PATTON, Evan - WWI
WWI – Letters – Evan Patton (son of Charles F. and Naomi Breaks Patton
Sourcebook: Scrapbook of WWI clippings
From: Evan Patton (to his mother) – In Cuban Waters, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba March 12, 1919
Dear Mother:
Received your most welcome letter this a.m. and was very glad to hear from you. How are you getting along? I am well and feeling fine. I suppose all the boys that came home from the army were glad to get home again. I got a letter from Clyde Moore a few days ago he was at Philadelphia. About this trip to Cuba, I don’t know much to write.
We left Quantico one morning about 6 o’clock and went to New York City from there out to Brooklyn Navy Yard and our order was made out wrong. We were supposed to go to NY Navy Yard so we had to go from Brooklyn back over to NY. We got down to the Utah about 5 o’clock that evening. The next day we sailed down to Hampton Rhoads, Va. Stayed there 4 days and sailed for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. We were on the way bout 5 days. The Battle ships were practicing war games all the way down. When we got down here we lay at anchor about a week and then we went out to fire the 12” guns for practice. We were out 4 days. Came back to Guantanamo and stayed 2 or 3 days and went out again and fired both 12 and 5” guns.
There isn’t anything down here where we are but a few sailors and one Regiment of Marines and a few people of Spanish descent. The country is all hills covered with Palm trees, cactus and other weeds and brush. We can buy oranges for 30c a dozen, grape fruit, coca nuts and all fruit is cheap down here.
.
This new tax law has everybody guessing. If it is followed out to the letter and everything is assessed at cash value, the total valuation will be tripled at the very least. If rate of taxation is cut down accordingly, the average rate will be about one per cent instead of three. But many believe that the rate will stay the same and they are giving great groans at the prospect. The rate will certainly be cut down, but the deceased legislature ordered some things that will cost a lot of money, so we do not look to see the rate cut down in proportion to the raise in the valuation. In the meantime, what is cash value?
The Spaniards get the fruit and bring it out to the sips in motor boats. They have several base ball fields and things like that for the Marines and Sailors to go to for recreation. Well, guess I have told you about all I know and I don’t want to tell you all I know because you would know as much as I know then. Well, answer soon and tell the kids hello. Love to all, Evan.
Another letter from Evan
Cuba, March 15, 1919.
Dear Mother:
As tomorrow morning is the last mail that will leave the ship for two weeks, I thought I would write you a few lines so you wouldn’t worry if you didn’t hear from me for awhile. Am feeling fine. Have been shooting on the rifle range for a week. I shot for second yesterday and made Expert Rifelman. I am sending you a couple of pictures of the Utah I got the Independent today for the first time in a long time and a letter from Arthur Jarvis, too.
We are through shooting the big guns until the 31 of March I guess. It is a 5” gun. We shot it four times one day and got four hits, and shot 10 times another day and got 9 hits. Pretty good shooting.
Arthur said there were sever weddings to be in and around Waveland. I will be out of luck by the time I get home. But as for me, they are all welcome to get married that want to.
Well, you ought to see me now. I am so sunburned I look like a nigger (sic) almost. It is awfully hot down here. Well, here’s hoping you get along all right and let me know if you do not. Well, I guess I will close and go to bed in my hammock. Goodnight and good luck … Evan.