Back at Camp Greenleaf

Now that I've sorted out Henry's birth family a bit, we'll return to "present day" World War I. If you recall, when we last heard from him, Henry had been on a weekend pass to Chattanooga for a little rest and relaxation. He hadn't gotten mail from home for a week. The following letter indicates that the family went on vacation to Three Rivers, MI.

Three Rivers is a small town located near Noah Lake, about 50 miles southwest of Bellevue, which is just north of Battle Creek. The family had recently lived in Three Rivers, and had only been living in Bellevue for about a year when Henry went off to war.

 Bat. 5, Co. 19
Camp Greenleaf M.O.T.C.
Chicamauga Park, Ga.

Dear C: Your from 3 Rs came this afternoon. Was very glad to know that you were having a good time with your friends. I had a letter from Marion and Jim on Sunday. How long were you at 3 Rs? I hope to send you picture of my entire company. You will find Dr. Tower in the line. He has been assigned to all parts of the US and finally here. They all have to come here I understand.

So Faith thinks too many stones were thrown in lake. That isn't only place.

I guess I am too tired to write entertaining letters. How did you find Bowies?

Fire ins papers are in file with office material. Life Ins card at home office as there is loan you know. 

Well tell me all the home news.

Yours

Mac

Marion is Henry's eldest daughter, my grandmother. She is a young lady of fifteen when Henry is at camp. If I were to guess, I'd say Jim is Henry's oldest brother. He never married. Below is a photograph of the entire camp at the time Henry was there, found in the Army Medical Corps archives.

 I can't be absolutely certain, but I think this is Henry, right in the front row, fourth to the left of the righthand panel.

                                                                                            ^Henry?^

The following letter seems to be written around the same time as the undated letter above, so I've included them both in the same envelope.

Camp Greenleaf M.O.T.C.
Chicamauga Park, Ga.
Aug 27th 1918

Dear Camilla: I presume that you have been home long enough now to have reviewed yours letters that accumulated. Have you written Marion and did you send her any money. Poor kid must have been busted for some time.

Work here has eased off somewhat. Maybe only seems so.

Have two good pictures to send you. One of the company (19) and the other of review of entire Medical Officers at Camp Greenleaf. You will get an idea from lat(t)er as to the number of Doctors on the job and more are coming. The building about in center is executive office and auditorium for camp. Battalion 5 is behind pole on right. You might let Dr Haight and Miss Sellers have a look at them.

I had a letter from Dr. Wasson enquiring about drugs. Any that you do not want he will be welcome to. You might call him up a(nd) tell him so if drugs are accessable[sp]. Otherwise not.

Life Ins. receipt are in letter file. Lights out.

Yours

Mac

The second page of the letter is dated the next day, so it clearly wasn't in the same envelope as the undated one, since the envelope I've included is postmarked 8/27.

Wed Aug 28th 1918

D.C.: Your letter with enclosures just received. Once again I will state Life Ins Policy is at home office of Co. Receipts are Accident Policy is NG now that I am in Army. If you have remitted for it notify them of fact and ask return of premium and cancellation of policy. I haven't received any Bellevue Gazett(e)s as of yet. Send me a Free Press 2 or 3 times weekly. Never mind Med Journals unless you wish to cut out Honor Roll and assignments.

You have done very well with collections. Watkins Drug Bill is OK I guess. You can look in file and see if receipt is there. If not found send ck for same. I presume it quite relief to Byingtons.

Did you ever get your pass to Custer? Quiz going on that diverts my attention. My postal photos were NG.

Marion said her snap view of me was not good.

I haven't had a chance to do up large pictures as yet. On Friday we have a review of entire outfit at Oglethorpe in honor of Dr. Mayo. It means a long hard drill and one or two extra drills. Everyone feels the tension.

What are Marions plans for return? When does school start? Give Margret any(an) extra kiss for me. Good night.

Yours

Mac

Helen writes later of how close and loving the family is, and I can see how much Henry already misses his family and friends at home. The Free Press refers to the Detroit Free Press. Detroit is close to Bay City, and Henry was there for medical school. By this time, I believe all of his siblings live there, as well.

Camilla is reputed to be notoriously bad at math, so that would explain Henry's ongoing coaching regarding her takeover of the family finances. 

The mention of Dr. Mayo is notable. I assume he means the founder of the Mayo Clinic. I haven't reviewed the history of the clinic yet, but I imagine that's what I'll find.

On that, I'll close. There are five more letters and two postcards from Henry before he leaves Camp Greenleaf. There is also a letter from Camilla which was returned to her because he was transferred.

Henry Settles in at Training Camp

The first segment of Henry's military tour is spent at Camp Greenleaf, which is a medical officers' training camp attached to Fort Oglethorpe, Chickamauga National Park, Georgia. The fort is located just south of the Tennessee border, about 8 miles almost due south of Chattanooga, TN. The previous card and letter I posted are from Henry's first days at this camp. He was stationed there for one month.

I managed to find a very detailed explanation of the camp and how it was organized in the U.S. Army Medical Department archives. The report matches Henry's reporting exactly. At this time in history, medical officer training was combined with basic training, which is why there is no mention of "basic" in Henry's letters. They received basic training during the day, attended lectures and classes, and then were quizzed in the barracks at night.

The following two post cards are not dated or postmarked. I'm guessing at when they were written and inserting them in the timeline between his first full letter of August 17th, and the next one, which will follow these cards.

Dear Helen (Second daughter, age 11):  This hotel is on top of the mountain. Nice place to spend weekends. There are many pretty houses about this hotel! Lots of white children with nigger mammys are about the lawns. 

Next week I may send you and sisters some souvenirs.

Yours,

Dad

About time I had a line from you.

(front of card, text) Signal Mountain Inn, Near Chattanooga, Tenn.

(back of card, text) Signal Mountain all-year-round resort, forty minutes from Chattanooga by electric car or automobile, is one of the genuine surprises and treats for visitors. Although so convenient, and connected by modern transportation, it is amid rugged scenery. Two thousand feet altitude explains its cool, healthful air, and fine water. The hotel and many bungalows are built of pink sandstone.

D.C.: -If you remove horses from picture and imagine strong enough you can see me drilling for 2 hours every morning this week on this lawn.

Up and down we go from one end to another until the fat fellow(s) have to fall out . Several are liable to be cut loose at any moment.

No news for wk from you.

Yours

Mac

(front, text) "Cavalry Charge," U.S. Cavalry, Ft. Oglethorpe, Near Chattanooga, Tenn.

Envelope: Grand Hotel (fireproof), C.A. Brelsford, Proprietor, Chattanooga, Tennessee

Postmarked Chattanooga, Tenn., August 25, 6 p.m., 1918 

Mrs. H E Mac Lennan, Bellevue, Mich.

Aug 23d, 1918

Dear Camilla: I am off on a bum for 24 hrs. Just to get away from same gang. I went up to the top of Signal Mt. this afternoon. It is a beautiful ride and more attractive on arrival. Evidently it is The Swell Resort. Big hotel very much dress and the only good looking women I have seen since coming South. Most of look as though they had the hook worm.

I am stopping at above named hotel. It is Grand in name only.

The South looks dirty and bedraggled as far as habitations are concerned. If one were rich and could have a beautiful house in Mountain it would be very fine. No southern town for mine otherwise. Heat here I do not notice as much as at home.

We get our fill of drill, lectures, quizes and more of thence. Food is fine and agress[sp] with all. I think I am gaining in weight although I wouldn't look it.

I wouldn't do anything more about statements until 1st of Sept then look accounts over and handle them according to age, payments etc. A little tact firmness will bring results on most of them. I have just about enough to last until pay day.

I would try if I were in your place to keep enough coming in so as you will not have to ek[sp] out until pay day. On first of Sept or last of this month take Bank book in to be balanced. You can get it after a couple days and you will know just how much you have on hand.

As I have a rondevoux with theatre I must beg out. Goodnight and all

Yours

Mac

Considering all that was written in the above three missives, I'm going to guess that the postcards were included in the envelope of the letter.

His observations about the south remind me that this was still very much the post-Civil War depression in that region. If my American history serves me, I think that World War I saw the beginnings of the end of that economic depression in the south. The cotton industry would have gone into overdrive to supply uniforms and bedding for the troops, and many forts, including Oglethorpe, were being hastily erected to serve the military demand for training and deployment.

Henry would have been quite familiar with the look of a person with hookworm by this point in his journey. The aforementioned report on the medical camp specifically mentions that soldiers were screened for it, and if positive, quarantined and treated for hookworm, automatically so if they came from areas known to have infestations.

I was glad to see he got a little rest and relaxation while he was at camp. I've glanced ahead a bit, and he's going to need it. Off to Florida for me now. I hope to post a bit while I'm gone, but if not, look for me next week, hopefully armed with all new gems of information.