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
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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.

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

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