October 23, 1918 - Picture a French Chateau in Fair Repair

 Mr. Herman Weber                                                                     13^th Somewhere in France

Kendall                                                                                                          Oct 23, 1918
Wisconsin                                                                                                          11:58 PM 

Dear Ones All at Home:

            I thot I would hardly have time to drop you a line from here, but the fates have given me a few spare moments, so I will at least let you know I am still well and safe. In fact, feel better than I have for the past month. Maybe it is because the shells are not as thick here. Ha, Ha. 

Picture a French chateau, in fair repair, a real open fireplace with mirror over the mantle, fire blazing merrily on the hearth, a French deal table before it, a candle’s flickering light casting fantastic shadows of a chunky American soldier bent low over a letter HOME.  Add to the picture another soldier and a dog stretched lazily on a couple of army blankets before the crackling blaze and you have a very fair picture of the scene the moon looks down on “Somewhere in France” tonite.  For a romantic effect, take notice of the two prim old French chairs with their grotesque antique carving also.  Ah, me, if it could only last, or happen again. 

                                                            Love to you all including Auntie,

                                                                                    George

 

[This was written on a fold-over, seal on three sides, and address letter form (somewhat like an aerogram).  Small writing in pencil.]

October 21 1918 -- "Standard" Post Card Letting Loved Ones Know He's OK!

 

This is a "fill in the blanks" postcard that would let sender reassure family that he or she was "fine" and that did not require time spent by censors.  I think this might have been sent earlier but didn't notice it in time to add in mid-month. 

Kind of like an early text message vs a long email :-)   

October 13, 1918 - Rumors of Peace Talks - Guns Urging Decision

 

October 8, 1918 -- George Shares War Rumors

Dear Ones All at Home:

            There is very little to write about now, but at least I can again assure you that I am well.  I can only hope you are all over your colds and enjoying fine health again. I have not recd. any magazines as yet but the Keystones [local Wisconsin newspaper] are coming along regular now, and are enjoyed as much as ever. I got letter No. 102 from you the other day.  It seems to take just about 1 month for letters to come this way and six weeks for papers and packages.  From the reports we are getting it looks very much as tho Germany was up to the “Last Stand” as all her allies seem to have gone to the wall.  In fact, we got so provisions we are getting “Turks” before Thanksgiving this year so fear it will be all gone by then and the Allies will have to get along with “Hungary” stomachs. 

            I sincerely hope that it is about over, if the Kaiser abdicates or is shorn of power along with his Junker govt.  But any lesser peace should be intolerable to the Allies at large and Americans in particular.  I surely feel for the boys who must spend the winter in the trenches, but with Jerry driven out of his snug quarters all along the line it will be that much harder on him.  As for myself, I must admit that for the present I fear I have accepted a rather bomb-proof job.  If the fighting should prove to be about over I shall be well satisfied, but I have never been reconciled to the fact that I have never been “over the top”. Have experienced plenty of shell fire, bombs and some gas, but I did  want to go “over” just once anyway.  However, I have tried to do my duty and believe I am still doing it, for your first duty in a machine like an army is to do your best in any position your superiors in command feel you best qualified for, unless you know you are absolutely unfitted for it. I have noticed so often that it often means the sacrifice of a man’s own wishes or ambitions.

            It has settled down again to the regulation dull, grey, raw, drizzly French day.   Perhaps that is why I feel a little blue, but it is nothing serious, so in an hour or so I’ll be my own cheerful self again.  I’m sincerely hoping that the rumored mail arrives today with news that you are OK over there, and with the usual ray of sunshine the letters from home always contain.

            I’ll bet you can’t guess what the main topic of discussion among us are now when we get a little time, it’s how the sight of the good old “Statue of Liberty” will look to us, and how we will appreciate the luxuries of “Home.”  We used to call them necessities.

            I hope you are getting my letters regularly now, as I have been writing more frequently the last two months than I have since I came across, before.  Let me know the date and number of each letter you receive, please.  I am sorry I spoke as tho I needed gloves, as the famine is temporarily over and I have two pairs wood and one of leather.  Use them when needed, or if not needed, store them as I may send for them later.  My helmet and sweater are still serviceable, too.  Am awaiting package sent for, anxiously but not in extreme need.  Love again and again to all.

                                                            Your son and brother,  George Sherwood