Letters 18 & 19

Letter # 18

Pvt. E.P. Cowley 42025054
Seventh Company
Fifth Training Regiment, A.S.T.P.
Fort Benning, Georgia

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

Postmarked December 8, 1943

Tuesday Morn,

Dear Mom,

We have a little free time this morning so I’ll try to write a letter. Last night we were on a tactical reconnaissance problem in the woods. It was raining terrificly and the ground was cold and very, very damp. Our objective was to make our way thru 3 miles of heavily wooded area & swamp to 8th Division road. Between the starting point & the objective there was about 300 enemy troop armed with flares, torpedoes, rifles & machine guns. It was really brutal carrying the full field pack & rifle thru all that. Whenever we are fired upon we have to stretch out on the ground as low & noiseless as possible. I lost my patrol the 1st time we encountered the enemy which was about 200 yds from the beginning. Picked my way all alone for the remainder if the 3 miles. The compass was with the patrol & I had to move by the moon. Got thru all right and am still living so I guess everythings okay. We go on a long march today so I’ll have to start polishing again.

You should have got my hat by now, how do you like it? What does Peggy think of it? Does it fit Dad? Have to get my blood tested and typed now so I’ll have to close soon. I was picked up by the M.P.s with Dave Sunday afternoon. We were walking over to the service club & stepped on a Highway which we shouldn’t have. Why I don’t know. They even picked up a dog that ran out onto the Highway. Boy those MPs are really lousy. Well, I’ll write again soon.

Love to all
Eddie
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Letter # 19

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Seventh Company
Fifth Training Regiment, A.S.T.P.
Fort Benning, Georgia

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

Postmarked December 9, 1943

Dear Mom,

Sorry I haven’t written very much lately but you know how time is in the army, very scarce. We’re talking about the Irish now & Dugan, Doyle, & I are defending the green with our lives.

Came thru all that rain & mud the other day in pretty fair shape. Kinda thought I might get a bad cold but I’m darn glad I didn’t and know you will be too,

Haven’t time to say much more as lights are just about out. We’ve had an awful lot of running, exercise, obstacle course, & hand to hand combat. Took care of some Englishman who didn’t care for the Irish today (with my elbows of course, guess he’l pull thru though)

How’s everything in So. Buffalo these days? Does Miss McDade miss me very much? This battle of the Irish is reaching riot stage. I’ll have to reach for my bayonet any minute now. How is Uncle Lou coming with that CDD? Hope he gets it, know he’d be a lot better off.

I’ll let you know the few things I want for Christmas. If any of the family want ask you what I would want tell them to send a little money I’ll need it for some dress shoes, belt & other things I’ll need soon. That’s just in case they ask of course.

Lots of love to all, Eddie or 42025054-381423-143977-30

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The song that meant the most to every soldier in 1943
"I'll Be Home For Christmas"

Letters 16 & 17

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Seventh Company
Fifth Training Regiment, A.S.T.P.
Fort Benning, Georgia

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

Postmarked December 2, 1943

Dear Peggy,


Very pleased to hear from you and also very surprised. Glad to hear you liked the banner, kinda thought you would. Maybe I’ll send you some others from different camps. Thanks a lot for reassuring me of the excellent care Mother is taking of my room.

Your sorority “uniforms” sound pretty good and I’ll bet they’re gonna look hep. Your choice of colours is dandy and when I get home you better watch that sweater.

Peggy, I have to go to “chow” so I’ll finish the letter later. Well, I’m back from chow and might have a few minutes. As soon as the whistle blows I have to jump into all my equipment and go out to “Hells half acres” There we crawl on our bellies with out noses in the dirt for 3 hours. Wouldn’t you like to see me do that?

I think it was yesterday that I wrote to George Clancy. Ann will probably run up and grab the letter and tell you all about it in her next letter. Don’t understand what you mean by saying your “keeping up the family tradition” by getting 100 in Latin. You know I never had any “tradition” along that line. Keep up the good work and if your good enough you might be able to get into Buffalo State.

I lost Betty McKerrows address so if she wants me to write to her give her my address and she can write and I’ll answer her.

Well Peggy, I have to get this letter in the mail before the whistle so take it easy on all those high school boys and I’ll see you in a few months.


Love from,
Big brother

Letter # 17

Pvt. E. Cowley 42025054
Seventh Company
Fifth Training Regiment, A.S.T.P.
Fort Benning, Georgia

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

Postmarked December 4, 1943

Saturday, 1943

Dear family,

Just finished inspection, got a gig for not having the lock on my footlocker at the correct angle. What a life, clean rifle & bayonet & shoes till I’m blue in the face & then draw a gig for some stupid thing like that. I don’t complain anymore though, just take things as they come. That’s the best way to get along.

Yesterday we wound up bayonet training and as usual we were dead. as usual. Take it form me there’s nothing more tiresome that bayonet drill, maybe Dad had some of it in his War. It’s a great assult weapon and it gives me a lot more confidence to know I can handle it fairly well, just in case I ever see action.

In an hour or so we’re having a Battalion parade with a band, and a reviewing stand and all the trimmings. Hope it comes out okay. Dave, Harry & I are going to meet John Woodman in town tonight. It’s the only time in the week we can take it easy and relax.

I feel pretty good these days and haven’t been sick at all so don’t even suggest it. Am pretty relieved now that the 4 toughest weeks of basic are behind me. It should be clear sailing thru the rest of basic withstanding slight mishaps.

Well chow is just about due so I’ll close for awhile.

Love to all,
Eddie Jr.

P.S.

I wrote to Nan & Aunt Peggy last week. Will write to Aileen & Tom this week. Received a card of enrollment from St. Thomas, want to thank them.

1943 Hit Parade Continue
Shoo Shoo Baby - Ella Mae Morse