Escondido California Archives

29 December 1941

Dearest Folks:

I just got some of my mail from Roberts today so I’m going to be busy answering letters tonite.

I’m a little worried about the package you sent to me-here it is the 29^th. Did you send it to Roberts or Escondido? I’m so anxious to dig into it but I’m not worried as long as it is insured. I know it will really be something. I had a lovely Christmas dinner but we were allowed to be away from the billet long enough for the meal and that was only a couple of hours. I really felt down Christmas Eve. We were all packed up ready to get on the move, and afraid we would have no Christmas at all. Then it was my birthday and my first Christmas away from home. With your letters I feel much better and not so alone. Christmas Day I had a private invitation to a home and we had everything. The people were simply grand and after the meal gave me some cigarettes, cookies and suckers. All soldiers who didn’t have invitations were fed at the grade school and all got a gift. The whole day celebration that was planned had to be called off because we were all on the alert. Laying around Christmas nite was bad. Harold Bill Wright lives here and he had some boys out for Christmas dinner. They all raved about how swell a guy he was.

Had hoped to be with Gram and Gramp but as you can see couldn’t go. Had looked for them last Sunday but guess they will be up next weekend.

Again last Friday the town had a dance for us but because I had to go on guard at ten couldn’t stay long.

Yes we have a field kitchen in a truck that goes along with us. We eat in the open and in the mornings and evenings it’s plenty cool. Our place has no heat and at nites we have all extra clothes on us.

About the sleeping bag, I’m not particular what kind but I’m afraid you will have to pay at least ten for it. I hate to ask this of you but it’s almost a necessity and our battery commander requested we have one.

I was appointed assistant battery clerk the other day so am hoping for a rating after January 18, the end of my four months.

Last Sunday rented a bicycle and rode around town and saw acres of oranges, grapefruit and lemons all over. One of our guard posts is the city reservoir and around it are orange trees so we eat plenty—to many.

Got the Free Press today, a welcome item.

I’m going to call you some nite but I’m afraid it will take pretty long to get it through. I’ll make it about January the 8^th to the 11^th and I’ll call early in the afternoon if possible. You won’t have to stay up all nite. I guess the calls are off inasmuch as I just called you. It was so darn good to hear you but too bad Dad couldn’t be there. I would call when he wasn’t there.

I guess there’s nothing else to say after the call so until the next letter.

Love,

20 December 1941

Dear folks:

Another letter to you while I’m sitting in the service club with nothing particular to do. This town is really swell and the people have taken us in with open arms. Yesterday after duty, while I was strolling down main street, a lady stopped us and told us about the big Christmas dinner they are having, turkey and everything. The whole town is behind it and also they are rounding up gifts for each of us. Later we went in for a beer and we had four without paying anything. All on the house. Shows are half price and tonite was given a free malt in a drug store. When you go in stores many little items are given free. Also the ladies secured a washing machine for us to do our laundry and two irons to press them. Last nite we had a big free dance at the high school and all the girls in town were there. The announcer was a big fellow like Jon Lenz. Everyone had a swell time. We take showers at the high school too. But some things aren’t so good, for instance we have only hot water by heating it on a hot plate and the building is cold at night and we sleep rite on the floor. You see this is field conditions as in wartime. We are pretty lucky though. One battery has their tents pitched on the football field and have to straddle over a ditch to use the latrine. Another quarters themselves in the buildings around the swimming pool. Guess I’ve told you how pretty the town is. Our big guns are lined up around the city park, everything ready to go, if the case need be. This morning was taken up by inspections and the kids stood around as our officer inspected us.

There is one big item I do need badly and will have to have soon and that is a sleeping bag. It is almost impossible to get along without one and the floor is too hard to get any sleep. As they cost around eight or nine dollars I’ll have to ask you for a little money or you can order it thru Monkey Ward or some place and have it sent direct. I hate to ask for it around Christmas and all but I’m afraid I wouldn’t have any hips in a few weeks.

I read in the paper tonite that telephone calls were not permitted now, that is long distance. Hope that is wrong. I feel kind of cheap not buying any gifts at all but I won’t get paid until the fifteenth of January and I’d be mighty near broke.

This is enough for now but hope you all have a good time Christmas Day and wish I could be with you.

All my love,

18 December 1941

Dear Folks:

I believe I told you in my last letter I was being transferred to San Luis Obispo-well I was but plenty has happened since then. When we left Camp Roberts our “old man” (that’s the first sergeant) said goodbye to each of us and he was very depressed. Then the band came out and played several numbers and as we left, all loaded up, they played ‘Auld Lang Syne” and I could feel a big lump in my throat. We arrived in San Luis Obispo about five and after eating were given all our equipment to go into the field. About twelve at nite we got to bed. Then next morning we left again not knowing where we were going.

Well it was Escondido and only thirty five miles from San Diego. It’s a wonderful deal. We got here about eleven at nite and were put up in the High School gym. There are about four hundred soldiers in the town just to back up the infantry on the coast. The town is about the size of Alliance, very pretty and pleasant. Our battery has its quarters in the American Legion Auxiliary building downtown. There is a stage at one end and there is washing hanging all over it. The town people are swell and tonite they are having a dance for us at the High School. We are off at three in the afternoon until eleven at nite. The fellows loaf most of the day and just fool around. The officers are very friendly and just like they were part of the boys with none of the high dignity present at [Camp] Roberts. It’s plenty hot today and the sky so clear. The town has palm trees and flowers everywhere. There is no army post here, we are just guards on the coast. We get no leaves to go out of town and also sleep on the hard floor, but it seems so much different than at [Camp] Roberts we are all very jubiliant. We can wear any uniform and don’t even have to wear ties. None of the officers do.

Well folks I’m in a good place and may stay here indefinitely so I’m happy. Perhaps June and Lloyd can come up some weekend.

Got the paper and the piece about the banquet just before I left.

Wish you could see this beautiful little town and not be in cold Nebraska.

I can’t believe its Christmas time but guess it is.

Will write again soon.

All my love,

Pvt. HG Moss
Battery C, 222 FA
Escondido, California