Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945 [Collection of WWII letters of Sidney Diamond to Estelle Spero] [decimalized]

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes his first impressions of the army base, discussing some of the personalities that he has encountered and life on the base.

GLC09120.001

to Estelle Spero

States that has taken a mental and mechanical aptitude test, and describes a speech regarding the "Articles of War" given to the troops by a captain. Also describes first night in the barracks. Enclosed is a newspaper clipping of a chimp that Diamond...

GLC09120.002

to Estelle Spero

Discusses two of the men that Diamond has met on the military base, one of whom is a Divinity student. Diamond subsequently ponders over the moral implications of war.

GLC09120.003

to Estelle Spero

Describes the punishment of walking for eight hours a day with a pack filled with bricks for a period of four days given to a boy who had gone missing for three days. Discusses impatience as to when he will be moved on from the training camp.

GLC09120.004

to Estelle Spero

Discusses a fist fight that he got into after being provoked by a series of practical jokes. Also discusses his feelings of patriotism, and the need to fight for one's country.

GLC09120.005

to Estelle Spero

Mentions that he has calmed down after losing his temper the night before. Discusses the new job of landscape gardening that he has been assigned. States that he is optimistic that he will be placed in the chemical warfare unit.

GLC09120.006

to Estelle Spero

Describes his dismay at the fact that as soon as he gets to know his peers, they are moved on. Gives a brief description of the camp town.

GLC09120.007

to Estelle Spero

Discusses the wedding of a "negro" soldier, and muses over the range of social classes that he has encountered in the army.

GLC09120.008

to Estelle Spero

Discusses the gardening task that he had carried out the day before. Also mentions a divinity student's frustration with the language employed in the army.

GLC09120.009

to Estelle Spero

Describes the process of being given an army uniform, and how it creates a sense of equality in the company. Warns Estelle not to trust soldiers.

GLC09120.010

to Estelle Spero

Describes his elation with his new post in Edgewood Arsenal, where everyone behaves "like a gentleman and a soldier". States that the Chemical Warfare Service is merely a year and a half old, and consequently "acts its age - young, militant...

GLC09120.011

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he is working in the kitchen peeling potatoes while he waits for the company to fill up. Written at Edgewood Arsenal.

GLC09120.012

to Estelle Spero

Outlines what his day has consisted of - primarily an array of lectures on decontamination techniques and different incendiaries. Written at Edgewood Arsenal.

GLC09120.013

to Estelle Spero

States that he is in the chemical warfare service training. He is swell, but has no phone. Written at Edgewood Arsenal.

GLC09120.014

to Estelle Spero

Offers Estelle the option of leaving him as he feels that he is unable to offer her a stable future Written at Edgewood Arsenal.

GLC09120.015

to Estelle Spero

Reprimands Estelle somewhat for telling him that he should not have enlisted in the army, and asks her to avoid doing so in the future. Written at Edgewood Arsenal.

GLC09120.016

to Estelle Spero

Describes the attitudes of the Southern soldiers towards "negroes". Also outlines his General Orders.Written at Edgewood Arsenal.

GLC09120.017

to Estelle Spero

Discusses chemical warfare and outlines the day's program of events.Written at Edgewood Arsenal.

GLC09120.018

to Estelle Spero

Discusses the fact that his company is segregated, and details some of his Southern compatriots' attitudes towards the African-American soldiers.Written at Edgewood Arsenal.

GLC09120.019

to Estelle Spero

Describes an incident earlier in the day when had been called into the classification office, where he had been grilled about his Russian roots. Written at Edgewood Arsenal.

GLC09120.020