After completing his first twenty-four hours in Camp Shelby, Mississippi, John writes his first letter to Priscilla.  He recounts his train journey from Chicago and describes various aspects of basic training.  He refers to the "truly deplorable" housing of the lower classes, comparing it unfavorably to that found in Milwaukee's Third Ward.  (Alumni Papers, John L. Holloway Papers, 1922-1946).

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May 20, 1942

Hello General:

Well I've completed my first 24 hours in Camp Shelby--and boy is it hot down here.  A terrific change from the cold weather around Ft. Sheridan.

I can't imagine a more desolate (these letters are not censored) place than Shelby--It is a tremendous expanse of reddish-yellowish sandy loam unrelieved by any shade except a few scrub pines.

We are living in regulation Army tents--6 men to each.  We had our first basic drill this morning--4 hours of right turns, facings, marchings and correct postures.  Then this p.m. we hiked about 2-3 miles to the Engineers demonstration grounds where we witnessed a series of problems by the engineers consisting of laying anti-tank mines, building barbed wire entanglements and soldiers "digging in" under fire.  Make no mistake about it, Uncle Sam's Army will be the finest in the world when fully mobilized and equipped.

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Grub is good.  We have meat and potatoes--usually two vegetables, dessert and drinks varying from milk to tea.  All is set at the table with as many refills as requested.

Uncle Sam really takes care of his soldiers in transit.  We boarded a Pullman at Chicago and stayed on until we arrived at Hattiesburg, Miss.--12 miles from Shelby.  We rode from there to camp in big 6 wheel trucks with our luggage all checked from Chicago.

While on the train we ate in a swanky blue, cream and bronze decorated dining car.  We were served by immaculately attired negroes.  For dinner and supper respectively we had tomatoe [sic] puree soup and fruit cocktail; roast beef and

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2.

baked ham; mashed and fried potatoes; string beans and buttered carrots; bread and butter; coffee and ice water; rice and apple pudding.  I slept in a lower berth.  For breakfast it was bacon and eggs, oatmeal and cream, toast and coffee.  The only big city we hit was Memphis, going through there at 10:30 p.m.

Basic drill here is not a great deal different than it was 10 years ago, although there is some difference in spacing and squad formations.

If the portion of Mississippi I've gone thro' is representative of the rest of the state--NIX.  I can really appreciate good old Wisconsin now.

The condition of the lower classes here in the south is truly deplorable.  Again, all that I've read and heard about is brought home vividly in its reality.  Some of the negroes (and whites too) live in shacks worse than any thing [sic] in the third ward.  Many have glass windows--one I noticed had no windows at all.

Our tank leader (corporal) is a Frenchman from near Bath, Maine.  A more hospitable and

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The nights are quite cool here it being necessary to use a blanket.  We sleep between sheets also.

I wouldn't try to estimate the number of men here but the area taken up by Shelby compares favorably with [Camp] McCoy.  Maybe that will give you an idea of the size.   The only difference being that McCoy has plenty of shade.

Well darling I've tried to be as detailed as I could but you will appreciate that certain hesitations are in order--Just in case--How did the pictures turn out.  Believe me, dearest, I'll be waiting for your letter.

John.

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