DOCUMENT : Ted Blake - Camp Mills War letters
DATE OF REVIEW: Jan 19,1998
Author: Ted Blake, Co. L 161st Reg 41st division
Source: Nassau County Museum Collection, Long Island Studies Institute
The Camp Mills (L84.2.14) collection contains a number of letters written by
Ted Blake during his assignment to Camp Mills, Hempstead, Long Island, New York.
His letters are of interest because they document life in the camp.
His letters also offer an interesting view of speech, and social decorum,
virtually non-existent today. In his letters he describes life at Camp Mills,
describes the Army's use of LIRR float service from New Jersey to
Bay Ridge, New York.
Today, we are told to reach out and touch someone by phone.
Thankfully, it was easier for Mr Blake to use pen and paper and
in so doing record a moment in our collective history.
___________________________________________________________________
Stationary : From the YMCA.
From: Ted Blake
Co. L 161st Reg 41st Division
To: Mrs W M Blake
____ Wallingford ave
Seattle Washington
Pg 1 War Work Council
Army and Navy
Young Men's Christian Association
"with the colors"
Nov 4th,1917 Sunday
Dearest Mother and all.
Well we are arrived in Camp
fine and dandy and this is
quite a camp. There are
oodles and oodles of soldiers
from all over the country, it
sure is a busy place. The
camp is about ten times as
big as American lake so you
can imagine the size, rows
rows of tents covering
acres of ground. To one
side of this camp lays a
big aviation grounds and the
aeroplanes are thick overhead.
There are some beautiful homes
in the near vicinity and some
fine driveways. It is cold
as blazes here all though the
sun is shining and it
sure puts pep into you
---------------------end page 1 ---------------------------------------Pg 2 War Work Council
Army and Navy
Young Men's Christian Association
"with the colors"
Nov 4th, 1917 Sunday
when you get up in the
mornings, washing in ice
cold water and running around
on frozen ground. A bunch
of us went over to a big hotel
nearby here this a.m. and
got a good hot shower bath;
Believe me it sure felt good
and we sure needed it.
We arrived in New Jersey
thursday night about 11 O'clock.
Corporal Durham, Frank and
myself were on the baggage car
detail so we got up at 12:30(20)
and went on to the baggage car.
The baggage cars were uncoupled
from the pullmans and run
on to barges and we were towed
up the harbor to Bay Ridge, Long
Island and from there to the
Camp. The rest of the regiment
Pg 3 War Work Council
Army and Navy
Young Men's Christian Association
"with the colors"
Nov 4th, 1917 Sunday
detrained in the morning
and ferried across in the
daylight Frank and I went
up the harbor at night so
didn't see much of the
harbor line, we did see the
statue of Liberty and lots of
big boats.
I haven't been down to
little old New York yet but
expect to as soon as we get
paid. They are giving 24 hour
passes and I am going to
make one. Some of the guys
were in last night and they
say it is some town.
We are getting fairly good
eats but have quite a mud
hole to stay in. I think we
are doomed for a short stay
here as everything is temporary.Pg 4 War Work Council
Army and Navy
Young Men's Christian Association
"with the colors"
Nov 4th, 1917 Sunday
My opinion is that it is
training under French
skies for us but " you
can't tell a spec about it ".
So if you don't hear from
me for a couple of weeks don't
worry.
I hope Roma and little
Jackie are well and give them
a billion kisses for me. I
sure do miss you all and
can hardly realize I am so
far from home.
I am feeling skookum
and all though we are not
drilling I am getting enough
work to keep me busy.
Well mother dear after I
see New York I will have
more to tell you. I will
write again tomorrow andPg 5 War Work Council
Army and Navy
Young Men's Christian Association
"with the colors"
Nov 4th, 1917 Sunday
every day if I can. Now
don't you worry a bit so that
when I get back we can
have a good time. Of all
the towns I have seen here
in the east, dear old Seattle
for me, for it is the best of
the bunch.
Remember me to George B.
and the rest and tell every-
body Hello for me.
Well I will close for this
time with lots of love and
Kisses, bushells of them.
Your loving son
Ted Blake
(don't forget to write)
Ted Blake
Co L 161st Reg
Camp Mills, Hempstead, LI, N. Y.Third Letter in the collection.
What follows are two excerpts from Mr. Blake's
letter.
Pg 1 War Work Council
Army and Navy
Young Men's Christian Association
"with the colors"
Nov 6th, 1917 Tuesday
" Well we have started
drilling, 8 hrs a day. The
training consists of close
order drill, school of squad and
soldiers, semaphore and bayonnet
exercises; that is so far. We
have a recreation period during
the drill hours in which
time we play games and
rest. There are acres and acres
of fine drill fields here."
" The fighting 69th New York
regiment pulled out yesterday
morning and we are now
camped where they were.
There is a rumor that
Page 2 excerpt of the third letter.
Pg 2 War Work Council
Army and Navy
Young Men's Christian Association
"with the colors"
Nov 6th, 1917 Tuesday
this camp is condemned
and we are supposed to move
on or before the 15th. How true
it is I don't know. There
are approximately 10,000 men
here now, quite a camp.
The weather sure has been
cold, but it is easing up
a bit now; tonight there is a
strong wind almost
blowing the tent down."
"Our companies are to
be raised to 250 men. I
guess filled by conscripts.
We have two new Lieutenants
tailor mades, as we say, that
is trained at Plattsburg.
nice fellows though."
Ted Blake letter dated Wednsday Nov 7, 1917, appears to be
a continuation of a letter dated Nov 6, 1919.
What follows are excerpts from Mr. Blake's
letter, descibing life at Camp Mills.
Pg 5 War Work Council
Army and Navy
Young Men's Christian Association
"with the colors"
Nov 7th, 1917 Wednsday
" Our drill is quite
interesting so far, jumping
hurdles etc, quite
exciting.
There was an awful
cold wind today, blew
right through you and
when you roll out in
the am, you wish for
your little warm bed.
We get up at 5.45 and
are kept going until
retreat 5:30pm. Revalie
5:45, mess 6:00, drill 7:30
to 11:30, mess 12:00, drill
again 1:00 to 4:30, retreat
5:15, then were through.
No drill Sat or Sun.
Inspection Sat morn.
I am on KP tomorrow
so must get to bed."
Ted Blake letter dated Wednsday Nov 14 1917.
What follows are excerpts from Mr. Blake's
letter, descibing life at Camp Mills.
War Work Council
Army and Navy
Young Men's Christian Association
"with the colors"
Nov 14th, 1917 Wednsday
" Camp Mills, New York
Dearest Mother: I got out
of drill this morning so
will take this time to
write to you.
The sun is just
beginning to shine now, but
it will take till noon to
warm things up. It sure
was cold last night and
this morning; the water
pipes freeze here every night.
But I can sleep as warm as toast."
"There are numerous
aeroplanes flying around
here as there is a aviation
field about 1/2 mile from here.
There is buzzing all day
long. It sure is wonderful
to see them do the loop the
loop and all such tricks.
I think, I would like
to be an aviator. We
will be getting instruction
in gases and bomb throwing
soon. I think that will be
mighty interesting.
Our squad had the
victrola last night and
we had quite a concert. The
one record I like the best
is "Caroline" and that sure
reminds me of home
and Billie singing. Oh
yes also Jay boy.
Of what I have seen
of the East I would rather
live in the west and dear
old Seattle. "
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