Dear Folks:
I believe I told you in my last letter I was being transferred to San Luis Obispo-well I was but plenty has happened since then. When we left Camp Roberts our “old man” (that’s the first sergeant) said goodbye to each of us and he was very depressed. Then the band came out and played several numbers and as we left, all loaded up, they played ‘Auld Lang Syne” and I could feel a big lump in my throat. We arrived in San Luis Obispo about five and after eating were given all our equipment to go into the field. About twelve at nite we got to bed. Then next morning we left again not knowing where we were going.
Well it was Escondido and only thirty five miles from San Diego. It’s a wonderful deal. We got here about eleven at nite and were put up in the High School gym. There are about four hundred soldiers in the town just to back up the infantry on the coast. The town is about the size of Alliance, very pretty and pleasant. Our battery has its quarters in the American Legion Auxiliary building downtown. There is a stage at one end and there is washing hanging all over it. The town people are swell and tonite they are having a dance for us at the High School. We are off at three in the afternoon until eleven at nite. The fellows loaf most of the day and just fool around. The officers are very friendly and just like they were part of the boys with none of the high dignity present at [Camp] Roberts. It’s plenty hot today and the sky so clear. The town has palm trees and flowers everywhere. There is no army post here, we are just guards on the coast. We get no leaves to go out of town and also sleep on the hard floor, but it seems so much different than at [Camp] Roberts we are all very jubiliant. We can wear any uniform and don’t even have to wear ties. None of the officers do.
Well folks I’m in a good place and may stay here indefinitely so I’m happy. Perhaps June and Lloyd can come up some weekend.
Got the paper and the piece about the banquet just before I left.
Wish you could see this beautiful little town and not be in cold Nebraska.
I can’t believe its Christmas time but guess it is.
Will write again soon.
All my love,
Pvt. HG Moss
Battery C, 222 FA
Escondido, California