October 4, 1942 | CONFLUENCE

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				<title>Zeller letter 1942-10-06</title>
				<author>John Zeller</author>
				<respStmt>
					<persName>Susan Falciani Maldonado</persName>
					<resp>University Archivist and Director of Special Collections</resp>
				</respStmt>
				<respStmt>
					<persName>Diane Jakacki</persName>
					<resp>Digital Scholarship Coordinator</resp>
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			<publicationStmt>
				<distributor>Special Collections/University Archives, Bertrand Library</distributor>
				<authority>Bucknell University</authority>
				<address>
					<addrLine>Lewisburg</addrLine>
					<addrLine>Pennsylvania</addrLine>
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				<p>John F. Zeller Papers</p>
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				<opener>
					<dateline>D-8-3 F.A.D. <lb/>Oct. 4, 1942</dateline>
					<salute>Dear Mother, Dad, + Grandma</salute>
				</opener>
				<p>Well, my new address is above. The rumor I heard was correct. D-8-3 is not nearly
					as clean and neat as the old place, but it's a step up, so I don't
					mind. We don't know yet what this new place is for, how long we'll be
					here, or anything about it. All I do know is that before I leave here I'll
					spend a month at Center School in preparation for Officers training. After that
					I'll be sent to Fort Sill, Okla for either 2 or three months more. Will
					find out tomorrow all of the details -- so I'll tell you all about it in my
					next letter. Five fellows from the Battery came over here with me, but I was the
					only one from my barracks. I'll have to make new friends all over again.
					Fortunately, Roscoe Brownell is here too -- his bed is just across the room, so
					I'm not quite as alone as I was the last time I moved. George Purcell is in
					a barracks very near -- and Paul Johnson is in the same vicinity. If you look on
					the map in the booklet I sent home, you'll see the place marked where I was
					before. Well D-8-3 is just directly across the parade ground in a straight line.
					I've simply moved to the other side of camp. I'm awfully sorry to
					leave F-10-4. And I think the boys are sorry to see me go. I made quite a few
					good friends there. I'm not far away so I can drop back frequently.
					Thursday we went on an overnite hike -- walked about 7 miles and rode the rest
					of the way. I'm glad I was along -- for it made a good farewell party to
					F-10-4. We came back Friday and I had a very pleasant surprise waiting for me.
					The battery commander appointed me "Acting Corporal" -- along with 3
					others. It would have meant -- had a stayed -- that I would have all of the
					authority + privileges of a non-commissioned officer -- but the pay and rank of
					a private. I wouldn't have had K.P. or fatigue duty any more. It will look
					good on my record too -- to be appointed after only a month of service. But
					since I've left for a new outfit of course, it doesn't mean a thing.
					It was nice of the battery commander to do it, though, for he knew I'd be
					leaving -- and it won't hurt my record at all. I was appointed on Friday
					and moved on Saturday! I went to church this morning -- the program is inclosed.
					Brownell and Dyson -- a fine fellow from Phila -- went with me. Tell anyone who
					writes to use the new address. I won't get it for about a week otherwise.
					So I shall have a mail-less period for a while again, I suppose. Oh yes, better
					have my address changed so that "Time" will be sent here. Thank you! </p>
				<p> Will you please send me about six or eight wooden hangers. At least 4 of them
					should have a rod across to hang pants across. I have a few rusty wire ones
					here, but wood will be much better. I nadently, you'd better write out my
					new address in full. The new battery commander wants it as follows -- Battery D,
					8th Bn., 3rd Reg. F.A.R.C. I have a new rifle to clean, and its pretty dirty. So
					I shall have to close. I'll write as soon as I know more about what
					I'm in for here. One thing is sure -- I shall have to spend more time
					studying -- so tell those who write to me not to expect prompt or long
					answers.</p>
				<closer>
					<salute>Yours.</salute>
					<signed>John</signed></closer>
				<postscript>
					<p>P.S. Just heard state won 14-7. Too bad.</p>
				</postscript>
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