![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Language Note: We recognize that items in this collection use outdated and/or racist language.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 from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; December 16, 1943
Sam Ellard Smith
From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Martha Smith; December 16, 1943. Sonny Boy thanks Martha for the Christmas present she sent him and updates her on what other family members have recently sent. He tells her that he recenly got his watch fixed and lets her know that he is about to leave camp.
-
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; December 6, 1943
Sam Ellard Smith
From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; December 6, 1943. Sonny Boy starts off letting Pauline know that he has been moved to Fort Meade, Maryland and notes that he hasn't been shipped out to Japan just yet. He notes that he recieved new clothes(new pants, coat, shoes), stating that they are "perfect." He briefly dicusses guard duty from the night before and guard duty during the day. He also states that he doesn't know when she should send "the Santa Claus" as they don't know when they'll be shipped out or how long they'll be at Fort Meade. Notes the good food as well. The second letter starts off with saying it's okay to send the Christmas packages, as he spoke with the commander and got the go ahead. He mentions a "tank problem." Afterwards, it's hard to read what he states, most likely in a hurry.
-
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; November 3, 1943
Sam Ellard Smith
From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; November 3, 1943. Sonny Boy has finally begun battle training. He reports to his mother that he walked 15-20 miles on the day he wrote to her and 13 over the weekend. He is getting to sleep in a tent and other men in his group have gotten packages of food delivered to them.
-
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; October 19, 1943
Sam Ellard Smith
From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; October 19, 1943. Sonny Boy's army training has intensified as it draws to an end, he shares with Pauline that he has taken part in simulated "village fighting", close combat firing and bombings. He reports he excelled at shooting various kinds of machine guns and shares an unfavorable view of a U.S.O. show he recently attended. This letter is nearly idetical to the letter he sent his Martha, Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Martha Smith; October 18, 1943.
-
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; October 25, 1943
Sam Ellard Smith
From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; October 25, 1943. Sonny Boy is nearing the end of basic training and tells his mother about battle training. He shares that he has finally recieved the watch Christine and Bernice got for him from Brazil and complains about Yankee soldiers, especially one from Brooklyn.
-
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; October 31, 1943
Sam Ellard Smith
From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; October 31, 1943. He writes his mother suggesting that she send him food while he is doing battle training, asks after a pig back home and expresses interest in eating some of it, and complains about missing a party because he didn't get to eat. Battle training still has not started, though he has more details and he is unhappy about having to complete a "night problem" twice.
-
Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; October 9, 1943
Sam Ellard Smith
From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; October 9, 1943. Sonny Boy writes that he is learning to fire tank guns. He has finally purchased a watch and sends money to his parents, as well as insulting an acquaintance back home.
-
Letter from Sonny Boy to Christine Smith; October 4, 1943
Sam Ellard Smith
From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Sonny Boy to Christine Smith; October 4, 1943. Sonny Boy often takes to hiding to avoid having to do work. He shares a story about driving a tank up a tree stump and complains that he had to clean the tanks for an inspection by a colonel. This letter is nearly identical to Letter from Sonny Boy to Pauline Smith; October 3, 1943.
-
Letter from Sonny Boy to Martha and Christine Smith; December 8, 1943
Sam Ellard Smith
From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Sonny Boy to Martha and Christine Smith; December 8, 1943. Sonny Boy informs Martha and Christine that he has arrived at Fort Mead, Maryland and is preparing to be sent to Japan. He also describes his recent trip home, upcoming training, and a film, The North Star.
-
Letter from Sonnyboy to Martha Smith; September 23, 1943
Sam Ellard Smith
From the Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection. Letter from Sonnyboy to Martha Smith; September 23, 1943. Sonnyboy recounts stories of his life in military training.