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to Estelle Spero
Circa June 1942
Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945
Asks for Estelle's forgiveness, although unaware as to why she is upset. Written at Edgewood Arsenal.
GLC09120.031
June 1942
Describes the different gases that he's been working with.. Written at Edgewood Arsenal.
GLC09120.032
13 June 1942
Informs Estelle that he has become qualified in the use of pistols, the test for which only 33% of candidates pass. Wishes Estelle a happy 18th birthday, stating that he regrets nothing from the four years which they have spent together. Written at...
GLC09120.033
12 June 1942
Explains that Estelle's birthday present may be somewhat modest due to lack of funds and a shortage of gifts that can be purchased on the army base. Describes a training film and lecture that he had received regarding the ways in which international...
GLC09120.034
Describes a seven mile hike that his platoon had completed before supper. Discusses the process of "blood typing" that the army carries out, stamping each soldier's blood type onto his identification tag, enabling hasty blood transfusions should the...
GLC09120.035
17 June 1942
Informs Estelle that he is about to go on guard duty which lasts for a full 24 hours. Also discusses a class that he has just had on the use of portable chemical cylinders.Written at Edgewood Arsenal.
GLC09120.037
Allays Estelle's fears regarding the use of mustard and lewisite gases in the war effort. Letter written while Sidney is on guard duty, and he mentions that an important feature of this job is keeping the white soldiers out of the "Negro" section....
GLC09120.038
Discusses the use of mustard and lewisite gas in the war. Promises Estelle that he will return, and upon his return will take her as his wife. Written at Edgewood Arsenal
GLC09120.039
23 June 1942.
Describes a simulated "moving up" maneuver that the company had carried out early in the morning. Sid then goes on to detail the rest of the day's events which included a lecture on meteorology, a session on map-reading and map-making and a session...
GLC09120.049
circa 1942
Brief letter written while waiting for the company to be inspected by the captain. Mentions that he is now a qualified rifleman and pistolman.
GLC09120.050
26 June 1942
Apologizes for irregularity with which he has been writing letters recently, explaining that he has had very little sleep lately. Sid then describes an overnight excursion that his company had been taken on
GLC09120.051
27 June 1942
Describes an argument that he has had with Carter, a soldier from Tennessee, on the "negro question".
photocopy
GLC09120.052
28 June 1942
Letter written while on guard duty. Discusses the possibility of obtaining a night pass. Attempts to convince Stella that she is "political" with regard to the "negro question".
GLC09120.053
29 June 1942
Diamond informs Estelle that his is the only group left at the barracks, other than a group of African-American troops left to clear up vacated barracks. Mentions that he has become known as "nigger lover Diamond" by the Southern soldiers, and...
GLC09120.054
30 June 1942
Letter written while on guard duty. Diamond describes a formal dance to mark the opening of the camp's new recreation hall that he had attended the night before. He also runs through the couple's financial situation, having been paid that morning....
GLC09120.055
Brief letter mentioning that Sid has been through the obstacle course twice during that day, and that he is waiting to find out whether he is to receive a leave pass or not.
GLC09120.056
Describes an air raid alert and black out that occurred shortly after he came off guard duty
GLC09120.057
1 July 1942
Diamond describes the surprising friendship that has blossomed with Carter (the Southern soldier whom had previously expressed extremely racist remarks). Discusses Estelle's forthcoming visit to Edgewood.
GLC09120.058
2 July 1942
Diamond describes a trip to the hospital to visit injured members of the company. Outlines what he has done during the day. He also discusses whether or not gas will be necessary in the war effort, stating that in his opinion it will be resorted to...
GLC09120.059
3 July 1942
Diamond explains to Estelle about the "housing problem" in the camp, making it difficult to arrange for Estelle to come for a weekend visit. He has been received the suggestion, however, to contact the U.S.O. at Edgewood which could potentially...
GLC09120.060
4 July 1942
GLC09120.061
5 July 1942
Describes a visit to the U.S.O, during which he confirmed with the head of the U.S.O. that there would be a room for Estelle to stay in for the evening of July 18th. Sid warns Estelle, however, that soldiers are being shipped daily so he cannot be...
GLC09120.062
6 July 1942
Diamond discusses whether he thinks that there will be a need for chemical warfare in the war effort soon. States that he believes in the ideals of the country. Informs Estelle that he is now responsible for a squad of eight men, and describes what...
GLC09120.063
10 July 1942
Diamond writes to Estelle about a two-day training trip.
GLC09120.065
11 July 1942
Diamond describes the three-hour long guard duty that he was on the previous night. He tells Estelle about the inspection that his company underwent that morning. He also writes that he has struck up a pleasant friendship with Carter (the Southern...
GLC09120.066
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