The First Letter in the Fred Frederiksen Collection

A letter, postmarked June 3, 1918, Tacoma Wash, Lewis Branch,  addressed to Mrs. Fred Frederiksen, Lewisville, Idaho with a return address of F. Frederiksen, 16 Co, 4th Bn 166 D.B., Camp Lewis, Washington.

Camp Lewis -

June 2, 1918

Dear Folks

Gee it seems ten years since I saw you.  Hare you all anyway?  Am I every going to hear from you?  I hope so soon.

This is Sunday and it is terribly lonesome around her even if there men, men, men, everywhere on all sides.  A soldier certainly isn't any curiosity around here, in fact that's all you can see.  It sure is some life.  Everything is done by clockwork and the alphabet around here.  We drilled nearly all day Friday.

Yesterday forenoon was inspection to see that everyone's bunk and uniform were in proper order.  If not, one gets what is known as K.P. which means acting as one of the "kitchen police", whose duty it is to serve the hungry bunch in the mess hall.

There are about 300 men in our barracks, so you know it is quite a job feeding the bunch of them.

Say it isn't any too warm out here, even if it is nearly sea level.  The cold, damp winds blow over here from Pacific.

They gave us each a spring bunk, three blankets and a mattress to sleep with.  They also keep all the windows open so we won't suffocate.  But I guess we will get used to this airing out process after while and become as tough as a hard boiled owl.

We are in what is known as the Depot Brigade which is under quarantine for th first two or three weeks.  We have been examined and vaccinated a couple of times.  I have passed fine and dandy so far.

I have signed up for the same branch of service that I applied for to Washington but don't know whether or not I'll get it.

We have fine grub here and plenty of it.  But you have to forget all about your table manners and dive in or you'll starve. I'm afraid I'll be a full-fledged hog when I get back, for its every man for himself.

We are all feeling fine and enjoying the new work.

Don't forget that I am very lonesome and want to hear from home.  So please write as soon as you can.

Love to all and best regards to Aunt Nell and the other folks.

Tell Ole I'm sorry that I didn't get to see him.

 

Your son & brother

Fred

 

Lessons:

His parents have relocated to Lewisville.

Fred is now in the military.

Ole is not yet in the Army

I don't know who Aunt Nelle is.