May 31, 1919 -- William Philip Weber Makes His Entrance

 

Postcard:

May 31, 1919   Dear Uncle George,   Mother says that now I have gone and upset all the plans of the family by arriving unexpectedly at 12:30 this noon I had best write and apologize for my behavior to the dearest Uncle in the world. Of course I haven’t seen you but Mother says you are the dearest Uncle and was almost provoked at me for hurrying my coming.  Perhaps that is the reason she don’t feed me very well but she says she will try to do better.   Only if you want a good feed when you arrive I would advise you to let them know you are coming. Love from your New Nephew

May 31, 1919   Dearest Brother,   We are all doing fine but I was so disappointed not to have you here to greet your little nephew when he arrived but he didn’t give me time to let you know.  Will tell you all about it when you come down but am rather tired now. Your letter of May 25th came but wish it had been you for that would have meant you would have been here for the Great Event.  We haven’t weighed or named him yet.  Love and prayers always and come home soon.  Mizpah.  Your lovingest little sister. Susan

May 31, 1919 -- Postcard Declare Heading Toward Home and Last Thoughts from New York

Send mail now to 108^th Eng. 33^rd Div. Hq. Co. Camp Grant Ill.

Dear Ones All, Just got yours of the 26^th.  We may be here 3 or four days yet,but it can’t be so very long till we are home now.
Love to all,
George

**********************************

May 30, 1919 -- Poem by George

1919-0530 – George Stevens Sherwood to Will & Ella Jane Sherwood & Family

 

Camp Mills, L. I., N.Y.

May  30, 1919

Dear Ones at Home:

Dedicated to my long suffering parents, relatives and all readers afflicted with its perusal. 

A hasty line again this time

A mixture of bum Prose and Rhyme

Back in the office I should be

Instead of writing poetry?

I’ve just dispatched by parcel post,

A souvenir I feared I’d lost

We failed to find the box ‘twas in

And so we believed it to have been

One of those busted in the hold

Or one that overboard had rolled

This knapsack you can surely see

Was made way back in Germany.
Went to war on a soldiers back

Carried his comfort kit and pack

Was left in his haste “Zurich zu gehen”

And after I on his bunk had lain

Was taken as part of my payment due

For adopting his numerous “livestock” too.

Anna Onymous 

            For fear some of you live thru the foregoing spasm, will just add a line of comfort? We are still here so we (I) can’t get home so very soon to afflict you at closer range.  But when I do get there – Oh you barrage!  So cheer up, hope for the best and expect the worst.  I tried to get Ed Schultz over the wire today but failed and can’t get another pass I’m afraid.   Guess you had better send me $20 by the bank draft to:

Corp. Sherwood

Hq. Co.  108^th Eng. 33^rd Div

Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill

and be sure to register letter.  I have less than a dollar left, but it is too late to send any here even by wire.  But I didn’t have much and had a good time anyway. Hope you folks are still O.K., and I’m sure you are or you would wire me.  Gee, it’s great to be back this side of the pond.

                                                Goodbye for now.

                                                            George 

P.S.  Have found Grace’s address.  Will drop her a line when we hit Chi[cago] if I get any time.
                                                                        G. S. S.

May 29, 1919 - George's Family Want to Keep Him All to Themselves

1919-0529 – Susan S Weber and Ella Jane S Sherwood to George S Sherwood

May 29^th, 1919

And Susan and Mother sitting at Susan’s kitchen table writing for dear life to “the absent Boy” – guess I might put it – “to the coming Boy,” at least we hope he may be working this way or Looking this way.” And soon to be “arriving this way”.  Laddie! Laddie!  And when we think of you arriving we have a selfish thought that we wish you could phone us from Elroy and let us come for you there so we could have you all to our lonesome’s a day or two until you are rested up a bit.  It would be a joy to us just to have you here resting where we could tiptoe in and just look at you, but you must fix your homecoming to suit yourself.  After all only some of the boys have been too weary to enjoy having the friends gather around and ask numerous questions until they got somewhat rested.  Now I’ll leave space for Daddy.

                                                                        Lovingly, Mother. 

May 30^th, 1919

            I’m most afraid Daddy won’t get time to write on this unless I leave it over to tomorrow.  I’ll see how much of a letter Sister has written.  Evening May 30^th.  The letter went to you today without one word from Mother or Daddy but tomorrow’s letter shall not do that. 

May 31^st, 1919 and in a chair by my side a little grandson is sleeping and his mother resting as quietly upstairs.  My how I wish you were here now. And sister is grieving that you cannot see a fat sister when you do come. 

            I promised you quite a letter today but circumstances seem determined to frustrate the plans I had for today all around.  Also, Dr. Hill’s.  He said we could not cajole him into being here at all, and when I coaxed him to come over just to see if she was going to be sick today, then he could go right back and send Dr. Waite if he wished.  He said, “Oh, I can do that.”  So when he came he thought he would wait an hour before he told us what he did think, then he decided to see her through and did so, but he is 68 years old and was about “all in” when he got through.

            Now I must write a line to Darris so a

                                                Loving, loving good night

                                                                        Mother

May 28, 1919 -- Letter from Home & A few Missed Postcards Along the Way

The Home Farm

May 28, 1919 

Dearest Brother,

            Really I don’t know whether the days seem longer, or shorter or what since we heard that you were back on this side of the “Heap Big Water”.  In fact, to me at least, I hardly think of the time as days, it is just a period or space of time of indefinite length in which we seem to be just waiting.  Although the work goes on as usual, and everything seems the same, in a way, yet half (or more) of our minds are wondering just how much nearer you may be getting each minute or hour, what you may be doing at such and such a time, for now your hours of daylight and dark are the same as hours again and when I wake up in the middle of the night I don’t have to realize that your day of fighting or other work has already begun while I rest.

            Yesterday when we took the four veal to town, I met Mrs. Schultz on the street.  Of course she was glad as could be that you were “safely on this side of the water” and so hoped you might get a chance to see Ed before leaving New York.  I told her that it might be impossible for you to get away to see Ed but that if you had received Ed’s address which Mama sent a while ago that it was possible that you could communicate with him and he might be able to go to your camp.  She said they expected to come over last Sunday but not having done so will wait until you are home so as to see you personally.  She says she don’t know when Ed will be able to get discharged, present indications don’t point to any early discharge at any rate.

            Herman went to Glendale and brought Mrs. Brown, Louise and Mrs. Cady to spend the day with the folks yesterday. They were here for both dinner and supper, Herman and I being invited “over the folks” for both meals.  We had a fine visit and Mrs. Cady is sorry not to be able to see you but expects to start for home this week or the first of next.  I believe Mrs. Brown seemed quite well yesterday but of course after having one “stroke” it is only a question of time for a person of her age and poor health before she may have another so Mrs. Cady would not be returning so soon if it were not that her husband is also ill and she feels as if she had left him alone long enough.  Her son has been sent into Germany and has very little prospect of returning for some time.

            The last few days have been really hot though I expect there may be many hotter soon.  Eighty in the shade today.  Just the sort of day for a soldier boy to be home resting under “the old apple tree” or “the shade of the pines” or tamarack or lilac bushes.  Last year the lilacs were all gone by Decoration Day if I remember correctly but this year they are just beginning to blossom so probably you will see them before their bloom is over.

            Your last letter (we think) from Echternach came yesterday also a card from Brest you see you beat them home.  Maxine is all ready to meet you wherever you say and may it be soon.  Love and love and love again from all.  Mispah  Susan

Dear Son,

            Mother is washing for us all today so will just send a bit of the white lilac Louise and mother brought yesterday.  I keep pinching myself to be sure I am awake you are surely so near.  Oh Laddie.

            Mrs. Cady sends her regards to you.  She is so disappointed that Howard is transferred to the 3^rd Army.

                                                            Lovingly Mother

*****************************************

1919-0217 - George Sherwood – Echternach offices

Dear Ones All,                       

Just time for a line to let you know I am well.  Hope you are still O.K.  The red crosses made with a pencil in the two windows of the middle house on the right of picture show you the windows of our new office that we moved into today.  It is even better than the last place.  This is the administration building of Echternach.  Hope to hear from you again soon.  Got a letter from Dora today.  Love to  All. Corp. Geo. Sherwood 108^th U.S. Engineers Amer. E.F.

 
 *******************************************

1919-0319 - George Sherwood to family Echternach plaza 

Dear Sis, Bro, Mother, Father:

Just time for a line today to let you know I’m well, the ankle gaining slow but sure.  Today will probably get a hypo-vaccination for typhoid again. Ain’t it nice.  As soon as the Dutch stop shooting us the Doctors commence. Still leaving kidding aside I suppose those shots have saved some of us from all sorts of disease, as there have been times when the water I drank didn’t even come from as sanitary place as the Kendall Graveyard.  Ha-Ha- Does that bring back thots of school days.  Love to all,
Corp, Geo. Sherwood 108^th Eng. Amer. E.F.
Corp. Pay has started again

 ***********************************************************

 1919-0507 - George  Sherwood YMCA postcard
YMCA Postcard
Brest – France
Dear ones all.
Just a line to let you know I am still alive and kicking.  May not pull for home for a week yet the way it looks now.  But hope to make it by early in June anyway.  Just finished a letter to Castle Gate folks.
Love to all
George

 *********************************************

 

1919-0513 - George Sherwood to Susan – Soldier Arms

Brest – France

Dear sis,

Can I practice this new Manual of Arms on you when I get back?  You bet I can – and will.

Love to all the folks.  Your loving brother,

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

 

 

COMING - PHOTOS OF BREST

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 27, 1919 -- George Writes About Visiting New York

George writes from Camp Mills, Long Island, New York

May 25, 1919 -- George Back in God's Country; NY Cheers; Cousin Grace Hopes to See George Soon

 

Camp Mills, N.Y.

May 25, 1919

 

Dear Ones at Home:            I mailed a letter to you this A.M. and will mail this about the same time tomorrow just to fool you if possible and have you get mail from me two days in succession.  But don’t expect the barrage to last as I am going to fool you the other way next time and not write for two or three days. I’d rather talk than write anyway, and if I write it all I won’t have anything to talk about.  Wouldn’t that be a calamity?

            I’m getting so clean I don’t know myself.  Got deloused again yesterday – tho I haven’t found a freckle since we were in Echternach last and neither have the inspectors. Then this morning when I got up I felt kind of sleepy and sweaty and visions of the showers at the end of the barracks came to mind.  I grabbed my clean underwear and an overcoat, toot-sweeted downstairs and in a minute was awake aplenty.  I still hand it to Luxembourg’s mountain streams, but those showers are a close second.  And the hit like a machine gun barrage.  But it was great and made one’s blood leap in a real American way.              I wonder if lack of baths makes Europe sleepy, or Sleepy Europe makes lack of baths.  Anyway, it is great to be where you can get a bath at will instead of by the numbers even if you do have to wash your own underwear.  That is a job I must do yet tonite if I am to see New York tomorrow. Don’t forget to get me Grace’s address if you have it.            This has been a fine sunny day and almost too hot.  As I have been out on the camp streets most of the day my face is burned blacker than ever.  Wonder whether the limit of blackness will be reached anyway.  How is my baby elephant sister getting on.  The fellows say I’m getting fatter than ever so I guess it is a race at that.  Tell Herman I want Maxine to have an extra feed of gasoline handy as I’m going to bum you for bucco rides.  But – don’t uncork the gas if there is a fire within a billion miles of it.  This is enough bunk for now.            Got yours of the 21^st today.  Also one dated May 16. 
                                                Love to all, my dear home folks.                                                             George

*********************************

         May 24, 1919               

                     
Dear George,

                        I got your letter all OK have been eagerly watching the papers to find out when you arrived at Camp Grant, but have so far failed to get any definite information.  From what I can learn, however you must bet here now, and I hope this letter reaches you before you leave, so I will get a chance to at least say hello to you as you go by.

            Let me know by what train you will arrive and I will try to meet you, but if you do have an hour or so and I can’t get off to go to the train, you’ll find me in the Treasury Dept. at the capitol – where we spend the money for the state, or I can also be located at the Y.W.C.A. where I room and eat most of my meals.  The Y.W. building is in the first block on the right hand side of State Street just as you leave the square.  I am going home Friday – (Decoration Day) and expect to spend two weeks at home.  As they have mentioned at the office that that would be the most convenient time for me to take my summer vacation.

            Just drop me a card if you have any time or perhaps you would call me up, (at the office between 8:30 -12; and 1:30 – 5:00 or at the Y.W.C.A.  Hoping to see you soon.

            I am, as ever, Your talkative cousin,

                                                            Grace [Pautsch]

May 20, 1919 -- George Sees Glorious Sunrise & Nears New York; Hears from His Friend L C Mohr

George begins letter 200 miles from New York and then they arrive --

May 21st

I have been wondering what I stayed up for all of last nite, and laid it to the heat and closeness of our quarters, but after the beautiful dawn I have just witnessed, I am prone to believe it was due to Providence, for it was wonderful.  All night I sat around the office chewing the “fat” with various sailors on none too strenuous duty, or who had furnished their trick and were resting and cleaning up.  But at dawn I went out on deck and found the sea more calm than I had ever see it out this far. Like a great grey green carpet it stretched away to the horizon, barely undulating to the impulses of the ground swell.  The air equally still and cool, except for a fresh breeze caused by the ships steady motion.  Then the east began to glow with an ever deepening flush of red, the fleecy clouds visible here and there were tinged with silver, then gold, as the sun crept up over the horizon behind their screening folds. And at last the sun itself over the banks of clouds like a great red ball shone out, making a golden path across the shining surface of the water to the ship itself.  I tried to get a picture of it but as I had no light screen expect a failing with result. 

May 22^nd.

            About 200 miles out.  Will close this hastily and write from New York where we land tomorrow if all goes well.

                                                            Love to all

                                                                        George 

 

 *******************************************************

1919-0520  L.C. Mohr to George S. Sherwood

May 20 1919

Dear George: -

                        Mighty glad to hear from you and I know you are either on God’s Country to-night or else on the way.  I am watching the papers and if I can find out when the 108^th will be in Chicago I’ll come over if possible to see the fellows.  I sure would like to see you all again.  Yes, indeed it is a great feeling to be back in avins again and I hope I can stay there for a while at least.  It does not seem that I have been in the U.S. three months already and that I have taught 9 weeks.

            I sure was sorry to learn of your accident.  It sure is tough to have gone through the war without a scratch and then have all those accidents befall you.  But such is life in the Army?  So Guilfoil is a Major now.  Do the fellows hate him as much as they used to?

            What do you intend doing?  Are you going back to college or are you going to work.  I suppose you will take a good vacation for a few days, weeks or months before you do anything at all.  Take a good one for you sure deserve it if anyone ever said.

            I was in Kalamazoo over the last weekend to the Normal teachment for High Schools and had a fine time.  It sure seems good to be back in civilization when you can see the things one likes, N’est pas?  I don’t know what I will do for next year.  I have the offer of a principalship at Mason and I also have a good offer here.  So I don’t know just what I will do.  I have almost decided to go to summer school this year either at the University of Chicago or Columbia.  Wish you could go along with me for I hate to go alone.  I had a nice letter from the Karns the other day and they speak often of you.  You sure made a hit with them George.  And here’s the joke.  The girl who was responsible for me meeting them wrote me just before I sailed for overseas that she did not care to hear from me anymore and I hear that she is engaged to a fellow at Hillsdale.  But we will have to give her credit for getting us acquainted with a real family in Houston N’est pas?  I would like to go down to Houston but I am afraid my pocket book would not stand the pressure.

            Well old Top, I hope you a feeling fine and I wish you all kinds of success in whatever you undertake.  Be sure to keep me posted  and if you get into Chicago anytime this spring, let me know and perhaps I can get over there.

                                                            Sincerely ,

                                                            L. C. Mohr

Enclose in the letter are several slips of papers with lots of names and addresses most likely people that the served with together

May 17,1919 -- Letters from General Pershing, General Bell & Andre Tardieu

1919-0517 – General Orders # 54 – Gen. Bell forwarding Letter from Gen Pershing & Andre Tardieu

May 11, 1919 -- George Celebrates Mother's Day

 



May 11, 1919
Brest, France

,,Mother O Mine,

            On this, one of the greatest days of any year, and greater still this year, I can send you no greater tribute than those contained in the little folder I enclose.  At first I had it in mind to mark the copy in those places which most appealed to me, but it is so full of my thots and the things I would say to you, I have given it up.  I can only reiterate that whatever of good I may bring to the world is due to Mother, Father, Sister and Brother.  And again I will to try to make my life more worthy of you all and the Love and Sacrifice by the Father and Brother of us All.  I have just heard a wonderful address to “A Mother” in the Y.M.C.A. auditorium here, yet especially in the last two years have I come to realize that no man can do that theme Justice. 

            And again it comes to me as the time draws near for us to return, that the hardest battles of the war were not fought in the trenches, but rather by those who loved us most, yet said, with a smile thru their tears, “God Bless you and Keep you in the Performance of your Duty.”  Then through all the self denials of war and in spite of the fear in their hearts, cheered us with frequent, sunny letters of the bright spots, with never a shade of sorrow or cloud.  Ah, but we fooled you.  While we dared not think of it or tell you, some of us (I think most of us) felt and read between the lines some of the battle, the fear, the heartache, the sacrifice you sought to hide.

            But soon we will be home again.

            The clouds will roll away.

            And with a better, useful life

            We’ll strive the debt to pay.

                                    From your Loving Son

                                                George

C. L. Thompson
Capt. 108th Engr
American   E. F.

 

May 10, 1919 -- Corporal Pay and No Work At All

APO Brest-France

May 10^th, 1919

Dear Ones at Home:

            This letter has no special word to bring

Except the world old theme of Love and Spring.

But I thot I’d take the time to say hello

So it wouldn’t seem so long before we meet

For we’re getting out of here so very slow

Twill be in early June ere have that treat  

!?! -- !?!!??? XX - !??

             If the censor reads the above spasm I’ll be indefinitely detained for insanity or given a “cuckoo discharge.”  This is a beautiful sunshiny day.  It scarcely seems possible that a week ago we were suffering from cold and snow in our sidedoor Pullmans bound for Brest via “the longest way round.”

            I just had a bath “by the numbers.”  Explanations when I get home if you don’t “get it.”  I wonder how many phrases I’ve used in my letters have rather mystified you.  We sure will have to learn American when we get back, or teach you A. E. F. which really is expressive but probably will not improve the literary purity or beauty of the American language.  I used to call it English – but never again. Ahunderstand the bally Tommies about as well as Ich verstehen Deutsch or Compree French, don’t cher know.  Well I can’t complain right now.  Awhile back I said I drew the pay of a private and did the work of a corporal.  Now I draw the pay of and don’t do anything you might say.

            I haven’t take a trip down to the town of Brest yet.  Perhaps if there isn’t much to do tomorrow I may try for a pass, as I might get some interesting pictures. Now I’ll ring off and see what I can pick up about camp, sew on a few chevron’s buttons, etc. 
            Keep well and prepare to have a few good times in June -“This Means You” as  Uncle Sam’s enlisted posters used to say.

            Love to all.  Sent a letter to Aunt Nellie day before yesterday.  Goodbye and God keep us all still we meet again.

                                                            George

 

May 8, 1919 - George Writes Poem for Those Left Behind

 

 

Dear Ones at Home: 

            Just now I opened a little Y.M.C.A book of A.E.F songs and it came over me how much they show of the spirit, the soul, the varying moods of the “boys” – as “boys” – over here.  So I think for a change I will make that the theme of my letter to begin with anyway.  I may not make much headway or it may prove uninteresting but here goes.  This little verse first caught my eye, “It’s the songs we sing and the smiles we wear that make the sunshine everywhere.”  Then I made over a well-known song called “I’m gonna pin my medal on the girl I left behind” to fit my thots and memories.

 “The praise they give me belongs to those I left behind.

They deserve it more than I

For the way they said goodbye

I saw you try to keep away the tears that blind

For brave heros

Would be hard to find. 

You’ve put a smile in every letter that you sign

But I’ve read what’s in your hearts between each line

So when I get back home again

I hope you’ll bear in mind

That the praises people give me, belong to those I left behind.” 

I will try to bring one of the little books back with me.  I was just out and saw the old cigar shaped motor driven observation balloon which we saw a year ago here.  It brot back that time very plainly, for it was one of the first sights of Brest to impress e as it sailed out to meet us and guard our way up the harbor.  I suppose I should say they as of course there are several.  We may sail the early part of next week.  Didn’t expect to be here as long as this even.

            I hope a picture I snapped this A.M. turns out well. A rather cute little French girl of perhaps fifteen or sixteen was at the gate selling papers. I stepped around back to the sun and commenced to open my Kodak.  But she said “no” and ducked away.  Finally she threw down the papers, but refused to be taken with them.  So I snapped her then hung around.  Pretty soon a soldier stopped to buy a paper and dropped his change. They both stooped to recover it and I hastily got “set.”  Then I said “Victoria” sharply as that is what she called erself and she looked up and around. Quick as a flash she “compree’d” and threw up her arm, but I think I got her before she hid her face – papers and all.  Now I must close.                              Love to you all

                                                            Corp. Geo Sherwood 

                                                            108^th U. S. Eng.  APO #750

PS- Flowers from a camp here in Brest. 

May 5, 1919 - George Starts Journey Home & Gets Newsy Letter from Home

 

Dear Ones All: 

            I’m dropping you a line from Brest.  This is our port of Embarkation.  Have seen the harbor and ships but ours are not in yet.  Do not expect we will get away from here for a week at least.  The harbor here looks much as it did a year ago, but the camp is so enlarged that I hardly know the place.  We were four days on the train coming down from Luxem.  We entrained at Echternach Wed. morning at 8:30. Have Kodak and buccoo films but the weather was so rotten all the way down I got no pictures I’m afraid tho I tried one reel.  Hope we have good weather on the boat.  I ought to get a few good ones there if we do.   Hope to get a few about camp here too.

            I got nice bunch of mail this morning.  5 letters from home, dates Apr. 9, 10, 11, 12, 21.  The intermediates ones evidently got by and are up in Europe somewhere.  But there were letters from all – even the “old home place” so SI am feeling better.  My face is healed except for a few rough scales but the hand is still sore in a couple of small spots.  So there is no need of worry.  Expect to be on the water or in New York by the time this reaches you but may be here yet so don’t plan too much.  Guess I‘ll spend the dough. I’m afraid you couldn’t stand the strain of a telegram from New York anyway.  My return will sure be like that of the prodigal son, for as Johnnie says, “I’m as free of France and centimes as a fish is of feather.” 

            One month or so and then this kid will be a civilian again.  I think my lucky star has superseded the unlucky in the sky for we sustained a slight wreck on the trip down and all I suffered was loss of  15 min sleep.  A French engineer tried to hose us off the track but only succeeded in getting his engine smashed a little and off the rails.  No one was hurt except [horrors – written on the side with an arrow drawn to]  bruises and slight cuts; mostly from shifting baggage, etc., but we were delayed a day by the accident.  This is sure some camp.  About 80,000 troops here now. Well, I’ll have to close. 

            Expect to write at least one more from here but may not find time.

                                                                        Love to all

                                                George Sherwood

                                                            108^th Eng. Amer. Ex. F! 

CL Thomson, Capt. 108 Engr, Amer. Ex F.

 

May 1, 1919 -- 108th Engineers Calendar

May Calendar from 108^th Engineers – American Expeditionary Forces

In little tiny print under this last line on the right it reads   --         C. L. T.  108^th Engrs.

At first I wasn’t all that impressed with this little calendar that the soldiers obviously got so they could keep track of time.   However, when I looked at it closely, there is a large amount of detail – medals, patch, etc., so this is actually an amazing piece of work for such a throwaway little product.  I don’t imagine they thought anyone would still have this lying around 100 years later in 1919..