8 P.M.
July 5 July 5, 1943

 Hello Sweetheart,

            Well Marge I’ll scribble a few lines.  I’m out on maneuvers in Tennessee.  Boy have we had some rains.  It’s raining now and thundering and lightning.  About 4 AM this morning we had a cloud burst and I was out in most of it.  I didn’t get very wet though.  We moved into this place about 2 AM this morning.  Some way to spend a birthday huh?  I don’t know where we are but it’s in Tennessee.  There are lots of bugs here to.  All kinds.
Honey have you or are you going to Indiana?  I’m sorry you couldn’t get down here but I guess now that’s impossible.  If I say something screwy don’t mind it.  I haven’t had any sleep since yesterday at reville.
We celebrated the 4^th by moving or rather getting ready to move.  I’m in the red army now and before these maneuvers are over I’ll be in the blue army.  There are mountains on all sides of us and I hope my bed doesn’t wash away tonight.  What a life.  We do things that are silly enough for two year old kids.  Now were playing cops and robbers.
            Honey I love you and would like to see you.  I don’t think there is much chance until after all this is over.  Unless things change.
            If you see mom or any of the folks tell them I haven’t time to write but am feeling swell.  Just lonesome for you.  Marge I wish I was coming home on another furlough but that’s impossible now.  Honey trust me and everything will be OK.  (If the bugs don’t eat me up.)  I have a swell dose of poison ivy on my legs now.  It’s almost better but looks like hell.
            I don’t know when I’ll get to mail this but you should know I’m thinking about you all the time.  Honey I’ve thought more about you since I was home than I did before.  I’m lovesick I guess.  We just had another storm and the stars are out now.  This is as bad and North Carolina.
Honey if you don’t get as many letters as you did don’t worry.  I won’t have time to write or I’d scribble a few lines.  I’m so tired now I can’t hardly stay awake but I’m going to finish this.  I don’t know when I’ll get another chance.
            Honey be good and I’ll be too.  News here is scarce but I love you and that is what counts.

July 7

             Honey I never got to finish this.  I’ll probably not get to scribble any more before Saturday now.  Don’t forget to write even if you don’t hear from me.
            Marge I’m thinking about you all the time but don’t have time to write.
            I’m going to mail this in some farmer’s mail box.  It goes out in about 1 hour.
                                                                                                Love
                                                                                                   Ralph

            Have a good time on your trip if you go to Indiana.

X X X X

I love you Marge.