September 19, 1918 -- George Looks for Mail and Itimizes His Letters Home

 

19G                                                                                               108th Somewhere in France

Mrs. Herman Weber                                                                              September 19, 1918

Kendall, Wis.

Dear Ones at Home:

            Once more I take the spare time at my disposal to scribble a few lines to you.  I’m afraid it is the same old story tho, nothing to write about.  I’m well, and my only worry is that things at home may be amiss someway, but my philosophy is not to worry till I know something is wrong, then usually it’s too late to do any good, so I don’t.  I hope you all have been wise enough to do the same regarding us “over here.” 

            We are still getting plenty to eat tho the lack of variety will make us appreciate the meals at home, I assure you.  I’m afraid we spend too much of our spare time speculating on when we will get back to “Home & Mother.”  It seems as tho we talk and think more of Home the longer we stay over here.

            In case the letter I mailed to you about a week ago doesn’t arrive, I’ll repeat my request for good reading material. If you can send some good weekly magazines, similar to the “Sat Evening Post” say once every two weeks and any good news and fiction magazines you can spare that you get every month.  Reading matter is very scarce at times. Of course, If you cannot do exactly as requested, don’t go to any particular bother but send what you have whenever you get time.  My request is just to give you a general idea of what we would appreciate most.  I am confident you can send them; as several of the boys get some second class mail.  Your letters since Aug 1^st seem to be rather irregular but enough get here to brighten the days and give us enough news so my imagination can fill in any blanks. 

            Here is about the way they have come (76-80 inclusive about the 4^th of Sept.),  (72 & 70 the 9^th) and 74 today.  I rather expect to get some of the missing ones later.  The last letter to you was 4 Extra G but was not numbered.   I believe the one previous to that was 18G.  Let me know if you get them and also this.  How’s that for going the much quoted Irish one better?
            Well, I think I’ll close now and write to Dora and Guy & Margaret.  Have application in for permission to get Fountain Pen, 2 union suits and two pair wool socks sent over.  Will give you weights and sizes if the request goes thru. 

                        Love to you all and best wishes to Aunt and the girls.

                                                            George

May 20, 1918 -- George Writes to Susan and Family about Shopping in France

My dear Home Folks:

            Another warm, sunny day beams down on us over here “somewhere in France.”  I should imagine it would be rather interesting to you over there to try to guess where I am when I write each time for tho I may be able to tell when we move some of the time, it will always have to be “Somewhere in Europe” etc. regarding where we are.

            Haven’t been able to pick up any of the French language yet, but am getting used to their money and its values compared to ours a little. 

            Candy, soap and shoe polish seem to be very high and hard to get, at least here.  But some candy and tobacco can procured at the U.S. Commissary quite reasonably.  I haven’t received any mail yet since we arrived here, but that is rather natural I expect.  Do not expect letters from me more than on an average of one per week as there is little one can write about and so there is no use bothering the Co. Commander to censor a lot of foolish palaver, and add more to the already congested mail. 

            I think I forgot to number my last letter, so I’ll call this 9G and try once more to keep track as I go along.

            This is a very pretty country around here, especially as it is just like spring here now.  I am well except a slight cold. Wish I knew the same for all of you at home. 

            Will close with love and best wishes from – France –.

                                                Your loving son and brother,

                                                                        George

Greetings to everyone of my friends and get them to write. 

 OK

J. C. Campbell
1st Lieu., 108th Engrs.