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to Estelle Spero
13 October 1942
Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945
Diamond describes a "Make the Boys Happy" show that had been performed for the troops in the Recreation Hall.
Written at Edgewood Arsenal
GLC09120.116
14 October 1942
Diamond explains that, at this point, graduating candidates will be selected not only by their grades, but also personality.
GLC09120.117
19 October 1942
Diamond discusses Congress' contemplation to prohibit the sale of liquor near army posts.
GLC09120.118
22 October 1942
Diamond describes the experience of going up for Board Review.
GLC09120.119
Newspaper Clipping, name of the newspaper not cited.
1861-1877
Wood, Thomas Denison, fl. 1942
Article that must have been included in one of Diamond's letters to Estelle, entitled, "War-Model Love." With notes and much underlining.
GLC09120.120
23 October 1942
Diamond informs Estelle that they had "lost" two more men that week due to the high expectations of the program. He then describes his morning - a two-hour long film on motor transportation followed by a one-hour test on the material contained in...
GLC09120.121
24 October 1942
Diamond informs Estelle that he has just received a demerit for having had dirty finger nails. He then describes to Estelle the experience of showering in the Army. Sidney tells Estelle that he has spent the morning listening to the Yiddish Shtunda...
GLC09120.122
28 October 1942
Diamond tells Estelle that he has already received two demerits so far that week - one for having left his footlocker unlocked, and one for having worn a field jacket to dinner. He then proceeds to complain about the cold weather, mentioning that...
GLC09120.123
1 November 1942
Diamond praises his parents, and speaks of his gratitude for all that they have done to help him. He also describes the night problem that is scheduled for Sunday.
GLC09120.124
6 November 1942
Diamond relays a debate that had taken place during the student presentations on the pros and cons of a soldier choosing to get married. He informs Estelle that he received his first mark below 80 (a 79 in chemical tactics), but that the rest of his...
GLC09120.125
8 November 1942
Letter written just after having visited Estelle, and Diamond writes of "the odor of [her] hair still playing with [his] senses". Diamond also talks about the "confusion of inefficiency" that reigns at home, as soon as the "men are gone".
GLC09120.126
9 November 1942
Diamond counts down until his graduation that is to take place on Saturday. He writes that of the 500 that started OCS training three months ago, only 350 will be graduating.
GLC09120.127
1942
Letter written during a study period, in which Diamond writes that they have just completed reviewing an entire year of chemistry in the space of four hours. Sidney has somewhat of a political disagreement with Estelle.
GLC09120.128
Letter written while Diamond is in class, so it is interspersed with "items" from his class notes. He discusses smoke generators and the fact that classes are to grow progressively smaller due to the fact that many candidates do not manage to...
GLC09120.129
(second page constitutes notes taken in a class, which are struck out). Diamond tells Estelle that things are moving too rapidly to think straight, with classes in law, tactics, communication and chemical tactics consuming all of his time.
GLC09120.130
notes from a class on chemical warfare
Handwritten notes on material learned in a class about chemical warfare. The end of the notes does seem to be addressed to Estelle, where he complains of having had a "bad case of the 'runs'".
GLC09120.131
Letter written during a moot trial, which Diamond then proceeds to describe to Estelle. Sidney also gives Estelle samples of the questions that he was asked in his chemical tactics final.
GLC09120.132
Letter written while the rest of Diamond's group is being subjected to mustard sensitivity tests. Sidney discusses with Estelle the possibility of obtaining a pass. He also explains to her the system of punishment in officer candidate school.
GLC09120.133
Diamond apologizes for not having written for the past few days, explaining that he has been acting as cadet platoon leader. Sidney describes the night Reconnaissance Problem that he had been on the night before.
GLC09120.134
Diamond informs Estelle that he expects to be shipped before the week is up. Sidney tells Estelle that he hopes to be in New York on Saturday, and that he hopes that it is not too late to ask her out on a date on Sunday.
GLC09120.135
Diamond informs Estelle that he is shipped at 7:25 A.M. the following morning. He states that two other men from his barracks will be on the same shipment - one for cavalry service, the other for the signal corps - but explains that he does not know...
GLC09120.136
Diamond tells Estelle about a recent visit to the "Casanova", a Mexican restaurant, where one of the dancers danced with him. Sidney also describes the process of crossing the Mexican border across the Santa Fe bridge..
GLC09120.137
27 November 1942
Diamond describes to Estelle his train journey down to Texas.
GLC09120.138
28 November 1942
Diamond briefly describes El Paso to Estelle.
GLC09120.139
29 November 1942
Diamond describes the trip down to Texas, in particular a stop-over in St. Louis.
GLC09120.140
Diamond describes to Estelle a day spent in El Paso, during which he attended a bull fight.
GLC09120.141
December 1, 1942
Diamond describes a desert sand storm to Estelle. Sidney speaks of how "trying" it is to have to constantly ensure that other men are doing their work. He then continues to describe his trip down to Texas.
GLC09120.142
2 December 1942
Diamond speaks of his belief in maintaining "the status-quo of the Americans." He also describes life as an officer - sentry visits etc
GLC09120.143
March 27, 1942
Diamond describes having been "officer of the day" the day before - a job that entails supervision of the guard and battalion in general.
GLC09120.144
5 December 1942
Diamond describes his task for the whole week, and possibly the one after, as merely examining men trying for qualification in chemical warfare weapons, specifically in charge of testing men's ability to set up the Linen's Projector battery. He also...
GLC09120.145
[Return of Captain Jenks, Company "I," Seventh Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteers]
December 31, 1863
Jenks, Ethan A., fl. 1825-1901
GLC02750.420
[Inventory and inspection report for Company "I," Rhode Island Volunteers]
22 November 1864
Written at Poplar Grove Church
GLC02750.421
GLC02750.422
[Monthly return of clothing, camp, and garrison equipage, Company "I," Rhode Island Volunteers]
November 1864
Docketed 6 December 1864 by Captain Jenks
GLC02750.423
[Return of Captain Ethan A. Jenks, Company "I," Seventh Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteers]
January 31, 1865
Phelps, James, fl. 1865
Includes absent and enlisted men, accounted for by name. Signed by Phelps as Lieutenant.
GLC02750.424
February 28, 1865
Merrill, James F., fl. 1863-1865
Includes absent and enlisted men, accounted for by name. Written at Fort Sedgwick
GLC02750.425
March 31, 1865
GLC02750.426
30 April 1865
Includes absent and enlisted men, accounted for by name
GLC02750.427
[List of camp and garrison equipage abandoned at Fort Sedgwick.]
April 1865
Signed by Daniels as Colonel and Morse as Quartermaster. Written at Fort Sedgwick
GLC02750.428
[Return of Captain Ethan A. Jenks, Company "I," Seventh Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteers.]
31 May 1865
Includes absent and enlisted men, accounted for by name.
GLC02750.429
[List of camp and garrison equipage abandoned near Alexandria, Virginia.]
June 1865
Signed by Daniels as Colonel and Morse as Quartermaster.
GLC02750.430
[Instructions for lists of rolls, returns and reports required from company commanders]
GLC02750.431
[Morning reports, manuscript booklet for Company "I," Seventh Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteers]
September 1862 - September 1863
Contains the records and signatures of Captains Thomas Carr, Ethan A. Jenks, and Edwin L. Hunt. Signed by Private Charles P. Gibney and Niles Kilroy on the inside cover page.
GLC02750.476
September 1864 - February 1865
Various
Contains the signature of Captain Ethan A. Jenks, as well as other members of Company "I."
GLC02750.477
6 December 1942
Diamond explains to Estelle that although El Paso is theoretically a "dry" town in that it is forbidden to serve mixed drinks there, it is full of liquor stores. So, soldiers in need of a drink merely buy the liquor, and then order the mixers...
GLC09120.146
December 9, 1942
Diamond describes attending a bull fight in El Paso.
GLC09120.147
10 December 1942
Diamond informs Estelle that he has just been made motor officer of the company, and explains what this position entails
GLC09120.148
12 December 1942
Letter in which Diamond portrays himself as a "Don Quixote".
GLC09120.149
Short note in which Diamond informs Estelle that he is still confused.
GLC09120.150
Diamond describes carrying out a "shake-down" inspection - a process that results from a man claiming that some of his personal belongings have been stolen. Sidney responds to Estelle's claim that her uncle had encountered anti-Semitism in the army...
GLC09120.151
Diamond describes to Estelle ways in which the police have tried to combat members of the armed forces visiting local prostitutes.
GLC09120.152
14 December 1942
Diamond describes to Estelle the process of learning how to drive a jeep. He discusses the various examinations that are due to take place in the camp, and the general feeling of confusion that exists.
GLC09120.153
15 December 1942
Diamond complains that "work has been dragging on" and provides Estelle with his daily schedule.
GLC09120.154
16 December 1942
Diamond tells Estelle that the gunners' exams are over, a test in which he himself got full marks.
GLC09120.155
December 17, 1942
Diamond congratulates Estelle on her "junior phi-beta Kappa appointment". He tells her that his expert gunner exam is the following day.
GLC09120.156
December 18, 1942
Diamond expresses his distress at having been asked to chaperone the soldiers' Christmas Eve party. He again describes his attempts at learning how to drive a jeep.
GLC09120.157
December 21, 1942
Diamond describes his first sampling of Mexican food.
GLC09120.158
23 December 1942
Diamond speaks of the need to "end the war more quickly", so that the men who "appreciate liberty and freedom" can be returned to their families
GLC09120.159
December 27, 1942
Diamond describes to Estelle the ways in which he celebrated Christmas.
GLC09120.160
December 29, 1942
Diamond describes having conducted a military investigation
GLC09120.161
30 December 1942
Diamond discusses El Paso's climate, and promises that his next letter will include a gory description on how best to kill
GLC09120.162
December 31, 1942
Diamond writes that it is New Years Eve yet he has "no place to go".
GLC09120.163
Diamond provides Estelle with a description of how best to kill one's enemy.
with drawinf in upper left hand corner
GLC09120.164
3 January 1943
Diamond describes a trip into town, during which he was unexpectedly invited to a party being held at a penthouse apartment.
drawing in upper left hand corner
GLC09120.165
1943
Diamond runs through the month's expenses with Estelle.
GLC09120.166
5 January 1943
Diamond describes the "usual A.M. routine drill" which consists of instruction of the men and a three-mile run, and then the Judo lesson which occupied his afternoon.
GLC09120.167
6 January 1943
Diamond expresses frustration about the fact that in Texas, everything after twelve noon is described as taking place in the evening.
GLC09120.168
7 January 1943
Diamond describes the process of interviewing eighteen men believed to be incapable of withstanding the rigors of battle, and discussing their geographical origins, educational background, social classes etc.
drawing in upper left corner
GLC09120.169
9 January 1943
Diamond briefly describes his day to Estelle - testing of individual proficiencies, rifle marksmanship, a three-mile run and a general clean-up.
GLC09120.170
January 12, 1943
Diamond describes meeting the Jewish population of El Paso.
drawing of feet on the back by his name
GLC09120.171
January 13,1943
Diamond informs Estelle that he has just received an $100 clothing allowance check.
GLC09120.172
January 14, 1943
Diamond describes the ways in which "his" trucks must be cared for.
GLC09120.173
January 15, 1943
Diamond tells Estelle that he is "attempting to learn the basics of Spanish".
GLC09120.174
January 15,1943
Diamond informs Estelle of a recent discovery of another instance of petty theft. Sidney also tells her that the company has been increasingly practicing rifle marksmanship.
GLC09120.175
January 16, 1943
Diamond reassures Estelle of how faithful he is to her.
GLC09120.176
January 17, 1943
Diamond describes watching a group of cavalry officers warming up for a fox-hunt. He also discusses his Spanish class.
GLC09120.177
January 19, 1943
Diamond tells Estelle that twenty two of the men are in the hospital with severe colds. He also explains that if he changes during his stint in the army, it is because he is forced to for the protection of his men. Sidney describes a trip to the...
GLC09120.178
Diamond discusses the "agony" of not being able to speak to Estelle.
GLC09120.179
January 22, 1943
Diamond describes his room to Estelle. He then tells her about an exchange that had taken place between himself and one of his men who had been worried that he could not stop thinking about his wife, and the possibility that she was being unfaithful...
GLC09120.180
January 25, 1943
Diamond continues to describe his abode to Estelle. Sidney also instructs Estelle to save him a "corner of [her] mind and when [he] come[s] home [they] can oil it up, take of [sic.] the mist, dust it off and [they'll] [illegible] the same as always...
GLC09120.181
January 27, 1943
Diamond describes the experience of scoring on the firing range for another company. He tells Estelle that the following day, his company will start to go on the range.
drawing on upper left corner.
GLC09120.182
January 29, 1943
Diamond apologizes for not having sent Estelle a Valentine card.
GLC09120.183
Diamond tells Estelle that he is embarrassed about how poorly he performed on the firing range at Castner.
GLC09120.184
January 30, 1943
Diamond informs Estelle that he is to leave for Don Anna Range on the coming Monday, and remain there until 6th February.
GLC09120.185
January 31, 1943
Diamond tells Estelle that after they return from the firing range on 6th February, they are to go back on the 8th for combat firing.
GLC09120.186
February 3, 1943
Diamond tells Estelle that he has enclosed some notes scribbled in class while at Edgewood that he found in the pad on which he is writing. He explains that it mentions one of his nicknames, G. T., and also informs Estelle that his new nickname is...
GLC09120.187
February 6, 1943
Diamond tells Estelle that he has successfully qualified as an expert rifleman.
GLC09120.188
February 8, 1943
Photocopy
…" He then describes his men's combat firing practice. The following day, he is to go out to a nearby range and practice the emplacement of mustard land mines.
GLC09120.189
February 9, 1943
Diamond describes having lost his temper after a squad leader let loose a chemical gas attack forgetting that two men were in front of him.
GLC09120.190
Diamond warns Estelle that she will receive no mail for the next week as he is taking the men on a grueling four-day trip.
GLC09120.191
February 24, 1943
Diamond describes the "torture" of the past few days, a trip which consisted of simulated battle situations.
GLC09120.192
February 26, 1943
Diamond tells Estelle about another petty robbery that occurred within the ranks. He also informs her that the Eighty Second Chemical Battalion is to go to Louisiana next, but that he has no information as to when they might leave. He discusses his...
GLC09120.193
February 27, 1943
Diamond has enclosed a photograph of the officers of Company D with the letter, and proceeds to name all of the officers featured in the photo. He also informs Estelle that they have found further evidence against the company thief.
GLC09120.194
February 28, 1943
Diamond describes the experience of making a telephone call to Estelle.
GLC09120.195
1 March 1943
Diamond declares his love, stating that he is "afraid that this affection will remain for a very long time, a very long time."
GLC09120.196
2 March 1943
Diamond describes the preparations being made "for the move". He then discusses his platoon sergeant, a man who has been "[r]aised in the back-woods of Mississippi".
GLC09120.197
March 1943
Diamond states that "the day of movement rapidly approaches". He also mentions that his company have been getting rid of many of the "over-age men", or men over thirty-eight years of age.
GLC09120.198
4 March 1943
Diamond describes the poverty, hunger and crime found in the border town. He also asks Estelle to send him an identification tag.
GLC09120.199
11 March 1943
Diamond describes Louisiana and the journey down there. He comments on the expansive nature of the country.
GLC09120.200
March 15, 1943
Diamond promises Estelle that he is not having sex with his "women". Instead, he just practices old jokes, eats and dances with them. Sidney continues to describe his journey down South and the types of homes and scenes that he has passed.
GLC09120.201
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