October 28, 1917 - George Sends Photos from Home Sweet Home

Camp Logan, Houston, Tex.

Sunday, P.M. Oct 28, ‘17

            Well, here I am back in my tent. Just got back from town, where I went with Mohr, whose picture I herein enclose.  We took a jitney and got to the M. E. church just in time for church, 10:30 A.M.  Were treated fine by the people there.  Heard some fine music by choir, also vocal and violin solos, then a fair sermon. Got out of church at 12:45.  Just went straight from there down to Thompson’s Cafeteria where two poached eggs on toast and a piece of hot mince pie set me back 25 cents but they were worth it at that.  Then we walked out to the union station and around town awhile, then went to a movie then chartered a fliver and came back to camp. And now I am writing to my dear folks back home, or at least trying to when the noise in here will allow me to.

            You ask for a sketch of our days work.  So I give an abbrieved (coined by me) schedule:

                        5:45 First Call

6:00 Assembly and Roll Call (as fully dressed)

6:10 Physical exercise

6:30 Mess

8:00 Drill or Detail work

12:00 Mess

1:30 Drill, work or loaf

5:30 Retreat

6:00 Mess

10:00 Taps –lights out 

            I am still waiting to hear how much I owe you.

            This is a nice sunshiny day with cool breeze blowing.

            If I don’t get down to real work soon I will be as fat as ever, I guess.  Did I tell you before that we have received over 1,000 draft men from Rockford.

            Now to explain the views or snapshots, I should say.

            No.  1 is explained on the back.  Our tent is next to last to be seen at far end of street.

No. 2.  Mohr took of me when I was grinning and faking a salute, not thinking he was ready to shoot.

            No. 3 Also explained on back.

            No. 4 Lowery and I are studying surveying out of my book together.

No. 5.  I snapped of Mohn so you could see what my pal looked like.  Also so I’d have one to keep.

            No. 6 was also taken the day of the Liberty Loan Celebration.

            I will send you some more soon. Don’t for heavens sake let anyone see No. 2.  It is awful.

                                                            Love to al,

                                                                        George Sherwood

Unfortunately we don't have the whole set of photos and are not sure that this photo is the one he is talking about as #2.  But it was apparently taken about the right time for this letter (4 days in advance).  It would be nice to match these all up! 

October 27, 1917 - George Writes on Postcard of Grand Lobby, Union Station, Kansas City, Missouri

Just a line to let you know that I am well, but am too busy and lazy to write anything but a card now.  Will try to do better tomorrow.  Hope all are well & potatoes dug now.  We have 1000 drafted men in camp now to help fill up companies to 250 men required by new war strength act.

Love to all

George 

October 21, 1917 - George Describes His Situation & 30,000 Troops at Camp Logan

October 21, Camp Logan, 1917

Dear Ones All:

            Two days gone again and no mail form home. Why?  I am looking my eyes out for the package due me.  I need the books so bad.

            Mohr and I went to Houston last P.M.  Bought some buttons for the collar to the blouse or coat to my uniform.  Also went to the Prince Theater. Got back a little after 12 o’clock.  It was dark and cold but I managed to make up my cot after a fashion and slept fine.  But as I had to get up at 4:00A.M. yesterday I am short on time for the last two nights so am sleepy now.

            Am still in the cook shack.  Hope I get relieved or transferred soon. I need that watch bad too.  Wanted to go to church today but K.P. kept me too busy so I had to be content with the very good discourse I just heard Chaplain Leut. Caward give here in the Y.M.C.A.

            Some of the fellows are getting their overcoats now, but guess I won’t get one till  I hit a permanent company, whatever that is.  I am commencing to doubt the existence of such an animal.  Had a bus ride out to one of the other divisions before we went to town so have a little more idea of the vast magnitude of a camp accommodating nearly 30,000.  Our division is camped in the corner next to town so I have seen but little of the rest of camp so far.

            Well good luck and good night.

                        George

October 20, 1917 - George Receives Funds from Home and Asks Friends to Write

Houston's RICE HOTEL restaurant.  Motto was "Houston's Welcome to the World"

 

I sealed the letter and forgot to ask if the potatoes froze.  Also what kind of a crop.  Give my regards to all the folks around and at Glendale.  Got the draft this P.M. am well.  Thanks for the draft.  Tell some of the rest to write I’ve written nearly all the kids in the valley.

Your Son George

October 19, 1917 - Practicing Drafting Skills, Hoping to Find His Way

Now I am tired so will lay off for awhile and finish by scribbling.  I hate to trouble you folks all of the time but these things will help me in my practice work, if I can make good on the engineering work even in a small capacity.  Oh, how I hope I do for Capt. Laughlin is a prince of a man to work for, I believe, and is an experienced surveyor and engineer.  I hope the things I have already sent for will arrive soon --, tho have not heard definitely that you have sent them. If not please hurry as I must study.  Captain Laughlin’s last words this morning were “bone like h—l.”  I’m in the kitchen now, maybe for a week so I don’t have very much time to myself. 

            If I get in as rodman on the surveying gang, I will transfer out of Hdqts. Co again, and put in application with Capt. Laughlin for Co. C so have a little hope to end up there again, as I know them and Mohr is already in that Co.  Of course, it is just a chance if they have the room now as recruits are arriving all of the time  But I hope they do. However, send mail to Hdqt. Co as before until further orders as nothing is settled. 

            Now must close.  Don’t say much of this outside family, as I don’t want any false impressions running around.  Of course if I win the job it does not increase my pay but I feel it is to my advantage at this time.

                        Love to all,       George

October 19, 1917 - George Mentions his Sprained Wrist, His Birthday and Mail

Dear Ones All: As you say you haven’t heard for some time I think some on or two of my letters must have miscarried for I have written twice and I supposed three times since I was on the range on my birthday.  Can’t write more as my Bucker threw me a sprained my rite wrist.  Well otherwise will write as soon as possible.  Don’t worry.

Love to all - George

October 18, 1917 - George Looks for Packages from Home

Camp Logan Texas Oct 18

Dear Ones all. The mail direct from home seems to coming fairly regular now, but the mail from Jefferson Barracks refuses to show up.  As I said before send all important messages & packages registered or special delivery.  Glad to hear all are well.  Send on the package as soon as possible.  I need the clothes.  How many bu. Of each kind of grain did you get.  How are the colts.  Love to all.  Keep writing. Your Son.

George Sherwood

October 16, 1917 - Mail Starts Arriving; George Learns of Aunt Clara's Death

William and Clara (Sherwood) Pautsch -- Clara was George's father's sister.  William was blind and supported his family as a piano tuner.  They lived in Beaver Dam, WI.  Clara died September 30, 1917 when she was only 60 years old.  William lived until 1931

 

Camp Logan 10-16-17

 Dear home Folks:

            Just rec’d your telegram.  Am glad to hear that all are well, tho I knew you were a day or so ago for mail has started to come thru now.  Have had 4 letters from you, and one that wasn’t in the last 48 hours.  No 15 or 16 is the last recd, by no., but first recd according to time.  Now they are coming backwards, slow but sure.  I imagine you have received all of mine from the way you speak.

            But in case you haven’t will try to enumerate the things I have asked for at various times:

            Kodak, 4 towels, handkerchiefs, small suitcase, money, bank balance, clothes brush, salve, surveying and drafting books, rags and wristwatch.  Never mind about the protected face on the watch because if you get one that the straps fasten to watch case I can buy a guard down here.

            Better insure any things you send, and register or special delivery all important letters.

            Am well, and working K.P., ditch digging, details, etc. 

            Well, there isn’t much to tell, 

Am tenting with two Chi [Chicago, I assume] men and another rookie from Mich. He is a fine fellow, clean morals, college graduate, twenty-four years old.  Name is Mohr.

Will write more to-morrow if possible.  I expect mail any time now.  Lots of love.  Was very shocked to learn of Aunt Clara’s sudden death. 

                                    Your loving son,

                                                George Sherwood  

October 11, 2017 - George Complains About Lack of Mail!

Dear Ones All:  Just a line to let you know that I am well, and ask you again why I don’t receive any more mail.  Just one measly letter,forwarded from Jefferson Barrackssince I have been here  If I don’t hear from you soon I’ll get real worried.  Let me know how many letters you have sent – etc. – George

Be sure to send stuff I asked for

 

October 10, 1917 - Letter to George from His Dear Ones At Home

George Sherwood's Family

Susan, Will, George and Ella Jane

 

Lower pasture at Spring Brook Farm where George and Susan were both born and raised.

 



Spring Brook Farm

October 7, 1917

Dearest Little Soldier Brother,

            Can you guess who was at Church today?  Give you three guesses before you look at the answer.  He also is a soldier. Have you guessed?  Well, it really was A. E. Frederick in his soldier uniform.  And every time I looked at him I kept thinking about you, and how fine it would be if you could “come marching home” for a few days too.  After church we all stood around for about half an hour listening to him talk about how they build trenches, about bayonet drill, sleeping in the trenches one night and so forth and so forth.  They will have to stay in the trenches for three days and nights next time.  On the night which they have already spent there it rained quite hard which increased their comfort considerably, of course. 

            Mr. Fredericks troubles are not all when he is soldiering though for the car didn’t work right so that they did not get there much ahead of me and I was very late indeed, as I got started late and then could not hurry much as I had quite a load of things for Aunt Nellie and Ette can’t go any too fast as you well know. 

            Of course everybody was asking about you and where you were now.  Mr. Frederick received a card from you from Jefferson Barracks but was not certain that it was from you at first because you had not signed it and he did not know where you were.  Of course when he got home and Mrs. Fredericks told him of you, then he was sure, though he had thought so before.  Vincent also asked for your new address but as he had nothing to write it on he may forget it before getting around to write. 

            Forgot to tell you last night how sorry I was about your disappointment in regards to the officer and the fine girl which you might have met if you had been able to go to Rockford.  How I wish that there might be many instead of so few of the right kind of girls for you soldier boys to meet.  Oh, if some of those who are more thoughtless than really bad could realize that a soldier is a man and not a plaything, maybe they might also be made to realize what their good, clean, straight, friendship might mean to them and how they might help instead of hindering them to be clean fine men.

            We must all get up early in the morning as late last night we got word that the car of bran was on hand and must be emptied by Monday night.

            Herman stopped here tonight.  He went down to his brother George’s and brought him and their father up to Julius Webers to see them and to see the barn and its equipment.  He says though that his father can not stand riding in the car.  He had hoped to be able to take him to Sparta to see Philip some time this fall, but of course will not be able to now as his father could not stand it. 

            Grandma Atwater wanted to hear the phonograph so we have been listening to that the latter part of the evening.  We played your favorite, “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “An Afternoon in June” and all or nearly all of our favorite ones.  How I wish that you had been here to hear.  It has been so lonesome since you have started for Texas. 

            Goodnight sweetheart.  So much, much love and many prayers for our Boy.  Mispah.               

Your lovingest little sister;

Susan

October 8, 1917 – 11:15 A.M.

Dear Heart,

Just a line to tell you how much we love you but there is so much to do that I mustn’t stop to write much  but as soon as the threshing is done I will try to do better about writing.  Oh, so much love and so many prayers for our Boy.  Love and love and love.

                                                                                    Susan
 

[Change of handwriting to his mother, Ella Jane’s] P.S.  Dear, dear Laddie Boy,

Mother is just baking cookies and how I do wish my boy was to have some.  But sister will have to eat your share.  She says she is eating one for you now.  Do you taste it?  Eat it quick for the threshers will finish them tomorrow. Sister says [The rest is illegible]  

November.  Daddy says to write ditto under this about Mr. Frederick as he is here again.

It is apparent that this letter did not get mailed in a timely fashion since the last sentence shows that it is still in Wisconsin in November.  But I thought it was better to put it near the other letters that George had written and to which Susan refers.

October 9, 1917 - George Finally Gets Mail From Home

 

Received the first mail I've had since I got here today. It was yours of Oct 4 Addressed to Jefferson Barracks. I must have missed one letter, for you speak as tho I knew father was gone to Beaver Dam.  Is Aunt Clara worse?  Wrote last night for some or maybe it is all of my money.  If it is nearly all would like to have youput in enough to make my balance at least $5.00 if possible.  If I remember right I now owe you $22.50.  Am I right.

Love to all - George

October 9, 1917 - George Sherwood Looking for His Niche in the Engineers

Camp Logan, Tex. Oct 9 – ‘17

Dear Ones all:  For why didn’t I hear for you to-day yet.  Only one letter and nothing else since I hit this camp.  Again have I been transferred yet.  Maybe for better maybe for worse.  They are about to start topographical work in camp, but there are no intuitions as yet that I will be lucky enough to yet in on it.  I guess I am doomed to be a K.P. or Street P. and general flunky, unless I start I to be a grafter and get a pull.  There is an awful lot of difference between this and the regulars at Jefferson barracks.  The main trouble is lack of system I believe.  Then there does not seem to be any definite goal or aim in the work.  My present address is:

Headquarters Company 108^th U.S. Engineers, Camp Logan Texas.

Tell all my friends of this change and ask them to write.  Be sure to see that I have $5.00 balance as I may check some ----(?).

 

October 9, 1917 - Grubbing Stumps and Flooring the Tents

Well if I don’t hear from you folks to-morrow I am going to stop writing for a while.  I guess there must be something radically wrong up there or else with the mail system.  To-day we grubbed the stumps out of our tent and put the floor in. the frame for the side is on but not boarded up.

Love to all – George

How much did you thresh

October 9, 1917 - George Writes to his Future Brother-in-Law Herman

Camp Logan, Houston, Texas  Oct 9 – 17

Dear Herman,

Don’t know as I have acknowledged your card yet but it was not because I did not appreciate it.  I did no write before for the very good reason that I had not had time.  If you think $30 is to much pay for a soldier, at least an engineer recruit, I just wish you could try it a while.  I have been transferred again to Headquarters Company, where there is more work and less drill.  Can’t say I am pleased with the change.  But I’m not sorry I joined as long as they need the men.

Your friend. George S. Sherwood

Headquarters Company, 108^th U.S. Engineers Camp Logan, Tex.

How much grain did the folks thresh.

October 9, 1917 - George Has KP and Writes Home to Sister Susan

 

Well Folks: I joined the K.P.’s to-day, that is temporarily O.K. (send Kodak) no not the Knights of Pythias but the Kitchen Police.  That is the half brother to the mess detail I described in my letter from Jefferson Barracks.  But there are only the cooking dishes to wash here and while it is a long dirty job its not to bad, nor does it come very often unless administered as punishment.

Ich Leibe dich – Geo.

Did I tell you to send on Kodak? If not I will say please do now.

October 9, 1917 - George Learns to Fall In and Do Drills

Well folks. I’m some soldier. Never had any drill except morning at Jefferson Barracks till this A.M.  Then first thing the top sergeant put two of us under the tutorship of a private, with a rifle and after 4hrs. we were told to fall in after driven with rest of squad for gun drill and inspection.  That’s some speed I say.  We’re awfully rotten but the Sargeant says he don’t believe in an awkward squad so we do the best we can.  Rest of boys will soon be out of detention.

Love to all. George

Sorry for temporary dyslexta!  - Thought all my next set were the 9th!  Mybad!!

October 6, 1917 - George Worries About Family; Makes Requests for Items

Camp Logan, Oct 6 – ‘17

Dear Ones All:,

            I can’t understand why I receive no mail from you.  If anything serious is the matter why don’t you wire and I might get off for a few days.  Anyway, I’d rather know if anything is wrong.

            Of course there has not been time to get any mail down here since I sent you my address, but if any had been sent to Jefferson Barracks I should have rec’d it by forward before this.

            As I said before, don’t feel called upon to buy a wrist watch, but let me know whether or not you are going to send one as I must have one as soon as possible.  I have not heard what my bank balance is but feel sure that it must be at least $10.00 yet, so if you decide not to get the watch you had better draw that much out and send it by Chicago or St. Louis Bank draft.  If you do get watch you need only send $6.00 to buy razor, etc.

            Also please send my surveying and my mechanical drawing books (one of each) down, along with a couple of towels and the suit of B.V.D.’s I sent home.

            Feeling fine now.  Guess work continues to be good for me.  Anyway it’s a cinch I haven’t had a chance to try anything else.

            Please send the things down in the little black suit case I used to canvas with if possible as I can use it to keep toilet articles and clothing in very nicely.  Also please send down three or four old flour sacks ripped open to use to clean guns, shoes, etc.  A few more kerchiefs would be appreciated.

            Must close now and go back to quarters for inspection and retreat.

                                                            Love to all,

                                                                        George Sherwood

 

                                                                                    ~~~~~~~~~~~

 

---

[1] BVD is a brand of men's underwear, which are commonly referred to as "BVDs." BVD stands for Bradley, Voorhees & Day, the New York City firm that initially manufactured underwear of this name for both men and women. BVD is now only for men. It was founded in 1876 and named for its three founders. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BVD

October 4, 1917 George Arrives at Camp Logan, Houston TX

 

Camp Logan, Tex 10/4 – ‘17

Dear Home Folks,

            Here we are at last after a hard trip lasting form 9:45 A.M.  Yesterday to 4:00 P.M today.  We rode out from Houston on Motor trucks.  We are quartered in tents here.  Seven of the ten engineers in the bunch are in Company C.  I’m one of the seven.  We have been quartered separately in tents with the old hands. I don’t know how much initiation we’ll undergo but everyone seems very cordial so far.   I am writing this in the Y.M.C.A here, and as a speech is going on it is hard to keep my thot’s working on this epistle. 

            This is the poorest equipped .M. I’ve struck yet, but its lots better than none.

            We are better equipped for clothes than most of the men who are here ahead of us.  The rules are not so strict here as at Jefferson Barracks.

            Well, I guess we will be kept busy from what they say here. I don’t know whether I can find my way back to my tent or not, so I guess I’d better close and start back. 

            I mailed a letter on the way down here.  Did you get it.

            Write me at:      Company C

                                    108^th U. S. Engineers

                                    Camp Logan

                                    Houston, TX 

                                                            With love to all

                                                                        George

                                   

October 3,1917 - George's Train Journey and Canteloupes

Hoxie, Arkansas

Oct 3, 1917

Dear Home Folks:

            On our way to Texas, forty strong.  Left Jefferson Barracks at 9:45 on the Missouri Pacific. Now we’re leaving Hoxie and the train waves so I can hardly write.  Except for the town this is a forsaken looking country, and even in Hoxie there were four hogs roaming in the streets.

            I am black from cinders.  Cotton fields are getting common.  Also lots of corn and a little rice. 

            We have kits containing plate, cup, knife, fork and spoon.  For dinner we had corned beef, beans, molasses, bread and coffee.

            This sure is the land of the hook-worm.  We’re on a special coach hooked to an express so only stop at good sized towns, and are making good time.  Can’t leave the train but will try to get this mailed at next station.  At one town we passed this noon a merchant sent us out some cantaloupes and distributed them to the car windows free.  They sure tasted fine.  There are 10 engineers in this bunch with myself. One other is from the 23^rd Co.  He is from Chi[cago].  Name is Getlings.  We are riding down to-gether, in fact have struck up quite an acquaintance.

            Must close now with love to all.

                        Write me at

                                    Camp Logan

                                    Houston, Texas

 

                                                George

October 2, 1917 - George Almost Returns to Rockford, IL

[George has been using the stationary provided by the YMCA for the past couple of weeks of writing. I didn't scan each of them but used the first header over and over.  I thought I'd scan another one and it can be seen that for this short time he was numbering the letters so his family would know if they had missed any.  He did this periodically, but was not consistent.  This October 2 letter was the 5th letter. He did not identify sequences of post cards as a general rule.]

 Jefferson Barracks

 October 2, 1917

Dear Ones All:

             Guess you better ring off on the letters for a little till you hear from me again.  But maybe you have already for I have received no mail for two days.  What is the matter? 

            There, I tell you to stop writing and then start asking questions first thing.

            Well, you see, I expect to entrain to-morrow for Camp Logan, Houston, Tex. if the Government doesn’t change its mind again.  This is the first letter I’ve written you in the last two or three days because I didn’t want to disappoint you.  And as it turns out it was lucky.

            Two days ago I was called out of drill, and received printed orders to proceed with 9 others of  Ill. National Guard Eng. to Rockford, Ill.  But I have already seen so many changes and disappointments that I made up my mind not to make many plans until we were actually at Rockford.  And I was right, for to-night, two hours before we were to entrain, reverse orders sending us to Camp Logan arrived.  So maybe I’ll start for Tex to-morrow.

            Of course this was quite a disappointment to me, for I met a man from Rockford this A.M. who put me n the way of getting acquainted with one of the Non-C officers at Rockford and incidentally a “dandy straight girl,” from his description, which by the way is something that seems to be a scarce article in army life. 

            Of course my hopes of home, Beaver Dam and visit or two at McCleneghan's were also revived some, but as I said at the outset, the news had seemed too good to be true all along, so I received the reverse English for Tex with scarcely a jolt.

            And I hope everything is O.K. at home because as I said, no mail in two days, and if we start on schedule – which I doubt – will have no chance to get any to-morrow. 

            Well, hurrah for U.S. &Tex anyway.  A lot of fellows envy us at that.

            Guess this is all the news for now.  Don’t be surprised if you hear from me any old place on this globe – I almost said the universe.

                                                            Love to all – George