Sept 23, 1917 - George Describes Process of Enlisting & Traveling to Jefferson Barracks

 Jefferson Barracks, Sept. 23^rd 1917

St. Louis, Mo.

Dear Ones All:

            Will try to let you get a fairly accurate account of my wanderings so far.  Went as far as Elroy on the “Midnight.” Then I got restless so said adieu to Francis Friday and came on on the Express from St. Paul as I could get chair car accommodations on that.  Laid over till 6:10 in Janesville, then came on thru to Beloit and after 20 min. wait took pass on Inter-urban for Rockford.  Got shaved and haircut, then went up to Recruiting Station but it was locked.  Went down on the street and inside of 10 minutes I got my eye on the Recruiting Officer who examined me there.  Went up to Recruiting Station with him.  He said probably I could get into the 21^st at Rockford but that they had reported full on surveyors and draftsmen. Then he whooped it up for Quartermasters again but I said I’d rather taken Engineers if possible, so he said come back at 1:15 P.M. and he’d sign me up as surveying and send me in for examination and disposition at Chicago.  So I changed my clothes, shipped my suitcase, and went up to the Courthouse and saw Mrs. McClemm--- and her son.  They were very good, and tried to suggest some way of my getting what I wanted at Camp Grant. But after talking with the Recruiting Officer a little further I decided to go into Chicago. At that time there were two fellows in there signing up for Quarter-masters.  So we all went to Chi yesterday afternoon on the same train, went up to Recruiting Station there, were re-examined and I was signed up for the 108 Eng. at Houston, Tex. as a surveyor.  I tried to get back to Rockford in the 21^st but they also reported them full of surveyors.  Well, we had supper at a restaurant.  Cost U.S. 40 cents per head.  We were ordered to report at 8 P.M. at the Rec. Station so we did, and at 9:00 P.M. left on the Illinois Cent for St. Louis.  At first we were given a chair car but were just nicely settled when orders to move back one car came so we went back into day coach.  I forgot to say that before we left we received our breakfast in the form of a pasteboard box with sandwiches and a piece of pie inside.  It wasn’t exactly a restful night.  I dressed [[(illegible)] Shoes and collar] after a good wash up this morning and felt better.  Pulled into St. Louis about 7:15, went up town for 30 min, I sent you a card from there which you will probably receive before you do this.  Then we took passage on the Wabash line for Jefferson Barracks.  Got here about 9 P.M.   There were about 50 of us from Chi and as many more from other places came in this A.M.  We lined up as soon as our parcels were checked in.  Got orders to take bath and report at 11:45 in front of receiving barracks for mess. 

 

            We took our bath, fine showers but cold.  U.S. furnishes the towels. Then ensued a long period of waiting which we whiled away lounging, talking, watching the blacks play the whites a game of base-ball, etc.  At last we went to mess, tho before that I put the $7 which stands between me and bankruptcy, in the barracks safe.  After supper we will be showed our bunks.  We may be examined to-morrow, maybe Tues.  Then we’ll be a day getting uniforms, and after that no one knows when or where I will be shipped.  There are several fellows going in different branches of engineering here.  Hope some go with me.  We had a good meal, served at tables.  I understand that after we are examined we will be compelled to wait on table and clean quarters occasionally.  Our dinner consisted of water, corn, gravy, potatoes, corned beef, pudding, bread & butter. Well, as usual I started out to give you a rhetorical and comprehensive review of my moves and as usual I have chopped it up till it’s badly mangled. 

 

            Anyway, I’ll close now with lots of love to all my folks, Aunt Nellie as well.  If you write at once to Geo. Sherwood, Jefferson Barracks (General Delivery), Missouri, I’ll probably receive it.

 

                                                            Your loving son and brother,

                                                                        George Sherwood