This is the first letter written from Park Field, Long Island, the last place the 281st stayed before heading overseas. In it, Roy lists the equipment the soldiers were given before shipping out. His mind seems to be more on the war than before--he mentions the fierceness of the German fighting and speculates that, if forced onto their own ground, they're likely to fight even harder.
My Dear Friend:
I suppose you have by this time received my cards for I mailed you several a few days ago while on my way up here from Park Field. I understand this is to be our embarkation point and I am glad to be this far on my way to France. Our Squadron just arrived here Thursday morning at 2 oclock after being on the train from 9 oclock Monday evening. We had a very nice trip traveling in Pullman sleepers, by way of Louisville, Ky., Huntingdon, W.Va., Staunton, Va., Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. We had nice weather and saw lots of the country on the way.
This place is more like an army camp than any place I have yet been. It is a quite large camp, all tents. As yet we have very little to do but stand inspections and turn in and receive clothing and equipment. They have taken all our Khaki clothing and issued Woolen O.D. We are also to get spiral putties or Leggins, "Tin Hats," (helmets) and our Arms. Each man an automatic revolver and a rifle, so you see even if we are not so fierce and warrior-like in actions we will surely look to be. Ha. Ha!
Yesterday we had a Field Inspection: that is, we packed up our haversacks, marched to the parade ground about a mile away where each mean opened his pack and displayed for inspection all his equipment. Everything must be packed and laid out in a prescribed manner, and if anything is a bit dirty or not displayed in the right manner someone is sure going to be in bad.
Many of our boys are in New York City today on pass and I suppose are having a great time. Many of them, I know, have never been there and several were never outside of Tenn or Mississippi, so I imagine they are "seeing things" today. I did not ask for any pass because I want to try for a few days leave next week and if I had had one today it would be marked up against me. I am going to try to come home for a couple days next week, if we stay here long enough. As it is now I do not believe we shall be here very long, and I want to get home at least before going over. An older brother of mine enlisted june 15th and left for France June 28th and I, having enlisted seven months ago and still here, feel slighted, but I don't think it will be long before I shall go across. I hope so anyway.
With few exceptions, the Squadron is made up the same as it has been for some time and quite a few, nine or ten, I think, Altoona boys are still with us. I met an Altoona boy today and also one from Claysburg. They have been here for some time. So far, I have seen little flying, not more than ten or twelve machines in the air at one time, but the flying is of a more advanced stage, more so than at Park Field. there we saw but one type of plane while here we see many different types.
I suppose you, or, I hope you enjoyed a nice holiday on July 4th. I do not know what the Fourth was like at home or in Altoona, but for me at Park Field it was a working day for I was on duty. There was quite a time in Memphis but I missed it. Many of the boys there went to Memphis and had a great time.
Well, I think the Germans have done their worst, or best, which shall I say? It looks as if they have about played their best cards though I would not be surprised if it would last a year or more for we all know that it won't do to make a half-way peace, and if the Germans are forced to fight on their own ground it is my opinion they will fight like fiends.
Well, I know you must surely be tired of reading this scribbling so, I will close.
Sincerely,
Roy
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