This continues the sharing of the letters my grandmother's first husband, James Calhoun, wrote to her during World War I. February was a challenging month for James in terms of his health. He spent almost half of the month in the Base Hospital. His letters continue to report on aspects of camp life, how he misses home and rumors about peace. He also tells about one of his fellow soldiers, a married man, who is seeing a woman on the side.
This month’s entry will be
excerpts of the letters James wrote from Camp Greene in February.
February 1, 1918
My dear Anna;
I was
more than glad to get your letters of Jan. 26 & 27 combined. You
surely do get my letters by starts and jerks but I mail one from here almost
without exception every day. Some days I get two from you and some days I
do not get one at all.…There is but three of us in the Orderly room night and
sleep one in a bunk. This is a more pleasant place to live than in tents
with eight fellows. It is always quiet here evenings and I can write and
work and get something out of my work.
I am
gaining a little on the work here and I have not gotten “balled” out as the
expression goes here. I am trying to give as good as I possibly can and
hope to keep in right all around.
Many of
the companies have a good many men of foreign birth but not so many in this
company. Many of our boys are from New York and the northern
states. Some of the men who are unable to speak English or are worthless
are getting discharge[d]. I am dum[b] but I cannot see my way clear for
discharge yet. I think the company is taking me a long for the “goat.”
The
outlook for peace is better now. We may have to cross the pond but this
thing certainly cannot last very much longer. O “Joy” just think of the
happy day when this fight closes up. Then we will all be glad that we
were soldiers and did what we could for our country. Those who help at
home and keep the “home” fires burning are just as much soldiers as those who
serve in trench and field.
…Your
most loving husband James
February 3, 1918
…It still
continues muddy and foggy. More rain came last night and the roads are
nearly as muddy as any time before. I feel sorry for those who must get
out in duty but I do not need to do much tramping so personally I cannot
complain. As hauling has been almost impossible we are without fire wood
or coal today but we do not mind. I just put on more clothes and go on
just the same. I think we can keep enough for kitchen so can get our
meals.
Another
case of mumps this morning which means one more man in the Base Hospital and
six more men held in quarantine here in the company street. We had three
men report for duty from Base Hospital yesterday and our hospital list is in
truth growing smaller now. Most of the hospital boys have gotten along
good. Two fellows have died there from this company since I came to
camp. When measles and mumps first broke out here all contacts were sent
to our Detention Camp but that became filled eventually and then contacts of
contagious diseases were quarantined in our company street and obliged to keep
separate from the boys unexposed as much as possible, were made to eat separate
at different time etc. The Dentention Camp fellows are mostly back to the
company again.
I have a
light cold again but do not think it will amount to much. I used Sloan’s
Liniment freely last evening and it has tended to loosed the phlegm and take
out the soreness from my throat.
…I have
done no washing for a week and think I must get busy tomorrow night. Have
a lot of dirty handkerchiefs, two or three towels, and a set of underwear to
wash. I hope we may soon get some fuel so we can get such cleaning jobs
attended too.
…Time seems
to go slow at times and I am only too glad to keep busy so I can keep my mind
from going over our affairs so much. I would be one happy lad if the war
closes. I am willing and want to do my part but I prefer civilian life
and feel that most of the boys feel the same way. …
February 5, 1918
…The
company commander has just left and he says we are going to move. When
(exactly) or where no one knows. I am ready to leave this mud and you
should just hear the other boys rave about conditions. We are out of wood
again tonight but hope to get some in soon and then we can have a fire.
This has
been a beautiful day. The Earth was frozen this morning so one could walk
dry shod but the sun soon melted up the mud and this PM it has been fine.
We will soon have a change. The worst part of the moving is the confusion
it always causes. I have helped to move several times and it gets to be
kind of an old story. I am going to send home all the surplus clothes and
things that I cannot use. Underwear is one item you may expect.
Papers
daily speak of trouble in Germany and hope they know of what they speak.
As a rule I do not bank very much upon what they say. However there are
more indications of peace than at any time since the war started.
I have
been working on the war risk insurance papers most of today. Many of the
boys are just taking up insurance. Had I known I would not have taken out
mine until Feb. 1 and thus saved my insurance premiums for Jan and Dec
approximately $13.60 which is worth while. All enlisted men were
automatically insured by the government to Feb 12 for $4500.00. I am glad
you have your money for Dec. Do just as you wish with it. I know
you will dispense with it wisely. I lent a fellow ten dollars last Sat to
go home and see his sick father. I think he will repay OK and I did not
have the heart to refuse when he came and asked me for it although I think he
is rather a hard luck chap or always pleads hard luck at any rate.
…Remember
me as your deficient, faulty but loving and well meaning husband, James.
February 6, 1918
I
received two fine letters from my good little ‘frau’ today and I want you to
know that I appreciated them. I cannot get letters too often. If
you get my Sunday and Monday’s letters together I can just as well put them
together as you do your Saturday’s and Sabbath’s.
February 7, 1918
…Corporal
Charles Emmey of whom I have spoken before (clerk in orderly room) is a married
man. He has been corresponding with a girl at Chatanooga, who of course
thinks he is single and as Emmey is real clever with words the aforesaid Miss
has become, as appearances show very much infatuated with him and has sent him
boxes of dainties, her photo, a scarf, sweater and etc. Emmey I suppose
thinking that he had gone far enough had not written to her for a week or two
so today a letter came from her asking him if the was sick and stating that she
would come to his side if he were sick and if she might. Emmey feels
badly over the affair himself as he only intended to get her to write and did
not think she would learn to love him. If she is a nice girl I think it
is a shame and when she know the truth as surely she will she will feel
heartbroken. It is very wrong for a man to play with the sincere feelings
of a good woman.
I am only
to[o] glad that I am married to the only woman in the world for me and thank God
that I do not care for any other. It is my earnest prayer that we are
long may be permitted to meet and live life’s pathway in the light of each
others love so dear and pure to each of us.
February 8, 1918
This has
been another beautiful day and the mud is drying up very rapidly. Another
day or two of this weather and travel about camp will be much better. The
weather is quite warm so we have been about camp today in our shirt sleeves and
have had the doors and windows open.
… I
have been in helping the supply sergeant Albert Zetterlund check up supplies
and probably will help him tomorrow. We are very busy now and you can
scarcely imagine the business handled in the offices of a single company of 250
men or the cost of maintaining a single company of soldiers. War is
certainly an expensive business…. Consider the food for the men.
The money to feed a soldier is on an average not over $40 per day and besides
feeding the men of Co “D” three hearty meals per day the company has been able
to lay up a fund of several hundred dollars out of the allowance for
food. Uncle Sam’s cooks surely know how to get the most for a dollar and
how to use the food without waste.
…
Do not let what I have written make you feel bad or worried because we have
much to be thankful for as we are both in good health and surely God will spare
us the affliction of years of separation when we long for the company of each
other. Feb 22 will mark the end of three months since I last saw you and
many things have transpired since that time which seems like a much longer
time. Tell nothing to your people of how I long for the quiet home life
as even those so near and dear sometimes fail to fully understand and I have
too much pride to let anyone think I am a white livered coward but as I said
before I am not afraid to fight but only long for the affair to finish.
James
Boggs poor boy is surely having his troubles (James’ wife had died in
January). I do not see how he can possible keep his rooms as they are but
possibly he can. He always was so attached to his home and worked so hard
to make home life pleasant for Lizzie who was indeed a person who had many
well-deserved friends. I should write him a sympathetic letter but I can
scarcely pluck courage to commence the task which you know is not an easy
one.
February 10, 1918
…To day
the tents were all loosened about the sides of the side (wooden) and allowed to
fall in against the center pole. The floors and sides looked like a long
row of platforms one each side of the street. The sides of boards are up
to the eaves of each tent. It really does seem fine to have summer like
weather and if the good weather will only continue, think I shall be able to
get a little southern tan. We have experienced some cold weather but
nothing so real as Delaware Co can tell of.
I have
been acting as sole clerk in the office today as the girl of whom I wrote you
that Clerk Emmy was writing to came to see him and he went to Charlotte to meet
her and stayed in town most of the day. They were out long enough for
dinner. She and her mother came to Charlotte this morning. She said
she wished to come down and see him before he left Camp Greene. I think
he wanted to see her and wrote her to come in he would soon leave because no one
knows that we shall leave. We might be here a year or more. She as
I said does not know Emmy is a married man and if I am a good judge of
appearances feels badly because Emmy she thinks will soon leave. It is a
shame for him to do as he is but I can say little as I have made girls’ hearts
bleed but I did nothing of that style since I was married. Please do not
blame me for it because I could not marry a girl I did not love when I knew one
I did love so well. There is but one girl for each fellow and although he
should admire other charming ladies yet he should think and know that his own
wife is the nicest of them all. I speak from experience. If I were
only permitted to live with and provide for her.
…We have
all turned in our long overcoats and instead have been issued overcoats of knee
length. They are a comfortable, handy coat but so short they make a
fellow look like a genuine scarecrow. And those who look that way already
as yours truly are made to appear more so by the pesky short things. My
coat is much shorter than my wedding coat but I guess I can get used to
it.
…
February 12, 1918
My dear Anna;
…Yesterday
I was fortunate in getting three letters and two packages in the mail and today
I received the box of candy from Edith. … I must write and thank Edith
for the box of candy and not only that but thank her for me for the many
kindnesses she has shown me since the beginning of our acquaintance. The
mail to me yesterday consisted in a letter from you, one from
Archie and Florence and one from Harold Campbell, a package of cookies from
Anna and a package of good things from the Red Cross. The package from
there contained two khaki handkerchiefs, two or three kinds of candy, writing
material, cookies and other things to eat. Anna’s box of cookies are sure
good. I have so many eats on hand that I have not opened Edith’s box of
candy yet tonight but I shall soon. I know it will be best of all and I
shall save that and eat it when I feel hungry for something extra good.
…No Anna
I do not blame you for feeling rather worried at times and sort of worked up
because I get that way myself and the tone of my letters must tell you that I
also feel worked up at times and seem as though I can scarcely stand it that I
must go on day after day and not see or be near my better half and all the ones
I love and the home-i-ness for which I long. I think we get sort of
hardened to the constant routine of never ending duties but I for one never can
get used to living without those I hold so near and dear.
We had
regimental inspection and all companies of the 7th marched out
to the parade ground and were inspected with full field pack on by the
reviewing officers. The band was out and the music made marching much
easier. I got through without many mistakes of which I was fortunate
because I have not drilled with the boys for a month now and they have had many
new drills since I was out besides the benefit of constant practice. In
one way I should like to get out and drill every day because if am called on to
drill later I shall certainly have a hard job.
…You
should have the pictures of Company “D” before this. I hope you may be
able to pick out my scowling face. I could not look at all pleasant
because the sun was straight in my eyes. Some of the boys pictures were
fine especially those at the right hand side. I am very glad to get a
picture of the boys with whom I trained.…
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| Here's the picture James is mentioning in his letter. It was taken in January. James is marked with the blue line. |
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| Here's the full version of the picture of James' company. |
February
14, 1918
…Your
letters are looked and longed for very much and yesterday I missed them very
much. It seemed to do no good to write each day as I get two letters at
one time anyway and you do too. I thought it nice to write every day so
you could hear often and I could too but our plans even in that seem to fail.
I should like to write you pages and pages each day if circumstances only
permitted as I love to think of you and ours. No matter how affairs
turn I looking forward to that time when we shall meet again and feel that it
will surely come. I shall come home on the first opportunity that
offers. I love my home ones and long for peace and pray that all
mankind might be at peace. There must be some great purpose disguised
in this enormous struggle but to save me I cannot see clearly how the world
is going to be made better by this terrible sacrifice. Has Davison’s
heard much from Fletcher since he has been in France. As Russia has
made peace the Germans are pouring troops from the Russian frontier to meet
the British and French on the West and the chances are ten to one for a
voilent battle there in a few weeks. Germany will try to “Oust” the
allies before the Americans get there with strong forces and equipment to aid
the Allies.
…I
am glad you went to Ormistons and am sure you had a good time. They as
you say are so musical and such good people. I do think it nice to hold
family worship and believe the world throughout would be a much better place
in which to live and perhaps would be peaceful if every family were to hold
such in sincerity. I must halt here as I am swinging back to war
subjects again. The twins are two bright children [twins likely are Marion and Marjorie
Ormiston, who were 10 in 1918]. You said it seemed motherly to have
one on either side but you failed to say if you liked the sensation. I
can not imagine what the “special” is that you are going to send me. It
will be just as well that I do not then I shall be surprised when I
hear. I hope it may be a happy surprise.…
There is an unusual gap in James’
letters of three days. When he writes again, Anna learns why this
happened.
|
Your most
welcome letters of Feb. 12 came to me tonight and it has found me in a rather
unexpected place. I am taking a little vacation in the Base
Hospital. Came here Fri. night this 15th; have tonsillitis and
had acute indigestion when I came here but that is better now. My
sickness is not at all serious although I may have to stay here a few
days. My throat and head has bothered me at times since I came into this
climate. I think if my tonsils were removed my trouble would be relieved,
but I may not need that. I have had no writing paper until tonight when
two of the boys came and brought your letter and got me paper, envelops and
stamps and as a fellow in the bed next to mine lent me his pen and the fellow
on the other side gave me his writing board so I have no excuse for not writing
to you.
… By
coming to the hospital, I was excused from going to the rifle range Sat morning
through the mud and rain with a full pack on my back. I sure feel sorry
for the boys who had to make the trip because it was indeed a hardship.
There is some talk of this place being abandoned as a camp and it surely should
be if drainage and sanitation conditions are always as bad as they are this
year. The boys who are able to come through a winter spent in this place
can pass through anything with a whole skin.
…The boys
came over today and the office clerk Emmey was over yesterday so you see they
are real good to me. The clerk is real anxious to have me in the office
tomorrow as he wishes to go away but I cannot go until I am given permission to
go here. I am afraid Emmey is going to be disappointed as I am billed to
stay here for a few days at least. I do not mind staying here a few days
as I am getting a little holiday and can get away from the responsibility for a
short time. As long as I was in the office there was not a moment I could
call my own and had considerable responsibility besides. This is the
first Sunday in the past month that I have not had to work just as hard as on
week days. …While John [Anna’s uncle John Miller] was kind to let you water your
cattle at his spring and I think all would be well with us and them if it were
not for the Mrs. Bertha and the girls don’t you?…
Feb. 18, 1918
Monday is
here and finds me on the gain. My head and throat feel much better; the
doctor said today that they were better and I was placed on solid diet at
dinner. I shall be out of here in a few days if all continues to go well
and will feel I have had quite a vacation from the never ending army mill.
…My
stomach feel[s] much better and my head does not ache very much but yet at noon
I did not care much for the beefsteak, potatoes, white bread and beans given
and although it tasted quite good yet it took very little to satisfy me.
Previous to this noon I have had toast, malted milk and soft boiled rice.
In a day or two I shall be alright at my stomach.
I knew
Mrs. Archibald as she was at Scotts once or twice while I did testing
there. [This is
Carrie May Scott Archibald, wife of Russell Archibald. She was 40 at her death.]
Such deaths are always very sad and much worse it seems to a person just in the
prime of life. She was not a strong looking person. Life is surely
a frail thing at its best….
February 19, 1918
Will send
you a letter today. I am still on the gain I think. Had some solid
food to eat and my throat feel[s] much better. I must stay her for a few
days yet however.
We had a
nice little shower last night and today is damp and cloudy.
I think
there is probably a letter from you over at Co “D” but it may be a couple of
days before they get it over to me. I know they will be very busy over
there and do not expect them to get over to see me every day. I scarcely
know how they will get along if their clerk left them today. I am sorry I
cannot be there to help. Sergeant Schneider will be jumping about very
quickly today I think looking after affairs and Captain Russell will be just as
bad. They will get along someway so I am not going to worry.
…Since I
came to the hospital I have had more time to think and dream of our own
personal affairs and my mind has wandered back and lived again the happy times
we have had together and some events that bear a sadder tinge but which have
only served to bring our love out more fully. How well I remember the day
we went to the fair at O and many other happy times. We had lots of fun
the night that Edith and Wilford, you and I went out riding in the little tin
Ford the first time; the night we drove to Doig’s gate and return.
I am
afraid Willie and Vera will not have been able to get much use from the Ford
(Jerusha) this winter but they will have a nice time when the snow leaves the
state road and they surely will feel well repaid for having stored it during
the long winter months. [This was the car that James and Anna sold to the Stories.]
Ralph
will probably be back from New York by the time this letter reaches you.
I am sorry he and Ruth have failed to see alike well enough to become husband
and wife but they know best. I believe in letting people choose their own
mates. People tried to get me married more than once and talked as you
know but I paid no attention to their hints and did my own choosing and am
sincerely thankful I did.…
February 20, 1918
I will
send out my daily message to let you know how I am faring.
This is
quite a nice day but more rain came last night and this morning. I think
mud must be pretty deep outside although I am not in position to see for
myself.
I am
feeling quite good today and think that I am improving. My throat and
head are not entirely well. I am going to see a throat and head doctor
tomorrow to see if there is anything wrong there. I hope to get out of
this air a few days. I am back on regular diet now.
…The
people who must work in the hospitals have long hours and the work must be very
strenuous and trying to the patience. Some of the patients are
disagreeable enough and whine and complain if they are not attended to the
minute they call.; Others are here who are just as patient as others are
impatient. The hospital corp hire[?] for their ward consists of one
doctor 3 day and one night nurse, one ward master, one night orderly and two
day orderlies.
…There
are many nations represented here. There are Syrians, Greeks, French,
English and several other nationalities represented in this ward beside the
Americans. There is an English lad in the bed next to mine and he is very
good.…
February 21, 1918
I
am back on my feet once more and feeling quite good. Have been up nearly
all day. Was over and had my nose and throat examined by a specialist.
He failed to locate any trouble in my nostrils. He said any trouble that
was there came from the cold I had just had. I think I shall be back with
my company about tomorrow or next day. I had not walked any since Fri.
last and the first few steps this morning caused my legs to wobble. I
wonder how those people get along at first after remaining in bed for more than
a month.
This is a
beautiful day. The sky is so clear and blue it will surely bring rain for
tomorrow. I am anxious to get back to C “D” and work again. I would
pity anyone who was compelled to lay idle all the time. I have gotten
along fine here though, since I could write, read and sleep. The first
two days were harder.
…I am dreaming very much
of New York now. It always seems much nicer to be alive and look ahead at
springtime than at any other season of the year. Now comes the time when
we can feel that the cold winter has passed away and plants will spring forth
again…How glad I would be to be proprietor of a nice New York farm, how
interesting to work out plans and live the ideal farm life. Such has long
been my ambition and though I must not for a while yet I feel that finally I
shall realize my ambition don’t you? I like to hear the boys tell where
they are going after the war. I just listen and say nothing regarding
myself but I have plans for all of that.…
February 22, 1918
Will drop
a few lines to you this P.M. I thought I should get back to my company
today but the doctor decided to keep me here another day as there is plenty of
sleeping room here and the source of help is none to plentiful.
Consequently, they have been using me for dishwashing and to help wait on
patients today.
…I do not
mind helping do the work here, someone must do it. I am wondering if I
shall have my office work when I get back to my company or if someone-else will
be doing the work I did. I probably will have to go out and drill when I
get back. I am not particular and furthermore it would do me no good if I
were. We have to do as we are told in the army.
…There is
a barber in this ward. He is able to cut a head or tow of hear each
day. He isn’t very strong yet but he seems to know how to cut hair.
Most of the patients in this ward (B-I) are getting well. No real bad
cases at all. Most of them are stomach, rheumatism, tonsolitis or those
getting well from pneumonia. Archie Saunders the boy from Co “D” and New
York was up in a chair for the first time today. He will get along nicely
now unless he gets a setback. He came to the Base Hospital on the 22nd day
of January just a month ago today.
…I am
very anxious to get those letters that I know you have written me and which
await me at “D” Co. office. Maybe some of the boys will be over from
there tonight and will bring over the mail for the hospital boys. Mail is
looked for eagerly every day by the lads and it does me good as well as
themselves when they get their letters….
February 23, 1918
I
am yet in the hospital but am not very sick. I am going out tomorrow so
the doctor said. They kept me here as I have said before to help do the
work. I told the Doctor this morning that I ought to get back to duty and
so he said I could go tomorrow. I hope I may as I am getting restless
here and anxious to get back to work. I would not like to have my
regiment depart and leave me in the hospital.
…
There is a number of southern lads in this ward and actually they haven’t
ambition enough to move at all. Two or three of them are nearly able to
leave the hospital and though one of the hospital orderlies is sick yet those
lads hate to make a move towards helping in any way. May of the
people of the warm states seem to lack the snap and perseverance of some
northern people of my acquaintance.…
February 23, 1918
…I rec’d
5 letters from you from the office. The first one was written Feb 13 and
the last one the 18th. They certainly did me good. I am
going to read them all over again but I will write this letter first and what I
miss answering this time I will answer next.
I am glad
to hear that Frank Munson is home. He has had a hard time but has been
really very fortunate in getting home so soon and having a furlough at
Christmas also. I bet Hazel and all of his people were only too glad to
have him back. He is certainly a nice fellow if I am a good judge. [Frank was discharged due to medical reasons and
would marry Hazel Russell. He was killed by a falling tree in 1920.]
…You
surely are getting your share of winter. I can imagine just how the roads
are up there now. The tracks of the road get so high when the snow gets
deep and then trouble comes when a thaw out comes. It is fortunate Ralph
returned before the worst weather came and traveling became so bad. I hope
his cold does not prove anything serious. He no doubt had a good time and
hope he did enjoy himself. Ralph does not look upon farm life just as you
and I do Anna and for that reason you should not blame. We cannot all see
things alike you know and if the things of the city appeals to our brother we
ought not to care. I am sorry he does not care for Ruth more than for
Miss Lifgren but we must hope that he will change his mind yet…
The
Doctor came around and said my temperature had risen a little tonight so I may
be unable to get to my company tomorrow. I had been working all day and
he told me to stop and go to bed but I am going to finish this letter if the
Doctor doesn’t come in too soon.
…Your
milking will be getting quite heavy now if you have so much milk. I
expect you can have the privilege of drawing every other day...
[February 24, 1918]
My dear Anna;
…I have
had visitors today and there has been a good many visitors in the ward
today. Smith Bilby[?] one of New York’s first lads has been here.
He brought me some reading matter and indeed has been very good to me having
come over every three or four days since I came here. He came over with
Wilford Wheatley’s from Charlotte the people who brought me the socks from the
Andes Red Cross. He has invited Beilby and I into Charlotte to dinner
next Sabbath. I think we will go if I am able to get out of the hospital
previous to that time.
You know
I had planned to get out of the hospital today but I overworked in the kitchen
yesterday so the ward Doctor made [me] go to bed again. I feel quite well
today but I suppose I shall be unable to get out of here for a few days.
…I can
imagine you were somewhat alarmed when you received my letter stating that I
was in the hospital but you need not worry. I have stated the facts of
the case just as they were. I am not worse than I have stated to you in
my letters. If I had not worked so much yesterday I could not doubt have
gone back to my company today and feel that I shall be able to get back there some
day soon. I am getting along good here. The Ward (B-1) Doctor is
very good. He spends a great portion of his time with his patients, is skilled
in his profession and I have never heard him say a cross word to anyone.
Some of the patients complain that they do not get as much to eat as they need
but I cannot imagine the quantity that would be necessary to satisfy the hunger
of some people. All some people can do is to whine and growl anyway.
…Part of
the nurses here have signed up for service oversea and part for home service
only. Those for oversea service are anxious to get started for Europe but
I trust some of them will get enough foreign service to satisfy their longings
for such before they get back to the good old U.S.A. I for one am sorry
it has become necessary for anyone to go oversea.…
February 25, 1918
Another
day has nearly passed so I must get busy or my poor but well meaning letter
will not go to you in the morning. I have been taken cough mixture since
yesterday which does not sit well with my stomach so I have not been feeling
very much like writing as I am sick to my stomach and have the headache.
I wish I might get well enough to get out of here before many days and surely
will.
As nearly
all of my personal belongings were left at the company when I came here I am
wondering how they are all faring. I shall be very fortunate if they are
taken care of for me. Very little attention is given the belongings of
the soldier if he is not there to care for them himself. There value is
not so great but some of the articles I should rather hate to lose as they are
of value in my eyes.
…The
hospital has been kept very warm since I came here, too warm an close for the
good of those accustomed to sleeping in tents. When I go back to my
company I doubt if I go into the office again unless ordered to do so. I
doubt if I should have been sick had [I] never gone to the office. I have
just taken a dose of that terrible cough liquid. I don’t wonder that it
makes my head ache and my stomach feel a though it would turn over because it
has a most nauseating taste. Maybe it does me lots of good though…
February 27, 1918 (Wed)
I am
feeling better today so I can sit up in bed and write you once again. I
did not write yesterday but succeeded in getting one of the boys to secure me
some paper and envelopes today. My stomach feels better today and I ate
good at dinner and breakfast. My bronchitis is not cleared up yet.
The doctor finally discovered bronchial trouble to be my chief sickness.
He thinks it will soon go away though but I myself think perhaps some good warm
weather or a change of climate would be of more aid than anything else. I
hope to get out of here soon.
Your
letter written on your way to Mae’s came to me last night late. I can
imagine how high the water would get at Delancey and at R. Mable’s. I was
testing at Delancey during high water one spring and the road was covered for
several rods with water between the bridge and the railroad track. It
will be good to get rid of so much snow as must have gone during such a
thaw. I have been wondering when you received my letter stating that I
was placed in the hospital. I wrote to mother C the same time I wrote to
you and I think she would get my letter when you were there. I am
surprised how long mail takes to reach you after I mail it. Mail from you
generally comes in three or four days and it takes most a week for my letters
to get to you.
…I am
truly very glad that Ralph is in Class 4 - which means he will not be called
for a long time at least…Mr. And Mrs. Wheatley were up again Mon night and brought
a nice lot of magazines, books and papers. Also two glasses of gelatine
and newly baked cake. I enjoyed the gelatine very much but could not eat
the cake so the other boys enjoyed that.
Feb 28, 1918
I am
still in the hospital but feeling the best for some time. I feel I shall
get out in a very few days now and can get back to my company and to
duty. Time at least will go faster when I am back at work.
The
afternoon mail has just been given out but no mail for me. Ray Stubbebine
brought over the co “D” payroll so all boys from there in the hospital could
sign it. He brought me the postal card stating you had just gotten my
first letter stating that I had been put into the hospital. I know how
worried you have been over this but I have gotten along good and surely will
get out now in a very short time.
I am
anxious to get a letter from you telling all about your Delancey visit. I
know how much mother and Mae have appreciated your visit. I am sorry
there was no one at the Depot to meet you. They probably thought you
would not come since the weather was so bad. They do not know the Bovina
grit do they if they thought that.
This is
another beautiful day and if I can see right through the windows I believe the
buds on some of the trees are getting quite large. There seems to be no
beautiful coming of spring like we have in New York. The days just seem
to grow gradually warmer day by day without the beauty of the spring days we
get up in Del Co.
It is now
time for supper or chow as the soldiers call all meals.
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