Wednesday-3PM

Feb. 29, 1943

 

Dear mother, et al,

            I’m idle right now as we didn’t have school this afternoon, so will try to think of enough to fill a letter. The kitchen has just come in from the field & there are lots of “smooty” pots & pans to be cleaned, so it would just be my luck for the Sgt. to come in & put me to work on them! They have to be kept “spic & span” & shiny all the time.

            We had an “alert” at 4 AM Monday & had to roll out and pack as if not to return Rucker, so naturally we were quite excited & expectant as to what & where we were going. We didn’t know but what we were leaving for maneuvers or something, as that’s the way we will be called out when we do go on a minutes notice!  However, it turned out that we (15 of us that were left in the Barracks) only had to go to the field with the rest of the company. We left the camp at 8 AM & finally found them around 3 PM in the midst of camp. A truck was supposed to pick us up but never did arrive, so we started out walking around 7:30 to find the truck & walked about 12 or 15 MILES & finally gave up & returned to the Bivouac area of the Com. at 11:30 PM & slept on the “Cold” ground & used our raincoats to cover up with & boy! Did we like to freeze! All our cover had been sent back to camp. That was a taste of real “army life.” As we were in the midst of a battle & no lights of any kind were allowed, we couldn’t even build a fire. If it had been real cold I don’t know what we would have done. If I don’t get another bad cold it will surprise me very much. I already have a slight one - we finally got back to camp at 11:00 AM yesterday after all that “wasted” time & school again yesterday afternoon.

            We haven’t had any mail since Sat., so hope to get quite a bit this afternoon – The Com. is returning from the field this PM & some of them have already come back, & are they glad to see “home” again after 10 days of primitive life!! –

            We didn’t have church at our 323rd church Sun. as all of the Red. & Chaplains were out in the field, so I went to another one Sun. night & found myself in a “Christian Science” Service & it was plenty dry & not very much like our service. All they did was read & sing a few songs. Next time I’ll inquire before entering!

            We have been having beautiful weather the last 2 weeks and it is just like spring again today. It was really nice to camp out in – it is usually the opposite when we are out.

            We still don’t know anymore about our furloughs. I hear we leave for Fla. The 15th, of March and then Tenn., so if all that takes place that soon, I guess we can kiss furloughs good-bye – Yet we are still hoping! – If not now, I’m sure we will after maneuver ––

            Well, behave yourself & drop a line sometime

 

                                                                                    Love to all

                                                                                    – Russell