Wed. Aug. 8, 1917

Dear Little Girl,

Every time I read your letters you seem so close that I want to reach
out and hug you tight. I wish you were that near, but your letters are a
great deal of comfort to me, and I hope you wont let even a day slip by.
I don’t feel homesick any more, among these fellows, but just that
longing for you. It may be a long time before we see each other again,
but don’t ever forget how much I love you, and don’t ever doubt it,
whatever may turn up.

(Over)

Everything seems to point out that we go to the East coast headquarters
about Sept. 15^(th). We are working hard -------tonight we even drilled
after supper during a rain. This morning we had telegraph one hour,
wig-wag on hour, and two hours of drill at erecting and operating a
field wireless station. The latter is carried on two pack mules. An
efficient company can unpack and set up a fifty foot mast and get the
set in order in a very few minutes. Every man must be on the alert and
be there with the team-work. It is the same with everything and it sure
interesting work. We also had an hour of squad drill this morning. Our
drill after supper was in forming a company square. In this, the company
forms a four sided guard about its officers in the center. In case of
attack, like a riot, the men face out and protect their leaders. There
are many different marching commands that a solider has to learn to
execute in the proper way and at the right instant. In walking lockstep,
the solider’s forward foot had to step ahead of the next man’s rear
foot. In order to do this, one has to walk like a Dana. Can you imagine
how awkward it is for me? As I said before, we a a good decent bunch of
officers, and that helps a lot. We have finished with our shelter tent
drills, and the tents are shipped -------East, I guess. This afternoon
we learned how to pack a field wireless set on the mules. The latter are
the real Missouri article and have to be fitted with blinders while
being packed. We were just issued some fancy dress gloves of soft olive
drab leather. We have to be very particular about our personal
appearance ------ no watch fobs or tips of a handkerchief are allowed to
show, and everything must be kept scrubbed clean. Our beds must be made
just so and our lockers fixed in a certain way. This all sounds old
maidish, but it is simply meant to have everything look the same.

Each of us had to take our turn at serving in the kitchen. I haven’t
yet, but have served my day as orderly. Of course we all have our own
“housework” to do before first drill call at seven o’clock. A bachelor’s
life may be a gay one but give me a good home with a little girl in it.
Well the “Lights Out” bugle has just blown so I will have to quit.

Thurs. P.M.

Biting your fingernails ------- I sure am glad that you have rooted out
this little weed of weakness. Isn’t it a “grand and glorious feeling”
when one’s better (or plus) self wins one of these little scraps with
your “minus” self. It takes a long time before you really realize how
important these little victories are.

I got a fine letter from your Mother yesterday. Your letter from Field’s
came today. Did you get mine? I hope you will have the best of good
times in Chicago. I can’t help but feel glad that you are just the least
bit lonesome. My folks sure will have a new cousin to be proud of if I
have my way about it.

I know I can’t ask you to always like me, but I do ask you to promise to
tell me when you feel the least change.

Please don’t show my letters to anyone, especially Lauretta. She is one
mighty fine girl but her heart stopped growing long before yours did.
(If it has.)

She would laugh and say “O Slush” like you do.

But I think you will understand that I am trying to make you feel how
much I do care for you.

Yours, Forrest.