Saturday, September 30, 2017

Sept 30, 1917 -- George Reads Jack London's Tale of 2073 & Asks After Laundry Sent Home




Sunday
Jefferson Barracks, Sept 30, 1917
Dear Ones All:

            Have just been reading one of Jack London’s books in the Y.M. reading room.  It is called the “Scarlett Plague” and is a weird yarn about how a plague came over the world in 2073 killing all but 20 or 30 people, and reducing these remaining ones to lowest savagery.

            We had to straighten up barracks and lay out our clothes for inspection and then go up to parade grounds for sort of inspection this A.M.  But were all done by 9:00 so “Frenchy” and I went out by the river and lay in the sun for about 2½ hrs.  Then dinner, and as I said this P.M. I have been reading for the most part, tho I played a couple of checker games which I won.  Signed up for an army testament and read a couple of chapters in that, too.

            Suppose you have rec’d those clothes I sent home to be washed.

            About the wrist watch.  I sent a description of features I have noticed in various watches I have seen here, but fear you can’t afford to send me one, so beg of you not to pinch yourselves, as I guess I can afford to get one.  I wouldn’t have said anything about it only Susan asked.  But let me know what you decide to do, and also what my bank balance is now, as I need a watch badly.

            I rec’d a dandy letter from home again this P.M.  Am glad the hay was put in in good shape.  Is Jo-S home or in Richland Center now?  Haven’t heard from anyone except you folks & Herman [his sister Susan's fiancĂ©].  Tell some of the friends to write.
                                                                        Love to all,
                                                                                    George

Friday, September 29, 2017

Sept 29, 1917 - George Hears About Quality of Houstan 108th Engineers & Considers an Ingersoll


Jefferson Barracks, Sept 29, 1917

Dear Ones All:  Just a line again today to let you now that I am well, and wish you all the best of health, spirits and luck.  I have just made the acquaintance of a young fellow just in from Chicago who is going down into the 108th too.  I have already heard of them off and on by enquiring of different fellows and all reports say they are as strait a bunch as you can find in the army, so I think I’ll be well pleased, and feel quite cheered.

            Don’t know when I’ll get out of here.

            Have just written two letters to Charles Moss, the other to Henry De Farrer. I got one from you to-day and a card from Herman so I can’t complain.

            I don’t think it best to send the Kodak or anything until I am assigned and shipped for good – (or worse) as it may be. 

            Regarding the wrist watch, the most satisfactory I have seen are the medium small ones with the special treated faces and hands so that they radiate light at night, a metal case, and some have light metal net over the crystal, tho this is not necessary.  I expect the only watch of this style to be got as cheap as $4.50 is an Ingersoll, but I understand they give fair service.  Of course a fairly wide leather wrist band of tan leather is to be preferred.

            How many loads of hay did you get for your share off of Smiths, and how much did you put in the new barn?  How are the colts and Leader?  Well, guess I’ll ring off for now.

            Don’t worry if you don’t hear for a few days as one never knows around here how busy they will be.
                                                            Love to all,
                                                                        Regards to all the friends around.
                                                                                    George Sherwood.
This was the construction of the horse barn which was built in 1915 on the same side of the road as the house.  The horse barn was across the street from the dairy barn.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Thursday, September 28, 2017

Sept 28, 1917 - George Learns Mess Hall Skills First Hand & Laundry Not So Much

Two things struck me in particular about this letter.  First was "knowing what's coming next -- not."  A couple of years ago this way of describing a situation was very popular and I still tend to use it quite often.  Did not expect to see that the style goes back 100 years!   And then, seriously, sending laundry home to mom from the Army? Who would have thought!!

Jefferson Barracks, Sept 28, 1917

Dear Ones All:  It is now 4:50 P.M. and I must go a half mile to stand at “Retreat” at 5:30 so will only have time for a line. Have just read 3 nice newsy letters from home so feel pretty good.  I have been in the “mess Hall” for the last 52 hrs or thereabouts which would explain my negligence in writing, or rather it would if you were as well acquainted with “mess” as I am.  Go on duty at 5:00 A.M., work till 6:00, then serve breakfast, get our own, clean up and wash dishes till 8:00, into potato room till 11:00 then get dinner on table, serve it, eat our own, wash dishes & clean up till 2:30, then chance to go to Barracks till 4:00, then same old routine for supper taking us till at least 7:00 P.M.  There, that’s a condensed description of “mess hall.”  We are “Relieved” but don’t know for how long.  Feed 2,500 in the “mess” every meal.  Some family meal eh!
            Well, don’t worry if you don’t hear from me as you can see from that that one doesn’t get much time when on special duty.  Have only had about 2 hrs drill yet.  Have no idea when I’ll be shipped.  Maybe to-morrow, maybe 8 wks from now.  And I was wishing all summer I was in or out of the army so as to end the suspense.!  Oh, yes, we know how what’s coming next --- not.
            Well, would like to describe “Barracks” and army life, uniform, etc., farther, but must beat it as I’ll get 5 days at least of “mess” if I’m late to retreat. 
            Am sending home underwear and kerchief for wash.
            Address all mail to
                        Geo. Sherwood, 23rd. Co,
                        Jefferson Barracks, Missouri
P.S. Please send back just 3 of those smooth bath towels. 


Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Sept 26, 1917 - George Contemplates His Mortality

1917-0926 – George Stevens Sherwood to Family 
Friday 26 – 2:45

Have a letter started but have not gotten around to finish it. So Ill drop this to let you know all is still well.  Last night at 6 P.M. was in St. Louis closest I’ll be home till we Kan the Kaiser

Love to all ,

George
Even though this is a simple checking in postcard, George was apparently thinking about his mortality because of the little sticker he has added to the stamps.  Already he is thinking of the family when the soldier boy or man doesn't come home.  I like the front of this postcard as well since the boy to man characteristics is very apparent as he continues to write in the months ahead.
 

 
 

Sept 26, 1917 - Flags United for Democracy



1917-0926 - George Sherwood United for Democracy 

Well folks, we’ll just have time for a line as I’m over at the YM. [YMCA] and there’s a boxing mactch on so its not so quiet it might be. I’m examined, sworn in and wearing Uncle Sam’s uniform as I write this.

Address: 23 Company Jefferson Barracks, Mo.

Believe me they give you some exams
 

Monday, September 25, 2017

Sept 23, 1917 - George Describes Process of Enlisting & Traveling to Jefferson Barracks

 Jefferson Barracks, Sept. 23rd 1917
St. Louis, Mo.
Dear Ones All:

            Will try to let you get a fairly accurate account of my wanderings so far.  Went as far as Elroy on the “Midnight.” Then I got restless so said adieu to Francis Friday and came on on the Express from St. Paul as I could get chair car accommodations on that.  Laid over till 6:10 in Janesville, then came on thru to Beloit and after 20 min. wait took pass on Inter-urban for Rockford.  Got shaved and haircut, then went up to Recruiting Station but it was locked.  Went down on the street and inside of 10 minutes I got my eye on the Recruiting Officer who examined me there.  Went up to Recruiting Station with him.  He said probably I could get into the 21st at Rockford but that they had reported full on surveyors and draftsmen. Then he whooped it up for Quartermasters again but I said I’d rather taken Engineers if possible, so he said come back at 1:15 P.M. and he’d sign me up as surveying and send me in for examination and disposition at Chicago.  So I changed my clothes, shipped my suitcase, and went up to the Courthouse and saw Mrs. McClemm--- and her son.  They were very good, and tried to suggest some way of my getting what I wanted at Camp Grant. But after talking with the Recruiting Officer a little further I decided to go into Chicago. At that time there were two fellows in there signing up for Quarter-masters.  So we all went to Chi yesterday afternoon on the same train, went up to Recruiting Station there, were re-examined and I was signed up for the 108 Eng. at Houston, Tex. as a surveyor.  I tried to get back to Rockford in the 21st but they also reported them full of surveyors.  Well, we had supper at a restaurant.  Cost U.S. 40 cents per head.  We were ordered to report at 8 P.M. at the Rec. Station so we did, and at 9:00 P.M. left on the Illinois Cent for St. Louis.  At first we were given a chair car but were just nicely settled when orders to move back one car came so we went back into day coach.  I forgot to say that before we left we received our breakfast in the form of a pasteboard box with sandwiches and a piece of pie inside.  It wasn’t exactly a restful night.  I dressed [[(illegible)] Shoes and collar] after a good wash up this morning and felt better.  Pulled into St. Louis about 7:15, went up town for 30 min, I sent you a card from there which you will probably receive before you do this.  Then we took passage on the Wabash line for Jefferson Barracks.  Got here about 9 P.M.   There were about 50 of us from Chi and as many more from other places came in this A.M.  We lined up as soon as our parcels were checked in.  Got orders to take bath and report at 11:45 in front of receiving barracks for mess. 
 
            We took our bath, fine showers but cold.  U.S. furnishes the towels. Then ensued a long period of waiting which we whiled away lounging, talking, watching the blacks play the whites a game of base-ball, etc.  At last we went to mess, tho before that I put the $7 which stands between me and bankruptcy, in the barracks safe.  After supper we will be showed our bunks.  We may be examined to-morrow, maybe Tues.  Then we’ll be a day getting uniforms, and after that no one knows when or where I will be shipped.  There are several fellows going in different branches of engineering here.  Hope some go with me.  We had a good meal, served at tables.  I understand that after we are examined we will be compelled to wait on table and clean quarters occasionally.  Our dinner consisted of water, corn, gravy, potatoes, corned beef, pudding, bread & butter. Well, as usual I started out to give you a rhetorical and comprehensive review of my moves and as usual I have chopped it up till it’s badly mangled. 
 
            Anyway, I’ll close now with lots of love to all my folks, Aunt Nellie as well.  If you write at once to Geo. Sherwood, Jefferson Barracks (General Delivery), Missouri, I’ll probably receive it.
 
                                                            Your loving son and brother,
                                                                        George Sherwood

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Sept 23, 1917 - George Transits Through St. Louis Union Station


 
1917-0923 - George Stevens Sherwood to Susan Sherwood

St. Louis, Mo. Sunday 23-09

Hello everybody: Here we are in old St. Louis.  Who ever thought I’d hit this burg so soon.  Am with a couple of fellows I’ve come clean from Rockford with.  Leave here for Jefferson barracks at 7:50. Love to all

From George


[It seems that he was catching an evening train because the postmark is 6 PM]

Friday, September 22, 2017

September 22, 1917; George Sherwood Joins the 108th Engineers 100 Years Ago Today

1917-0922 - George Stevens Sherwood to William and Ella Sherwood and family

Chicago Ill 6:45 P.M. Sept 22 – 17 

Dear ones all, Many things have happened since I left you.  I don’t hardly know how to write this for I had so counted on being near you, at least as near as Camp Grant. But it seems the Surveyors and Draftmen are full there so I have at last enlisted as a surveyor in the 108th Eng. H.Q. and start for Sam Houston at 8:00 P.M. tonite.

I Am (See other card) 
Nervous but well and was able to eat a fair supper at Uncle Sam’s expense. Did not sign up for the 108th until about 10 minutes ago.  Have had secondary exam here so tho I still have to pass another expect to go thru O.K.  Well the best laid plans of mic & men – you know, so cheer up and wait for the time when Johnnie comes marching home.

Love to you all – George Sherwood

P.S. Sent suit case from Rockford.  Say hello to everyone
 

 

Sept 10, 1917 -George Begins His Journey To War


1917-0910 - George Stevens Sherwood to Susan Sherwood

Well Kid.  I’m writing this from Beloit.  Can’t get out on an inter-urban until 4:35 But that’s soon now.  Tired but well.  Doubt if I go out to Camp Grant tonite

Brother Geo.

George is finally starting his journey to join the Army --