Sincerely, Joel C. Swisher

Dear Folks,

That is my address for the present. I will probably be assigned to a permanent company in a few days but that address will reach me until I send you my permanent address.

17 of us came up from Fort Slocum today. They got us up at 5 and gave us breakfast right away. We left there about 7:30 and came up thru Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford and Putnam, Connecticut towns, then thru Worcester, Mass, and finally here. We got here about half past 3 and walked 2 miles to camp. We were given our aluminum dishes and 3 blankets and a rubber raincoat. Also were given ticking and this we filled with straw for a bed. At Ft. Slocum we had nice soft mattresses. Here we have single beds with springs, so I guess we will still be comfortable.

This is a camp for all the drafted men in the New England States. Our regiment is the only enlisted regiment on the grounds. This regiment contains men from all over the United States. Some in it from Seattle, Washington, some from Salt Lake City. This is certainly a big cantonment. Something like Camp Meade.

We have all of our clothes excepting pants. We must wear our own pants till the others come. I am sending my coat and clothing home this afternoon if I can find paper to wrap them up in.

I have had no reason to be hungry. In Lancaster and Harrisburg they gave me 40¢ meals. Since coming here I have had all I could eat and good quality.

I find that a majority of the fellows here are coming here like myself before they are drafted. Has my notice been posted yet? Did Galen get exempt? What did Aunt Mary do about the place? Please write to me as soon as you get this and your letter will reach me while I am still here.

All letter paper is furnished by the Y.M.C.A. so I will save mine till later. We get up at 5:45, eat breakfast at 6:30, dinner at noon, supper at 6:00 and lights out at 9.

Fort Slocum is a receiving station for recruits. Recruits from several eastern states are sent here to be equipped and trained for a short time and then sent to other camps, 200 to 500 some every day and as many sent out. It is on a small island in Long Island Sound and I believe is  about 40 miles from New York City. We came thru that town coming here, but didn’t know much so didn’t see much. What we did see was quite wonderful. The Grand Central Railroad Station is more than I can describe.

If any mail comes to me please forward it to the address I gave thee⁽¹⁾Despite addressing this letter to “Dear Folks”, Joel mixes the Quaker “thee” and “thyself”, as if writing to one person, with plural “you” and “your”. and don’t fail to write thyself pretty soon.

Lovingly,
Joel

They gave us each:

• 1 flannel shirt
• 1 khaki coat
• 2 suits of summer underwear
• 4 pr stockings
• 2 pr shoes
• 1 overcoat
• 1 toilet kit consisting of shaving outfit, sewing outfit, 2 towels, cake of soap, whisk, brush and comb, tooth brush.

Our knapsack contains 1 frying pan, 1 cup, fork, spoon, 1 knife.

I can keep my suitcase for awhile.