Papers of the Benjamin Franklin Yancey Family

Roger McKinley Yancey to Harriet Anna Yancey, October 13, 1918

Education--studying | Entertainment | Food | Health, illness and death | Military | Music and the Arts | Place--Hampton, VA | Place--North Carolina

Picture in Postscript: picture of two heads with German World War I fighting helmets

Roger Yancey discusses the overcrowding problems at the nearby Soldier hospital as well as his participation in Hampton's band.

Army and Navy
Young Men's Christian Association
"With the Colors"
To the Writer: Save By Writing on BOTH Sides of This Paper
To the Folks at Home: Save Food, Buy Liberty Bonds and War
Saving Stamps

To: Mrs Harriet Yancey
Esmont
VaA'ble. Co.
From: Roger Yancey
Hampton Institute, Va

Postmark: Hampton, VA
Hampton Institute
OCT 4
8 AM Picture on enelope: YMCA triangle symbol
"With the Colors"

Oct 13 1918

My Dear Mother

I received your letter the other day and was very glad to hear from you. I am well and hope and May Benny are well I go to school every night. I study a new kind arithmetic. My English 5th Reader Spelling Music Writing Revised Bible The lady that is Teaching me now is Miss A.?I.? Low. I have joined the band and am practicing a slide Tenor Trombone. I am trying to learn the notes now Our band master is a German and a mean man Just like Mr Terry, Give my best regards to Mr Terry & Miss Hearn

(page 2)

(2)

The Hospital here is crowded and the gymnasium has been turned into a Soldier hospital. The Soldiers left here this mornig for South of France mama talking about good singing and speaking last night the soldiers gave a show they had every thing a show could could have we are quarenten yet Talking about a school band but this one is fine play any thing We had a Liberty Loan Parade but I wasnt there as I was working. I have my uniform cap and they are making my uniform I am going to join the aviation corps soon. We are 2 1/2 miles from Fort Monroe and talking about hearing big guns when They shoot soud like a explosive window panes rattle, Lively

ha ha.

(page 3)

(3)

I havent but 30¢ more Give my love to Mrs Harris and Mrs G. H.M.L. & Czar I am captain 1st and 2nd Lieut. [missing text] day. I think I will change ?Machines? and go into Business You can count on me going into the aviation corps or army I have a change to make a man out out of myself.

Good-by

From yor son
Roger

P.S. Send me some candy please as I spend all I got for something to eat for supper each night we had sliced pears water and Bread. we take supper with girls evry saturday night.

(page 4)

(4)

One Sat I took supper with a girl from north Carlonia
Miss Southers from Blenheim is hear she will finish this year.

From your son

I met a soldier named John Brown He knew Mr Johny Page and ?Hamstor? Page. I take singing lessons every monday ?night?.

crownpiece Kaiser Hang Mrs Kaiser by the ?soldier? ?Sour? apple Tree Band played over ?there? for the soldiers when [missing text] ?week?

Roger Yan

Published by: Virginia Center for Digital History

Source copy consulted: Papers of the Benjamin Franklin Yancey Family (MSS 11599), Alderman Library, University of Virginia

Text and images (c) copyright 2001, by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia

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