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to Estelle Spero

Diamond reminisces over his first date with Estelle. He also tells her during the day, he had been forced to crawl within 500 yards of his target in order to get some decent observation

GLC09120.209

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes having taken his troops on a trip to practice compass. He tells Estelle about the surrounding Louisiana scenery.

GLC09120.210

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that April 24th will mark a year of army service for him, an experience that has transformed him into a "frowning, quiet, determined man who refuses to listen to excuses".

GLC09120.211

to Estelle Spero

Diamond expresses surprise to Estelle that in a few days time he will turn twenty-one years of age. He also tells Estelle that he is bored by the extended rest period that he is currently in. Sidney informs her that he feels ridiculous and...

GLC09120.212

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that it is raining hard, but that his tent does not appear to have been greatly affected so he will still be able to sleep in it that night.

GLC09120.213

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he has half an hour free, and expresses apprehension about the next four days, promising to write when he returns.

GLC09120.214

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that the following day he shall turn twenty-one, and that to mark the occasion he has been inflicted by a bad case of diarrhea. Sidney compares democracy to a map cause, in that when things are easy, people are "prone to get...

GLC09120.215

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes his birthday, which was celebrated with a quiet luncheon. However, Sidney reports back that festivities were disturbed by an act of insubordination (a staff sergeant talking back to the company commander), a tremendous quarrel, a...

GLC09120.216

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that the company has just received orders for the next move which will most probably be to East Texas. He also informs her that on Monday evening he had attended a seder.

GLC09120.217

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes this letter after the troops have been traveling for thirty-seven hours. He describes the journey thus far.

GLC09120.218

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the Dales, a family that lives nearby to the camp. He writes that the "woman of the family epitomizes the motto of these backwood Southerners - 'Keep 'em pregnant and barefoot and you'll never have trouble with 'em!'

GLC09120.219

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he has just returned from a lesson teaching him how to drive a two and a half ton truck. He proceeds to describe Leesville as the typical small army town, with the number of soldiers exceeding that of local civilians tremendously...

GLC09120.220

to Estelle Spero

Diamond instructs Estelle as to what information should be engraved on his identity bracelet. He then describes the contents of his field abode, a peep tent.

GLC09120.221

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the experience of having been train quartermaster for the duration of the journey from Louisiana. He then discusses the pleasure of sleeping in a bed and showering after six weeks in a tent.

GLC09120.222

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that the part of camp that he is stationed on is known as "Wake Island" as it's so isolated.

GLC09120.223

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he should be home on a short period of leave on May 8th. Sidney asks Estelle if she will marry him.

GLC09120.224

to Estelle Spero

Letter written upon Sidney's return from the leave during which the couple became "engaged".

GLC09120.225

to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses his "unsurpassable proposal" to Estelle, and then describes the train journey back from New York to Texas.

GLC09120.226

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he intends to marry her.

GLC09120.227

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes discomfort caused by a typhoid injection, being officer of the day on a Sunday and the immense heat of a summer day in Texas. He apologizes for not having written on Friday or Saturday, explaining that he had been on a battalion...

GLC09120.228

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the tests of physical endurance that he is both carrying out and overseeing, for example a five-mile hike executed in just one hour.

GLC09120.229

to Estelle Spero

Diamond comments on the fact that the couple's engagement had been announced in the Hunter magazine.

GLC09120.230

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes having spent the weekend in Austin, and also serving on the defense counsels for the court-martials.

GLC09120.231

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he does not know when his company is to actually leave.

GLC09120.232

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes life in the "home for the aged".

GLC09120.233