January 7, 1919
Camp Holabird, Maryland

My Dear Mamma and Daddy,

Just a line or so this evening to let you know I arrived fine and dandy, but believe me, we are having some real winter up here. It's below zero most of the time.

So you are back to coal oil lamps again, eh? Bet you do miss the gas a lot, though you are better off than we are now, for we are living in summer tents, and have candles for light. Nothing to burn, only just what wood we can rake up and chop with our handaxes. Our stoves are made of old pieces of casing setting up like like they have in the oil field. I came near freezing last night, but spent most of the afternoon carting wood and we are going to run tour on keeping a fire all night. I would go into Baltimore and get a bed, only I am no better than the rest of the bunch. Gosh, I sure hope they don't keep us here very long, for it sure is a fright. We have to eat outside, which is not so very agreeable.

One of the Field Hospital Companies left today for Camp Funston, so we may get started back home after a while. I was out to the Bay shore this afternoon and went out on the pier a quarter of a mile out and almost froze. I saw some small tugs and fishing boats and one big battleship. Quite a bunch of water alright, as far as you can see every way. I don't know how wide the bay is here. There are trucks out here just like there is water in the sea, as far as the eye can see. There is a small bunch (of trucks) out here by our tents that are waiting to be repaired when they have time. Only 21,000 of them.

Well, Mama, I will ring off and begin warming up for bedtime. Will let you hear often. Lots of love,

Your son,

Charles L.

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