April 28, 1918 --George Sherwood Reaches Camp Merritt, Last Stop Before France

 

 

Camp Merritt,[1] April 28 – ‘18

Dear Home Folks:

            As usual this will have to be short and sweet for several reasons.  In the 1^st place I must straighten up the Major’s bed and quarters a little more so my time is limited.  Then there isn’t much I can tell as we don’t know much of our future plans and can tell less.

            We got here about noon today and by 2 P.M. I had both Major Roth’s quarters and mine in a habitable condition.  So quickly does one learn adaptation in the Army.  We have barracks very similar to those I described at Jefferson Barracks.  Both houses also similar but not quite the same. 

            When I get some supper (pardon me, dinner) into me I’ll feel O.K.  Think maybe I’ll hunt up the Liberty Theater.  Well, I’ve at last seen some of “Little Old New York” and had a dandy view of “The Goddess of Liberty” from the railroad yards.  Also went under the river in the tunnel.  We were in a boxcar of light baggage to so got the benefit of all the gas and smoke on the way through.  It surely was a wonderful trip in many ways. 

            There is only one flaw and that is I cannot hear from you.  I don’t even know how much of this letter may be censored out or when it will be sent on to you.  There is no telling how many hours, days, weeks, months or years we may be here. But don’t worry when letters stop for awhile. 

                                                            Goodbye and love to all

                                                                        George 
 

These PHOTOS OF CAMP MERRITT edited from above panorama for detail.

Copyrights not renewed according to Library of Congress link

 

---

[1] On average, the troops spent one day to two weeks before being sent to Hoboken to board ships for the European battlefields. Granite memorial dedicated in 1924 is inscribed in part that it “marks the centre of the camp and faces the highway over which more than a million American soldiers passed on their way to and from the World War, 1917-1919.”   [It appears likely that George Sherwood was only here a few days and that if he did board the USS George Washington within a few days that the photo referenced in the transcription of his Feb 1, 1919 letter may actually have been taken when he was on board the ship! KSL]  http://www.bergencountyhistory.org/Pages/campmerritt.html  for more information concerning Camp Merritt; photo from -  http://www.bergencountyhistory.org/Pages/campmerrittphotos.html

 

 

April 27, 1918 -- George Travels the Lehigh Valley [Rail]Road

By H. P. Osborn - This image is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID pga.06015.This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required.  Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=60685507

2:30 P.M. E T Somewhere

In New York State

East of Buffalo on

Lehigh Valley Road

April 17 [27th],1918

^2nd Sec 108^th Troop Train

Dear Ones All:  Once more we are speeding, speeding, father and father away from home, but our mission keeps us from any serious attacks of homesickness.  But recollections keep returning as we pass through this finest farming and dairy section of New York State.  The hills, the plowed and harrowed fields, the orchards, the large comfortable farmhouses, the cattle grazing here and there and the prosperous looking barns and out buildings all remind one of “Home Sweet Home.”  Yet I would not be as happy there now, as I am here, for we are on our way we believe to do our part in service to Uncle Sam and the “World at Large.”  My only wish is that the day may be hastened when a troop train can bear us back content in the knowledge of a duty well and successfully performed.  We had a good view of Lake Erie this A.M. before we got to Buffalo.  There was lots of ice still floating in the lake, so it can’t be so very long since it broke up.  I think we are passing thru Ithaca now.  From the towns I have mentioned and the various postmarks you can probably very nearly map out our route.  Would like to be thru here in the fall and stop off awhile. You ought to see the orchards and vineyards we have passed today.  A beautiful little lake is in view from the car windows where I am sitting.  We are right on the edge of it now, and you can see the beautiful pebble bottom thru the clear water beautifully.  It is still sunny and warm today in distinct contrast to our last three days travel. This R.R. is without exception the best road I ever traveled.  Block signals every mile, crushed rock ballast with many sections where the edge of the ballast is lined up in a straight line, not a stone out of place, ties all tarred. 

            As usual forgot to number my cards and letters as I said I would so will never know whether you got them all or not.  Am calling this 2G but think there are two letters and 2 or 3 cards between this and 1 G. 

            Hope daddy is long since home all O.K, and that his trip did him as much good as it did me.

            Now I’ll bring this to a close with the usual Goodbye and God bless you all as I cannot tell now when I can write again. Or when I’ll hear from you.  I got the box of cookies and the wedding cake, also the fruit cake that followed it, but if you sent that box you spoke of last Sat or Mon it is hard telling who will get it or when. 

                                      Again Farewell till next time.  

                                                           Your Son & Brother

                                                                                  George
Love again and again to my dear ones and regards to everyone.  Get them to write me when I get “over there.”  Thanks for all the eats.  I acknowledged all but I thot maybe you missed letters. 

April 27, 1918 -- George Passes Through Buffalo, New York

Just a line to you from Buffalo to let you know am still all right and on our way.  We sure will have to hand it to the Red Cross Unit here for they have given each and every one these cards, cigarettes and chocolate bars.  Been pretty busy this A.M.  It is now 12.15 P.M. but our time is now 1 hr. ahead of yours.

Love to all

George

April 26, 1918 -- Somewhere in Ohio, After Indiana, Which was After St. Louis

Still Somewhere in Ohio

10 P.M. Fri. Apr 26 – 1918

Dear Mother, Father and the Webers,

            We are rolling along over the “Nickel Plate Line” towards Cleveland.  Expect we will pass thru there about midnight.  There is really little to write.  Stop at every few places, then usually in the yard.  Occasionally some of the citizens get wind of our approach and turn out to see and greet us, but not often.  Quite a number down to the train at St. Louis last nite.  We stayed over an hr. and I struck up a passing acquaintance with a girl who seemed quite nice. She had a brother in the 110^th Engineers she said.  I have his name and hers, so if I ever see them I’ll try and look him up.  But there is so little we are allowed to tell of what we know even, that conversation on what interests us all is rather limited, same as writing.  We have passed thru some fine farming country today in Ind. & Ohio.  Barns and land remind me of home tho it is much smoother.  

            Well, it is nearly bed-time and the train rocks so I’m doubtful if you can read this.  So I’ll say goodbye for tonite.  My letters seem so newsless and flat to me, so must to you, but there is little that can be told.   

            So give regards to all the friends and write occasionally.  

            Good night with love,

                        George

 

April 26, 1918 - George Writes to Aunt Nellie

 
Friday P.M. Apr 26

My sentiments well expressed on the opposite side of this.  But we may yet get there yet if we keep up present progress.  Travelling thru Ohio now and we are not hiking.  Just passed Craigville [Which was in Indiana, so they must have just crossed into Ohio]..

With Love – Nephew George

April 25, 1918 - Somewhere in Missouri

 

 Somewhere in Missouri

April 25 – 1918

Dear One’s All – Including both families & Aunt Nellie.

            From the heading on this you will see we are traveling right along for a troop train.  It is much colder today and has evidently been raining a couple of days and has not stopped yet. Fairchild is quite sick so the rest of us have vacated the drawing room to him and a hospital representative for the most part.  As the Major says we are sort of orphans just now. O’Mally slept in upper berth in Drawing Room last nite. M.E. Winslow and I in uppers in the Officers car.  As it is an up to date, 1^st class Pullman, we had fine beds anyway.  Slept fine, but it was so hot when I turned in I only had sheet over me, so I woke up frozen in the middle of the night and pulled my two blankets over me.  Then I was fine.  Didn’t wake up when the bugle sounded reveille even.  At the burg where we just stopped some girls came all along the train and gave us magazines of all kinds.  I have a few extra privileges on this trip, one of which is permission to get off the train when we make stops of any length, so I got outside and got a “People’s” for Nov & a Popular for August.  Also gave one of the girls a card to mail to Vincent.  Find out if he gets it O.K. and give him my address. 

            We are still in Missouri I think.  Well, I feel fine and there isn’t much in the line of news to write so guess I will close this up for now and try and send it while we are stopped here.  Regards to everybody and love to all my home folks.

George Sherwood

Hdqtr. Company

108th Engineers

American Expeditionary Forces

c/o Postmaster New  York

April 24, 1918 - Somewhere in Texas, Bound for the East

Satche [Sachse], Texas.  Apr. 24, 1918

            Somewhere in Texas, bound somewhere East, sometime on the 24^th.  Will try to hurry up and scribble a little note to you while we are here on the siding.  Now we’re on the go again.  And maybe this is Oklahoma.  Anyway, we are on our way at last.  You see dad you only beat me out of Houston by about 29 hours.  I told you we were at last speeding up and Monday things just jumped.  We don’t travel so very fast, but we stop very seldom; and then on secluded sidings as much as possible.  Hit very few large places.  I received three letters from you folks just a couple of hours before we left Houston.  In fact we (Maj. and I) were already at the Camp Logan depot siding with all our baggage.  The letters were sent 18^th, 19^th and 20^th respectively.  The last two were numbered 1 & 2.  So I’ll number this 1G. The G stands for George.  * Had to stop right there and clean up for the Major a little.  Must go shine his shoes presently, too. 

            Everybody is in fine spirits.  Even the rails seem to say “Going to France, Going to France,” as they click away beneath us.  It is a little cloudy today which makes it just about right for us with our wool underwear on.  The country up here is much better than around Houston, a black, rich soil, and the crops and farmhouses look much more prosperous.  Just passing thru Celeste now.  It is now 10:00 A.M. will try to mail this soon up the line a little way.  A trip like this makes one appreciate more than ever how much people think and expect of us.  When you see men wave their hats and mothers with tears streaming down their faces for troops, they don’t even know, it must indeed be a yellow cur who wouldn’t give the best he had to deserve their trust and sacrifice.

            Well, guess I better draw this to a close and start another one later.  People along the way seem only too glad to help us out what they can and mail our letters, so expect to mail this at next station. I won’t receive any more mail on this side perhaps, but write when you can anyway and I’ll get some of them sometime.  Address:  George Sherwood

                                                                                                            Hdqts. Company

                                                                                                            108^th U.S. Engineers

                                                American Expeditionary Forces

With love to all, c/o Postmaster, New York

Regards to my friends

                                                                                                                                           George

April 21, 1918 -- Will Heads Home; George Hints That the Time Has Come

 

4/21/18

Dear Ones at Home,

            I am staying over till tomorrow as this is the last day George, or any of the division for that matter, will be able to get away from Camp.  Will start tomorrow morning but this may beat me Home.

                                                Bye bye till I come. With love from the Boy for us all.

                                                                        Love to all

                                                                                    W R Sherwood 

Dear Home Folks:

            Just a line to you from me.  Things are very unsettled here now so don’t worry when you don’t get mail regular.  There will probably be times in the next two months when we can send no mail at all.  Trusting you are all well, and won’t worry, for we can not be but glad to go.

                                                                        Your loving son,

                                                                                    George

April 19, 1918 - Will In No Hurry to Leave

4/19/18

Dear Ones at home,

            It is a week today since I started from home in such a hurry and I suppose you notice I don’t start back in “such a hurry”.  Today is my day to have extra trouble with my inside gear and perhaps it is best today as it is showery and Geo is too busy to come in today.  Was out to camp yesterday and George and I plan to go to Galveston tomorrow but don’t think I will stir around much today.  I know the work at home must be getting behind but Herman must remember that it won’t pay to overwork the only able man on the job.

I’ll be coming after our trip to Galveston.

                                                Love to all – W. R. S.

 

April 17, 1918 -- "Shiftless" Will Sherwood Dawdles in Texas

 Hotel Bender

Houston, Texas

4/17/18

Dear Ones All,

            George and I have been together most all day as the Major let him off soon after 8:30 this a.m.  We wandered out to a park in the subberbs (sic)and stayed most of the day but managed to take in two movies since we came back, so that  brings it to 11:00 pm and about bedtime.  I know I am more shiftless than ever before.  But I don’t know just when I will start back as I dearly love to be here with Our Boy – may go out to Camp tomorrow if George gets hung up so he can’t get leave!!

                                      Love to all and goodnight,

                                                       W R Sherwood

April 16, 1918 -- Will Sherwood Visits Houston with George

Hotel Bender

Houston, Texas

                                    4/16/18

Dear Ones,

            Just a line to tell you I have been around the city with George nearly all day as the Major let him off after fixing up the tent.  Was out to Rice Inst. [Was Rice Institute; now Rice University] this pm., went to movies after.  Don’t know just when I will start for Home.  May stay until Saturday as the check seems to be on its way from Kendall to George.

           Hope Herman has found someone to help e’er this. 

                                          Love to you all,   

                                                         W R Sherwood

By Acmegraph Co. - The University of Houston Digital Library: http://digital.lib.uh.edu, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18622530

 

  

April 15, 1918 - Father and Son Reunion

Hotel Bender from Wikipedia.  By Acmegraph Co. - The University of Houston Digital Library: http://digital.lib.uh.edu, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18895351

 

Hotel Bender

Houston, Tex

April 15 –‘18

Dear Susan, Herman and Mother,

            Here we are again. It sure takes you folks to spring the surprises on a fellow.  Came up town last evening, staid till about 10 then went back to camp, got in just 10:30 (taps).  Went to bed and was just sleeping nicely when in comes cook Bill Kaufman with a telegram on a sheet of paper, saying that Dad was up at Hotel Bender.  Well, it was 11:00 PM then so I rolled over and got to sleep again after about half an hour. Got up at reveille this morning, beat it over to Major Roth’s right after roll call, explained matters a little, and he said he would see what he could do after mess. 

            So I got out the horses, cleaned them and the stalls, while mess progressed, and went back to see the Major. He gave me a few errands to do and told me to beat it for all day, so here I am. Got up here at 8:30 AM but Dad was out to breakfast, so I left a note and went out to have my shoes shined. When I returned the boss was waiting for me. I sure was glad to see him, tho there is nothing we can do about the check at present, as it has not showed up yet. It almost looks as tho that would always be an unexplained mystery.  Anyway, as long as we are still here, and I am able to get some time off, we should worry about that.  Not much!  I’m enjoying every minute, too bad we aren’t all together but guess we will have to save that pleasure till I return from “Over There” At least I hope soon to be “There.”  We went out to the turning basin this PM.  Had a dandy walk and talk. Lunch of

Dad

Veal with dressing

Mashed potatoes

Strawberry short cake

Coffee

 

Me

Chicken & poached egg

Mashed potato

S B shortcake

Supper (or dinner) consisted of Roast Beef, Peas, Mash potatoes, and SB Shortcake each.

Don’t that make your mouth water?  It ought to if it don’t. 

            Well, I never intended this check fracas to worry you folks as much as it seems it has, but even tho Dad can’t do any direct good in clearing up the matter, it is really worth a lot to me to see him. More in fact than I would have dreamed of had he not come.  And I think the trip will do him good too.  Was very sorry to hear of Grandma Atwater’s death, but it certainly was fine that Dora and Mother got up to see her when they did.

            Well, I’ll close now and let Dad write a line.  Love to you all.

                                                George

 Dear folks

            I sure am sorry I forgot to write last night but after I got a message off to George I seem to lost track that it was still my move and went to bed.  George seems to have covered all of the ground so forgive my delinquency.
                                                            Love to all
                                                            W. R. Sherwood

 

April 13, 1918 - Will Sherwood, Concerned Parent, Heads to Texas For Son's Peace of Mind

William Richard Sherwood; George's father

 

Spring Brook Farm

April 13, 1918

10:55 A.M.

Dearest Little Brother,
            Not having had any word from Texas since your letter of last Sunday and Monday in which you mention being overworked, sick * (stopped for telegram and Liberty Loan) and worried about the check.  Papa decided to leave for Texas, unless we heard from you, as he and all of us feared you were sick and we wanted the check question settled before you had to move.  Not having had any word, we feared you might have gone, so sent the telegram to you at 2 o’clock hoping to get an answer before midnight as he decided to take that train.  We were to telegraph him at Chicago any word received, but your telegram did not reach us until just after I started this letter (see above).  As he had left Chicago an hour or half an hour before that I guess probably he will be there before this letter gets there unless we should decide to try to stop him at St. Louis which hardly seems a good idea as he would be half way there or nearly so by that time.
            My, we have been having strenuous times this last week.  First the check and your telegram and letters.  Then our first telegram and the long distance from Bangor of Grandma Atwater’s death.  Mama intended to take the early morning and Herman and I took her over in the car so as to “see the pretty lights” as the train pulled out.  The train had just pulled out as we reached the corner at Berg & Waters.  So home we came and did better the next time as we got there about twenty minutes before the eleven o’clock came.
           Papa got so worried that he decided at last to go to Texas and we telegraphed in hopes of an answer before he should have to start but they are pretty slow sometimes, even with “fast day messages.” 

Got his things ready and packed and mama’s things ready so that if we received word for him to come that she could go too. Mama was to come back on the midnight, so Papa asked Herman if he would go to Elroy to get her so that she could go down that far with him, which we did, but we did not see Daddy as he took the fast train which left before we got there. 

            Reached home safely and slept, arose, did chores and had breakfast. Herman is dragging the oat field and we are writing.

Just as we received your telegram this morning Mr. Street came about the Liberty Loan.  Our allotment was $100 and Papa’s and Mama’s $150.  Mama paid the initial installment and of course Daddy can subscribe for more when he comes back if he wishes, which I expect he will.

It is time for the carrier so I must close.  Everybody well here. Hope Daddy reaches you safely. Love to you both from all and always our prayers.  Mizpah*. Susan.

*The Lord watch between you and me while we are apart one from the other.

Family photo, likely around George's HS Graduation

Susan, Will, George, Ella Jane

April 12, 1918 - Will Sherwood Considers a Visit to Son George

1918-0412 - William Sherwood to George  Sherwood and Reply

 

[George wrote on the back of this telegraph and returned to his parents]

Dear Dad:  Just a line on the back of this to let you know how much I’d like to see you, for you can’t realize what it cost me in will power to send the answer I did to this, but we have no guarantee of how long we will be here, town leave is hard to get, few and far between.  And inspections and roll calls any time night and day.  So, tho we might be here a month, there wouldn’t be much use for anyone to come down here at this time.

                                                            Love to all,

                                                                        George

April 7, 1918 - Dora Returns to Utah & News of Family Loss

Castle Gate, Apr. 7^th

Dear Mother: -- Got home all right and have been very busy sweeping out a month’s dirt so I could step around.  I did not have time to go up town in Omaha and it rained in Pueblo so I did not get anything for sister’s dress.  Had a grand visit at Canon City – of course they wanted me to do all the talking and begin by telling all about the Sherwoods.  Zida and family will go to Kansas for the girls health.  Dorothy is very nervous and Clara has not strong lungs.  Zida herself is not well poised, you remember her old way of flying at one in play and it has grown on her.  It would help both girls is [if] she could be more serene and tranquil.  But they are all loveable just the same.  David has an excellent position as sec. and manager of the Co-op fruit association. They seem to be doing well tho Clara is not at all strong.  It has cost them thousands to keep her up.  Margaret stood the trip well and was very happy indeed to see her papa and Queenie.  She has asked more than I thought she would for grandma and grandpa and when I taker her to see “Bowles.”  One night at Bangor she was going to insist on having Grandpa put her to bed but I told her long stories of how grandpa was feeding the cows and horses and putting them to bed.  Tonight she got a horseman’s catalogue land where there was a picture of blanketed horses at the Fair I told her all about how Grandpa combed the horses and braided their tails and put their nighties on and she went to sleep.  Well dears, I too must get to bed as there is a huge wash tomorrow and no one to “chuck ice”.  We had a royal feast on fudge when the trunk was opened.  Have everything unpacked and put away.  Rather bent the Sabbath, I think. 
            Love to all from all.
                                    Dora

[Now Ella Jane, mother of Dora, Susan and George, adds a note to Dora’s  letter and  forwards it to George]

April 13

Dear Precious Boy.  I’ll write a bit on Dora’s letter and send it along.  By now you will have a letter telling you of Grandma Atwater’s death. [Follow link for her last letters to family and worries about WWI.] We laid her away to rest beside Father Atwater at 2:30 yesterday, then Brother Len ate his dinner and went to La Crosse to a meeting of the La Crosse Co. Liberty Loan committee of which he is a member because he said, “I’ve done all I can for Mother now.  I must not shirk my duty to the Soldier’s and our Country.”  He got back in time to take me to the station for the train that gets here at midnight.  When I started to get off Daddy pushed me back and got on and I went to Elroy with him.  Sending my love to you dear in his heart and hands. How I hope he finds you there.  Grandma Atwater finished a set of five table doilies for Susan the night before she died, sprinkled them and rolled them in a damp cloth saying, “I’ll press these and send them to Susan tomorrow” but died by the bursting of a blood vessel next to the heart, just as she slipped out of bed in the morning. 

                                    Love and love,

                                                Mother           

April 6, 1918 -- On-Going Saga of the Missing -- Forged? -- Check

 P.S. [at top of letter] Sent blanket and black case by parcel post today.

10:30 A.M.

Camp Logan, Texas

April 6, 1918

 Dear Ones All:
            This will have to be a hasty time to let you know I’m alive and kicking yet any way.  * 

8 P.M.  Was stopped there and since then have sent you a telegram which must be explained at once. At 5:30 tonite I was ordered to report to Lieut. Campbell at once, and on arriving at his tent I was asked if I remembered the check he had endorsed for me.  I was up in the air for a minute as the chaplain had endorsed a couple of my personal checks when I first came down.  Then I realized that Lieut. Campbell never had endorsed any so I said, “No, for how much was it and what about it.”  He said “$45.00 and they are on my neck for it.”  Then I realized at once that the registered letter had been stolen instead of lost, so we compared notes.  This is the result, The check bearing my name and Lieut. Campbell’s was cashed at a place (I don’t know which one) on the road opposite camp.  Of course it went thru usual channels to Kendall Bank, where it was refused as per my order & yours.  Now neither of us ever signed that check, but Lieut. Campbell wants to catch the man, so do I, therefore the telegram, and I hope to be in possession of the check by the time this reaches you. If the telegram fails to arrive, send check immediately on receipt of this for I’m very much worried.  We are keeping it quiet at this end if possible.  I have my suspicions but I don’t think they agree with the Lieut’s. and worst of all I hate anything of this kind as it may always stain an innocent man’s name.  But as I’m partly to blame for hushing it up some when the letter didn’t arrive, take the Liberty Bond of mine you have to cover it, as I’m determined you shall not stand the expense, but it seems we must have the check to do anything, and to get it you will have to pay the bank or honor it I suppose.  Anyway, if you don’t the Lieut., will have to pay it or prove it forged and it is a cinch I won’t let him stand it all as my name is evidently forged, too.  Please explain this at the bank as soon as you receive this so that they will remember all circumstances in case of further trouble.  In a way it seems to me it might be better to refuse payment, but time is precious, and it might get the Lieut. in trouble temporarily too so as he wants to have it this way and work from this end.  Do as I say if you have not already done so and the Liberty Bond will secure you in case we don’t get anything here.  Don’t worry but must close in haste and mail this. Please hurry.

                                                            Love to all ~~
                                                                        George