Miscellaneous, Soldier's Letter from camp 1917

Interesting Letter

 From Clifford Oles at Camp Wadsworth, Spartenburg, North Carolina

Bainbridge Republican, Dec. 13, 1917

 

Nov. 26, 1917
Dear George: 

As I have a little spare time I will write you about the camp and of some of the things that keep us from being homesick.

 

In the first place we are so busy through the day that we don't have time to get homesick, then at night there are so many things to do you have to choose which one to do first.  There are clean shows and good movies about five minutes walk from our street, run by the Y.M.C.A. Association.  Some go there and others go to Spartenburg to see shows and even some go there to see some girl who has taken their eye.  There are cars running constantly between camp and town and can be hired for the day, some have taken trips down to the Blue Ridge Mountains, I am told that, that is a very good trip  The ones who wish to stay in camp (of which I am one) find lots to entertain them.  There are little parties down the line of tents somewhere every night.  Some one gets a big box from home and he invites in a few and all have a good time.  Two or three in the company are good on musical instruments, they are busy most of the time playing while others chime in with singing.  There is no excuse for homesickness under these conditions.

 

Base ball has run its length for it is getting cold.  I suppose you heard about our league, if not I will tell you.  We had a league of eight teams from the sanitary train.  The first place was taken by the 2nd Ambulance Co., and we came second, we had ourselves together.  They got a cup for first and the best four teams get a big feed from the losing four.

 

Well George I guess I have enlightened your mind a bit on what our life is, so I will close for this time.

 As ever,  Clifford Oles

 

 Compiler Note:  From 1917 to 1919, Camp Wadsworth at Spartenburg, North Carolina served as one of America's premier army mobilization centers that supported America's participation in World War I.  Further information on Camp Wadsworth is available at http://www.schistory.net/campwadsworth/