Pvt Wesley R Slaymaker Co A 129th Infantry Camp Forrest Tenn

March 19, 1942 Thursday

Dear Jean and Folks

I’m afraid I kinda fell down a little last night I didn’t write. So started early tonight. I got nine letters to write. I just figured up. We been out on rifle range for two days got back this afternoon. I shot 71 out of a possible 80 yesterday on show fire, but today I fell down on rapid fire. I guess I ain’t heavy enough for that fast fire. I missed 4 times out of 24 and my shots weren’t very well placed.

Dad asks about what they do here. They raise cotton and tobacco. The climate is damp and hot and there is lots of swamps and I guess lots of mosquitoes in summer time. We got issued some more clothes. Got some real cowboy overhauls about like I always wore and sure feel at home in them. The clothes I wash myself I hang on a hanger over the furnace in the furnace room. I don’t wash myself any more since I got issued some more clothes. What we get to eat, I suppose, is just what we need, but sometimes I don’t like it. It’s mostly boiled stuff. We get lots of baked potatoes and the like, carrots peas and greens. They don’t season anything very good.

I haven’t saw many horses, quite a few good mules and once in a while a good team. They moved all the cavalry horses out of here quite a while ago. I was down by the stables today. Sure is some place. I’m glad you are getting them colts broke and don’t let them get the best of you and don’t spoil that white one cause I want him when I come home. By the way I saw a General Custer picture show the other night and he rode a horse almost that color only it had a bald face and white mane and tail. We had another parade today before Gen. Ben Lear. He’s the guy that was so hard on the guys that “you hoo’d” the girls in California. They call him “You Hoo Lear”. They give me the job of platoon guide cause I can march pretty good. I felt pretty big today I was the only one in the company that got to wear white gloves. I carried the A company flag. (sketch of the flag) I didn’t have to carry a rifle. We were highly complemented on our ability to parade.

I got a letter from Rinnie Tasler, Laurence Pacha, Albert Smith, you, Virginia, and Betty yesterday and today. I got one from you, Virginia and Betty so got to write a lot tonight.

I thought the pictures we took Sunday would be back today but wasn’t. I’ll probably have to send the proofs back before I can send you any cause the boy have an interest in them too. You should have heard the shooting this morning. There was over 1,600 shots fired every minute and that cost the gov. 5 cents a shot.

Well folks don’t know anything only I’m good as can be expected. Sure glad Glenn is going to get to barber and hope Lloyd gets back in a good place. The war news sounds a little better now. I’m going to write to Anna Barns. I got a box of candy from her. I got a box of candy from her, was pretty good but wasn’t packed very good either. They sure must handle that stuff ruff. I’ll try and write more next time.

Your Red Head

Wesley