Monday, October 8, 2018

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

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