* * * * * March, 1918. Dear Mother: The sweater arrived, and it certainly is a magnificent specimen of knitting, and the wristlets are wonderfully purled--whatever purling may be. Probably I shall need both sweater and wristlets for many weeks, for although it is Spring now, it often is cold. Under separate cover I am sending you my warrant as Sergeant. I thought you might like to have it framed to hang in the Old-Fashioned Room. The “drafted” in the corner means that the regiment was drafted into Federal Service; that is, made a part of the United States Army instead of a part of the New York State National Guard. I suppose that you have read in the newspapers of the Regiment’s recent activities. Now we are taking it easy in a very pleasant little town. I hope we may stay here at least a month, as it is hard to work when the Regiment is moving about the country. I had a week’s respite from office work some time ago and spent it doing what is called “observation” work for the Regimental Intelligence Section. It was most interesting. Did Aline tell you of Kenton’s success in school? It seems that he won a gold medal for being the best pupil in the school. I was delighted to learn it. So nearly as I can remember, I was not an especially keen student when I was his age, although I became one later. There is practically no chance of my rising any higher in the Regiment than Sergeant, and I am perfectly content. To become an officer I would have to go to school away from the Regiment for several months, then if I failed to pass my examinations and win a commission, I would be sent to some other Regiment than this, and if I succeeded I would be sent as an officer, not back to the 69th, but to some other outfit, and I want very much to stay with the Regiment. I have many good friends here, and I would feel lost in any other military organization. I am looking forward to receiving the photographs you have had taken. By this time you must have received the one I sent you. I hope you like it. Your letters are very gratefully received, and I am looking forward specially to receiving the cake and the candy you sent me. Everything else you have written of in your letters has arrived in good condition, and a day or two ago I got five big jars of excellent tobacco from the Dickens Fellowship ... a most intelligent gift. Affectionately yours, JOYCE. * * * * * May 15th, 1918. Dear Mother: