on drawin it all the time. Then later I here footsteps. I was expectin
the relief so I was right on the job. An a man come up and I poked my
pistol right in his face an says Halt. Who goes there? And he says
Officer of the day. An bein disappointed as who wouldnt be I says Oh
hell. I thought it was the relief. An he objected to that. The relief,
Mable--but whats the use you wouldnt understand it.

Theres some mistake up north Mable about the way were built, Mable. Its
kind of depresin to think that you could forget about us so quick.
Everyones gettin sweters without sleeves and gloves without fingers. We
still got everything we started with Mable. Why not sox without feet and
pants without legs. If your makin these things for after the war I think
your anticipatin a little. Besides its depresin for the fellos to be
reminded all the time. Its like givin a fello a life membership to the
Old Soldiers home to cheer him up when he sails. I was sayin the other
day that if the fellos at Washington ever get onto this theyll be issuin
soleles shoes and shirtles sleves.

Its gettin awful cold. No wonder this is a healthy place. All the germs
is froze. I guess there idea of the hardenin proces is to freeze a fello
stiff. The Captin said the other day we was gettin in tents of trainin.
Thats all right but Id kind of like to see those steam heated barraks.
Youve red about those fellos that go swimmin in the ice in winter. I
guess thed like our shouer baths. They say Cleanliness is next to
Godliness, Mable. I say its next to impossible.

I started this letter almost a weak ago. I just found it in my bakin
can. They call it a bakin can but its too small to bake nothin. I keep
my soap in it. I got some news for you. The regiment is to be
dismantled. The Captin called me over this mornin and asked me where Id