Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 207, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 September 1918 — LETTER FROM CECIL REES [ARTICLE]

LETTER FROM CECIL REES

7th Company, Coast Art. Corps, Ft Caswell, N. C. Dear Father and Mother: Well, as this is Sunday morning and have just attended Bible class will write you a letter. This is a very bright and sunshiney morning and not very hot. I supose you have seen Carl Smith already. He left on a thirty day furlough yesterday. I would have liked very much to have been with him but I could not be. There was nothing I could base an application for a furlough on, that is, that would be accepted by the commanding officer but I will apply for one sometime in the early part of fall or winter. I beKeve that I can obtain one then. Let me tell you now as we never know what is going to happen, that in case of alarming sickness, if serious, and you summons me home by wire be sure that the attending physician O. K. the telegram by his signature, because they don’t allow any one to go home for a sick call unless it is confirmed by the attending physician? Don’t forget because I have learned that from other boys in camp who get sick calls from home. Say Mlam, I did not get to

send any lettir with Carl ir much else because he left sooner than I expected. I did send by him a service flag and some pictures of myself and the turtle Did you get them? I intended to send some letters and shells by-Carl but didn’t get them together in time. I can just see and hear him as he answers all your questions. Well, we lost our captain with regret for he was sure very bright and sunshiny morning as good a man as ever wore a uniform. He is now a major. We don’t know for sure who our next captain is but he can’t be any better than Captain Harlson. 1 went <ver to Southport iast night by steam boat the boat is called the Morrison. Can you picture me as I sit or stand on deck looking out over the vast body of water gazing through the moonlight as the surf from the sea comes up in our-faces from the waves slashing the side of our boat. It seems just like I was in a dream or trance here at Ft. Caswell ever since, I came and that I am going to wake up sometime and find all of us in civi} life once again. Is it not wonderful and curious how things can change and take place in such a short time. Who would have thought that on April 9th, 1918, as I boarded “old nippy” for Gary that I was to take such a long trip and still a longer one when we get to Berlin and back. I often wonder if I am to be one of the fortunate, if ever ,we go to France, to return home or one of the fate:ul to push up the dairies in France. Jut I am coming back, I think, as the majority will. Nellie you and Lester must grasp ■an education for without it you will >e helpless in life. From experience in army life alone it seems that the man with the college educatiion is the man who gets the shiny leather eggings and gold and silver bars on sis shoulders. No matter how much money one has if he has no education it is absolutely no good to him as far as his advancement is concerned. The educated man has the upper land and everything is at his hand. [ am mighty proud of the education I have. I would find myself in an awful predicament if I couldn’t read and .write. Well mam’ I suppose you have already read in the Exi aminer of the attempted gas attack up on Ft. Caswell? You don t need to worry for it was a failure as far as destruction was concerned. It i did not get to our place at all. It floated to Smith’s Island, across the Cape Fear River from our fort. It overcame the coast guard life saver there but they got over it alright.

You need have no fear of submarine destruction at Ft. Caswell, for certain reasons. Well I must close for I think we are going bathing pretty soon again. I have a bathing suit now so I go bathing most every day. I believe I can swim now when I get home don’t you? lam learning fast but am no expert yet but hope to be before going to France in case of emergency you know. Well goodbye, and answer soon. Your son, CECIL REES P. S. Am glad to know that the dredge boat is about ready to steam up for it will help Newland and vicinity.