Transcribed Letter 1942-09-07 Document <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><?xml-model href="https://www.tei-c.org/release/xml/tei/custom/schema/relaxng/tei_all.rng" type="application/xml" schematypens="http://relaxng.org/ns/structure/1.0"?><?xml-stylesheet type="text/css" href="null"?><TEI xmlns="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0" xmlns:rdf="http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#"> <teiHeader> <fileDesc> <titleStmt> <title>Zeller Letter 1942-09-07</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> </respStmt> </titleStmt> <publicationStmt> <distributor>Special Collections/University Archives, Bertrand Library</distributor> <authority>Bucknell University</authority> <address> <addrLine>Lewisburg</addrLine> <addrLine>Pennsylvania</addrLine> </address> </publicationStmt> <sourceDesc> <p>John F. Zeller Papers</p> </sourceDesc> </fileDesc> <xenoData><rdf:RDF xmlns:rdf="http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#" xmlns:rdfs="http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#" xmlns:as="http://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams#" xmlns:cwrc="http://sparql.cwrc.ca/ontologies/cwrc#" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:dcterms="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" xmlns:foaf="http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/" xmlns:geo="http://www.geonames.org/ontology#" xmlns:oa="http://www.w3.org/ns/oa#" xmlns:schema="http://schema.org/" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#" xmlns:fabio="https://purl.org/spar/fabio#" xmlns:bf="http://www.openlinksw.com/schemas/bif#" xmlns:cito="https://sparontologies.github.io/cito/current/cito.html#" xmlns:org="http://www.w3.org/ns/org#"/></xenoData></teiHeader> <text> <body> <div> <pb facs="/sites/default/files/2025-04/1942-09-07_001_0.jpg" n="1"/> <opener> <dateline><date>Sept 7, 1942</date> <placeName>Fort Bragg N.C.</placeName></dateline> <salute>Dear Mother, Dad, + Grandma--</salute></opener> <p>The trip down from New Cumberland was long and tiring. We were awaked at 4:30, had breakfast, were checked off, loaded, and finally pulled out at 7:00. We took all the back roads there were. I suppose troop trains are routed that way to simplify transportation problems - but it took us twice as long as it would by the regular route. We came through York, Baltimore, + Washington, and then out across to Richmond. From Richmond to Raleigh we <pb facs="/sites/default/files/2025-04/1942-09-07_002.jpg" n="2"/> really took the back way, for we saw absolutely nothing but scrub pine and small clearings with poor negro quarters.</p> <p> We arrived here at 2:30 and finally got to bed about 4:00. The camp here is swell. I think I shall like it. The outfit is made up of a good class of fellows, intelligent, clean-cut, and willing. But as far as I know, I'm the only college man. I'm keeping it quiet.</p> <p>The whole 4th Regiment is made up of specialists training groups. We are in telephone communications. Others include radio, cooking, office clerks, supply clerks, etc. </p> <pb facs="/sites/default/files/2025-04/1942-09-07_003.jpg" n="3"/> <p> It is fairly certain that when we leave here, if we do at all well we'll have technicians rating. The other boys have evidently been sent into the regular artillery units, which means they'll be doing the actual firing - pulling guns- loading, etc. I think I was lucky.</p> <p>I don't know a soul here, but I'm making friends and by the time our quaranteen is over will be as chummy as sardines in a can.</p> <p>We started right in today and learned the elemental commands. <pb facs="/sites/default/files/2025-04/1942-09-07_004_0.jpg" n="4"/> The first few weeks will be devoted to drill, manual of arms, etc. Later we'll get into the real work, with problems to solve, lines to fix + lay corrections to make, etc.</p> <p>I had my army haircut today. The barbers must think they're shearing sheep. They use the same methods.</p> <p>I shan't write again til the week-end- when I'll have more time. By then I'll have more to tell you too.</p> <closer><salute>Love,</salute> <signed>John</signed></closer> </div> </body> </text> </TEI>
Transcribed Letter 1942-09-05 Document <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><?xml-model href="https://www.tei-c.org/release/xml/tei/custom/schema/relaxng/tei_all.rng" type="application/xml" schematypens="http://relaxng.org/ns/structure/1.0"?><?xml-stylesheet type="text/css" href="null"?><TEI xmlns="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0" xmlns:rdf="http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#"> <teiHeader> <fileDesc> <titleStmt> <title>Zeller Letter 1942-09-05</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> </respStmt> </titleStmt> <publicationStmt> <distributor>Special Collections/University Archives, Bertrand Library</distributor> <authority>Bucknell University</authority> <address> <addrLine>Lewisburg</addrLine> <addrLine>Pennsylvania</addrLine> </address> </publicationStmt> <sourceDesc> <p>John F. Zeller Papers</p> </sourceDesc> </fileDesc> <xenoData><rdf:RDF xmlns:rdf="http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#" xmlns:rdfs="http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#" xmlns:as="http://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams#" xmlns:cwrc="http://sparql.cwrc.ca/ontologies/cwrc#" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:dcterms="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" xmlns:foaf="http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/" xmlns:geo="http://www.geonames.org/ontology#" xmlns:oa="http://www.w3.org/ns/oa#" xmlns:schema="http://schema.org/" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#" xmlns:fabio="https://purl.org/spar/fabio#" xmlns:bf="http://www.openlinksw.com/schemas/bif#" xmlns:cito="https://sparontologies.github.io/cito/current/cito.html#" xmlns:org="http://www.w3.org/ns/org#"/></xenoData></teiHeader> <text> <body> <div> <pb facs="/sites/default/files/2025-04/1942-09-05_001_0.jpg" n="1"/> <opener> <dateline> Pvt. John F. Zeller<lb/> F-10-4 F.A.R.C.<lb/> Fort Bragg, N.C.</dateline> <salute>Dear Mother & Dad + Grandma --</salute> </opener> <p>My address is above. We were put on quaranteen immediately upon arrival, so I could not phone or telegraph. We are confined to our company street. for 14 days. I'll get off on the 20th.</p> <p>I will not get a furlough until I have completed basic training, so I guess it will be impossible for me to get home before Christmas. </p> <pb facs="/sites/default/files/2025-04/1942-09-05_002.jpg" n="2"/> <p> I am in a field artillery regiment. We will set up communications - telephone lines- for observors and between batteries. My years on the switchboard at BU got me in this. I am the only one of our group here. The rest of the fellows are also in field artillery, but they are in other companies. I won't be able to see them before the two weeks are up and perhaps not then. There are 85,000 men here and the camp stretches for 25 miles.</p> <p>It is very nice, and I have no doubt but what I'll <pb facs="/sites/default/files/2025-04/1942-09-05_003.jpg" n="3"/> like it. I'm going to work hard and do the very best I can.</p> <p>Basic training here lasts at least 8 weeks - perhaps 13 - then I'll be shipped somewhere else. I shall hope it will be to officers training school.</p> <p> The initials in my address means this - Battery F, 10th Batalion, 4th regiment, Field Artillery Replacement Center.</p> <p> There is a great deal to tell, but I went to get this out, as I know you're anxious. I'll write more details tomorrow <pb facs="/sites/default/files/2025-04/1942-09-05_004.jpg" n="4"/> night. Mail at regular rate takes two days. This will go air mail. I'm posting it at 6:00 P.M. Let me know how soon you get it.</p> <closer> <salute>Yours til tomorrow's letter,</salute> <signed>John</signed> </closer> <postscript> <p>P. S. Please send me a pair of slippers. I want the kind that consist of nothing but a sole + heel + straps over the feet - made of rubber or [illegible] or something like that. I'd prefer not leather, because I want them for the shower room. Ken Wolfe is here, but of course I can't get out to see him. J.</p> </postscript> </div> </body> </text> </TEI>
Image - Name 1942-09-05 Letter Images 1942-09-05 Letter Images 4 items in Collection Image - Name 1942-09-05 Letter Images
