Lost were an unknown number of letters which must have been written while Sid was at Camp Custer.  His sister Charlotte's son remembers a trunk filled with Sid's WWI photos, which somehow ended up in Charlotte's posession but no longer can be found.  Anyone who is a family historian can imagine the cry stifled  when I  heard this.   Still, I count myself more fortunate than many to have letters, diary and the 329th Barrage Book, which give one of the more complete accounts of daily life for an American artillery soldier.

My dear Alberta,

Please don’t find fault with the writing because I’m stretched out on my cot writing and I’m awfully tired too. We arrived all safe and sound and have been given our beds, blankets, towels & soap. Joe and I are both in the same company, that is battery. I will tell you about the trip tomorrow. Our cots and equipment so far is swell and the officers are all nice to us. We are in a company of swell fellows and certainly enjoy it.

Hope your mother wasn’t angry at me for keeping you out so late but I sure did hate to leave.

Examinations and uniforms tomorrow I hear. Reveille at 6:00 a.m. Isn’t that nice and only 5 minutes to dress in. Well, I’ll have to stop here so goodbye.......

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To read Battery entry on the arrival at Camp Custer      click here 

Well, I supposed you will think that I am awfully slow in writing but I have had charge of the shooting records on the range this week since Wednesday and certainly have had my hands full. I wish I had had time to call on you while I was in town Wednesday but I was afraid of missing the train. We were all just about played out for about 2 days after that trip from lack of sleep and excitement.

The trip was a success in every aspect and we have been complimented many times since for the way everything was handled. On the way back some of the boys got drunk and one of them was Sgt. Gustafson who was acting 1st Sargent. He was reduced to a private as a result and everyone here is very sorry that it had to happen as he was a dandy fellow.

I received a letter from dad today in which he said that he was taking my sister Florence to Ann Arbor for a special examination and treatment so she must be in a very serious condition. I have been worried about her condition for the past month and am afraid she’s too weak to ever get well again and because of the situation I won’t be coming to Detroit in the near future but will have to hold myself in readiness to go home when I receive the word. It certainly is a fright after all the poor kid has had to go through with mother’s death and the care of the children.

I am very sorry to have to disappoint you again but believe I am doing the wiser thing by staying here. If she improves you can expect me in a couple of weeks and will let you know when I can come. Our passes have been cut down again to- from Saturday noon to Monday reveille (6 a.m.) so I wouldn’t have much time there.

If I get a call to come home I will try to get a six day furlough and get some dental work done while I am there and I might possibly be able to come back by way of Detroit.

I must stop now and get on my fatigue clothes and go to the stables as the horses have to be put back in the barns. Heaps of love and best wishes to you and all.

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To read more about the Detroit parade, click here 

.....I haven’t been home since Feb 22 and I guess I’ve forgotten when I was to Detroit last. We are packing up and making preparations to leave very shortly and they certainly do keep your truly on the jump. This will be my last chance to go anywhere so it I don’t get a chance to go this week I’m out of luck completely.

I’m planning on going home to bid the folks farewell and as much as I would love to come to Detroit, I’m afraid it’s out of the question. From Saturday noon to Monday reveille is as long a pass as one can get now.

We are receiving 88 men tomorrow to fill up our battery to full strength (194 men). I don’t know where they are coming from, but I think from Camp Grant. We had our overseas physical examination today and everyone of our bunch passed with colors flying....

...I don’t know exactly when we are to leave but we won’t be here for the 4th according to rumors at Headquarters. The Infantry and some of the other regiments are ready to leave now and after our horses are turned in it won’t take us over two or three days to be on our way (if the order comes) . We expect to turn in the horses some day this week, I’m glad I took a nice long ride Sunday evening as I imagine I won’t get another chance. I hate to see my little horse go but if it’s going to hasten our departure I’d sacrifice anything....

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.

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.

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.

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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...

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.