Howard Lyford

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This collection consists of thirty-one letters written by Howard D. (Duke) Lyford to his family, primarily to his sister Lela. This collection documents Lyford’s military career after he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Without having gone through basic training, he was sent with Company D of the 2nd California Infantry to guard a copper company in Utah against possible enemy espionage. After five months he was sent to Camp Kearney for basic training, where he joined Company M of the 159th Infantry.

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right out. As yet we have received no definite orders as to when we will leave or which route we will take. We expect them today or tomorrow at the latest. This is a happy outfit at the present time, and we certainly have cause to be happy.

Yesterday it snowed most of the day and today is freezing. Of course any body who has seen snow wouldn't call it a heavy storm, but it was to us. There is still snow on the ground today, and I am sitting within ten feet of a big stove, and can hardly write. I feel sorry for the next bunch of troops that come to relieve us. They will surely hit some cold weather. The weather changes here over night. I don't mean it will get warm again, as winter is here now in full blast. When we came it was so hot we couldn't sleep at night. Our winter clothing hasn't been issued to us yet, so the sooner we leave the better I will like it. I am glad I saw it snow before we returned to civilization, although it isn't what you can call comfortable standing guard in this weather.

Last night I went to a party, and had a pretty fair time. All there were there were soldiers. Most of us from the headquarters detachment. We are certainly leaving a regular home here, and a vacation we won't forget for sometime.

Plans are now underway for our farewell ball. We are going to rent a hall as the mess hall won't be large enough for the whole co. This will be a farewell

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dance that the people of Garfield never will forget. I was supposed to go to Salt Lake with Abe today but I changed my mind. We will make some showing when we march down the streets of Garfield on our departure. They will have a chance to see the longest co in the west together for once.

I enlisted June the second nine teen hundred and seventeen A.D. Why do you want to know? I am glad I can say enlisted and not forced in.

Well Lela It's too darn cold to write anymore. I am enclosing a little poem the co clerk just presented me with and also a couple of pictures of a few dignified individuals. I hope this is the last letter I send from Garfield. The unexpected happened I got a letter from Per.

Love to all

"Duke"

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Garfield, Utah

Dear Neewah: -

It's just about noon, but I will start this letter now and finish it after dinner.

Our vacation still continues and is getting better all the time. Beginning with six o'clock this morning we are on three hours and off twenty-four, then on three again and off forty-eight. Now anybody that knows anything about guard duty

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will have to admit that that is about as big a cinch as anybody could ask for. Just think we do not have to do anything else. I wish I was at home with those same hours. I wouldn't live at the camp at all. I am afraid this will not last very much longer though, as there was an inspecting officer here yesterday, and he told the captain, or rather he asked the captain if he thought it was really neccessary to keep guards here. The captain said he thought it was a joke, as we haven't had any real trouble since we have been stationed here. Here is what he told the captain. He said he thought they would take the troops away from here all together, but in case they decided not to, that they would relieve us anyway, so we could get some training. This is the largest Co. in the west at present, and it does seem foolish to keep us where we are, when most of the men have seen previous service. The inspector said for us not to be surprised to find ourselves in France for the spring drive, and as he is from headquarters he ought to know what he is talking about, although there are so many rumors, about where we are going, and when we are going, that I

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am doubtful, as to how authentic they are. I have given up hopes of spending my winter vacation here though. All my hopes of sleigh rides and coasting in the snow were somewhat blasted with what I heard yesterday. To tell the truth we are all getting a little restless and have a strong desire to get in a training camp again, even with the cench and all around good time that we are having here. I would hate to think I enlisted, and say the most I did was guard the Utah Dopper Company's plant. at Garfield.

Don't be surprised if you get a letter one of these days, postmarked Linda Vista, Cal, as I think that is where we will

Last edit about 4 years ago by California State Library
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