Sidney D. Light's WWI Diary, Postcards & Letters, 329th Battery Book Accounts

Got up at 5:00 a.m., made up our haversack rolls, stood reveille and had breakfast at 6:30. Loaded our barrack bags on trucks and emptied our bed sacks. Bought a lot of cigarettes and smoking tobacco from an auto outside. Sent dad notice that we were about to leave. Policed up around barracks and cleaned up barracks all the rest of the morning while our packs were stacked outside.

Fell in, slung packs and marched away at 10:45 a.m. to the train. Pulled out of Custer at about 12 noon.

Reached Detroit at about 4:00 p.m. Red Cross served us cookies, oranges, lemonade, chocolate bars and cigarettes.

Went via tunnel to Windsor and St. Thomas. Received a royal welcome from Canadians. Passed through Niagara Falls, Rochester, Syracuse. Beautiful scenery along the road passing through New York state. We were treated royally by the American Red Cross at nearly every stop. Mess on the train was fine.

(for map of Hempstead click here)

Arrived in N.Y. City about 1:30 p.m., unloaded and called roll. Marched to Ferry boat in squad formation. Took Ferry to Long Island and boarded train for Camp Mills.

Arrived at Camp Miles at 6:30 p.m. and marched about 3 miles to camp. Had nothing to eat since noon and were very hungry and tired and wet (it was raining) when we halted in front of a row of tents which we were to occupy. Stanley Williams went all in and I carried his pack into camp along with mine. No supper & our tent was filthy and damp. Unrolled our packs and turned in early. Most of bunch went to Hempstead for a lunch but I was too tired.

July 18-

Breakfast delayed until about 8:30 a.m. Loafed around all day. Worked on equipment records.

July 20

Turned in our cartridge belts and dress pistol belts. Submitted requisitions for clothing ordinance, etc.

Was busy all day and worked until 9 p.m. on requisitions.

July 25 -

Went to Hempstead and Freeport. Had nice swim at Freeport Pavilion.

``````````````````````

To read more about soldier's clothing click here
 

Am spending my last evening in Hempstead and having a good time too. Expect to celebrate my birthday tomorrow by boarding the transport...

Worked hard all day today finishing up fitting men out in clothes. [Klien, Cuckler & Collalo] - casuals were assigned to battery, arrived from Camp Merritt last night 27th.

Finished working on clothing records at 9 p.m. and worked rest of the night ‘til 4:30 a.m. with Stg. Daw on passenger list. Went to bed and could not sleep. Stood reveille and had  July 29 breakfast. Mess at Camp Mills has been fair but so much dust that it is hardly fit to eat. Went down to Hempstead and Freeport in evening. Wrote dad from Hempstead. Arrived back at camp at 1 a.m. after a joy ride with Tom Chancy and Doyle, [Timscan] & bunch.

Received orders to leave in the morning.