[ NOTE: IF YOU ARE READING THIS SERIES FOR THR FIRST TIME, IT'S BEST TO START AT THE BEGINNING]

Letter to Aunt Nell -

Camp Wadsworth, S.C.

October 15, 1917

(Monday evening)

Dearest Aunt Nell: -

Your letter received yesterday - but - I've been humped over a desk all day - drumming at army paper work - of which there's no end - and this is my first opportunity to write! Needless to say - your letter was a "hummer"! And it did me a lot of good!

The package of papers you sent recently came Sunday - so I had a pleasant means of spending the day. That copy of the New Republic was a gem. I have read nearly every article in it - and Joe Toombs is greedily reading it - and the Digest! Both were extraordinary numbers!

Your other package of medicine hasn't come yet - but - a million thanks for it!

Yes, I am actually feeling better. My cold has left the lungs almost entirely - and I am now enjoying a moderately sore throat and a minor cold in the head only! Am going out and drill tomorrow. 

So you are buying Liberty Bonds? [A Liberty bond was a war bond that was sold in the United States to support the Allied cause in World War I. Subscribing to the bonds became a symbol of patriotic duty in the United States and introduced the idea of financial securities to many citizens for the first time.] I just sold five thousand municipal and boosted our Company's Bond Sales record by buying fifty - hundred dollar bonds! Gave our officers quite a shock! The Colonel said - "Who in Hell is this Sergeant that bought five thousand dollars worth of bonds?" Consequently I met him - and - he knows more about me than he did! Ha! Ha!

I read about the expulsion of some of your professors! Oh! - I don't know - if you could see what a tight lid is held over news paper men - you'd appreciate this business of limited speech! Ha! Ha! 

[Note - the reference here is to the expulsion of two Columbia University Professors (Cattell and Dana) in October 1917 after voicing unpopular - unpatriotic - opinions regarding the USA's involvement in WW1. This led to the resignation of Professor Beard due to factors attributed to the suppression of free speech. Source of added info - NY Times archives]

I have quite a little tip for you! It is based on a bit of conversation I held with 1st Lieut. "Slats" Walrath today - and is as follows: - "Major Gen. O'Ryan is on his way to America. He has been "over there" picking out camp sights, etc. - for the 27th Div. & studying the business of training. As soon as he gets here he is going to complete the re-organization of his Division and in a few weeks send it across. Now - "Slats" (Lieut. Walrath) tells us that he will be here next week. Also, that Major Thomas Sherman (a major in the new 107th - son of our former Vice Pres and - a political power) - has made a big bet that we will be there before Thanksgiving! Sounds pretty good, what?

My old pal - and favorite brother Sergt. of mine - "Al" Swain - is to be left behind! He has got a job as 1st Sergt. under our new Capt. (D. C. Wightman) who also lost his command. They are to be sent north to train drafted men - and may never see France. Poor cuss! He actually wanted to get into the fight - but - got lured away by promotion and persuasion! I was offered, by Capt. Wightman - a First Lieutenancy - to go in the N. A. [National Army] (drafted army) - but - turned him down! I had told him I had rather go to France now a buck private than to remain behind a colonel! Now - for some comments on my use of that offer! Was I wise or foolish? My girl is almost angry to think I wasn't yellow enough to stay here in U.S.A. She is not very patriotic - poor kid - when it comes to my going into the trenches!

I must close now - and go to bed! It's actually 8:15 and - as we are up by candle light in the morning - it's high time I was "pounding my ear!" [slang for 'to sleep]

Hoping I hear from you soon, and assuring you that I already feel much better - I'll close

With love, / Clyde

More diary entries -

Oct. 16, 1917, Tues., Warm. Fair.

No drill today. Checked property. Rec'd pkg. of chocolates and bottle of medicine from Aunt Nell - also a box of fudge from Edith Stukles. Our company went on guard tonight. We had Liberty Bond talk. Wrote letters. Feel better. Bed quite early.

Oct. 17, 1917, Wed., Fair. Warm.

Very sick all day. Couldn't even see my head ached so. Physical & slept - felt slightly better at night. Slept well. Big farewell supper tonight. Mess hall was decorated - the band was here. Best of eats - speeches by officers, etc. OK.

Oct. 18, 1917, Thur., Cloudy. Warm.

Feel bum. No drill. Wrote letters & read part of time. Bought a pr. of spirals of ? today for $3.50 - pay him pay day. Bed early. Move tomorrow.

Oct. 19, 1917, Frid., Cloudy. Rain. To 107th.

Rained most of day. Packed our equipment before noon. Rained from noon until about 2:00 hard. Equipment was packed in Co. St. - got very wet. Marched over to 7th Reg. camp - they had our tents all up. Finished things up, baggage came, made ourselves partly at home. Fellows look pretty good. Bed early.

Oct. 20, 1917, Sat., Fair. Cold.

Up early. Tent inspection. Inspection of rifles by Capt. - later by Colone Sherman. We are now members of the new 107th Inf. Had short arm insp., etc. which made the Sat. insp. last until nearly noon. Dinner 12:30. Non coms met at 1:00. Did nothing during p.m. Bed 10:30.

Oct. 21, 1917, Sun., Cold. Windy. Very clear.

Beautiful day but cold. Wore overcoat when out. Went over to 1st Inf. to see Teddy & Al. Wrote news and letters to mother & Anna this p.m. Feel pretty good. Good eats. Read & studied this evening. Bed early. 

Oct. 22, 1917, Mon., Fair. OK

Great day. Just warm enough to drill comfortably. Had drill from 8 - 11:30 a.m. and 1-5 p.m. Very interesting drills. Am right guide, now, of Sgt. Walrath's platoon. Wrote letters in eve. Cool as H--- tonight. Bed early.

Oct. 23, 1917, Tues., Cool. Strong wind.

Regular drill today. Sand blowing on drill ground couldn't see 100 yds. Had lecture on gas bombs & practiced guard mount [the military ceremony of installing the new guard and relieving the old one]. Cold all day. Wrote, bed early. Straw in my sack tonight. Windy.

Oct. 24, 1917, Wed., Cool as hell. Strong wind.

Drilled from 8 - 11:30 today. Saw 15th Inf. (Colored) pass in final review before leaving. They left today! Had field day this p.m. Heard Gen. Lester & Com. Gen. Phillips of the 27th Div. speak on Liberty Bonds. Wrote letter to Sis in p.m. Very Cold. Bed early.

[Note - Per US Dept. of Defense - During World War I, when African-American National Guard soldiers of New York’s 15th Infantry Regiment arrived in France in December 1917, they expected to conduct combat training and enter the trenches of the western front right away to fight the enemy. However, at first, the African-American troops were ordered to unload supply ships at the docks for their first months in France, joining the mass of supply troops known as stevedores, working long hours in the port at St. Nazaire.] 

Oct. 25, 1917, Thurs. Cold. Warmed up some.

Regular drills today. Cold this morning. Warmed up later. Special bayonet drills & half co. drills. Were pretty good. Grose & Gokey & 5 (?) corps. reduced today. Wrote letters tonight. Bed early.

Oct. 26, 1917, Fri., Fair. Warmed up in midday.

Co. Drill, in close order most of day, practicing for review. None too satisfactory. Letter from A. Robinson today. Wrote letters. Bed early. Cold night again.

Oct. 27, 1917, Sat., Mild. Fair.

Reg. inspection from 8 to 10 this a.m. by Capt. Coleman. Had regimental review, about 11, being reviewed by Gen's. Phillips & Lester. Went off pretty good. Went over to old 1st. called on Williams, "Al" & Toddy this p.m. Electric lights in tent tonight. Wrote. Bed early.

Oct. 28, 1917, Sun. Very warm. Fair.

Shaved, then hiked over & called on "Guin". Saw Ernest Ward over at the 10th too! Great dinner! Read and wrote to Sis this p.m. Good supper. Bed early.

Observations - Be careful what you wish for.

Up next - Another letter and more diary entries. We learn a little more about the 107th Infantry and William Jennings Bryan addresses the troops.