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 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.

 

April 5, 1919 -- George Writes of the Coming Great Welcoming & Receives Letter From Home

 

 APO # 750

Evacuation Hospt. #13, Warfeldenges, Lux.

April 5, 1919 

Dear Ones All:

            Have been up around in my bath robe since about  8 A.M. this morning so thot I’d try to concentrate enough to drop you a line as it is now nearly noon.  I am sitting at the desk and using the nurse’s ink and pen, as all of my equipment is back at Echternach.  I still have to write with arm motion entirely so it will be some job to read this, but guess Susan can make it out someway.  We are getting better slow but sure.

** Just stopped for lunch.   Had potatoes, cooked tomatoes, buttered toast and cocoa with canned apricots for dessert.  Not too bad, eh.  Digger as the Australians used to say.

            Well I expect there are great preparations afloat in a quiet way to welcome the strange little craft when it comes in across the stormy water without a stitch of rigging on.  My? Oh My?  I’m still hoping to beat him[1] home for most of my life I have received the welcomes and have very seldom been in the welcomer end of a real big welcoming, seems to me.  As soon as I arrive as I have been away so long I may have forgotten the right side up to hold the little rascal or a few similar minor details.  

            Paper, news, etc., gone so close with lots of love to all.                                                        

                                                            Your loving son & Bro.,

                                                                        Corp. Geo. Sherwood

                                                                        108^th Engineers

                                                                        American E. F. 

---

[1] The upcoming birth of William Philip Weber to Herman and Susan Weber

March 29, 1919 - George Writes From the Hospital

 

March 29,  19

Dear Ones All:-

            My luck still holds as I wrote before, peace is lots harder on me than war.  We had a fire in Echternach the other day and I burnt my right hand and my face slightly.  Do not worry because I do not write this myself, but my hand is rather sore yet.  We are getting good care in the hospital and have the Colonels and nurses assurance that we will be home with the troops. 

                                                            As ever, your loving son and brother

                                                                        George Sherwood 

Dictated to

J. C. Thieriot

A. R. C Hosp Representative

Evac Hosp #13

APO 783

March 21 - 23, 1919 -- Geoge Writes to Each In Turn; Hears from College Teacher

Echternach, Luxembourg

March 21^st, 1919

Dear Little Sister:

            I’ve decided to write you each a little line this time. I don’t know just why, but guess I can make it a little more personal that way, tho I have no objection to a comparison of notes after each reads his or her part.  And foolish as it may seem the main reason probably lies in the fact that last night as I lay thinking of home about 1: AM or so I got to thinking of some thing I’d like to say to you in one of our old fashioned talks and I inadvertently let slip an “Say Kiddo” in my minds conversation.  I nearly laughed outright at the way my old familiar way of addressing you slipt in so unconsciously.  And of course it at once flashed across my brain the wild look Prof. Klang gave me one day when I was saying something to him and accidently the same words.  I’ve forgotten what I was talking to you about in my minds eye last night but the irrepressible desire to address you as “kiddo” got the best of me, so as long as I can’t say it in person I’ll write it.  Dear little Kid, you don’t know how happy and proud the uncle to the future heir to the house of Weber is.  At first my happiness was mixed with just a little worry, but I’m over it now. Half the battle is over because you are so unworried and unafraid yourself.  And the calm, beautiful way you take it not only means safety for yourself, but health and beauty of soul and body for your baby.  Dearest, I think you are taking rather an advantage of me, cause being the only Uncle on your side of the family it’s up to me to brace up and amount to something as an example for my nieces and nephews, I guess.  How I wish I could take you in my arms and sit down in a nice big rocker and “just talk.”  For while the pen may be mightier than the sword, the tongue is a whole lot easier to wield than either, and would be a great deal more satisfactory in this case.  When I started to write this my head was as full of ideas as a Jerry mattress is of lice, but I have been stopped so often by the business of the office that they have all fled.  So I guess you will have to wait for any more “raving” till I get another inspiration, or till Johnnie comes marching home  But?

A little birdie keeps singing to me

            And these are the words she seems to say

                        Cheer up my boy don’t homesick be

                                    You might be home in the month of May.  

                                                            Love to my own little Sister from

                                                            Corp Geo. Sherwood

 Echternach, Luxembourg, 23-3-‘19

Dear Brother Herman:  If I don’t get an answer to this letter I’m going to give up in despair.  And you had better be careful how you treat me, or I’ll take up so much of your wife’s time when I get back that you won’t get anything to eat.  Now don’t you think you had best write me a nice letter.  If you hurry you will just about get a letter back in time to catch me in this town – maybe. And after we start to move we will probably not stop long enough to let much mail catch up with us, at least I hope we won’t.  We are hoping to go out Via Antwerp, as the chance of Rotterdam seems to be pretty slim.  Say, I’m brimful of questions which I want answered.  In the first place, how is the feed, hay and ensilage holding out this spring?  And did you get all of the wood out on the last snow?  Does Sis feed you any better since the war was over?   How is old Maxine?  Did she come thru the winter without catching the asthma?  You see, she has to be in good shape to celebrate when I get back.  The roads ought to be good then.  How I hope I can get home in time to welcome the expected addition to the house of Weber.  You don’t know how proud and happy the future Uncle George is to be let in on the secret.  Please write me if you can find the time. Don’t try to do too much work yourself, when Dad is feeling bum you ought to be able to get help now the boys are coming back from France.  And take good care of my little sister – your little wife as the time draws near for the Big Event.

                                                                        Your Loving Brother

                                                                        Corporal Geo Sherwood

 

Echternach, Lux. 23/3/19

Dear Daddy:  What’s this I hear about you overworking, getting a cold and being sick.  This will never do.  Do you think I’m going to stand for that after risking my neck – a little – to Bosch shells & Bombs?  Remember, you haven’t got the rookie of a year and a half to settle with on my return, but a veteran of the World War.  And if you have not kept your promise you gave at Logan to take care of yourself, and keep young and well till my return – well, I leave it to you to imagine the cruel reckoning.  And if I can’t scare you, which I doubt if I can, did you ever stop to consider how Susan and Herman have your cornered.  You just have to let up on work and preserve yourself, and mother too, so that the approaching family of grandchildren can know, and profit and be proud of Grandma and Grandpa Sherwood.  Daddy, I wish you would drop me a line as I asked once before, and let me know about how the family finances stand.  You see, I can plan my future civilian operations more intelligently if I know how things are at home.  How is the milk market since the war?  And how do the cattle take to ensilage.  Oh!  Tell me all about it please. Now I’ve got to ring off and send a line to mother. 
                                                            Love to my dear Dad

                                                            Corp. Geo Sherwood

 

Same Place, Same Date, Same Guy

Dear little Mother:  Here I have been telling them all to keep an eye on you and one another so you wouldn’t work too hard and I caught myself wishing I had you here to rub my ankle where it pains yet.  The thotless inconsistency of man!  Well, I wish you were here just the same.  Or, better yet, I wish I were there. But wishing is vain so we will try to continue to do our share and hope for an early fulfillment of our dreams.  There is always someone worse off than you are in this world anyway.  They have just sent us two Y.M.C.A Girls who have only been over here since Feb 19^th.  They want to make up to the boys for some of the failures of the Y in the past, and for the hardships they have been thru.  But here they are practically alone, inexperienced and with such poor organization behind them, that they get to feeling sometimes as tho they weren’t really wanted or their efforts worth while.  In reality, the officers and organization of Engrs are nearly all trying to help them, but they haven’t been “in the Army” long enough to realize the pressure of work and the constant pounding away that is necessary to accomplish anything.  Nor are they used to the impersonal attitude they must face.  Poor kids, it is a shame they are sent out so inexperienced, but tho it hurts to learn in the school of experience, they have their heart in the work and put up a good barrage of cocoa and cookies yesterday, so I guess the will come out on top in the end.  Now I must close.  Maybe I can be your birthday present yet this year.  Love to all especially my little mother. 

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

Censored:  C. L. Thompson

Captain 108^th Engrs

Amer. E. F. 

1919-0323 ---   Martha Schufflebotham to George Sherwood

My Dear Mr. Sherwood,

                                                Your postal came about a week ago, I was very pleased to receive it.  Certainly I will send you a line if that will help you any to while away the hours.  I have also sent your address to Howard Lowry and asked him to write to you.

            So Mariam told you I was here in Elroy?  Yes, I’m here teaching Latin, English, Ancient History and (no bricks, please) music.  It’s all right, but I’ve had things to do that suited me better.

            I know your cousins May Sherwood and Beth Waterman real well.  The people here in Elroy surely are a bunch and they make it mighty nice for us teachers.

            Perhaps you would like some Lawrence news.  I don’t know any very new but it may be news to you.  Did you know that Mac Ainsworth was killed by electrocution this summer while working in a mine?  Also did you know that Leona Kimball is making  a name for herself in some brilliant chemical investigations she is carrying on for the Du Pont Powder works in the east.

            Dr. Wright the Latin prof, you remember died this winter at a sanitarium.  Oh yes!  The Lawrence chapel (the new one) was finished and dedicated a short time ago and now plans are being laid for a new gymnasium.  I tell you, the old school is growing.

            Are you still interested in rocks, and rock minerals?  I can imagine you scaling the cliffs of Germany (Are there cliffs in Germany?) in search of pyrite and dolomite!

            I must “ring off” now and hie me down the hill to supper.  Best wishes to you! 

                                                            Sincerely,

                                                            Martha Schufflebotham

 

March 16, 1919 -- Consigned to the Flames & Prairie Division

Echternach, Luxembourg

March 16, 1919

To All the Dear Ones at Home:

            Sometimes I wonder if you don’t get rather tired of these letters sent to you all collectively, but there isn’t news or time to write each one separately, and after all I presume it is as much joy or sorrow to read my poor attempt at correspondence all together as it would to write short missives to each.

            This is Sunday and as I’m sitting on the bed in my room with a book as a writing pad, instead of being in the office.  Just went thru a bunch of the old letters for home, dating back as far as Nov and reluctantly consigned all but two to the flames as it is impossible to keep much of that sort of thing around when it comes to a move.  While no moves seem to be contemplated for awhile, I would much rather go thru them (the letters) at leisure and treasure up their messages in my heart and pick out a few to keep a little longer, than to have to throw them to the fire in an impersonal bundle when orders do come.  I hope they come soon as I think I need a change of scene. I feel like a bird in a cage.

            The ankle is getting along as well as can be expected under the circumstances.  Now use only our cane and while it is very sore and pains while walking or using it, it seems to be slowly improving.

            There is a little rumor now that we may go home via Germany & Holland.  Wouldn’t that be a proper and fitting sequence of events and windup for the career of the Fighting Yellow Cross Div in Europe.  Am sending a little write up one of the divisions men got up.  [A transcribed version I had done almost ten years ago can be more easily read there]

            We have had some wonderful weather the past week but today is cloudy and cool and not so pleasant.  Expect to go to the cinema this evening as there is a continuance of the show we saw there last week which is pretty good.  Don’t you want to go along?
            Worked over at the office all of the morning and ought to be there this P.M. but don’t propose to do it as my system is crying for relaxation.  Someway, they can’t seem to be able to let us office force get away from it holidays or Sundays any more than they did in campaign times.  I wonder what they think mere men are made of.  It isn’t making me any thinner but never had my nerves as raw or felt so keyed up as I have the last two months.  But the old German saying applies very well. “So geht es im krieg.”  Will I know how to act on a Sunday back in civilian times I wonder?

By now I hear you all worrying and saying “poor overworked boy.” So I’ll hasten to add that there is probably no need for worry, and I guess what ails me most is “I want to go home.” Now we are stared in the face with the proposition that our files do not meet the Gov’t requirements, so the general upheaval for the next month won’t probably leave me much time for lengthy or interesting letters. Expect Johnnie and Willets back from leave this week which will make us less short handed, tho.
The enclosed service stripe is my very first one, and was worn on my overcoat till we got some new ones at Aix-les-Baines. The ticket took me to the top of Mt. Revard and back while we were at Aix on the cogwheel railroad. The yellow slip is a check from a ticket to the local cinema. May have sent one of those before. Now I’ve got to ring off and shave.
Love again and again to all.
George Sherwood
108th Engineers, Amer. E. F.
Censored: P.S. Thompson
Captain U.S.A.

 

End of letter -

Enclosed is mass produced report on The Prairie Division by William Lewis Judy

 

.

March 12, 1919 -- Echternach's Greatest Market Day of the Year; Receives letter from L C Mohr

Echternach, Luxembourg

March 12, 1919

Dear Home Folks:

            This is your anniversary, all of you. Susan and Herman have never celebrated before their own selves unless the cause of today’s celebration which took place last year can be called the first one.  And Daddy and Mother have celebrated many happy anniversaries yet I fancy this will be just a wee bit happier than most of the later ones have been because of the new celebration that makes the day mean more to them, as well as Sister and Brother.

            Oh, well, Echternach is celebrating the great day too, for today is the greatest Market Day of the whole year. The square is rapidly filling up with wagons and funny little carts filled with produce, calves, pigs, chickens, etc., etc.  They even have calves tied around to some of the store steps, door casings, etc., and their melodious? clamor at time is something immense.  Wish I had a film so I could get some pictures of it, but the scene is much the same as those pictures you have all seen of Europe’s inland Markets, so you can easily imagine it with the aid of the pictures of the Market Square I have sent from time to time.  You see our office is only about 3 doors up this street from where it ends in the square.  The streets of Echternach all converge toward that as a center so if you know the square you are never in any danger of getting lost.

            The ankle is getting along fine today.  I got a shoe on for the first time since the accident, so I feel quite cocky.  It bears my weight quite well if there is no side pressure or twist, but it is as sore as a boil to any pressure against the point of the bone on the outside and on up the ankle.  In fact, is hurting very much the same way as the other one was three years ago tho not quite as seriously.  But I’d give a lot to be back where Sister could massage it once in awhile.  She brot the other one out so well, the examination board at Jefferson Barracks refused to believe it had ever been cracked or strained at first.  But I haven’t the ability or patience to get much good out of what I am able to rub it.  However, guess it will come out all O.K. in the end. 

            This is a beautiful sunny spring day. How I wish for a car and my loved ones to enjoy a long trip thru this beautiful Luxembourg country of which we are really seeing so little.

            The cigar coupons enclosed are really money the kind we use over here.  And the stamps are French, taken from some old receipts, etc. in a French Chateau.

            Well, I’ll ring off and send this along now.

            Love again and again, and the very best returns of the day.

                                                Your loving Son & Brother

                                                            George Sherwood

                                                            108^th US Engineers

                                                            Amer. Exp Forces

PS.  Cinquanti Centines is ½ Franc or nearly 10 cents. 

Censored

Clyde L. Thompson

Captain, USA

1919-0313   L.C. Mohr To George S. Sherwood

Kalamazoo, Mich.  March 13 1919

Dear George, -
                                    Hello old man, and how are you by this time.  Suppose you are all ready to start for home, as I saw by the paper that the 33^rd would follow the 32^nd.  I left Angus, with 116^th Engrs, Jan 30^th and landed Hoboken Fe. 23^rd.  Was discharged Feb. 27^th and was a free man for a few days.  But to-day I signed a contract for the rest of the year, beginning Monday to teach a South Haven, where I taught when I entered the army.  I am getting very nearly twice as much as I received when I was there before and I also like the kids.  You perhaps remember the boxes they sent me when I was in Houston.  They had a big crowd down at the station to see me when I came in and escort me to the high school.  Then I had to make a speech and then we had a regular good time.  I visited classes with the fellows and raised the devil.  Now Monday, I have to start teaching and assume the dignity of the profession.

            Well George, how is old Co. C.? Is Giulfoil still with them?  I loaned Sgt Wm B. Moen of Co. B. 100 Francs when he passed thru Angus.  Do you know if he is still with the outfit?  I still have that blanket George, & would like to pay you for it.  It has been with me all of the time and I sure have appreciated your generosity in loaning it to me.  If you do not care to sell it, I’ll send it where ever you say.

            Well George, be sure to let me hear from you.  I wrote Miss Karn of Houston the other day.            Sincerely,

                        Mohr

            220 Erie St.

            South Haven, Mich

  

March 9, 1919 - George Writes Home on a German Postal Form

Echternach, Luxembourg,                                                                       Sunday Eve. Mar 9

Dear One’s All:  Just a line tonite to let you know I’m getting along as well as can be expected.  Mr. Kries has made me a crutch so I can get over to the office now regularly.  The Dr. binds it up in iodine every other day and guess will be O.K. in a week or so more.  Hope so anyway as we will probably not be here more than a month more at the most.  This is a German card I am using.  We got quite a bunch of them back of the German lines in the billets they vacated.  So you can see it is a Souvenir De La Guerre.  Daddy, you want to be real careful of yourself when you get a cold.  You know it may be quite awhile till I’m home yet and you want to be in the best state of preservation to stand some good times. 

            Love to you all from “The boy in Luxem”

                                                Geo. Sherwood, 108^th Engineers

                                                Amer. Exp. Forces

March 5, 1919 -- George Ruminates on Life and the Germans

Echternach, Luxembourg

March 5, 1919

 Dear Home Folks:

            I’m at it again you all.  Say if you get all of these letters I’ve written the last three weeks you’d die of surprise or at least you ought to.  But with spring in the air, a lot to do (all indoors at a desk), the then laid up so you can’t even do that except when there is a car to spare to take  you to and from work, I’ve just got to write or go plumb crazy.  Guess I’m nearly in that state now.  The ankle hasn’t pained so much today, but nobody came to take me to work so I’ve read and thot and “Want to be Home,” till I feel like I could bite spikes in two.  You see how lucky you are not to have such a ferocious young man home, don’t you.  But if something doesn’t turn up to break the monotony, and use up this surplus steam and growing restlessness there will be no living with me by the time we do get there.  Guess you better build me a padded cell.

            The worst of it is, I really don’t seem to want to work, so why should I not enjoy an enforced rest?  Here it is a beautiful world, a sunny happy sort of spring day, but there is a fly in the broth somewhere and I can’t seem to pick him out.  The only enjoyment I seem to be really getting is in writing to you, and tho there really is nothing the matter, I’m afraid the tone of my letters may worry you or make you blue.  Oh, for a good pair of legs and a Tennis Court.  When I used to feel about 1/10 this way at Lawrence I got it out of my system that way usually.  They say that “Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do,” but even that old “Devil” seems to have forgotten me as I can’t think of anything really wickedly original to pull.  Yep!  It’s a gay old world “Nit” as the Luxembourger says for no.  I believe a few good old Jerry shells would be welcome as a diversion tho thank God for the rest of the world’s sake as well as the safety of my worthless neck they “Scream no more.” 

And if the Peace Conference uses good judgment they won’t have another chance for a long, long time.  Until after the war I was rather undecided as to how harsh the Peace should be made to hit Germany, but now I know they will not hit too hard.  But will they be harsh enough?  I never dreamed it possible the war could have touched Germany so little.  How very keen they were.  Half or two thirds of the wealth of machinery they will have to pay France and Belgium for is up there in Germany, ready to begin production in her factories as soon as the industrial wheels can be oiled, the raw material procured, and government established.  You can’t make a people over in a day, it takes generations.  What if the mouthpiece of the old system is cracked and thrown away?  Another can soon replace it.  And so while France and Belgium patch up the few remaining shreds and build anew, will they let Germany get a big lead industrially with the machinery she stole, and then paid for?  I think, I hope not.  It makes me boil when I read their whining about the “Unjust Indemnities” and the cry that the Allies strive to break and ruin them.  The people of course are the ones who will suffer as always, but better this generation of them should suffer the price of their short sightedness and miss education than for France and Belgium even the world to suffer now and in the future too.

            Say, the boys say I’ve a letter from home over in the office.  I’ll croak if someone doesn’t appear with it pretty soon.  And I think I’ll wait to close this till after I have recd and read it.  Tell them Au revoir.  Bonjour!

            Here we are again.  The mail came over by orderly, and did we devour two letters from home, one from Jo and a Keystone.  You bet we did, all but the money order which arrived O.K.  Thank you so much.  I hope it didn’t embarrass you much to send it.  Maybe I was rather abrupt and hasty with that card, but hope you received my letters of explanation soon after.  Oh! How I enjoy those letters from home.  And one of these with a message from daddy, mother and Susan.  It was splenglorious.  I know Herman is really busy but has he developed writer’s cramp.  Brother, I demand that you come thru with a letter pronto.  Otherwise I shall have to use an unfair advantage and sic your wife on you.  When you are properly henpecked I’ll bet you will write. 

Elmer Smith must have had a real exciting time of it, from his letter in the Keystone.  More power to him!  To the heroes belong the Medals – but like the Victor’s Spoils they don’t always materialize.  Well, I’ve just got to stop.  Hope you can read part of my hen scratches but I have me doots.

                                                Love to All

                                                            Geo. Sherwood

                                                            108^th Engineers

                                                            American Exp. Forces 

OK

Clyde L. Thompson

Captain  108^th Engrs.

Amer. E F.

[Postscript on back of an inside page].  Don’t know how or why I left this blank but guess it was to send you all my best love and greetings on.  

They trained us in a Southern Camp

On how to lick the Hun.

We must have learned it well

The way we made the Fritzies run.

But now they’re back across the Rhine

And their war machine is spent

Please don’t forget, Dear Uncle Sam

We too ‘nach Haus’ would ‘went.’