Letters 51 - 55

Letter # 51


Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20
Postmarked April 10, 1944
Easter Sunday, 1944

Dear Mom,

Just received the pictures and think they’re great. You both are looking fine except perhaps you look a little tired. We’ll see what we can do about finishing this rotten business up & then you can forget that job for good.  Also received the candy & toiletries yesterday. Please don’t send any more “Arrid” as I’m still on the 1st jar & have 3 big jars unopened. Once again I’m waiting for a call to go thru. Its 2:45 and I’ve been waiting since about 9:00 o’clock this morning. Should be getting thru soon. Is Lou home as yet?

How come you had the picture taken so close to the house instead of on the lawn or someplace like that. Wrote to Aunt Peg today. I’ll gradually get around to writing to the family. I got the slippers last week & they’re just what I needed. Pretty flashy elastic. Thanks a million. I’m sending my glasses home today. When you go downtown drop them in at Shlagin’s & have them fixed. Take money out of my account. I’d like to have them when & If I get a furlough. So long for now. Hope to be talking to you soon.
Love, Eddie


Letter # 53

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20
Postmarked April 14, 1944
Tuesday,
Dear Mom,
Well we’re out in the field again. Just got in from the soft job of defending a hill all day. Don’t imagine this will be any where’s near as bad as Benning.

I’m sorry & very disappointed about that call. I placed it at 9 o’clock Easter Morning & waited till 5. Then I had to go to the PX & get some supplies as they close at 6:00. The call came in at 5:30 & I missed it by 10 minutes. Also was calling Bette & missed her call too. Things happen like that all the time though, Hope I didn’t spoil your Easter by making you stay in & wait. Did everything I could but just wasn’t lucky.

It rained like the devil last night but our pup tent held up fine & was good & dry. The weather, when it isn’t raining is nice & warm & I’m even getting a little tan
Well there’s a rifle inspection in a few minutes so I should close for awhile.
Love to all, Eddie
Letter # 54
Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20
Postmarked April 19, 1944
Tuesday,

Dear Mom & Dad,

Just received your last two letters in which you seem to be doing everything in your power to get me a furlough. I know you must be anxious for me to get one but you’re not any more anxious than I.  I’m kinda disappointed in you for writing to Jim Mead about such a trivial matter. Bet Dad didn’t know you sent it. As soon as I deserve a furlough & it can be arranged I will get home. Am fairly sure of coming home in May & intended to surprise you as I just found out myself last week. Please don’t ever mention anything like writing to the C.O. or anything similar again. Think of the kids in the So. Pac. & Italy, England & India who haven’t been home for years. Who \will I have to pull strings for me when I get across? I’ll have to learn how to take care of myself sometime & that time has got to be now. You understand the way I feel about it, I know. As for pestering the “Big Shots” that’s out of the question. A buck private could never just walk up to an officer & start a conversation. Even to see the company Com. I’d have to get permission from 3 non-coms. Don’t think I’ll be able to see Bill Coughlin as it just isn’t Army ethics and I’d feel out of place with all the officers he would have around.

Don’t worry about me while I’m out in the field as its safer out here than in camp. Am really enjoying these 2 weeks & would just as soon stay out here. By the way your coat is swell & I’m sorry I didn’t mention it before. Also I received the candy & stationery which will & has (the candy) come in very handy.

Please forget about furlough as its just as Dad says it does tend to make a fella feel kinda discontent & restless. I’ll be home when my turn comes & not before. Know all you did was with the best intentions but don’t write to Bill Coughlin or anyone else anymore. Well, have to clean my rifle & prepare to hit the sack. I’m still out in the field but am coming in Saturday. Will write again soon!

Love to all,
Eddie


Letter # 55
Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.
The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20
Postmarked April 24, 1944

Dear Mom,
Can’t understand why you haven’t heard from me as I wrote a letter out on maneuvers which should have reached you by now. However if it didn’t reach you the gist of the letter was I’m getting or at least am in line for a May furlough. Wish you hadn’t bothered Jim Mead & don’t want you to mention writing to the C.O. or anyone else.

Was going to try to call today but there was a posted delay of six hours so I didn’t bother.  Hope I filled out the form correctly as I certainly could you use the money.  We’re back in camp now wearing summer uniforms. How’s the weather in Buffalo. Still pretty cold I imagine.

Thanks a million for going to all the trouble about this income tax for me.

Don’t think it would be advisable for Grandma to come the down as the transportation is very poor & she’d have to walk almost every place she went. Another thing it would be difficult to get a place for her to stay. I’m glad she’s thinking of me though & I’ll drop her a note soon.

Yes, that is Willie Moran of Dragon fame & he is the 1st Dragon to be commissioned. Glad to see him get it.

Should be paid before my furlough so I won’t need much money but I might need 10 or 20 so don’t be surprised if I ask for a little. Will get 7 days with traveling time so it should be all right.

Wish you wouldn’t talk about a furlough in every other letter as it bothers me. There’s 20,000 other soldiers in the 94th who want to get home just as much as I do & strange as it seems the army considers every one. Know you understand.

Have been very busy getting my equipment in shape after the beating it took in the last 2 weeks. Have to oil my rifle tonight come to think of it.  Got a G.I. haircut (no hair) today as its pretty hot down here & they’re a lot more comfortable.

Glad to see all the Turbritys getting married & natchurally to officers. Don’t know who I’ll ever get to marry me as a buck private. Well, I’ve got to get busy so I’ll be closing for awhile.

Love to all, Eddie

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With all the missed phone calls and furlough waiting, here is a 1944 classic by the Ink Spots and Ella Fitzgerald:  Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall

Letters 47 Through 50

Letter # 47

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked, March 25, 1944

Friday,

Dear Mom,

Haven’t written in a couple of days so I thought I’d drop you a little note this morning. Was Jimmy Donavan home before he went across? I probably would have gone with him if it hadn’t been for ASTP. I think I’ll try and get a call thru Sunday morn. You won’t get this till Monday or Tuesday so it won’t be too much warning. There isn’t much going on down here, the same old stuff day in and day out. Next week we fire the 57mm, Should be something different.

My eyes won’t have to be examined as they’re 20-20 with the glasses I have now. Al I have to do is send you the frames & the money and you can have them replaced to my prescription. Then I you can pick them up & keep them at home. I’ll be able to wear them on my furlough then I can have them fitted at my convenience. Furloughs are only 7 days now so I won’t be home too long, if and when. Am looking forward to a swell home cooked meal like the ones I enjoyed for years.

I'm sorry to hear Danny didn’t get a chance to go to school. Thought he would as he was a med student but I guess they just threw everyone in the Infantry regardless. Got a nice letter from Betty McCarrol the other day. Maybe I’ll drop Betty Bailey after all. I’ll be sure to drop a line to the Crowleys. That was very nice of them.

So the Catholics are after our money again this year. They never forget do they. By the way how’s Father Nash these days? Miss his long sermons quite a bit. Peggy sent me a little picture. She told me she sends all the good ones to Don so I guess I know where I stand, just kidding of course.

That was an excellent tribute doc paid to Tom Casey, don’t you think? The Hartnetts haven’t heard from Buddy in quite some time but no news is good news so I hope he’s alright.

Well, I guess I just about wound everything so I’ll say so long for awhile.

Love to all, Eddie


Letter # 48

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked, March 27, 1944

Sunday morn,

Dear Mom,

Just finished with my call to home. You might know I’d call at the wrong time. I was going to make the call person to person but then I figured all three of you would be in church together & changed my mind. I know you’ll be disappointed but not any more than I as I had planned on surprising you all week. However Peggy & I had a good talk and I gave her all the dope. She could hardly talk because you & Dad weren’t home. Well I’ll try and put a call thru in another month or so. If I do I’ll write & you can arrange to go to some earlier mass so they’re won’t be any chance of missing you.

Received the candy & the gum yesterday. Its swell incidentally I was on my last stick when it arrived. Well we’re going to take a walk down to the 376 Regt. To see some of our old buddies so I’ll be closing for awhile.


Love to all,
Eddie


Letter # 49

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

March 30, 1944

Dear Mom,

My last sheet of paper till payday! At last it has stopped raining down here. We almost had to go on flood duty as the old Mississippi was on the rampage. Today, I am Co. fireman which means I keep 11 stoves burning, if possible. I’ve put about six out already but our barracks are nice and warm.

You might just as well forget the possibilities of me getting home soon as I talked to the 1st sarge today and he confirmed my suspicions. Got myself in the wrong Co. that’s all there is to it. the Capt. has put the new men at the bottom of the list so we haven’t a chance unless something very unusual turns up.

I’m going to try a put a call thru to home Easter morning right after I go to mass so if you can make it , go to an early mass and everything will be fine. This weekend end I’m planning on going into Greenwood Miss. Just to get away from here for a day if possible. I could go to Memphis but don’t care for the long ride.

Danny got a wonderful break. Say “hello” to him for me if you see him. We aren’t doing much of anything these days so life is rather dull. Hope we leave Miss. soon as its gonna be awful hot down here this summer. Well, so long until the next time.

Love to all,
Eddie


Letter # 50

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo 20, N.Y.

Postmarked April 5, 1944

Dear Dad,

I’ve been writing to mother for a long time now so I figured it was time I wrote you. You know the guys were talking about their fathers one day a couple months ago. One kid had a father who was a 1st Lieut. In the Eng. so naturally I told them my father was a Captain. They thought it was army but finally I told them it was the B.F.D. Of I also told them you had a company under you & belonged to the officers club. They’l probably salute if they see you.

Glad to hear Romu is home on leave. But Peggy feels pretty important. Guess the navy gets all the leaves. Be sure & be home as I’ll try & call Easter morn, if I’m not on K.P.
We aren’t doing much now except running all kinds of combat courses & the like. I’m kinda expecting something to break soon, don’t know what. Well its 11 o’clock so I’ll have to close & get a little sleep, we’re attacking a nazi villiage in the morning. So long for awhile.

Love to all,
Eddie

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The 1944 Jukebox Selection: Till Then

Letters 41 Through 46

Letter # 41

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94th Div
Camp McCain Miss.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

March 9, 1944

Dear Mom,

Well here I am way down in Mississippi. The Army is certainly showing me the world. Had a devil of a time learning how to spell Mississippi in grammar school but never thought I’d be living down here. I’m in the 94th Div. Its been activated for 2 years and is at full strength with the addition of us so we’ll probably start maneuvers or something soon. They put me in the Hgts. Co. and I’m hoping to be put in the anti-tank platoon which is in Bazookas. It’d be a lot of fun fooling around with those.
There isn’t much chance of getting a furlough for quite a while so don’t be expecting me. I might get home before summer with God’s good graces. There’s a swell church close by so I’ll start catching up on my religion Sunday. If you or dad want to know where camp McCain is on the map, its about 5 miles from Grenada in the Upper center of the state. Gotta close & do some work. More Tomorrow. Love To all.

Eddie

P.S. send me a couple $ I’m flat!

Letter # 42

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94th Div
Camp McCain Miss.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked March 13, 1944

Saturday night,

Dear Folks,

I’m trying to get a little writing in before the lights go out but I’ll continue tomorrow if they do. Yesterday we were assigned. I’m in the anti-tank platoon which isn’t bad at all. We fire the 57 mm field gun & the heavy 50 cal. Machine gun, The best part of it all is we ride in trucks, jeeps, beeps etc. I’m looking forward to my first ride yet however.
There isn’t much to do down here, matter of fact there’s nothing to do. (Continued from last night) All the gang has been split up and my three best pals are in another Regiment. I’m with a bunch of older fellas. Platoon sgts. Name is Leary and my 1st Gunner is Burke as you know they’re good guys.
As soon as I get paid I’m going to send home my broken glasses and you can have them fixed and save them for a furlough.
How’s everything in Buffalo these days? Bet Peggy Lou is getting cuter every day. Maybe she’l be as good looking as her Mother, father & big brother in a few years. Are they still selling Ballantines beer? Dad would really go for Mississippi, it’s a dry state and all they sell is 3.2 beer. Have you seen any of my pals lately? Doc should be getting drafted pretty soon I guess. Maybe they’l draft Harry M. is things get worse & they get hard up for men. Suppose Danny Riodan is still at Benning. How’s he making out with his training?
The food down here is fine, lot better than what we had at Benning, Thank God!
It rains continuously down here so don’t be surprised if I send home for my bathing suit. We’ve got bigger living quarters but I’m still in the upper bunk.
I’ve just been reading over some old letters from Doc. Think I’ll try & put a call thru one of these nights. Let me know when Dad will be working days. Give me a couple nights to call on and I’ll probably will be able to get one thru. Can’t be Wed, Thurs or Fri this week as we’re going on overnight problems.
Well I’ve got a lot of work to get after so I shall have to close. Write soon and take good care of yourselves back there.
Eddie

Letter # 43

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94th Div
Camp McCain Miss.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Tuesday, March 14

Dear mom,

Received your long letter yesterday. It was swell. Forgot whether I told you or not but I’m in the anti-tank platoon. Think I told you well anyhow it isn’t too bad & I may get to like it. Just returned from the gas chambers, we went in chlorine chlorine gas and tear gas today. The chlorine was really strong matter of fact its lethal. I’m getting a couple pair of G.I. glasses soon but I’m still going to have my rimless fixed. It seems to me that I was supposed to get that money deducted by the city back. See if you find out anything about it. maybe I can get a little furlough money.
Peggy & Ann surely caused quite a commotion up at the exercises. Would have liked to have been present.
Please don’t worry so much, the army’s just as safe as civilian life. You’d be surprised if you knew how well we are looked after.
I’m gonna try & get home for my birthday or maybe a little before. If I don’t make it by then It’l be a long time because all the boys down here go in a regular order.
All A.S.T.P. men are in Infantry units. The whole damn thing drew the best of the youth into it and then look what they did. It certainly was a terrible farce. A lot of these fellows could have gone into V-12 or the air corps. Well, write soon & stay good & healthy.
Love,
Eddie

Letter # 44

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94th Div
Camp McCain Miss.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked, March 16, 1944

Thursday night,

Dear mom,

Thanks for the five! Boy, did I need it. Thanks again.
That A.P.O. means Army Post Office so don’t worry about it, I won’t be going over for quite a while yet.
So Peggy’s been sending her letters to the wrong address, what a gal! Tell her I wrote to her friend Bette McC. By the time this ole war is over Betty should be old enough for me to date. You can see I’m looking into the future which I know will be a hell of a lot better than the present. I’ve got an idea the war with the Huns will be over by next winter. Then we can settle with those cross eyed squirts and comeback home. Bob DeWitts got himself in the hospital, passed out in the field, guess he’s alright now.
Haven’t heard anything about a furlough so we’d better forget it for awhile; maybe I’ll surprise you one of these months. We work pretty hard down here. Last night I was on Prison guard. Gives you kind of a funny feeling to know you’l have to kill a man if he makes a false move. Just rookieitis I guess.Was out on the firing range today getting the feel of my new rifle. We go out again tomorrow for a little more practice with the Corline. Next month we’re going on two weeks of manueavers in Tennessee. Am looking forward to it. Should be good experience for me.
Glad to hear the Cowleys are all caught up on their income taxes and out of jail for another year. Don’t think I’d be able to get a call thru from here as the service is terrible.
Don’t care much for Miss. But there isn’t much I can do about it as usual.
You could send me a pair of wooden shower slippers if you can pick them up around town, aside from that I’ve got everything I need. Write soon.
Love to all,
Eddie

P.S.
Food is good down here,
Dinner tonight:
6 pork chops
3 potatoes
1 helping tomatoes
1 piece bread
1 cup tea
6 pieces apple pie

Letter # 45

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.

The Cowleys
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked, March 20, 1944

Sunday,

Dear Mom,

How was the St. Pats party? Would have liked to have been there with you. Wrote to Peggy the other day. Hope she didn’t take any offense by what I wrote. Her comp. was excellent but like you once told me “Too many long words” Seems you’ve always been right about everything. Even Dad was right when he explained to me that “ x was the unknown” in 1st year high and I threw a fit.
What do you think about the hair burning ceremonies? Pretty silly isn’t it! We did the same thing last year.
I’m afraid I won’t learn how to drive as almost everyone down here has a license and they’ve got plenty of drivers so I guess Dad will have to teach me after all.
My buddies are all broken up and in different regiments. I’ve seen a few of them however. Hope it warms up in Buffalo soon or there won’t be any swimming when I get home next summer. I hope, hope, hope, Well I’m going down to the show this afternoon so I’ll close with lots of love.
Eddie

Letter # 46

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Hgts.Co. 1st Bn. 301st Inf.
A.P.O. 94
Camp McCain Miss.

Miss Peggy Cowley
35 Woodside Ave.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Zone 20

Postmarked, 1944
(March 19)

Saturday,

Dear Peg,

Just read your composition and I think its swell, you’ve got an excellent chance of winning the contest. There’s just one or two criticisms, 1st of all watch your words, the long ones I mean. I used to write the same way, going above myself with elongated phrases & perhaps the attempt to present a large vocabulary. I really don’t think you knew what “Promulgated” means. Maybe you do but I’ll admit I don’t. The best composition is the simplest. Don’t use the dictionary at all. Forget about it and as words come into your vocabulary, use them. It’s the idea, not the words that count. Secondly don’t slush up the word “soldier” I know from experience & from meeting hundreds of soldiers that they do not care to called refered to in any terms that express bravery & heroism. The same things apply to flowery phrases concerning democracy, liberty etc. A soldier fights because he has to, he doesn’t like to fight but he will for himself and for his family & friends he wants to preserve the little things he loves. Soldiers aren’t courageous either, they’re isn’t anyone who has more fears than a soldier. I don’t believe we’re fighting to “make the world safe for democracy” I think we’re fighting for us, our present & future happiness. We aren’t getting gray hairs over the the welfare of those who are to follow, they mean just about all of nothing to us. Every soldier is fighting for the mother, the father & brothers & sisters he loves the kitchen & dining room & bedroom he wants to come home to. I guess I’m starting to write a composition kid, but that’s the way it really is and I thought he it might help you.
When you write another comp. think about the things I said and write the way you please. You know I didn’t intend to make you think your comp. wasn’t as good as it really is. I showed it to some of the fellas and very proudly told them it was my little sister who wrote it.
Glad to her your having such a good time skating etc. Still wish you’d stay away from servicemen for a couple years. There’s a lot of difference between 13 and 18 don’t you think? I guess I’m lecturing on everything so I’d better cut it out.
I’ll be a son of a gun if I didn’t contradict myself by writing to Betty McCarrol. Of course I haven’t any romantic interest in Bette or even Mary Criswell as I still think they’re both too young for an old college man like myself.
Well my arm is getting stiff so I’ll have to close. Write soon and take you good care of yourself.

Brother Ed

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The 1944 Hit Parade continues with a song that still means as much today as it did then: I'll Be Seeing You

Listen Up Mr. President

Kathleen Cowley Greeting Presidential Motorcade