Destry Rides Again | Genealogy Lady

: Change of Duty, p. 1

: Change of Duty, p. 2

While going through Roscoe’s military papers, I found the above orders. I dutifully filed them away until I got to the point in the letters when they occurred. I kept thinking Roscoe was going to move soon but whenever I browsed ahead in the letters, there did not seem to be any mention of a move. So I kept waiting to see what was going to happen and, of course, it was right there in the December 10th letter. Roscoe didn’t go anywhere but Cub 13….

: December 10, 1942 Envelope

: December 10, 1942, p. 1

: December 10, 1942, p. 2

: December 10, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Nov. [Dec] 10, 1942

Dear Mother,

Writing Just after noon day chow and just after hanging out my laundry so you know I have those harsh red hands of a wash woman. If the things get dry will have to do the ironing later but it is a little cloudy and in the next 5 min. it may be raining but so far today not even a sprinkle. All morning it has been hot without much breeze and we are just getting to the middle of the hot weather.

We had a double feature last night at the show. The first one was something about some Rides Again and the second was “The Letter” – Both were fair. The first was a shooting show while the second was an English show and not too good. I suppose there will be at least one tonite. It rained some during the show last night but not enough to stop the show.

So far today no mail but we always

[page 2] have the afternoon delivery to look forward to. Dr. Porterfield got a package from home this morning but that was about all that came in for any one of us. It was mailed sometime in October so it looks as if mine should be coming along pretty soon. He got writing material, a non breakable mirror, a knife and other things, but the mail is so heavy now I suppose all will be slow even the regular mail and air mail. Up to now the latest mail I have was Nov. 24 and that came 6 days ago.

Well, it begins to looks more than every as if we will be stationed here more or less permanent. That is the three of us along with 2 dental officers. The remains of the now defunct Cub 13. It’s a long story and shouldn’t be gone into in much detail at this time, but it seems our once proud and hauty group of Medical men have been scattered “hither & yon.” And

[page 3] as I stated before there are worse places so we will just have to be satisfied and hope for an early end to activities.

Since I started this letter I’ve been to town and back and I believe the foliage on the trees gets more beautiful each time I see them. Saw some vines growing over an arch way with two kinds of blossoms both very deep in color but different shades of red.

You never did send Jim’s address. You said he wrote asking about the boys Christmas presents etc. but never did say anything about where he is and I’ve asked for his address but you didn’t send it – probably it has been sent in some of your missing letters.

Well, I’ll try to write better tomorrow as this has been cut up pretty much

Love Daddy

P.S. got a letter from Ruth M. – That is a Christmas greeting card and letter combined Dated Nov. 27

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/20/the-demise-of-…hirteen-roscoe/

Destry Rides Again is a movie staring Jimmie Stewart and Marlene Dietrich. The movie has a rather infamous fight scene between Marlene Dietrich and Una Merkel and Jimmie Stewart. Although I have never seen the movie, here’s a clip of the big fight from the movie.

: November 27, 1942 Envelope

: November 27, 1942, p. 1

: November 27, 1942, p. 2

: November 27, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Nov. 27, 1942

Dear Mother,

The dates on my letters are a little confusing since I write in the P.M. The letter goes thru the censorship routine the next morning and to the P.O. about noon then to the main P.O. in the P.M. and then leave the next day so you see a letter is about 3 days off old before it really leaves the island but I guess that doesn’t make much difference in the long run because of the length of time it takes them to get there. I never seal the envelope until it is ready for censorship so if anything important comes up I can add it and that takes off one day. There is no point to the above whatever only just telling you the procedure.

I’ve been very lazy in the letter writing business the past few days. It seemed that when I wanted to write there was something else that had to be done and when I had time I wasn’t in the mood. The nightly shows cut into my writing schedule but they are pretty good past time. Last night’s show was a little odd. I guess. The name “Destry Rides Again.” Don’t know what the one is tonite we always have pretty good house even if the title isn’t

[page 2] known ahead. Most everyone goes even if they have seen it before. And many persons who go to the movies often have seen them, but as for me they will have to hunt pretty hard if they find one I have seen, as you are well aware.

Our living quarters are pretty good now. We – Three of us – have a space 12 feet by 16 feet. Have Iron bunks with springs. And electric lights. I’ve told you that before but I’m so pleased. We were up last night until 11:00 P.M. We seem to be in a part of the outfit where lights out don’t affect. So we can read write etc. And too the mosquitoes aren’t so bad but we still use our nets at night because the little bugs slip in some way.

Today outside the heat is very oppressive and the sun really burns. Inside the hut it is rather comfortable and there is a slight breeze, but standing perfectly still in the sun is almost unbearable.

So far today I received a copy of the Newton County Enterprise dated Oct. 22 and two V-mail letters one from you and one from John – Yours was dated Nov. 5 and John’s Nov. 3. That’s two V-mails from John and none from Mark. The one I got from John on Nov. 1 sounded more like Mark but it had John’s name.

I haven’t written Bart yet about the paper

[page 3] but I intend to in the very near future and I also intend to write Boonie again. I got his letter 3 days ago but wasn’t in the mood to write and have been a little busy what with moving etc.

Was interrupted for a time – Have just been to the P.O. but no mail or packages. I brought two packages for another Dr. but none for myself. Guess mine will be along sooner or later. It is now 1700 and still the sun is very hot. It’s supposed to be the dead of summer or very near it and by 1915 it is dark enough to start the movies so that proves the period of twilight is shorter here than there because it still very light there at 1915 in the Eve. As I remember it.

Just got a case of cold beer and is it good. Most of the time it is warm but once in a while we are able to get a cold one. Our beer supply is running low and I’ll be sorta glad because it put on too much weight.

Well, I’ll save the rest of the space until morning. It isn’t morning yet but the show was short. The name “Gold Rush Mazie”. It was about as good as it sounds. I’ll add more in the morning.