December 10, 20, 22, and 25, 1943

Johnnie’s next letter to Lucile was written from Fort Dix on December 10, 1943. As it turns out, he didn’t see his Dad when he was home in Georgia. Johnnie was also thinking ahead to Christmas, just over two weeks away. 

Hello Darling, 

I hope you received the keys OK and hope you don’t feel so bad with your sickness coming on you. I guess by the time you get this you will be over with it and ready to start things moving again, Ha Ha. Has Dean ever come home? Stay away from that guy and I do mean you, Ha Ha. You say Robert is coming home in a couple of weeks. I hope he has as swell of a time as I had. Tell Nell to send me his address. I can’t write much tonight because we are having a test of some kind tonight at seven o’clock. It is about fifteen till seven now. I received a Christmas card from Daddy and his wife tonight. They sent me ten dollars for a Christmas present. Pretty nice don’t you think so? Boy, if they find out I was home and didn’t come and see them I will get the devil, Ha Ha. I am going to try and get off tomorrow and go to town and get some Christmas cards to send to all our friends. That’s about all we can do this year. Don’t you think so? This darn pencil is writing crazy so I better close for this time.

Lots lots love, Johnnie 

Johnnie’s father and stepmother, John Henry Marston and his second wife Lola

Almost two weeks passed before Johnnie wrote a letter to Lucile. Knowing they would be shipping out soon, they were probably training hard. Still, when Johnnie wrote his letter the night of December 20, 1943, he was worried about Lucile who has had a cold. And he wanted to make sure his grandparents received a Christmas card. 

My Dearest Darling,

I received a letter from you tonight and also a card from a Mrs. Christine who I don’t know. If I have ever met her, I can’t remember her. Do you remember meeting anybody by that name? Old Earl really has trouble with his car doesn’t he. I know just how he feels. Say Darling, I bought two Christmas cards, one for GrandDad and one for Grandma but I can’t send them because I have forgotten their address. I want you to buy a couple and send to them. You can find their address by looking in the phone book. Be sure and send them to them. Darling, I hope your cold is much better by now. If not, you better go to a doctor about it. O yeah, has Nell gone yet to see Robert? If so, how long does she expect to stay? I hope you enjoy your couple of weeks off from work this Christmas. Maybe while you are off, you can get rid of that cold. How is Doc and all the family getting along? Fine, I hope. Tell them all hello for me and I hope you all have a Merry Merry Christmas.

Lots lots love, Johnnie

Johnnie’s grandparents, Mattie and John Marston

When Johnnie wrote Lucile the night of December 22, 1943, he wanted to make sure she knew he was still in the States. Unfortunately, he could not tell her where he was though. 

My Dearest Darling,

Just a few lines to let you know I am well and OK, and hope you are the same. Darling, by looking at my address you must think I have done gone across, but I haven’t. I am somewhere on the East Coast and I am not in New York so don’t worry about me. Well, Christmas is just around the corner now, and I hope and pray by this time next year we are all back home again and if everything keeps going like it is now, there is no reason why we shall not be. I hope you like the pillar slip I sent you and also the Christmas card. Well, I hope this letter don’t find you freezing. How is the weather there anyway by now? How is Doc and the family? I hope the kids enjoy their Christmas. I guess that’s all they are waiting for right now anyway, Ha Ha. I know just how they feel about this time of the year, because as a kid that is one happy day, and it just comes around once a year. Have you heard from Nell yet? I hope she is enjoying herself. Tell her hello for me and a Merry Christmas, Ha Ha. Well Darling, as news is short for this time I will close, hoping to hear from you soon.

Lots lots love, Johnnie

P.S. I hope the picture I had made for you came out OK.

Love, Johnnie

The next letter was undated but the contents tell us it would have been sent in December 1943 to mark their third wedding anniversary.

My Dearest Darling,

Just to let you know I haven’t forgot that the twenty-seventh of this month makes three years we have been married, and I hope we have a lot more years together, and as far as I am concerned, we will. I hope this find you feeling a lot better. Please watch your health, and take care of yourself, and stay as beautiful as you was when I last saw you. I just wish I could get the things I want you to have, and to show you how much I appreciate all the things you have done for me. I will make up for everything as soon as this is all over with. How are all the folks? Well, I hope. Tell them all hello for me and I wish them all a very happy new year. Tell Doc I am sorry to hear about the fire at the sawmill. I hope it wasn’t serious. I forgot to thank you for the ten dollars you sent me. I really need it to buy me up a stock of cigarettes and razor blades and toothpaste and other things Thanks again for it. Darling, I received a Christmas card from Evelyn and Louise, and Bill they sent me four dollars pretty nice don’t you think. O yeah, Darling, you mention might make a trip to Fla. And wanted to know if I care. Darling, I want you to do anything that best for you and if you want to go to Fla, it suit me OK. So Darling take care of yourself and don’t worry about me. God Bless You, and Lots Lots Love. 

Johnnie

It was December 25, 1943, Christmas Day, and the Army fed the boys a good dinner. After his meal was finished, Johnnie sat down to write Lucile. As he wrote the letter, he was daydreaming about what Christmas Day was like back home, most likely wishing he were there.

Dearest Darling Wife,

Well, here it is Christmas Day and I have just finished eating one of the biggest dinners I believe since I have been in the Army. It was really nice. I hope you enjoyed yours and I am awful sorry I can’t give you the things I want too. I hope you understand how things are now. I went to church this morning to a Christmas Mass and it was one of the best I have ever seen. I really enjoyed it. Well, how did the kids Christmas come out? Did all of them seem to like what they got? What about little Melvin? I bet he really is enjoying every bit of it. I can just see him now running back and forth playing with different things he got. I bet Gearl is more of a baby than he is getting into everything, Ha Ha. I bet Doc is having a time with Melvin, Betty, Mary playing with them and I bet Mom is having a time keeping the house in order. That’s how I picture it all to be and I hope I am right. Well Darling, two more days and we will be married three year’s and Darling, what part of those years we have been together was wonderful and if I may say so you are much better looking or shall I say beautiful now than when you were when we first met each other. Darling you are all I got now. Since my own Mother passed away and you are everything to me now. I pray for it to stay that way. Well Darling, I will close for this time hoping to hear from you soon.

Lots lots love, Johnnie 

Johnnie (2nd from left) with his sister Evelyn, mother Hattie, and sister Louise

November 28 and December 6, 1943

Johnnie wrote two postcards to Lucile on November 28, 1943, one showing the Soldier’s Club located at 132 East Hanover Street in Trenton, New Jersey.

Hello Darling.

Well, I hope this card finds you well. It leaves me good as can be expected. The front of this card shows the soldier club, next to the Y.W.C.A. Keep it for remembered.

Love, Johnnie

The second postcard dated November 28, 1943 showed a picture of the Masonic Template in Trenton.

Hello Darling,

I am writing this card at one of the Service Centers in Trenton. Do you remember their bldg. on the front of the card? It is the one just before you get to the Park. You know the one we went to one Sunday and was looking at those Cannon and how old they was? Remember.

Love Johnnie

 

Johnnie was busy on November 28, 1943, also writing a letter to Lucile from Trenton. 

Dearest Darling,

Well, here it is Sunday and I am up here visiting Trenton. Darling, I went to the Y.W.C.A. last night and they were having a square dance and can’t you think of me trying to dance that. Well, I got in it and it’s really not hard to do. They call out and tell you what to do, and I am not bragging, but I took it up doing that dance and any one I have ever tried. I have always wanted to learn to do any kind of dance and I wanted you to learn me what few steps you know, but every time I would grab you and try to dance with you, you wouldn’t take no pains to teach me what you know. You can’t say you don’t know a few dancing steps, because you, Dot, or Nell was always dancing together before we were ever married. Well so much for that. Lou, I hope to be with you this time next Sunday, if not, there’s not much chance of me coming home till after this is all over with. In case I don’t see you before we leave, I will always remember you Darling as the most wonderful wife and also as a girlfriend before we were ever married, as a guy like myself who isn’t worth two cents, ever had. And Darling, that’s one thing I can say to the whole world and be proved of. I miss you Darling.

Love always, Johnnie 

Lucile’s sisters, Dot and Nell Stacks

God bless the Army because Johnnie got his furlough and was able to go home to Georgia to see Lucile and some of the family before he shipped out. He must have headed south right after he wrote the Masonic Temple postcard and was back at Fort Dix by December 6, 1943 when he wrote his next letter to Lucile.

My Dear Darling,

Just a line to let you know I miss you and to let you know I arrived OK. Say I came off with Nell keys in my pocket and didn’t know I had them till I already got on the train. Tell her I will send them to her as quick as I can get a little box to put them in. I am getting paid the tenth of the month and I will send you some money. Say, the weather here is really cold after being down there in such a warm climate. Gee, it seems more like a dream, me being there with you and all the folks. Darn I would give anything to own that little house down by Woodrow. I hope someday to own it too. Well, it’s about time for the lights to go out so I will have to close for this time. Tell all the folks hello for me and that I really enjoyed myself while I was there.

Lots lots love, always, Johnnie

P.S. Be sure and send me one of them pictures and let me see what I look like and I will send it right back.

Love, Johnnie

Sorry I left with the keys. Never thought about them till the train done left. Luke look for my pay book and send it to me.

Love Johnnie

November 5, 19, and 27, 1943

Lucile made it to New Jersey by November 5, 1943 and rented a room for the week ending November 12. The image below is a rent receipt signed by Mrs. Brady showing she paid $7 for one room for the week.

Rent receipt from New Jersey

A sign that Johnnie’s company would soon be going overseas was having to fill out a change of address card. This card is dated November 5, 1943 so he must have filled it out while Lucile was in Texas.

Change of address card

At some point during Lucile’s visit, Johnnie left base without the proper authorization. It cost him but he probably did not regret it. He told Lucile about it in a letter he wrote Saturday night, November 19, 1943, from Fort Dix.

I miss you Darling

Hello Darling,

I hope this finds you have arrived home OK and well. Well, I got caught for going out of camp without my pass. I don’t know how they found out about me leaving camp and coming to see you but they got me some way. I am restricted to the camp for seven days. What I want to tell you though is I am expecting an eight-day furlough around next week end. The captain told me if I could show him I was a good soldier, he would put me up for one next week. So, if you could be with me next week you would see the best soldier Uncle Sam ever had, Ha Ha. I guess I will have to hitchhike, because I know you are as broke as I am and also owe some money. So, I guess I better forget about coming home. I don’t want to borrow no more money from the Red Cross and I want you to get straightened out. The best I can say so far Lou, is if I don’t get this furlough, if the good Lord is with me, I will see you after this is all over with. If you will wait, I will come back some way. You will have to wait on that package a little while till my restriction is over with anyway. I am going to try and get one of the boys to go by and pick it up for me, so don’t worry about it. Well, I guess this is all for this time. 

Love xxxxx, Johnnie

P.S. Tell everybody hello.

Johnnie’s company went on alert on November 20, 1943. At any given time, they would ship out. On November 27, 1943, Johnnie wrote a letter to Lucile to tell her he could have had a furlough, but it had been cancelled. 

My Dear Darling,

Just a line to let you know I am thinking of you and to let you know I mailed your suit to you today. Darling, I could have done had my furlough if I had the money to come home on. You see they made it out for last Wednesday but after I told them I didn’t have any money they cancelled it. One of the boys that works at regiment headquarters said I might get it Tuesday. That’s why I sent that telegram. If it doesn’t come up again, I will send the money back. We are leaving here between the fifteenth of December or the first of January. That’s the latest news, sometimes between those two dates. Well Darling, I guess this is all for this time, except I hope to be with you and all the folks, one day next week.

So, lots lots love, Johnnie

P.S. I love you. Tell everybody hello for me.

October 25, November 1 and 3, 1943

In an October 25, 1943 letter sent from Fort Dix, Johnnie told Lucile that his company would be on alert by the end of the month. Once they were put on alert, no more passes would be issued. It was now or never for Lucile to come see Johnnie before he shipped out.

My Dear Darling,

Well, here it is another day gone by and I still can’t do anything about getting you a place. What I mean is I haven’t had the chance to look around. You see, they give me some shots in the arm last Monday and told us we would have to stay in camp a week before we could get any passes. So being as I couldn’t get out, I couldn’t find you a place. Darling, about the only thing to do as I see it is for you to come on up to Trenton, New Jersey, and try to make it during the day time. Find yourself a place and then get in touch with me here in camp. Let me know the address and as soon as they let me out of camp, I will come to you, or you could come and stay a couple of days in camp at the guest house. You see, Trenton New Jersey is twenty miles from camp, but after you get here, I believe I can get you a place alots nearer. There is a little town right outside of the camp here called Wrightown. I don’t know much about it. I don’t know where the rent would be high or not being so close to camp. As it is, if you do come up and don’t know how to get about, go to the Y.W.C.A. or the Red Cross and they will help you out. O yeah, you are still putting 84th on the front of my mail. It is the 85 now, so watch that where you put it down. Darling, if you haven’t got a coat you better get one before you come up here because it is kind of cold. If also you haven’t got much money you better wait till you save up some because I believe things are a little higher here than it was in Texas. We go on the alert November 20. In other words, no more passes or anything after that date so try to make it a few days before then. Anyway, I received a letter from Louise tonight. I am sending it to you. Well Darling, I guess I told you everything I can think of you to do so will close. Lots lots love. 

Always, Johnnie

Say, did you receive a letter from me with just a blank piece of paper in it. I am sorry I put the wrong one in there, but I was kind of worn at the time and wasn’t paying much attention to what I was doing. Don’t bring a lot of suitcases to carry around with you. Come with just as little as possible when you do come.

Love, Johnnie

Lucile, Elvie, Nell, and Evelyn (Geral’s wife)

The clock was ticking—there was an urgency to Johnnie’s desire to see Lucile. In a November 1, 1943 letter sent from Fort Dix, Johnnie reminded Lucile that his company was going on alert soon. They were training for what was to come and he missed her.

Hello Darling,

I received a letter from you, one mailed just a couple of days ago, and one that was mailed October 14. Glad to get both. Well Darling, I have not much to say this time, except I’ve been out on the rifle range the last five or six days, and plenty time of it too. Also, tell you I miss you awful lots and to still let you know we go on alert about the twentieth of this month. I would like to see you and talk to you about a certain matter, even if it is just a little while. Write and let me know when you expect to arrive here and let me know whether you are coming on a bus or train where I can try and get a pass to meet you. Try and let me know a couple of days before hand because if I get a pass, I’ve got to turn my name in the morning for a pass that nite, so let me know. I received a letter from Mr. and Mrs. Day and was glad to know they haven’t forgot me. I am sending it to you. Well, this is all I can write because the lights are getting ready to go out.

Lots lots love, Johnnie

Be sure if you come to bring my address where you will know what outfit I am in. Also, bring my belt and cap.

Love, Johnnie

Johnnie’s letter collection contained this November 3, 1943 letter from his mother-in-law, Leola Stacks. Lucile must have left College Park for New Jersey shortly after this letter was written. She carried with her a gift for Johnnie from her mother—a bag of pecans grown on their property. Leola also wanted to send Johnnie a cake but Lucile was in too much of a hurry to wait for her to bake one.

If you can’t read this, bring it to me and I’ll try too. It may be to mixed up for I’m a mixed up somebody.

Dear Son,

I will try once more to write you. I guess you think I have forgot you but I sure haven’t and never will. There has been so many things happening until I just haven’t been able to get what little sense I have together enough to write. I just haven’t been where I could be up hardly. I guess Lucile told you about Earl turning over in his car. He turned it bottom side up. I don’t see why some of them didn’t get badly hurt. I am so glad it wasn’t any worse than it was. It almost put me in the bed. I just can’t seem to get over it. I guess if I had been in it, I would have just passed out. He was running about 35 or 40 and he came to a curve and it was a sand bed too and there was a ditch on the side of the road and when he saw what he was into slammed on his brakes and the back wheel went in the ditch and it just turned bottom side up. He said it was all done so quick he didn’t have time to think. I sure did feel sorry for him he was so scared and nervous. His girl’s dad brought him home. It sure tore up his car. It will cost a plenty to get it fixed. Well, I guess you are tired of hearing about the car so I will change the subject. I sure am sorry you are not going to get a furlough. We were all looking forward to it. I dreamed last night you and Robert were both at home and I thought you had got so fat you didn’t look like yourself. Well, Lucile is leaving to go to you. I sure wish we could all see you. I thought I would just let her take my letter to you. I am sorry your cake was in such a mess when you got it. I would have baked another one and sent it by Lucile but you know Lucile, when she gets ready to go, she goes, Ha Ha. But I am sending you some pecans. We got a bushel off the trees this year. Woodrow and Earl made 77 bushels of sweet potatoes. Well, I don’t know of any news much and Lucile is running around trying to get ready so I will close with lots of love.

Mother

Earl and his car, although we do not know if it is “the car”

October 20 and 22, 1943

Lucile would not have been happy when she read Johnnie’s October 20, 1943 letter from Fort Dix. He had to tell her that he would not be able to get a furlough so there would be no trip back to Georgia before he shipped out. Their only hope of seeing each other would be if she came to New Jersey. 

My Dearest Darling, 

Well, here it is another day about to go by and missing you that much more. Darling, I am sure I won’t get a furlough. You see, they have got it fixed here if you had one in the last six months you can’t get one, so that’s that. If I had some money, I would see if I could get a pass and go to the nearest town here and see if I could find you a place up here so you could come up and stay a few days. That’s the only way I can see you again before I leave this place. I was hoping to see all the folks before I left, but I guess I won’t now. Tell them all hello for me and I hope to see them all again soon. Well, as this is all I can write right now, I will have to close. O’yeah the nearest big town from here is Trenton. It’s about fifteen or twenty miles, I heard. Well, lots lots love. 

 Always, Johnnie 

Lucile

Johnnie sent a postcard, date unknown but from Fort Dix, to his brother-in-laws, Earl and Gearl Stacks. Based on what he wrote, they must not have been writing him. 

Hello Boys, 

Are shall I say men by now, Ha Ha. Say you guys having forgot you have a brother-in-law, have you? Well in case you don’t know it, I am still the guy and I am still around so write and let me hear from you both. 

Love, Johnnie 

Postcard to Earl and Gearl Stacks from Fort Dix in New Jersey

What do you do when you know you will be going to the front lines of a war soon? You lay your heart out to the one you love most, which is exactly what Johnnie did in his October 22, 1943 letter written from Fort Dix. 

Dearest Darling Lou, 

As I sit here starting to write this letter to you, I think of our three years of marriage, life, and what times we have had together, and what sorrow we have had together. Its not that I don’t appreciate the times we had before we got married. No, it’s not that, because they were wonderful times also. The time Demp brought me down to your house and I met you and all the family. And of course, the way you despised me and how sly I was though the rest of the family. I can’t understand whatever made us take up with each other, can you? You know yourself you never give a darn for me when we first met. I can’t say that for myself though, because the minute Demp introduced us to each other, I knew you was mine if I had anything to say about it. I know I have given you some raw deal since we have been together, and I have regretted everything I have done to you. Any other wife wouldn’t stay with her husband for what I have done to you and the way I have treated you. Lou, you may not believe me, but a lot of times even when I was home, I have prayed to keep us together and to keep us in health. I guess you think what come over me, saying and telling you all this. Well, I want you to know how I feel. I wanted to tell you sooner or later, so I am trying to write it all to you. If I wait later, it might be too late. I guess you understand that. I just came back from mail call and having received no mail from you or anybody it’s been a week since I wrote you since I been here today is Friday. It really makes me feel bad, not hearing from anybody, especially you. I am going to try and get a pass tomorrow and go see if I can find you a place so you can come up and stay awhile. Gee, I want to see you so bad. I haven’t got any money, but I am going to try to borrow enough to go and see if there are any places for rent around here. I was hoping to get the ten dollars from you tonight, so I could take it and pay down on you a place where you could have it ready for you when you come. We are not going to have much more time together, not for a while anyway. And I want to be with you as much as possible. Well Lou, this is all for this time, especially what I told you, and Darling, I know I kid you a lot and shot you a lot of bull, but the way things look now, my kidding is over with. I love you and if I have to, I will die for you. It will be you for what I will be fighting for. You come first. Tell Hello for me to everybody. I give them my Love. And to you Darling, Lots Lots Love. 

Always, Johnnie 

P.S. I received the package from you all last night. The cake was broke all up. But it was good anyway. Thanks a lot. Johnnie and Lucile

Johnnie and Lucile (after the war)

Fort Dix, Trenton, New Jersey - October 16, 17, and 18, 1943

On October 12, 1943, Johnnie’s company boarded the train for Trenton, New Jersey. Before leaving Louisana, Johnnie was given a Tetanus vaccine. Four days later, they arrived at his next stop—Fort Dix, the last stop before his regiment would head overseas. In a letter Johnnie wrote from Fort Dix on October 16, 1943, he told Lucile what he knew was going to happen next, and he did not know much. Johnnie also hinted at where the next stop would be—one neither of them was looking forward to him going to.

337th Infantry insignia

85th Infantry Division shoulder sleeve insignia

990 miles from Atlanta to Here

My new address is as follows.

Pfc John H Marston

Company B

337 Infantry

A.P.O. No 85

Fort Dix, New Jersey

I am in the 85th Division now instead of the 84

My Dearest Darling,

Well, I finally got a little time to write you. I have been on the train ever since Tuesday night. I arrived here last night, about nine o’clock, which was Friday. My whole company was pulled off of maneuvers and sent up here. We sure was surprised when they told us we were coming up here. We don’t know just how long we will be here. I have an idea where we are going from here and I guess you have an idea also. If so, you are right. Say, I don’t know when I will get a furlough or not. They say the ones that have been on one lately are likely not to get one. I don’t know for sure. I hope I get one. Darling, it really is bad and it would just about drive me crazy if I didn’t see you again before I go. Some of the fellows here in this outfit say we will go out on the rifle range and shoot all types of weapons and guns and that we will be out on the range about a month or more. I am going to find out more about it and if we are not going to be out all the time on the range, I want you to come up here and stay awhile. Honey, I never did receive the package you sent me. They say it will follow me on up here. I bet all the food won’t be any good. Oh yeah Darling, that cash I sent you, I wanted you to get me a chain to fit on it and send it back to me because I want to put around my neck whenever I go. Darling, can you send me some money? The reason is I want to get me some razor blades, soap, alots of things I can’t think of right now. Send me about ten dollars. Send it just air mail, it will get to me OK. I hate to ask you for the money but I need it, so please send it right back. I hope you like the last letter I sent you. It’s about the longest letter I ever wrote in my life, and Darling I meant everything I said in it concerning me and you. The doctor looked over me today and took xrays of my body. But they say I am in perfect health and a dam good looking mans body. So, you get something good in me after all, Ha Ha. Darling, tell Doc, Mama Stacks, and all the kids and also Dear Old Grandma I hope to see them all again before I say goodbye for good. And you Darling, regardless of whatever happens to me or wherever I may be, I think of you and will always adore every bit of the pleasure and love you give me, from your body - and Soul. 

Lots lots love always, Johnnie

Postcards from Fort Dix, Trenton, New Jersey

Johnnie could see the writing on the wall and tried to explain to Lucile when he wrote her a letter from Fort Dix on October 17, 1943. The Army was preparing the boys to ship out.

Darling I Love You

Dearest Darling,

Well, here it is Sunday and the same old story, lonely and blue as ever. I wish I had a letter from you. It would make me feel much better just to hear from you and to know you are alright. As for me, the doctor said there wasn’t anything wrong with me except just love sickness and he wasn’t wrong about that either. I haven’t found out anymore us going on the rifle range as long as I told you in the other letter. As soon as I find out I will let you know. This fort where I am at now is what they call the port of embarcation. Here is where you get your whole body looked over inside and outside. X-ray took from the foot on up to the top of your head. If you are passed, it’s over you go, and as far as I know, I am as good as ever. Don’t let this information get out, because somebody might be a German spy or Jap spy, and the boat I am on might get the hell blown out of it, so keep it to yourself. Well Darling, I guess this is all the time I have to write right now because we have to go out for a formation at two o’clock and it’s like about five minutes till that time now. So, I will close.

Lots lots love always, Johnnie 

A slightly depressed Johnnie wrote Lucile from Fort Dix on October 18, 1943 telling her the latest on shipping out. It appeared that he had accepted what was happening because as he said “there isn’t much a guy can do about that.” He was probably trying to convince Lucile as much as himself.

I Love You

My Dearest Darling,

Well, here it is another day and it finds me wanting to see you that much more. I hope this letter finds you well and not as blue as I am. Darling, how are you getting along with your job? Is it very interesting? Has Nell gone to work up there also? Has she heard from Robert lately? Send me his address and I will drop him a line. We draw some of our new things today. I am getting new clothes, new shoes, and new of everything what you use in the army. Say, have you run across a cheap watch anywhere? I wish you would try to find me one. I would like to have one now more than any other time. If you can get one, that’s a good of enough Christmas for me. This fort is a nice place. I wish I could stay here all the time, but as the General said today, the time has now come. So, you see there isn’t much a guy can do about that. None of the guys know when we go, but most of them think it will be at least two months before we go. Don’t worry about me not seeing you before I go. If they don’t give me a furlough, I will take one of my own. Well, it’s about time for the lights to go out, so I better close. Lots lots love. 

Johnnie

Tell all hello.