Go to War With The Engineers

This is the second letter that George Sherwood received from Captain Eschweiler and this time the booklet that was promised was sent with the letter.  And finally, the date of this letter is exactly 100 years ago today.  And today is Memorial Day -- a fitting time of remembering Uncle George and his friends who served in time of war.

1917-0529 – Alexander C. Eschweiler, Jr. to George Stevens Sherwood
 

Transcription at end.

 

 

Milwaukee, May 29, 1917

 Mr. George Sherwood

Kendall  Wisconsin

Dear Sir:         

            The commanding officer directs me to reply to our letter of May 28^th as follows:

            Your experience and education in engineering would qualify you for a non-commissioned office.  However, these positions are filled by the company commanders and the proficiency in drill is taken into account in making the selections.

            Under the new regulations drawn up according to the recent act of Congress, the pay for an enlisted man is $30 or $35 a month, and the non-commissioned Officers correspondingly higher.  This is in addition to a liberal clothing allowance; and to the rations, traveling expenses and so on incident to the soldiers’ life in camp.

            In the present emergency it would seem that the place for every man is where he can be of most service to the country, and I feel that you would be of more service in the engineer Corps than on the farm, from what you have written.

            I am enclosing the booklet which was omitted in our last communication with you. Hoping to hear of your enlistment in the near future.

                                                Yours truly,

                                                               Alexander C. Eschweiler, Jr.

                                                                        Captain and Adjutant.

 

George Stevens Sherwood contacts the Wisconsin National Guard

I have already learned an important lesson in light of this project!  My goal is to post Uncle George's letters from the army in WWI on the 100 year anniversary.  Wednesday morning I thought about it first thing but as I had to be on the road across Snoqualmie Pass in the Cascade Mountains to eastern Washington practically at sunrise I planned to do it in the afternoon.  I made my round trip and was back home in the early afternoon.  But then it completely slipped my mind as I carried on with my work day. 

So Wednesday should have been my official 100 year "date to date" record of George Sherwood's trek from the Farm in Western Wisconsin to Somewhere in France.  

This is the first indication that George had contacted the Wisconsin National Guard about enlisting. 


1917-0524 – Capt. Alexander C. Eschweiler Jr. to George Stevens Sherwood

 

Milwaukee, May 24, 1917

Mr. George S. Sherwood,

Kendall, Wisc.

 

Dear Sir:

            The Adjutant General has forwarded a letter of May 20th, to this office for attention and answer.  From what you say it would seem that you are very well qualified for enlistment in the Engineer Corps which is now being formed as a part of the National Guard of Wisconsin.  We are very anxious to secure men who have had some engineering work and I feel very sure that anyone interested in this branch will help himself as well as the service by enlistment in the Engineer corps. I am enclosing a booklet which gives in brief an idea of the work and organization of the Engineer Corps.  If you decide to enlist, and find it inconvenient [to] come to Milwaukee for this purpose; I would suggest that you see Captain Robert A. Merrill of Company L 3^rd infantry at Sparta which I believe the nearest National Guard Organization to your home.  He will forward your papers to this office and we will notify you at the time of call for active service.

            Hoping to hear of your enlistment at an early

date, I am

                                                Yours truly,

Alexander C Eschweiler, Jr

Captain & Adjutant

 

Alexander C. Eschweiler, Jr  was at this time in the Wisconsin National Guard, but after the war he went to work with his father, Alexander Chadbourne  Eschweiler Sr, who was a prominent architect in Milwaukee.    

1916-1225 -- Poor College Student George Sherwood Creatively Gifts his Father at Christmas