Encoded for for the Veterans History Project, February 27, 2017.
All letters in the McNutt collection were digitized.
The following letters were transcribed from the handwritten originals by the donor. No alterations to this transcription has been made, although spelling errors are indicated with [sic]. Any special emphasis (i.e. underlining) is presented *between asterisks*.
As my time here is growing short I will write you a few words before leaving.
We are going to finish up putting on mines to night so guess we will sail in a couple of days. These mines are loaded with T.N.T. Powder the highest explosives known. The sailors that work here turn yellow. They have some niggers working in it.
One nigger ask another one that had been working here for some time what T.N.T means and the coon said "Why nigger don't you know what that means? Well when it goes off its travel nigger travel and its a long time before you come down." The white men turn yellow and the niggers turn green. How would you like to see green coon?
It certainly is hot here and has been for the last week. The perspiration is running off of me in a stream and the flies are so thick I have the push them out of the way with my pen to write. The skeeters here are fierce too. They are a big as pigs and a dozen of them could carry you off. I sure well be glad when we get out of the hole. It is getting on my nerves.
I have to get up in the morning at 4:00 and go on steaming watch so will
have to knock off and see if I can get a little sleep. Don't forget what I told you a couple weeks ago about my heart. Savvy? Don't forget what you said either. When I am out on the briney my mind will always be wandering back to Tenn. And a little girl there. I suppose the next time you hear from me it will be from bonney Scotland. I am going to dream on and make my dreams come true won't you. Im going to expect several letters when I come back so don't forget. Good bye.
Tell Cousin Vola I got her letter and was awfully glad to hear from her and will write.
[Enclosure] The Perfect Woman
[Enclosure reverse]
With a world of love