Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-01-24

1.-THE most impression on me, was
my falling down the cooks galley
right into the sloppy, greasy
jwater, and then sliding through
it clear across the width of the
ship and back again with the roll
of the boat. OF course had on
my brand new uniform. I have
washed it out and will have it
cleaned as soon as we set foot on
land again. One boy was operat-
ed on for appendicitis q am not
giving this as an amusing Incl
dent) and Notwithstanding the
conditions, the operation was very
successful and he will soon be as
good as new. AS you can figure
from my last letter we have been
many days on the water and have
not reached the danger zone yet.
One of the worst drawbacks to
Jour pleasure trip is the drinking
water situation. Two of our
tanks have sprung leak, letting.
in the salty sea water and rem
dering the contents unfit for use.
We have a condenser on board, as
all ships have, but will not use
it unless our supply gets too low.
! would suggest that you read
the magazine articles about
transports and troop movements.
They give very clear idea about
how it is all done think shall
keep a diary for future reference.
could not send it home, but it
might be of value later.
sure do wish I had some OF
your Florida oranges and wash
tub full of pecans. Should it ever
occur TO you to send me anything
i'm the way of eats, do not know
OF anything more easily handled
or more acceptable than box of
those hulled pecans such as you
sent me at Camp Mills. AS for
sweater, helmet, nlnffler, etc, do
not bother with them now. have
already purchased everything in
that line which | shall need for
the coming winter at least. A box
of Clancellors, long shape, with
lClaro wrapper, would be the most
acceptable Christmas present you
could indulge in. They say you
cannot buy anything in the to-
bacco line in France that an Am
erican can devour. AS you will
see prefer tho domestic to the
Havana, and prefer the long
thin shapes to the short stubby
ones. OF course this will not
reach you before Christmas, but
anything which comes along any
old time will be considered
Christmas present, especially if
it contains box of Chancellors.
1t will take several weeks for
mail to reach you from me and
Heaven knows how long it will
take to get it the other wey. But
there is no occasion for you to be
uneasy as to where l am, etc. AS
wrote you before, there is little
personal danger in the position
hold or in the work this organiza-
ton has to do. think | have
long ago had my fill Of army life,
certainly in conditions like these,
land am sure / shall be glad to
settle down and become fixe in
lsome civilian purpose.
December 9--Thc sea is very
rough today, making it hard to
get around the ship and am
afraid many of the boys will be
|sick again. Ny worst trouble
seems to be to get enough to eat
and to smoke. The meals are fine,
but three day are not at all
Satisfying out here in the ozone
on the Atlantic ocean. l am out
|of cigars and have been compelled
to resort to a pipe. However,
never felt better in my life, and
my only personal objection to this
trip is the savage and persistent
roll Of this particular ship. and
to the fact that nothing can be
bought aboard. The canteen was
cleaned out the first day.
] hope the winter will prove
pleasant and comfortable to both
OF you, and that I will soon hear
from you. With love and best
wishes, from your loving son,
HARRY E.. BOIES.
-O--