November 16, 1918 -- Ideals and Peace Bells

14^th Somewhere in France.16/11/’18

Dear Sister & All:

            Horray.  Mere words are futile to express my (and I might say our) feelings as the Armistice and the Political Revolution in Germany progress, and we realize that  the things and IDEALS the ALLIES have so nobly fought and sacrificed for are actually beginning to be realized.  While in name it is only an Armistice, the terms, and the attitude of the German soldiers and Government is our greatest assurance that the fighting and blood-shed is over, and that once more PEACE BELLS can chime out a real message of “Good Will to MEN” on Christmas Day. 

            I can scarcely realize yet that the guns are really ALL still for the first time in four long years, and once in awhile I stop and listen to the QUIET that reigns, to convince myself that I am not dreaming.  That may sound rather queer, but after six months of the ceaseless roar of cannon and shell one can almost hear and feel the stillness.  So tho in the light of present events, we may be unable to give the folks back home much in the line of material gifts, I hope we can at least give you a VICTORIOUS PEACE for which the Democratic world has sacrificed so much.  And after, what could be more fitting GIFT to commemorate the birth of Him who gave His life for the same ideals of Brotherhood, Charity, and Equality the Allies have successfully preserved. 

            So in case the mails are delayed and this is the last letter you receive from me before the holidays, I’ll just take this opportunity to wish you ALL a MERRY XMAS AND a VERY JOYFUL NEW-YEAR. And tho I can’t be with you in the flesh I’ll be there in spirit and any little or big worry you may have felt for my safety must be laid on the shelf while you prepare that Celebration for the day when “Johnnie comes marching home.” 

            I continue to get the Keystone regularly and sure enjoy them.  We saw some real American vaudeville the other night.  One joke was so very appropriate that I remember it:  An old darky Captain noticed that his men were continually scratching so he lined them up in company front one morning to investigate.  The following monologue is significant. “Ah thinks some ‘o you uns be’n got cooties.  All dat am ma’ch strait forrud. ** COMPANY HALT.”  [In the next few weeks George will be sharing his OWN on-going personal experience with "cooties."] I expect that unless we go away forward as part of the army of occupation we will see a good many much entertainments, as there are several troupes of entertainers over here now.

            Well, I intended to make this a nice longer letter as it has been so long since I wrote you, but I seem to have run out of ideas again, so I think I had best bring this to a close before I make any more bad breaks in spelling. Once more, three rousing cheers for the good old “STAR SPANGLED BANNER.” 

                                    Love and Best Wishes to You All, GSS

P.S.  Just a little line to let you know that the moon is doing his duty these nights, and to thank you for the letter you forwarded from Margaret and Dora.  This letter is a carbon coy of one I sent her, so don’t send it on to her, as I know she would never forgive me while you may.  Don’t you think it is nice and handy to have a sister at each home, so all I need to say is “Dear Sister & All” and go right on pounding the keys.  I started this letter, or at least one to you folks, three times before I got this done.  Have really been too busy to write.

                                                With love again to all, George Sherwood

 

November 11, 1918 -- Armistice Day

Uncle George  Stevens Sherwood did not write a letter home on this auspicious day. This was a commemorative Franc that the family had obtained after the war - it was issues in 1920 but is in commemoration of the end of the War.  George will resume his letters home later in the week describing the incredible silence he is enjoying now that the conflict is over. Soon he will go back and describe where he has been and done.

November 1, 1918 - George Gets Mysterious Hints From Home

Mrs. Wm. Sherwood                                                                    14^th Somewhere in France

Kendall,  Wisconsin                                                                                 November 1, 1918

25G

Dear One’s All:

            This is the second time today I have started to write you, so here is hoping this one gets finished and mailed before it is lost.  Was just starting to write the 1^st time when in rushed one of the fellows with a handful of mail, and two of them were nice fat ones for me from HOME (No’s 102-3). Have also enjoyed five treats in the shape of Keystones.  I hope by now you have received the signed request for Xmas coupon.  This is a niggardly [nothing to do with race; everything to do with "stinginess"] way to answer two such nice long letters, but I don’t know how to get enough news to fill even this small space.  Was very sorry to hear of Clem Walter’s loss, but hope he gets his wish to be home by Xmas.  Would much prefer to spend Xmas here and get home if I can have any choice.  It has been cloudy and gray today.  But the way, I can’t tell you how much I enjoy the community letters.  Thank them all for me.  By the way sister, does your little dissertation on “Girls attitudes” have any personal application or hint to me.  If so, please explain (at once).  With love to all.   George.

October 23, 1918 - Picture a French Chateau in Fair Repair

 Mr. Herman Weber                                                                     13^th Somewhere in France

Kendall                                                                                                          Oct 23, 1918
Wisconsin                                                                                                          11:58 PM 

Dear Ones All at Home:

            I thot I would hardly have time to drop you a line from here, but the fates have given me a few spare moments, so I will at least let you know I am still well and safe. In fact, feel better than I have for the past month. Maybe it is because the shells are not as thick here. Ha, Ha. 

Picture a French chateau, in fair repair, a real open fireplace with mirror over the mantle, fire blazing merrily on the hearth, a French deal table before it, a candle’s flickering light casting fantastic shadows of a chunky American soldier bent low over a letter HOME.  Add to the picture another soldier and a dog stretched lazily on a couple of army blankets before the crackling blaze and you have a very fair picture of the scene the moon looks down on “Somewhere in France” tonite.  For a romantic effect, take notice of the two prim old French chairs with their grotesque antique carving also.  Ah, me, if it could only last, or happen again. 

                                                            Love to you all including Auntie,

                                                                                    George

 

[This was written on a fold-over, seal on three sides, and address letter form (somewhat like an aerogram).  Small writing in pencil.]

October 21 1918 -- "Standard" Post Card Letting Loved Ones Know He's OK!

 

This is a "fill in the blanks" postcard that would let sender reassure family that he or she was "fine" and that did not require time spent by censors.  I think this might have been sent earlier but didn't notice it in time to add in mid-month. 

Kind of like an early text message vs a long email :-)   

October 13, 1918 - Rumors of Peace Talks - Guns Urging Decision

 

October 8, 1918 -- George Shares War Rumors

Dear Ones All at Home:

            There is very little to write about now, but at least I can again assure you that I am well.  I can only hope you are all over your colds and enjoying fine health again. I have not recd. any magazines as yet but the Keystones [local Wisconsin newspaper] are coming along regular now, and are enjoyed as much as ever. I got letter No. 102 from you the other day.  It seems to take just about 1 month for letters to come this way and six weeks for papers and packages.  From the reports we are getting it looks very much as tho Germany was up to the “Last Stand” as all her allies seem to have gone to the wall.  In fact, we got so provisions we are getting “Turks” before Thanksgiving this year so fear it will be all gone by then and the Allies will have to get along with “Hungary” stomachs. 

            I sincerely hope that it is about over, if the Kaiser abdicates or is shorn of power along with his Junker govt.  But any lesser peace should be intolerable to the Allies at large and Americans in particular.  I surely feel for the boys who must spend the winter in the trenches, but with Jerry driven out of his snug quarters all along the line it will be that much harder on him.  As for myself, I must admit that for the present I fear I have accepted a rather bomb-proof job.  If the fighting should prove to be about over I shall be well satisfied, but I have never been reconciled to the fact that I have never been “over the top”. Have experienced plenty of shell fire, bombs and some gas, but I did  want to go “over” just once anyway.  However, I have tried to do my duty and believe I am still doing it, for your first duty in a machine like an army is to do your best in any position your superiors in command feel you best qualified for, unless you know you are absolutely unfitted for it. I have noticed so often that it often means the sacrifice of a man’s own wishes or ambitions.

            It has settled down again to the regulation dull, grey, raw, drizzly French day.   Perhaps that is why I feel a little blue, but it is nothing serious, so in an hour or so I’ll be my own cheerful self again.  I’m sincerely hoping that the rumored mail arrives today with news that you are OK over there, and with the usual ray of sunshine the letters from home always contain.

            I’ll bet you can’t guess what the main topic of discussion among us are now when we get a little time, it’s how the sight of the good old “Statue of Liberty” will look to us, and how we will appreciate the luxuries of “Home.”  We used to call them necessities.

            I hope you are getting my letters regularly now, as I have been writing more frequently the last two months than I have since I came across, before.  Let me know the date and number of each letter you receive, please.  I am sorry I spoke as tho I needed gloves, as the famine is temporarily over and I have two pairs wood and one of leather.  Use them when needed, or if not needed, store them as I may send for them later.  My helmet and sweater are still serviceable, too.  Am awaiting package sent for, anxiously but not in extreme need.  Love again and again to all.

                                                            Your son and brother,  George Sherwood