Fort Miley Cal
Aug 7, 1917

Dear Folks,

      I will try and ans your most welcome letter I received tonite. Mamie I tho't I describe how came to be transferred. The whole Company was transferred. We didn't have anything to say. These damned Militia men of Calif are to take charge of the Fort.

      I doubt we will ever see France at all, but if Old Uncle Sam wants us over there we will go. But as far as wanting to go I would rather not go. But I am not afraid of not getting back as I don't think them Germans Dutch can get many of us US boys. The ones that are there now sure have them guessing & old Kaiser will say it some of these days.

      Mamie I want you to talk to Dess. I got a letter from her today & she thinks she was a little backward at the train the day I left. You know Mamie that I never knew how she felt & there is never a day passes but what I think I can see you all & Dad you want to cheer up. I'll be back with you some of these days & I'll be a better man than I was when I was there.

      I am living a cleaner life in the outside world than I did back there. A fellow never really knows what wrong he does until its to late & I am going to make my life as good as the best from now on. A lot of the boys got drunk right after payday, but none of the Coleridge boys. They are all a clean band, greet each other with a friendly word & smile.

      What do you think of my writing paper? I received it yesterday but don't know who it is from as there is no name except mine. I sure thank the ones that sent it as it sure suits me.

      Now don't worry folks because everything is going to come out alright & believe me your little son is proud of the blood that runs thro his veins. No Cisney ever had to take a back seat & never will.

      I don't think I will ever be in a battle or even cross but I am doing my best at the drill. We are drilling on the Seige Guns but have been on the range finder. It is something like a little compass & a fellow can tell how far the object is away from it. Believe me Old Uncle sure has the invention. I'll talk you folks to death with the Army talk.

      There was a spy here the other nite but the guard wounded him. They shot four times & three of the shots hit him. Any way that's what they tell here in camp. So you see they won't bother arround here any more.

      Do you nit wool socks, we wear the light wool socks all the time as a fellows feet never get sore as they do with the cotton socks.

      The Red Cross sure are thick out here but I never have talk with only one of them & she sure was a nice lady. And they also have a bunch of slackers here also & lots of fights over them too, but I have not had hardly a word with any one yet & intend to hold my temper & get out without an enemy if I can, but I won't let no one run over me as our Co. Commander says not to. And I never had to back home.

      I get my Blade ever Mon. I sure do give it a close going over. I got your letter right after I mail mine to you. Say you see we have them meeting all the time. I also got a letter from Dess, Earl's, Inez, & 2 girl friends, some handkerchiefs from Earl's. I never get anything but what it is just what I need & believe me they all please me, but not like the writing case you sent. The boys in camp all envy it but no one touches it but me. I mailed you a Roll of Honor last nite and you will get it in a few days. At the bottom of it where the two flags are is where my picture belongs, so if you want to you can put one in there.