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

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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.

 
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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

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 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

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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