Saturday, April 24, 2004

Letter from Edward Childs to Alton Miller 12/18/1942 [from discontinued AOL Journal Shubuta Street]

This letter is in an envelope postmarked Pasadena, DEC 19, 10AM, 1942, CALIF. The stamp is a red 6-cent Air Mail stamp showing a plane and saying United States of America at the bottom with a postmark saying BUY WAR SAVNIGS BONDS AND STAMPS.

Return address:

Sgt. Edward C. Childs
Co. B - Headquarters Bn. O.T.C.
Camp Santa Anita
Arcadia, California.
U.S.A.

AIRMAIL [handwritten]

Address:

P.F.C. Alton B. Miller
A.S.N. 341374472
Secotr Signal School
A.P.O. 869
c/o Postmaster. New York City

The 869 is scratched out in pencil and 857 written above it. Sector Signal School is also scratched out. In a different handwriting which I think is probably Alton's, 2/25/43 is written in pen, possibly the day he received it?

Text of letter:

Co. B. Hdqn Bn O.T.C.
Camp Santa Anita
Arcadia. California

Dec. 18th '42

Dear Alton:

You'll never [double-underlined] know how gald I was to hear from you - I was almost behinning to think I'd have to wait until the war was over, and you hot home again. For I was sure that you were in some far off part of this sorry old world. And I didn't even know your present home address in Mississippi.
Those cards you sent me never did arrive. They were probably read and tossed away in a watery wastebasket week ago by some mermaid.
As you can see for yourself. Of course. I am in the Army. and how! - Feel as though I'd been in it for years already.
[back of first page] although the fatal day didn't actually come for about two and a half months after I'd seen you in March.
I was inducted at Hartford. With about 30 other boys from Canaan. Cotebrook. Winsted. Norford. [?] etc., and whisked off to Fort Devin [?] where I spent a long, weary month at the reception center - That was the low ebb. With K.P & wanhouse [?] details alternating. It wasn't so bad when I got away and started basci traning at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. It was just one bad runaround. So busy you hardly had time to wash yourself or your clothes.
That ended, and I was attached to Headquarters Bn. as a draftsman and surveyor. - I spent the bettter part of the next [side 1 of page 2 begins] five months surveying and drawing maps. It was a pretty nice break, particularly when I got that first little stripe - And by the P.F.C. - I want to congratulate you! -
The mapping work I'd one in forestryt helped a lot, and scouting over the hills with a Faveroc [?] board reminded me much of the work we used to do at Norfolk.
By the way Norfolk's about closed up for the duration - those that are left, including Norman Smith, are all working in a wm. [?new?] big government defense plant in Canaan. So I am glad that we could get as[back of page 2 begins] much accomplished as we did last year.
Just about a month ago they sent me out here to the Coast, and this is where your letter found me!
If this reaches you, and if you can write again, send me your home address. I know that I can always get in touch with you.
I'm so glad that your are in radio school. That ought to be damed [sic] interesting work, and offer you a real opportunity. And I'm glad to hear that Bob Beard is with you. Be sure to give him my best regards.
Of course I don't know how long I'll be here, or [front of page 3 begins] where the next stop will be. But I only hope it won't be too long before we can get together onnce more.
Dick is also in the Army. He was taken in about town months after me, and has just made P.F.C.
- Well. Old Jeont [? gent?], it was suregreat to get your letter. And try again some time. Wherever you are and whereever you go - the best o' luck go with you!
What a far cry it is from the day we first met back in Vicksburg nearly ten years ago! -
Always, Ted

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