Sidney's Letter, October 14, 1942

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Wednesday 7 P.M.
October 14, 1942

1.

Woke up this morning in our overnight cabin at Haines Point Wash. D.C. a stones throw from all the famous points of interest: Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Smithsonian Institute, the Capitol, the White House and many others. Ate breakfast with Hq. Battery of the 71st CA (?) and then all of us officers set out to worry what will become of us. Then Maj. Ashton arrived. He, Maj. Owen, & Col. Timberlake had been in conference all morning. Maj. Ashton called us all together and told us just what we had been fearing: Our Enlisted Men were all set. They were needed as a Brigade Hq. Battery so they would stay here and act in the same capacity as they had in Boston. Work on a Board, etc. But as far as officers were concerned we would be intermingled with Col. Timberlake's "pets" and after about a week Col. Timberlake & Col. Pitzer would pick the Birgade Staff from the whole group. Those not selected for the Brigade Staff would be transferred to the Regiments of the Brigade (71st CA or 89th CA). Col. Timberlake called a meeting of all the officers (ours and his) at the Recreation Hall at 1 P.M. He is a great and fiery orator, a real showman, impressive, an actor, a politician, and what not. He welcomed us to the Capitol and gave us a real pep talk and repeated that we would have to fight for our jobs and compete with his officers for the Brigade Staff jobs. A week from now will tell the story. He said a million things, all very interesting. I would give

2.

anything to have a recording of his speech. "We are here to defend the President of the U.S.," he said. The War Department says we are here to defend Washington, the Capitol, the White House, etc. We are the "Palace Guard" he said. We are here to "show off" to every politician, domestic and foreign who visit Wash. D.C. The Anti Aircraft outfits have been inspected by visiting dignitaries 168 times since April. Over 60 times by Major Generals or higher. The volunteers on the board are wives of Congressmen, Senators, and what not. In Wash. D.C. you've got to salute "Everybody" or be court-martialed. High ranking MP officers are all over town checking up on this. Can't go into town unless perfectly dressed, pressed, and cleaned. Enlisted men are authorized 3 complete uniforms for that reason and cannot go into town unless previously inspected by an officer. He explained all the politics. How we are expected to please every "big wig" and his brother. How they "cut you down" if you hurt some politician's feelings. "This is Wash. D.C., the Capitol [sic] of the nation" he said, "and anything can happen."

What a speech! What fire! What pep! After the speech he was introduced to us individually. He shook hands with each of us and when he came to me he said: "Gelles? The supply man, eh?"