![Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection](../assets/md5images/0fca30dc577490afb737ae2bc351f2b8.png)
Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection
Language Note: We recognize that items in this collection use outdated and/or racist language. Unless otherwise noted, this is the language used by the record creator(s) and not imposed by the Beulah Culbertson Archives and Special Collections. Visit our website to read our harmful language policy.
-
Letter form Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; October 27, 1943
Sam Ellard Smith
From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter form Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; October 27, 1943. Sonny Boy continues to speculate about battle training, the final task of his basic training. He shares with his mother that he recently took part in a "show for some generals" in which he fired machine guns, drove a tank into mud, and cleaned mud off the guns.
-
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Bernice and Christine Smith; December 17, 1943
Sam Ellard Smith
From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Bernice and Christine Smith; December 17, 1943. Sonny Boy thanks Bernice and Christine for the Christmas presents they sent him and updates them on what other family members have recently sent. He tells them that he recenly got his watch fixed and shares a story about a tank in a convoy he was in flattening part of a car.
-
Letter from Sonnyboy Smith to Bernice Smith; September 18, 1943
Sam Ellard Smith
From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Sonnyboy Smith to Bernice Smith; September 18, 1943. Sonnyboy has been transferred to a new company in the Army Training Corps and is not enjoying life on bivouac. He tells Bernice about a Leiutenant that he enjoys working with and shares a story about having to prepare vehicles for inspection by Generals.
-
Letter from Sonnyboy Smith to Martha Smith; December 13, 1943
Sam Ellard Smith
From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Sonnyboy Smith to Martha Smith; December 13, 1943. Sonnyboy shares that he just finished off a week full of tank training (maneuvring). He notes the conditions they had to go through while going through the training. He also tells Martha not to send his Christmas gifts, just to hold onto them as he thinks he's getting shipped out soon.
-
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Martha Smith; December 6, 1943
Sam Ellard Smith
From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Sonny Boy Smith to Martha Smith; December 6, 1943. Sonny Boy starts off saying he's made it to Maryland, noting he has new equipment. Sonny Boy mentions "going on a tank problem tomorrow." He mentions crossing the Patomac via a bridge that may not hold up the tank. He also mentions being shipped out in two weeks to a port then overseas. Sonny Boy points out they got paid on the 6th, he mentions having a good co-commander. He mentions when he was home, having gone hunting for squirrel. He also mentions food from when he was home as well.
-
Letter from Sonnyboy Smith to Martha Smith; November 15, 1943
Sam Ellard Smith
From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Sonnyboy Smith to Martha Smith; November 15, 1943. Sonny Boy is writing just after returning from battle training. He recounts volunteering to unload trucks which causes him to miss chow for the day but was allowed a ride back to camp (14 miles) as compensation. The soldiers had another boxing match that Sunday. Sonny Boy shares the location of "the boys" that have been transferred and expects furlough in the upcoming weeks.
-
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Martha Smith; October 18, 1943
Sam Ellard Smith
From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Martha Smith; October 18, 1943. Sonny Boy's army training has intensified as it draws to an end, he shares with Martha that he has taken part in simulated "village fighting", close combat firing, and bombings. He reports that he excelled at shooting various kinds of machine guns and shares an unfavorable view of a U.S.O. show he recently attended
-
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Martha Smith; September 5, 1943
Sam Ellard Smith
Sonny Boy describes to Martha his basic training courses that he has undergone at Fort Knox.
-
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; December 14, 1943
Sam Ellard Smith
From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Sonny Boy tells his mother about driving a tank down a highway and receiving a note from Martha. He wants go to Baltimore to see if he can find someone who can fix his watch.
-
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; December 15, 1943
Sam Ellard Smith
From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; December 15, 1943. Sonny Boy updates Pauline on the mail he's received from the family, including a package she sent. He says he is about to leave the camp he's in.