cars of them. They pulled out (added later... inserted) at 4 pm this evening. You might call up Reg's folks and tell them. I wanted to send a telegram for him but he said not to and then I could not go downtown tonight anaway (sic) . Their companies were all filled up with new men and I did not know only a few of the fellows. We are doing a little drill now or at least we did 2 hrs this morning. Tell Louie we got about 200 Special & limited draft men and they only will drill a few day and then they will put them to pg 2 (back of page 1 ) work of some kind. They say they do not have to wear soldier's uniforms but then I can hardly believe that. They say that they are a funy looking bunch some of them have only once (sic) eye and a couple have wooden legs. well I want some to mail this down town and so will have to close. call up Reg's folks as soon as you get it then they won't worry why they do not hear from him. Has any body heard from Dick. yet we have not heard a word from and of them. Will write again your son Clarence adress(sic) Co. B. Dev. Bu Camp Colt. letter 6 postmark Gettysburg Pa 1212 am Sept 11 1918 (faint) return: none stamp purple 3 cent washington Adressee: Mrs. Reeves propst Buckner Missouri envalope green/grey back: Pvt. C. A. propst Co. B. Dev. Bu Camp Colt stationary: grey/green folded in quarters unlined Camp Colt Sept 10, 1918 Dear Mother-------I think I wrote yesterday but have nothing to do this evening and will write again. I intended to send you Tommy's letter and postal but forgot to put them in. i won't do that this time. we had a big day on guard. last night we caught about 5 men who stayed longer than their pass read and we had to arrest these fellows 7 today we got 3 more and in all we sent 4 of these fellows to the guard house and they will spend a month or more. One fellow run off with a man's wife and he will probly (sic) get a term at the Leavenworth prison. They would not let out of camp to nite causebunch of ladies from York were coming to give an entertainment but they have not showed up yet and it is 8 o'clock. I did my washing and took a bath after supper. we also had our pictures taken and that page 2 (back of pg 1) made supper real late. It is going to rain to night and is real warm but just as soon as the rain is over it will get so cool we will nearly freeze. I have gaught (sic) a new cold nearly everyone in camp has a cold. And when on guard it is bad cause you can't keep warm. I wore my macinaw last night and up till noon to day now it is warmer than it has been for a week. They keep us pretty busy now. say you might go to the local board about the 20th & ask them to send an affidavit that you want my help to sow the wheat. I sent you the No. of the forms & so forth. They send this request to the Battalion Comander whos name is William E Gibb (2nd Lieut. T. C. ) I will apply here also and under the stall that I want to go home to attend my business which I do. Now one fellow had his local board send the request and the it was allright if he wasn't needed in Camp. Have Jim go with you cause he knows Gentry and maby it will have a better effect. You have to sign a paper stating how much you are sowing & so forth. That is one reason I asked that dad put in quite a crop of wheat so I could have a chanch (sic) to get home on it. Now ask for 30 days and maby they will give some anaway. You notify when you go to the board so I can got to the C.O. and put in my application here. If they send it right away I ought not fail. Reg. said he had Frank Chiles to work on his and he wante to come at the same time I do. that is if it works allright. I will hear from reg as soon as he gets settled. They ae going to ^have (added later) a Laukers Show in New York the 15th and they are to have a special train from here. We get from Sat. noon till Mon. noon. I put my name on the list. pg 4 (back of pg 3 ) but don't know for certain that I will get to go or not cause I am slated to be on guard from Friday 5 pm till 5 pm Sat. Maby they will put those who do not want to go on guard or at least I hope so. The fare is about $5 roud (sic) trip It is about 210 miles from Gettysburg Pa. to New York. It will sure be a good trip and I have always wanyted to go to New York. We will pass trough (sic) Phillaphia (sic) I will try to make Brooklyn on the trip too if I go. well it is about 9 pm and no show yet so I think they just told us that so they wouldnot have to write the passes out. You know the officers are like the rest of us they don't know (scratched out) do any more than they have to. Well a bunch of the fellows are up on the stage and are putting in a show of their own. Well see what you can do with the local board. Hoping to see you soon. Well the ladies have come. Co B Div Bu Your Son, Camp Colt Clarence Propst Letter #7 envalope: white (back has Pvt. C. A. Propst C B Dev. Bu. Camp Colt. stamp 3 cent purple Washington Postmark Gettysburg Pa 5 30 am Sept 13 1918 return: Soldiers' Club Gettysburg PA adressee Miss Celia Propst Buckner Mo stationary: tan unlined folded in thirds pg 1 Camp Colt Sept 12, 1918 Dear Celia:----- I got the sweater and first aid booklet and was glad to hear that you are getting along fine with your school. I'll bet you did feel funny the first anaway. I sure did the first day I got this uniform on and now I supose I would feel lost in civilian clothes. well to day is registration day and i guess everyone that was in that age put their names down. I sure would have liked to have been home and saw some of those fellows signing Unkle Sams army. well I guess some of them were a little nervous when they signed. Well I am getting along fine. have not been in the (pg 2 back of pg 1 ) Guard house yet but it look as tho you are not a good soldier till you serve a term in there. They are getting awful strict here now and we have to be all dolled up when we go down town. There were having a boxing match in York to nite and had the trucks to haul the bunch over but I decided that I would stay near camp and get to bed early as they won't get back till 2 o'clock or maby later and then I have to go on guard tomorrow I supose unless the (sic) let me go to New York Sat morn which I hope they will as it will be a grand trip going by Philly. Then I can say I have been 2 of the largest cities of the world. Pg 3 We are not drilling very much now a days and I have my name on the transfer list to the Truck Transport Train as truck driver. They was I understand it s that we will go to school for a few month before we do any driving. It is a pretty good job I think but i think if I get that i will not have a regular place to stay cause their business is to drive trucks and (scratched out) from factories and go to camps that are ready to leave and have them to the port. I tried the sweater on and it just fit fine. So I am wearing it under my shirt in place of a blouse tonite a sweater is what we need here now. pg 4 (back of pg 3 ) as every morning when we get up it is awful cool and damp. nearly as damp from the fog & dew as a ^if (added later) rain. Then we are not allowed to stand reverelle (sic) with a blouse or macinaw yet. well in the middle of the day it get hot again. The book is just what I want and will not need that other one you mentioned. They gave us little stoves to put in our tents but we have no pipe or ^ tin tent (added later) cap to put them up with I don't think ^we will stay here till it is so cold that we have to use them. Well I hope you get along fine with your school. How is Helen getting along? send all mail to camp as I do your loving Brother not have the box any more Clarence letter #8 tan envelope back has red & blue sticker says War Camp community service return address: YMCA red triangle "with the Colors" stamp 3 cent purple Washington postmark Gettysburg Pa 530 am Sept 14 1918 stationary: Both pages are lined paper, the Heading has full color flag on left and YMCA triangle on right. center has words: Army and Navy/Young men's Christian Association/"With the Colors" adressee Mrs. Reeves Propst ,Buckner Missouri Camp Colt Sept 13, 1918 Dear Mother------- I just found out that I am going to get the trip to New York. It is a nice cool day sun shining & the wind blowing from the N. W. We leave here on a special train at 6 o'clock tomorrow morn and will get back sometime Mon. It only take 5 hrs to go to New York I wrote last night to Celia that I got the sweater and Book all O K I tried the sweater out last night and this morn. It sure is nice and warm under my shirt. I got a letter from Rex and he told about the big day they had on the 8th in Buckner & that the Home guard is getting along fine. Be sure and have the board send that request in (printed at the bottom it says: to the writer: save by writing on BOTH sides of this paper To the folks at home: save food, but liberty bonds and war savings stamps) pg 2 (back of pg 1 ) or it won't work. They generally have the red cross book thngs on anything like tht but if they send it right it will be allright be sure and let me know in time so I can ask the Lieutinant (sic) for a furlough. I haven't heard from reg or any of the boys yet. Reg must have gone a long ways. or I would have heard from him before now & Tom does not have to go for a while yet. well I don't think they need him very bad cause he would be placed in a development camp like I am and it takes a long time to develop a person back so he is perfect. My feet are getting along fine now and maby they will not be so sore when they give a couple of more month's of exercises. well I just heard that we are going to be sent to Truck Transfer train as soon as we get back from our trip but I do not know whether I am on or not. pg 3 I have my name on the list but they may not take me. Wel I must stop and clean my rifle up a little. Have to have every speck of dirt an extra grease off or I won't get to go any place. we are doing lots of exercises now. How is you water supply now. I hope you have plenty. when are they going to sow wheat or do they know yet. I am sending my shoes home. I bought a pair of shoes. They are getting so strict about the shoes and will nearly every bit of of (crossed out0 our clothing now. Up till now we could wear most anything. Have some new heels put on them and they will do for John or James to wear. I had nothing only Hob nail and a great big heavy other pair & so I wanted something that I could (pg 4 back of pg 3) look halfway decent in. They cost five dollars and I had to send for money to take me to New York but is worth the price cause we get 1 cent rate. Well I will write again as soon as i get back and tell you what I see. I am at the Soldiers' club writing to nite. I always went to the Presbyterian Curch (sic) cause it was near the P. O. and would go back every once in a while till it closed. I do not have the box any longer cause I tho I would get to leave hear (sic) but I found out that I am not on that list. There may be another bunch called in a day or two. If not I will be here another month. That is if the camp stays that long. Our Lieutenant said tonite we were going to move to where it was warm. I got a letter from Mrs. John Murphy and they are fine. Clarce propst address Co. B. Dev. Bu. Camp Colt. letter 9 white envelope back : C. A. Propst Co. B Dev. Bu. Camp Colt postmark Brooklyn NY Coney Island Sta Sept 15 1130 pm 1918 stamp purple 3 cent Washington return address: War Camp Community Service/ Coney Island Club Unit No. 7/ Surf Avenue and West 5th Street/ Coney Island adressee Mrs Reeves Propst Buckner Missouri stationary:white unlined folded in thirds then thirds again heading: War Camp community Service Alexander cleland, Director Coney Island club Unit No. 7 W, Hamlin Childs, Chairman for Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Business office Room 813 17 Battery Place phone Rector 600 Moose Hall, Surf Avenue and west 5th Street Coney Island telephone Coney Island 1225 red and blue war camp community service logo on left Sept 15, 1918 dear Mother----- I am seeing some of the big sights on N. Y. & Brooklyn. We left Gettysburg a 10 am yesterday and got here at 630 pm and paraded about 15 blocks to the 69th inf.aromary (sic) and there they issued us meal tickets to some of the largest hotels in N. Y. for 4 meals. we will be here till 1 am Mon. then will board train for Camp and be ready for duty at 6 am. i kind of felt shakey going to this place with only $5 after paying my fair but have only spent about $1.50 and that was for car fare mostly. I got with a fellow that lived here for 3 yrs and he knew how to get around. There were about 400 of us on the train this place is alive with soldiers and Sailors. A lot are ready to leave. They brought us over the Hudson river in a ferry boat. I passed by one of the Cousin Charles Big steel works yesterday the Bethlehem Steel works. page 2 (back of page 1) I looked as tho it covered several Hundred acres. It was sp rough and you know you can't see so very well off a train. well I haven't much time to spare cause I want to go swimming in the atlantic and I must go now in 5 min. They give us a free lunch here at 1230 and tickets to anything we want. some Rich nut is giving this and is called the Laubers Frolic It may be cousin Charles for all I know. Well will write more when I get nack to camp Your loving son, Clarence same place letter 10 grey/green envalope on back: C. A. Propst Co B Div Bu. Camp Colt. no return postmark Gettysburg PA 12 M sept 17 1918 stamp purple 3 cent Washington stationary grey/green folded quarters Camp Colt Sept 16 1918 Dear Mother------- well I got back to Camp at 3 pm and had just time enuf to change clothes, take a bath and shine my gun so I could go on guard and as usual it is going to rain. Our train came near being wrecked near Harrisburg It is a double track road and we were meeting a freight train and one of the coal cars jumped the track and tore up our track and we just could stop in time Tues. Morn 8 30 I started this last night and they had a lecture at the Y.M.C.A> tent and they put out the lights. I sure had a great time in N. Y. and it only cost $10 fare & all. The Camp Community Service gave us tickets to shows & meals at some of the largest Hotels. Every meal I ate I judge would cost $1.75 or $2 per. I did not go swimming as it was a little chilly that morn. Then in the afternoon I did not have time. They made us march 35 blocks to the show that was called the Laukers Frolic and it sure was a great show as all the actors & singers were the best in the world as a great variety of them. After the show we marched pg 2 (back of Pg 1) back to the Armory and got our stuff and they called the roll. Then we march 15 more blocks to the ferry and crossed the hudson to Jersey City where we took the train at 3 am and did not get back to camp till 3 pm. I sure was tired and nearly went to sleep walking post this morn between 5 & 7 am I have not heard from Reg. I don't need a helmet yet but if we stay here I may need one soon.No, I don't think that I will be transferred to the Med. dep. cause they are giving the whole camp the same thing. I have plenty of cover only when on guard there are no matress on the bunks. There and we have to sleep with our clothes on. I have Leo Costello's ad. and have had onle letter from him. I got 2 letters from you. I have got rid of my cold and it is real warm here now. It only sprinkled last night. It doesn't matter what day you go to the board but that is about time to sow wheat and I thot it the right time. We wanted to come home together if we could but I haven't heard from him yet so I don't know when he will try to get home. You won't get this by the I guess. I am broke (to... scratched out) now and you had better send me enuf to come home on #25 is enuf. With Love, Clarence letter 11 no dated postmark white envelope no return back says C. A. Propst Camp Colt Co Belev Bu. Gettysburg Pensylvania stamp: purple 3 cent washington adressee: Mrs Reeves Propst, Buckner,Missouri stationary: manilla unlined paper torn on right both pages folded in half then thirds Camp Colt Sept 18, 1918 Dear Mother:------ This has been a cold rainy day but cleared up about 4 pm and it seems at tho it will be fairly warm tonite. I told you once that I was send you some of my pictures I had taken and I was looking thro my baracks bag to day and found them so will send them now. We got a pretty good rest today all we had was 1 hr of school 1 hr ^talk (added later) on out post duty and about 30 min excercises. The rest of the time I spent writing and cleaning my tent and running to mess & so forth. I have 4 new fellows in my tent now. One fellow just came back from the stokade where he had been a month. I don't know what he did to get in for that long. I did not ask him any questions and I don't supose he would tell me anaway. well I have to go on guard again tomorrow nite. It comes every third day now since they sent that bunch out Monday. Say I forgot to tell you that I pass throu (sic) one of Cousin pg 2 (next page) charlies big steel mills call the Bethlem Steel plant. It sure was a large concern and where the employees live is call the same and there is quite a town there. New Jersey and far eastern Pa are pretty good farms but all the fields are red as bricks. I saw some pretty good corn but not very many a ones like at home. None of the country we passed thro is as smooth as jackson county most is like it is around Oakland with a narrow level valley between the lines of the hills. When any of the soldiers want passes to go home cause of some of their families being sick or dead the officers go to the red cross and have them look up their case and they have to be pretty sick to or they wont allow the pass. One fellow just got a pass to Chicago for five days sid sister was to be operated . He left here last nite at 6 o'clock and would get in Chicago about 4 or 5 pm this evening. If I make it that is the way I will come cause there are so many trains leaving Chicago for K. C. I wont loose so much time as i would coming to St. Louis , I will let you know if I make it you can meet me in K. C. It is pretty hard to get a pass pg 3 back of pg 2 for any length of time from here. Some of the fellows who only live at Phillydephia (sic) can not get a long enuf week end pass to go home this is such an out of the way place here it takes 2 hrs to go to Harrisburg 35 m where the main line of the Pennyslvania RR runs thro. Be sure and get me some money here cause can save a few dollars by buying a round trip ticket It will cost about $33 or 34 dollars and I havnt a cent now so if you have sent some by mail you better wire some also. well I will close hoping this finds you all well. Your Loving Son, Clarence Propst Letter 12 grey/green envelope no return back: C. A.Propst Co B Dev Bu Camp Colt postmark Gettysburg PA 4 pm Sept 21 1918 adressee: Mrs. Reeves Propst,Buckner, Missouri stamp 3 cent purple Washington stationary: pg 1 grey/green unlined folded n quarters sheet 2 manilla unlined folded in quarters. Camp Colt Sept 21, 1918 Dear Mother:-------I got you letter today and was glad to hear from you and that all are well. We sure had a cold rain hear (sic) yesterday. It started just at 5 am when I started on my relief and by 7 am it was sure pouring and it rained all day and was still pouring when I went to sleep about 10 p m This morn when we got out for rev. it was as light as day. I don't think I ever saw the moon any brighter and we have to go or in our shirt sleeves and nearly everyone was fairly shaking from cold it came near frosting. There is a cold N West wind blowing now They gave us winter under ware and maby I won't get so cold from now on. This spell will only last a few days and maby it will be hot again. It always got cold after a rain here. Your letter was date the 15th took six days to get here what was the matter with it. I thot you probly dated it wrong. June ought to satisfied now she pg 2 back of pg 1 was always harping on working. She ought to make good at that it is not very hard work and that is pretty good pay. well I got a letter from Bill and he sid he was pretty busy and had started to sow wheat. I haven't heard from Dick but I was talking to a fellow who had got a card from the 328 B and Dick & Charlie left with that bunch. We saw some of the fellows who are stationed at Tobyhaua (?) that we knew here and one fellow was in the Dev. Bu. before he left here. He said they would go over before winter and the 304Bu are in quarintine and will leave soon. I don't think our Bu. will be here much longer we will go south. I told you in my last letter that i got a letter from reg at raleigh N C I have three blankets and then I have a shelter half which is heavy canvass and I spread it on top so I don't get the least bit cold while in bed but when I get up I sure get cold for a while. (I have to go on guard Sun. ) Your loving Son, Clarence pg 3 P S well i will probly hear from my furlough before you get this letter if you went to the board on Thursday. I will sned a telegram when I am on my way if I make it. All telegrams from here have to go through Headquarters now. The regular office mixed us some Gov. Business and they made them send everything thru here. I won't send it till I know when I can get to K. C. and you can have the car there. It is about 8 at night I think. I don't know which route to go whether thru St. Louis or Chicago. I think it is a little shorter thru St. L but quicker the other way. Well I have no pg 4 more to write tonite so will close for this time. Clarence. Letter 13 postmark Gettysburg PA 5 30 am sept 24 1918 no return Adressee: Mrs. Reeves Propst , Buckner, Missouri stamp: purple 3 cent Washington envelope white with pencil markings on reverse double outlining the seams and a cross hatch stationary; manilla unlined folded in thirds camp Colt Sept 23, 1918 Dear Mother----- I haven't heard a thing about my pass. but will see about it tomorrow. i got your card and the money to day. The telegram came yesterday but I could not get it cause the office is close on sunday till 4 pm and I had to go on guard at 430 so I could not see about it till tonite. I will find out about it tomorow but have my doubts about getting it now as the Influenza has broke out among the fellows at the Casual camp and 3 of them died last nite. They are fellows who just came from Camp Devaus, pg 2 (back of pg 1 0 and they were in quarrintine and maby it won't spread among us older ones. They took about 125 to the Hospital today. We about are the ones that can get out. I am in line also for transfer again to what they call labor LV?) and it it(sic) to help load boats either at N. Y. Philly or Baltimore Couse it is all talk yet. I caught cold last nite as it is always the case when I go on guard it is so damp and cold here just the right kind of weather for the malady. It got warm again today. It froze a little last nite and I supose it will again tonite. They put up stoves in our tents today. pg 3 so maby we can kep our tents dry and warm. The cold is not so bad if it wasn't for the damp air here. Some mornings i get up and put my hand on the blankets and they feel as tho they had been dipped in water. I don't think any of us fellows will get that ^influenza (added later) cause they gave us some nose and mouth spray today and are going to do so every day. It starts as grip and turns into pneumonia. we have a good bunch of doctors here and they look after us and that is something that those fellows didn't have. We will be moved from here shortly anyhow It may be three weeks now tho. pg 4 (new sheet back of 3 blank) Some of the trucks are going to leave tomorrow fror (sic) Raliegh (sic) Now don't worry about me cause we are in better shape than those fellows were cause they just came into servise (sic) and were taking their shots for typhoid which knock a fellow out for a few days. It always get nice after thses spells and the way you talked you must of had the same storm. I got some quinine and took it I have only a cold of the head and it just bothers me in the mornings and as soon as it clears out once I feel fine. Well I have no more to write hoping I get the passs and can see you soon. Your loving son, Clarence letter 14 no return stamp purple 3 cent Washington envelope grey/green back: CA Propst Co B Dev Bu Camp Colt postmark Gettysburg PA 830 am Sept 27, 1918 adressee: Mrs. Reeves Propst Buckner, Missouri stationary: grey/green unlined folded in quarters camp Colt Sept. 26, 1918 Dear Mother----- I have not heard from the request yet it is sure slow getting in and as that disease is getting pretty bad here I have my doubts whether it ever comes thru Headquarters. It should be in now it has been a week since you said you was before the board. They probly are busy here now being near the end of the month a sargent is going home to get married and he was to go today but may not get away for a few days. He wants to get married before he is 27 yrs old or he will not get a share of estate that is coming to him. I am on guard again toda It was real warm last nite. & has been pretty good today. It tried to rain but never did much good. There are about 150 cases of Influenza in Camp Colt & 6 or 7 has died so far. They are all new fellows who came from Camp Devaus. pg 2 (back of page 1) The influenza they say does not last long if the patient does not catch pneumonia. Then it goes pretty hard with them. The major doctor at the hospital had it and he was out yesterday. If the sun shines a few days it will be all over. we have about 8 sick here but they are not bad. They spray our throats and nose with a solution and it sure clears ones head out. I have a little cold but it is getting better cause I have been taking quinine. They won't do any thing for you at the infirmiry cause the don't have the medicines so I bought the capsules down town last week. we do lots of exercising now and that keeps us in pretty good shape. well I guess all I can do about that claim is to wait till it comes in and then maby I can get away. some way. we are not entirely quarrintined but may be right away. Well hoping to see you all soon. I am your loving son Clarence Propst save please I heard from Reg & he said they were all going get furloughs to go home soon. letter 15 white envelope lots of scribbling "what" and "wheat "on back postmark Gettysburg Pa 530 am Sept 28 1918 no return stamp; purple 3 cent Washington stationary manilla unlined folded in thirds Camp Colt Sept 28, 1918 Dear Mother:----- I haven't heard a word from that request and it has not came in yet . I wonder what is wrong. I have been thinking it wasn't made out right or something like that. I am OK. They are going to censor our letters from now on so I can't write anything about the camp for a while. It is real cool again and will frost tonite. The sun was real warm today tho. I have to go on tomorrow nite. That means I will have to walk post Sun. pg 2 new page (back of pg 1 blank) I got a letter from Reg tonite and he likes the place fine. I think that we will be moved by next 15th any a way. I sure hope so cause it sure is damp here all the time now and get pretty cold at nite. They started drilling us today and I supose we will do that for a few days. When we started out this morn we wore our gloves it wasn't that cold but they ordered us to. we drilled an hr rested 5 min then they gave us some shovels and we worked an hr cleaning out a ditch then back to our drill for the rest of the morning. Then after noon we got or nose & throat sprayed which takes an 1/2 hr and then we drilled 1/2 hr then we rested 15 mins and took 1 1/2 exercises. pg 3 (back of pg 2 blank) If that request doesn't come in pretty soon I won't be home in time to help out much if I get it. well if I can't get home now maby they will let us come home Thanksgiving or sometime. Reg says that they are letting all his company go home for a few days. keep on writing to me case no tell whether I can come or not I haven't had much hope the way things are. I got a letter from John Murphy or at least it was from Nellie. She answers my letters right away and I think I will go down some Sat & Sun to see them. I can make the trip in that time easy. Well I haven't much to write now. How is everybody at home. I haven't heard from pg 4 (back of pg 3) you since Mon. I think this is the third letter since then. I will write every day or so you can keep tract of me. Have you got the Sunday saving gasoline law yet? They are awful strict here and if they drive their cars for pleasure on Sunday they can't buy any more gasoline. The papers siad it was only east of the Miss. River. when I was in N. Y. there was only a few cars on the streets. How is the Dodge? Have you had to buy any tires for it? If you don't use it much now you want to see that it does not freeze up cause it is nearly time to have some freezing weather. Well that is all this time (same place) your son, Clarence. Letter 16 manilla colored envelope postmark Gettysburg PA 4 pm Sept 29, 1918 return YMCA red triangle "with the colors" stamp purple 3 cent Washington (opened & torn half through stamp) adressee: Mrs. Reeves Propst Buckner, Missouri stationary: lined paper color US flag on left and YMCA red triangle on right Army and Navy Young men's christian Association "with the colors" both pages Camp Colt Sept 28, 1918 Dear Mother------- I wrote to you last nite and told you I haven't heard a word from the request. It hasn't showed up as yet. It surely got held up in washington for some cause or other. I thot(sic) I would hear from it by Thu. but it never came in. every thing like that takes a long time to go any place I am on guard again tonight but won't have to walk post as I am corporal of the guard this time. I have to be up just like the other but I can stay in the guard tent and don't have to do any walking only where I post my relief. There are 6 men on each relief and there are 3 reliefs. I have to take my men around to relieve pg 2 (back of pg 1 blank) the others when they have walked their time. It is getting cool again tonite and a little cloudy but i don't think it will rain. As I told you, I can't write about the camp any more as they are censoring our letters. I supose you have been wondering why you haven't heard from me . I have not had a letter from you since Sun or Mon I have not heard a word from any of the boys in camp. I mean Leo C. Leo M, Geo, Ben or any of the other fellows only Reg I got a letter from him a couple of days and he likes it fine down there. He is a Mounted Police man or that is what they call them. He just walkes the streets of town and sees that none of the soldiers cut up pg 3 (back of pg 2 ) and that they have the buttons all buttoned down and so forth. I would want it i don't think. He doesn't have to do any drilling and is only on duty (till crossed out) from 4 30 pm till 12 pm then the rest of the time he can do (all crossed out0 what he wants to. Neither of us have heard from the Boys. who went ovewr seas. I am getting along fine only I catch a cold one day and it is gone the next. every one here is the same. Nearly all the fellows are out of camp today and we haven't very many to guard. All the leaves are turning and falling. we expect to be moved from here but no telling where. Would like to go south or West one cause it is to damp here now. well write so soon as you can. If you don't fell able have some of the kids write. Same place Your loving son Clarence Letter 17 tan envelope (crumbling) back: C A Propst Co B Dev. Bu Camp Colt return: YMCA red triangle "with the Colors" postmark: Gettysburg PA 530 am Oct 1 1918 adressee: Mrs Reeves Propst Buckner, Missouri stamp 3 cent purple Washington Stationary : lined, YMCA headers as in letter 16 on all 3 pages folded in thirds Camp Colt Sept 30, 1918 page 1 Dear Mother:------ This has been another fine day and they took us out for a short hike this morning just about 3 mi and there we drill an hr before noon. This afternoon we took exercises and there they payed us this evening. I got your letter in (scratched out word) the noon mail. It took your letter 4 days to come. They have changed the trains here and I supect (sic) they don't make good connections in the day and then I always write at nite and it does not go out till the next day about noon. My cold is better I use musterole and then the spray they give us is good to clear a cold in the head. If it stays (scratched out word) pg 2 (back of pg 1 ) nice weather here ^it (added later) won't take long to get rid of a cold. Did George get his comission and what did he get 1st or 2nd Lieutenant is it. Write and tell me his address when you get it. Camp Dix is only 200 miles from here. Maby he can get me transferred out of here. Don't tell anyone cause it is against military rules to ask for a transfer that way. But if a Lieutenant asks for a man they some times let them go that way. Camp Dix is a large camp and is in N. J. about 200 mi out of Trenton. I sure will save my money for a while now cause the canteen is closed and we are not suposed to eat anythig out of camp. I wrot (sic) to John M. the 9th of Sept He will get a lot of mail some day like Tommy did. Have you heard from Leo C lately he has never answered my last pg 3 letter. I thought maby if I got a pass I would spend some time at home but it look as tho there is nothing doing. It has never came in to Bw. headquarters at all. May have been sent to Washington, D.C. and they have so much to do there. it has never got around yet. I never thot about Vincents Birthday but remembered that 1st & 2nd of Sept. is Celia's and Marys birthday. Put was lucky to win a box and I bet he was sure tickled. Bill said he was going to try to sell the old Ford when he had time to repair it up a little. So Warren has got rid of Helen. Well even if I don't get a pass now I will ne entitled to one when I am in Servise (sic) 6 mo. pg 4 (back of pg 3) maby If I get transfered out of here I can get one any way. cause everyone say this is the hardest place to get a pass from and I have taked (sic) to lots of fellows who have been in different Camps. I don't need those wristlets yet but will need them before long if it keeps getting colder. I got another blanket today. I have four now and I never get cold while in bed cause i have a big tick full of straw. The blanket I got today is sure a light one but it will help. We don't expect to be here much longer now. I won't go to sleep cause it is not hard to keep awake when you have to keep moving to keep warm. The frost here has not killed the corn only in the low places. well it has clouded up since I started this and has started to rain. that Sargeant sure had a right to be worried cause they don't pg 3 find the man he may be he placed in Leavenworth in his place and serve his term. well I havent much more to write about so will close fror(sic) this time, Your loving son. Clarence P. S. I will write real often now so you can keep tract of me we may be moved any time. I done my washing to nite in steat (sic) of going down town wish I would have gone down town now cause t will all be wet again now was not dry enuf to take in. well it may not rain long. And one good thing it always clears up as soon as it stops raining. letter 18 envelope:tan (crumbling) return: YMCA red triangle "with the colors" adressee Mrs. Reeves Propst Buckner Missouri stamp: purple 3 cent Washington Postmark :Gettysburg PA 530 am Sept 30 1918 stationary: YMCA as in letter 16,17pg 1 pg 2 is lined with no header. Camp Colt Sept 29, 1918 Dear Mother:------- this is the nicest Sun. we have had for a couple of months. clear and warm and I am on guard so I can't get out to walk around till 600 this evening. Where I am I can see the tower and there are alot of people in it viewing the camp it is only 1/8 mile to it. There are no cars on the roads only busines cars and a few jitneys (?) I hope it stays like this a while and allwill be well. I still have a cold in my head and it makes one fell disagreeable blowing your nose every so often. Nearly everyone has gone out visiting or walking someplace and the only ones left is the Sick lame and lazy. I lost my pen the other nite and could not locate it. I supose I layed it down in the writing pg 2 room down town. How is every one around home? When does Tom have to go or have they let him off for a while? I supose Bill has got quite a bit of wheat sowed by now. I have not heard a word from that Request yet. Well the papers all are talking peace of some kind but it look as tho the Kaiser wants to dictate the terms and so they can't let him do that. Well pay dat is nearly here again and I will collect my measly $10 spot for my servise (sic) If I don't get that pass I am going to ask them for a few day any how They can't do any worse than turn me down. How does June like her job by now? How is Celia and Helen getting a long with their schools? Well I must close hoping you are all well. (same place) Your loving son, Clarence