25 days before arriving at Camp Shank
September 7, 1943
Hello Mother Dear,
Before I write anymore say hello to Dad and brother also for me. Gee, Mom, I miss you all so much. Yesterday, last night and all day it has been cold with a strong fall wind. The sky has been cloudy which hasn't made it any more cheerful. The days are so short. It think it gets dark starting about 7:30. I don't mind the cold, in fact, I like it a little cool you don't sweat so much.
Mom, you're really holding that chin up aren't you? Tell Dad to keep up courage as the news sure is good not just looking good. (I am assuming that Uncle Charlie may be thinking how we are beginning to invade Italy, and he may have heard of some Japanese ships sinking. That may have given him encouragement? The soldiers grabbed unto any news that may give them hope the war would soon end. We know his optimism will not last. Even with his hope he mentions in this letter a possible address change and he is sending his old clothes home he is not planning to wear again. Something is in the air I think and it's not all hope I don't believe.) How is brother? Mom, you know I think a lot about that kid brother of mine. I sure feel proud when I show that small picture I have of him. I know he'll be ok when I come back. Tell him not to kick even if it's a little hard now. I'm glad he's not here.
If I send you a new address be sure to let Flavilla, Helen, Grammy, etc. know as I might forget. If you ever care or feel like writing or asking Marian anything, it will be o.k. She may someday write to you.
If I ever send anything home you look at it first and if you think it best not to show it around well just put it away. I'm in a hurry and I might pack a few things that would be better if they were kept a little personal. I'm sending home some pictures marked personal. If you care to look at them that's ok., if not then put them away until I return. The rest of the pictures just put them away wherever you like, out of your way. If you can find an old frame to fit or cut down and would like to, well it's ok for that Battery picture. Notice the little fellow from Texas beside me (Hickman). He's the one that tailed the cow. (I believe he is writing about cutting the cow's tail shorter since a cow's tail can hit your face if it is too long.) I told you or Dad how the cow kicked and broke his nose. You can see the bone because his nose was never set in place. He also slept below me in the other barracks. He's from Texas but he sure is different from most of them. Dan, Hickey and I gave him the name "Tex". Then there is Dan and Hickey in the third row, I think from Massachusetts (two Yankees) good pals. Baby Hays from Chicago (look at his hat ha ha) swell guy. R.L. Jones from California, he's a nice fellow. Emnan from Brunswick, Maine (I don't know if he's on there or not). Harold on the left and he's from Texas. There are some more good ones but I can't think just now. You see Dan, Hickey and I have been together all the time. Start to count from the left.
PICTURES BELOW: Uncle Charlie #23, Hickman #24, Hickey #48 Dan #47, R.L. Jones #27, Harold #35, Baby Hays #54
I had three Portland papers ahead of me, so to-day I went over them quick as you can't let things pile up on you. I see where Willkie is going to Maine.
I got your box to-day but had to send some back. I was sending a box home anyway so didn't want to waste it. Ha ha, you tell Dad I see all the beans I want. Wish someone would throw some of these (at camp) away. Oh yes, how come I found corn in my clothing when I came back from furlough?
Use what you can of the clothes I'm sending home or cut them over. Dad may be able to wear the socks and underwear.
Well Mother, I must be closing as we get up at 5 in the morning. Going out to fire a 105 MM Howitzer.
Mother, I love you because you're Mom and you'll never know how many times a day I think of "you", Dad and sisters and brother. Hope this soon will be over with. Don't get discouraged or blue but keep your chin up. "Always look up, never look down."
Love to All
Charles
For Mother xxxx
^^Sep 6 "Congressional Limited" train derails near
Frankfort, Philadelphia, USA, kills 79 http://www.trainweb.org/fredatsf/cong43.htm
Everything appeared in order as the train passed through North Philadelphia station ahead of schedule and slowed its speed, but shortly afterward, as it passed a rail yard, workers noticed flames coming from a journal box (a hot box) on one of the cars and rang the next signal tower at Frankford Junction, but the call came too late. Before the tower man could react, disaster struck as the train passed his signal tower at 6:06 pm traveling at a speed of 56 mph. The journal box on the front of car #7 seized and an axle snapped, catching the underside of the truck and catapulting the car upwards. It struck a signal gantry, which peeled off its roof along the line of windows "like a can of sardines". Car #8 wrapped itself around the gantry upright in a figure U. The next six cars were scattered at odd angles over the tracks, and the last two cars remained undamaged, with bodies of the 79 dead lying scattered over the tracks. As it was wartime, many servicemen home on leave were aboard who helped the injured, workers from the nearby Cramp's shipyard arrived with acetylene torches to cut open cars to rescue the injured, a process that took until the following morning. The rescue work was directed by Mayor Bernard Samuel. The work of removing the dead was not complete until 24 hours after the accident. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1943_Frankford_Junction_train_wreck
"Congressional Limited" train derails
John Michael Montgomery - Letters From Home
