February 22, 1919 - George's Happiness Spills Into Army Life

Echternach, Luxembourg

February 22, 1919

Dear Ones ALL

            Since reading today’s mail, I’ll never forgive Bill Hohenzollern if I don’t get back by the middle of June.  By the way, Mother, this cancels the necessity for answering my “Confidential Note.”  Don’t you all think I’m a pretty keen kid.  Now Sister, do not blame Mother for in case you didn’t see what she wrote it was only a remark wondering if she could get away to Aunt Nellie’s Birthday Party?!?! Of course I was crazy for more information, for while I had hardly even thot of the possibility before reading that, the first thought that came to me was “I wonder.”  But having not even a ghost of a reason to think I was right I searched the letters all carefully and found not even a hint.  Then I thot I was probably crazy but occasionally a little bird seemed to whisper, “you're right, you're right,” and then when I read Susan’s letters of the last of Jan suggesting a secret, of course I knew my hunch was right, tho I rushed frantically on to her Birthday letter to get verification in her own dear words. Now I know I’ve got to get home to celebrate the Birthday Parties – How’s that?  Oh, folks – you don’t know how proud and glad I am.  I feel just like I did a little over a year ago when sister let me in on advance dope of March 12, 1918. Herman, I hope you won’t be jealous or vain either one if I say that the only thing which can make me happier than when I got you for a brother-in-law, will be the safe arrival of a little niece or nephew. 

            Sister, I’m sure glad to be let in on this too, and as luck would have it the news came just when we were preparing for the usual kind of an Army Holiday plus homesickness & Spring fever.  Now in spite of the preparation necessary for the coming inspection, and the work to do, and the rain etc., etc., I’m feeling as cozy and happy as its possible to feel “On this side of the Pond,” when you want to be “On the Other side of the Pond.”  Compree?

            I think this letter will mean quite a bit to you, but if it is censored very close they will have me up on the medical carpet examining me for InSanity.  Oh! Well, probably that is the only grounds I could get a discharge on at present!

            Got a letter from Mayme Finnican today too.  As I just sent her a rather bum letter telling her I wished she would write, you had better tell her I got it next time  you see her, but that I’m just as anxious to get an answer to this last one I sent.  I also received Aunt Nellie’s letter, which I’ll try to answer soon.

            All I can really say about when we will get home is that things look as bright now as they ever did for us to hit there by the 4^th of July.  And believe me, you bet if I’m in the US I sure will make an effort to be Home.  The longer I wait the more things to celebrate seems to pop up.  I guess you’ll have to fat up three or four “calves.”

            So my letters prove “intensely interesting.”  That is consoling but I’m afraid the General Public will not or rather would not appreciate it. Ha! Ha!  Bet if I really did write something good you would all die of delight.  By the way, what is the latest news from Ed Schultz.  And how is his mother.  You know there is a little hitch between the two arms of service, especially the Great Lakes Training Boys and the Army fellows over here.  The best name I’ve heard applied to them yet came out this week remarking on them as “Ladies Home Companions.”  Of course we realize that many of them really wanted to see some service, but so many of them squeezed into that as a bomb proof job to escape the draft and then were coddled in Chicago during the war that it gets under our skin a little to see the Hero’s praised for the “Terrible Battle of Great Lakes” as we call it.  And for every enlisted man you see in an advertisement, or posing by some fair damsel on a Magazine Cover you see forty sailors.  There is a little element of truth and irony in it at that for as far as most of the Great Lakes Gobs go, that is about all they did.  However, I’d like to know what Ed’s address now is and I’ll try to drop him a line as he doubtless has worked hard.  I dropped his mother a card from Aix-les-Baines.   Hope she received it OK.

            A couple of Dutchmen just came in with a pass to Germany to be vice’d and I had to trail off down to the town Majors with them, but in spite of the rain I was even whistling when I came back all because your letters had made me so happy.  If this one to you could only spread as much joy I would sure be glad I wrote it, but I’m having a lot of fun writing it anyway. 

            Now there’s more reason than ever to be very careful of yourselves so I’ll leave it up to the Webers to keep good tab on the Sherwoods and vice versa.)

                                                                                    (Feb 23^rd, 1919)

            Just got that far when I had to stop as per usual.  But here we go again on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning, the sun fairly blazing down on me thru the open window of the office.  So I’ll just send my love along with him as the moon hasn’t showed up lately.  Say, you nearly ruined me.  I went to bed last nite at about eleven P.M. and then I started to think about your letters and going home, etc. and before I knew it I was going over and over the trip from Echternach clear back home to that cool white bed.  Bet I made the whole trip at least 20 times, never twice the same.  And you have gone and busted one of my fondest hopes. With my little sister threatening maternity, and a mother with heart trouble, how do you suppose I’m going to dare try to surprise you.  No, that is another busted bubble.  But guess there wouldn’t be much chance anyway as Chicago will probably advertise our return enough.  But of course don’t expect me until you hear from me even then as it takes about two weeks to muster out after we hit camp.  Gee I’m raving as tho I was there already and there is no chance that I can see to get to Chicago before June 15^th or so.

                                                Love to you all again & again

                                                            Corp. Geo Sherwood

                                                            108th US Engineers

                                                            American Exp. Forces

C. L. Thompson

Capt. 108^th Engrs

Amer. Ex F
********************************

1919-0212 - George Sherwood to Herman Weber Rock formation 

Dear Brother Herman

Was is los.  Ich habe kein brief von dir furLange zeit bekommen. Ich hoffe bald von dir zu horen.  Wel I don’t know as you can  read that, but if you can’t, write me again just the same.

Love to all, Corp Geo. Sherwood 108^th U.S. Eng. Amer. E.F.

C.L. Thompson, Capt. 108^th Engrs. Amer. E.F. (Censor)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 10, 1919 -- George Worries About Future Life and "Bawls Out" Sister Susan

 

Regt. Hdqt Office

         Echternach, Luxemburg

February 10^th  1919

Dear Father, Mother, Sister, Brother:

            Just received a grand surprise when the orderly brot in 6 fine letters from HOME, 2 from Jo and 1 from the Rassmussens.  Those from the first two sources were dated the 20^th and 24^th Jan so you see they made real fast time.  But Rasmussens was sent Dec 31^st.  Must have been held up a long time somewhere.  I also recd three Sat Evening Posts.  1^st I’ve received.  I’m just wild to get time to read them, but guess it will be quite a while before I get said time as we had all Day Sunday off yesterday for the first time since I can remember except of course when we were on leave.   We spent the day sleeping till noon.  Then we ate dinner and played and read till about 10 PM  Johnnie brot over three Chicago Dailies and two Keystones.  I skimmed thru them (the Keystones) and they brot up so many memories of Home  I was almost homesick so thot I’d find relief in writing a letter too.  But after scribbling a page it sounded so very tragic I tore it up and went to bed instead. 

            By the way, I’m still groping around in my mind trying to figure out what to do when I get back.  I reckon I can make a living but at 22 ½ years I’m getting to be an old man! And have got to settle down to something with future prospects and immediate financial returns.  By the time they get us back that will be a tough riddle to solve I fear.  But I guess it is hardly fair to even suggest a fresh problem to you folks so forget it; that’s what I’ve done with about all I ever knew, or at least that is the way I feel.  Another grievance against Bill Hohenzollern[1]!

            Now Sister as you write most of the letters you lay yourself liable for most of the “Bawlings Out.”  I’ve stood your self depreciating and Soldier Brother Idolizing about as long as I can so here goes, for with all my faults, I try not to be a hypocrite. And dear, I know that even in the old days you were a better example, a truer Christian than I.  As for the present, you have continued to grow, while I have in many ways deteriorated.  True, I know the war has given to me as well as you a broader conception of life or service, a keener sympathy but it has also had its weakening phases and has taught us all so much we can never forget. 

            But your letters today have got me started again so I may as well rave on and you can take the consequences. I was just prepared to throw a wet blanket on your hopes of seeing me the 4^th of July for one thing when my own hopes got a fresh boost so will just let it ride, live in hope, and we will see what we will see.  There is no accurate dope but bucco rumor.  At least we can’t get home much before that.  I can’t compree why you haven’t been receiving at least a letter a week as my memory and letter record show an average of better than one per week dispatched since we struck Luxembourg the middle of December.  But here is hoping you have started to get them again now.  So I take it Evans is home?  How did he make it so soon?  Our papers show the 22^nd Div still in Deutschland.  But your dope about making a big splash every time a fellow gets back is straight, at least as far as I’m concerned.  Of course, most of the boys probably saw real encounters and hair raising stunts with the Dutch so there is some excuse.  But I’ll have to take a back seat in the hero stuff, as all I did in this war was take care of plugs, build roads, carry messages and dodge Fritzy shells, or cuss ‘em for waking me up.

            It’s almost time I got to my residence or I’ll be locked out.  Say, they have the biggest liars up here. Someone told me they started to sow oats the last of Feb and the winter was so mild before we went on leave I believed them.  But since we got back I’m undeceived.  The ground is froze up, we have a little snow, and the nights hit very close to zero.  If they cover those oats, they will have to get the pick and shovel artists of the Engineers busy. 

            If you don’t lay off talking about pork, beef and fish in your letters, not to mention honey, biscuit, etc., etc., I’ll be trying to swim the ocean.  Oh, well, you haven’t got a corner on all the good eats because the oldest daughter of our landlord brought in some crullers covered with sugar this Sunday Eve. And that after we got to scuffling and mashed a bed, which by the way the boss had fixed yesterday and never said a word. 

            Did you read “Suggestions for a Mother’s Letters” on the 3^rd Column, Front Page of Jan 16^th Keystone?  Whoever wrote that had sensed present situation very vividly.  And it reminded me so very much of the letters my own dear Mother and Sister send me, it rings so genuine and true I almost think it was written by a Mother who had at least one boy “Over Here.”  I’m afraid at times in the old life while I knew of my many failings which no one else seemed to notice, I was guilt of a certain sense of satisfaction and self pride that I had overcome certain temptations which associates yielded to.  I have learned that I never knew what temptation really was or at least the grippe it could have on one.  Especially since the Armistice was signed, there are times when the homesickness, loneliness, the desire of companionship, entertainment and life are almost unbearable. I’m not excusing myself, or any of the rest for that matter, tho many have not had the wonderful home example and training I enjoyed.  But I can’t stand it to sail under such false colors, so try to forgive my faults and love your Son and Brother as he is, not as you wish or thot he was.  And keeping this in mind, I hope you will not worry, but will still be glad to prepare and look forward to the time when “Johnnie comes marching H O M E,” and I in turn will still keep up the battle and return to you your own loving son who understands and will return at least as physically clean as when he left.  I don’t know as you’ll understand, perhaps I’ll only succeed in making you feel bad, but I hope you won’t do that. And now, let’s try to get away from this which I seem to make sound so tragic. 

            Now all the boys have gone home but me so I’ll close up shop and go along too, for there’s no chance to get “Over the Garden Wall” without an extension ladder.

            With lots of love to Dear Old Dad, My Sweet Little Mother, My Lovingest Little Sister and the Big Beloved Brother she gave me.  May God Bless you all and keep you safe till my return and long after.  Mizpah*.

                                                             Corp. Geo Sherwood

                                                            108^th US Engineers

                                                            American Exp Forces

 

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

1919-0206                                                                   Susan Weber to George S. Sherwood

February 6, 1919

10:15 a.m.

Dearest Brother Boy,

            Today is a bright, sunny, cool, but not cold day, just crisp and pleasant.  Herman has started for the woods and Papa is doing chores.

            I keep forgetting to tell you about my birthday as I was so interested in telling you about our “great expectations”, but guess I can stop long enough now to say that I received a box of stationary, and two handkerchiefs and the big amaryllis plant from the folks.  You know I always did like the amaryllis and it makes our living room look so much more home like.  Mrs. Rasmussen gave me a small fancy plate and Mama gave me a of six glass sauce dishes and fruit bowl which grandma Atwater told her last spring to give to me, but she could keep them herself for a while before doing so if she wished, grandma Atwater said. Aunt Nellie gave me the “charming quilt she has been making, and Dora made me a sofa cushion and worked it all herself.  It really is very well done.  “The folks” invited me to meals for the day and had a big birthday cake and other good things so altogether I guess it was the “most celebrated birthday” I had in years, only you were not there.  Oh so much love to our boy Mizpah   Susan 

Feb. 9 – 1919

            Dearest Laddie,

Did not get a letter off to you yesterday so will add a very important piece of news, we received a card like this

Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Fredericks

Announce the birth

Of Gordon Keith

January 31^st

Nineteen hundered and nineteen

Weight 10 lb.

A few days ago.  Their address is 

Lieutenant A. E. Fredricks

Pulaski Heights, Little Rock College

Little Rock, Arkansas  

Write and congratulate  them if you get time.  They sent ten$$ to the C.H., credited to Kendall.  Time and space say close this letter.

---

[1] 1888-1918 William II von Hohenzollern, King of Prussia and Emperor of Germany  (b. 1859  d. 1941)

http://www.remmick.org/Hohenzollern.Royal/

 

February 4, 1919 -- Billy Phil Is Standing in the Wings Waiting for Dramatic Entrance

 

The Old Home Farm

February 4, 1919

P.M.

Dearest Brother o’ Mine,

            The weather still remains chilly (to say the least).  I went to the woods with Herman this noon (I am trying to make a practice of doing so for the sake of the exercise as well as his company) and though I had my sweater and winter coat on and my last winter’s (old the winter before it) old winter cap on, my head and face noticed the wind particularly and I assure you that I wasn’t any too warm otherwise, though warm enough.  Oh I hope your new union suits are protecting you from any weather such as this or worse which you may have over there and don’t forget about the thin summer wool union suits which I told you of, should you find you are scheduled to be over there during any large part of the summer.

            How I hope you may be home though before then, and for fear you may miss a letter or two I am going to tell you again our very special reason, besides  our wish of seeing you as soon as possible, why we hope you will be able to be here by June sometime between the middle of June and the middle of July probably, and more definitely about the first to the fourth of July we think, we are looking forward to the birth of “an heir to the house of Weber.”  As I told you in my birthday letter to you, I have been wanting to tell you ever since we suspected the possibility (and especially since Mama saw the doctor and he said he thought we were probably correct in thinking as we did).  But Herman wanted to keep our secret awhile and since he wished it I could not refuse as it seemed as much his secret as mine and no good reason for telling except that I always have and always want to tell you things.  It seemed kind of lonesome somehow not to have you know of this wonderful thing which was to happen to your little sister.  I always have told you things, and I wanted you to share the wonder and mystery and beauty of this new experience, so don’t feel “left out” dear heart because I have not told you sooner for in my heart and thought you surely were not “left out” in any way, brother o’mine.  But as you yourself pointed out to me it is best to do the will of my “Big Boy” unless there is some principal involved or reason for not doing so, and I try to do as  he wishes in spite of my own wishes to the contrary in many things, and knowing how contrary, opinionated, and “want to have my own way,” I am , perhaps you can appreciate just how hard it is sometimes.

            When people become engaged or are married their relationship to one another and to others changes thereby so that I believe it is best to make a definite announcement of such a change for the benefit of society in general as well as those particularly interested , but this something which can do no harm kept as our own family secret, just as long as we can possibly keep it (Though I don’t know just how long that may be, for as I said before I have already had to order a new dress though I did not expect to have to do so for a few weeks yet).  And again as I said in my birthday letter, I was not very well during the latter part of 1918 and we were not sure at first whether this was so or not.  Then Mama saw the doctor and he seemed to think it was but gave her some medicine for me to correct conditions which should not exist under the circumstances.  There is of course a possibility that since I wasn’t very well that we may have set the date of the expected arrival too far ahead but this is only a bare possibility and not very probable (unless some abnormal condition should set in between now and then.)

Wed. a.m.

            Perhaps you think I am saying quite a lot, for the censor I suppose will see all this, but I wanted you to know as much as possible about things, and I don’t suppose the censor is any one either of us knows or will ever hear about and probably doesn’t pay any attention to anything that doesn’t refer to the war.

            Since the first of the year I have been feeling fine as far as physical health goes and as I told you in one letter I am getting plump (and pretty?) again and weigh about what I used to.  My ability to think quickly and accurately is slowly improving (I believe) too.  I don’t know that I ever told you particularly but my brains (if I have any) have felt sluggish and tired for more than a year.  I haven’t been able to remember easily, and altogether I have wondered sometimes if my letters to showed signs of “mental degeneracy” oh, perhaps not quite that but “mental fatigue” at least.  I surely would enjoy a chance to rest my “mental wheels”, for even planning meals is hard work sometimes.  Now don’t worry for as I said I believe I am better and gaining slowly and probably when my physical strength is such as it, should be my brains? will improve ? too.  (Stranger things have happened!)

            From now on I shall hope you will have received either this letter or the one I wrote on my birthday so will probably not go into details of things again, unless I decide to write a third letter for fear you may miss getting these.  Dear, dear heart I am so glad to have you know of our expectations and probably in a few weeks we can know “absolutely and for certain" though we are practically certain now.

            Now must say Bye-Bye for now and will write about your letters soon (I did tell you yesterday how glad and proud of your promotion to Corporal but haven’t had time to say all I would like to).

            Today is another bright sunny, cold day.

                                  So much love dear heart and always our prayers. 

                                      Mispah* always with so much love from your little sister  Susan

 

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

February 2, 1919 -- George Writes of Mail and Travel Adventures

Echternach, Luxembourg

Feb 1^st, 1919

Many Very Happy Returns of the Day to Sister Sue and May Providence so Will that we may all be together on the next! 

When I found this photograph it stated that it was taken on May 10, 1918 as it neared France.  In that case, it is very likely that George Stevens Sherwood was actually on this ship at the time the photo was taken.  However, he could not discuss what ship he had been on at the time so he only commented on it later..

            You see we got back to Echternach this noon, after 3 and a half days of the hardest travel I ever put in, not excepting G-1 on the U.S.S. George Washington.  I don’t expect to be so glad to see any place again until I land in the USA in “The Harbor of Home Sweet Home.”  In fact, I’m so absolutely all in that I’m lying on the bed to write this which will in part explain my strange hieroglyphics [very scribbled] (Oh Muder, will you compre’ that word I wonder). Well, after building a fire and filling the inner man I sat down to digest my lunch and something like 15 letters.  Ten from home ranging in the dates from Dec 22 to Jan 8^th, two from Jo, one from Karnes, one from Lieut. Mohr, one from Auntie, one from Mrs. Gorham.   Guess it was sixteen. Yes, Mutter, I read the one on the inside of the envelope, but it was a trifle dark in here, so when I opened that very thin envelope I was stumped for a minute, then on holding it to the light I got the little “joak.”  I read eight of those from home, then sandwiched the 6 miscellaneous ones in and read the last two from home so as to have the freshest and best last.  

Well they were all so newsy and nice it  was unnecessary precaution but “Safety First” and after hearing you folks chat so long I made up my mind I’ve have to talk a little too even if I was tired.  So after eating supper, paying the office a flying visit and drawing Dec. pay, I’ve taken a little bicycle ride to stretch my limbs and come up here to scribble.  And I seem to be very successful at that anyway.  My dear little watch says just 20 to nine and I hear tattoo so guess it is about right.  It has been laid up with a broken jewel etc., for about 3 months, but I left it in the hospital when I went on leave and a 12 franc operation seems to have done it a world of good. 

Now to spin the woeful tale of our trip back from Aix-les-Bains.  We were unable to get transportation at the end of seven days, so had 10 days in all before we were ordered to report for return.  We assembled at seven thirty Tuesday eve (Jan 28^th) at the leave headquarters and were immediately marched down to the street in front of the station and stood in the snow until 10 o’clock waiting for the train.  Then eight of us were put in one third class compartment only intended to hold 6 persons.  The trip was supposed to take two days and the rations for the 8 of us amounted to the Grand total of 8 lbs hard tack, 3 cans tomatoes, 1 can jam, 1 can beans.  At eleven thirty we pulled out.

           Morning found us in the yards of [illegible]where we lay until 8:30 P.M. only being allowed to leave the train at eleven and again at six long enough to go to the Red Cross and get a  slice of bread and small cup of coffee which were issued free.  Luckily all the fellows but one in our section had brot an extra lunch of some kind and he got a loaf of bread so we got by very well with only the jam from the issue used, tho we took up a knotch in our belts.  We also salvaged some straw for the bottom of the car and so finally got our feet warm from the exposure of the previous night.  That night I took my restful ? slumber on a baggage rack some eleven inches wide and four feet long near, very near the ceiling of the car, very similar to the baggage racks in the states. By wedging myself against the ceiling I was reasonable safe if I didn’t let my elbow inadvertently slip and the engineer handled the train carefully which he was careful NOT to do.  Imagine your pudgy offspring perched in the top of this swaying car and laugh if you please.  

I assure you it was funny, and as I’m able to write this you will know I didn’t fall after all.  I slept as well as tho I had crowded up more below, and as it gave the rest more room it was worth the risk, tho if I’d landed on those underneath you and at least one other family would probably be wiping away your tears with the 1^st month’s installment of $10,000 insurance instead of reading this.                   

            The next morning found us in Chanmount where we lay all that day.  No chance to buy anything

*      *      *      *      *

(After a night’s sleep and a day’s work) Feb. 2^nd.

            That night we traveled some again, and morning found us out of rations and traveling thru the familiar battle scarred hills on the outskirts of Verdun. We arrived in Conflaus about noon and got another can of beans, some bully beef and hardtack so managed to keep body and soul together.  But again we had to lay over for an engine so did not get back to Diekirch until nine A.M. the 4^th day out which was yesterday (Feb 1^st).  After a wait of 3 hrs we caught a train for Echternach landing here about 1 P.M., dirty, hungry, and oh! so tired.  The rest of the ending to our leave you have already read except the fact that I’m still worse than all in from the cold contracted in Aix and so gravely aggravated by that miserable trip back.  But Echternach lives up to all expectations.  Got Dec. pay tonight so am nearly broke but have a portion of my debts cancelled already.

And what do you suppose.  Tonite as we sat behind the stove in our landlord’s store eating our mess from the table the main had spread for us, in came the little girl with the best waffles I ever tasted, all sprinkled with sugar, two for each of us.   

            I don’t like the looks of the Russian situation right now, as I’m afraid it is going to cause a lot of suffering yet, and complications of that kind do not tend to hasten our early return.  So I guess you had best not look for our early return, but “keep the Home Fires Burning” and be very, very careful of my “Folks” as I surely must find you all well and happy when I do get back. 

            The Keystones arrive regularly, but as yet have received only one magazine since I arrived in France.   But I don’t expect that is your fault, so don’t worry, some may get here someday. 

            And don’t let Herman fool you in to believing that a soldier gets too hard to love the little home touches, and special letters from home, especially when they contain a message from each and every one.  For the space is too limited to keep more than the newest and freshest one the memories of all of them linger to cheer a lonely moment.  

            By the way, Herman, you're not the only one who would enjoy seeing me back there to help pull a cross-cut, I assure you.  I’d be only too tickled to be there and have a chance to do even that. Maybe I’ve forgotten how, but guess I could learn to push that instead of a pen again. How is the feed holding out this winter anyway?  And how I long more every day to walk in on some of the little evening gatherings you describe in your letters.  Now the fight is over it is so increasingly hard to wait.  
            We were going to the local movie tonite, but the city power gave out so I’m finishing this letter.  Aren’t you glad the light were too poor for a show?  Think I’ll write one more and then turn in.  Call up Mrs. Schultz and give her my regards.  I sent her a card from Aix-les-Bains but she may not get it I suppose.  In fact, I believe I get fully as large a percentage of mail sent me as you folks get of what I send, which I really natural as censorship and sorting here are not perfected like they are over there.  In fact the censorship makes a big extra step in mail from us to you.  Now I’ll close before I tire you all out.

            With love and longing to see you all,

                                                            Geo. S. Sherwood

                                                            108^th U.S. Engineers,

                                                            American Exp. Forces