In April came the last big change in James’ location. Around
April 5, he set sail for France, arriving on April 15.
Anna received 36 letters from James while he was in
France. She tracked the arrival of all
the letters, as well as his allotments and other items on this card.
The first item she received from James was
this simple card that simply stated “I have arrived safely overseas” along with
his signature. Anna received the card on
April 22 (an identical card also was sent to his mother).
The letters James wrote from France came to Anna
sporadically, and often not in sequence.
For instance, his letters of June 5 and 11 arrived 8 days after the
letter of June 16. On average they took
about a month to arrive. Anna’s letters
to James seemed to have taken also about a month, though in his last letter,
written September 23, he noted just receiving Anna’s four letters written
between July 3 and 19. Her later letters
written in late July and early August were received by James in early September.
The main thing one will notice with the letters is that they
don’t tell too much about what James is doing, particularly where he is
located. The letters do comment on
things going on in Anna’s life, though the early letters don’t even do this. As
James noted in his first letter, “I can learn better what to write after more
experience.” All the letters have a statement and signature from the censor
approving them for mailing.
No letters from Anna to James survive from his time in
France.
The first letter he sent from France is not dated but was received
May 4.
My dear Anna;
Have reached my destination
safely and am well, except for a couple of days of sickness have been well
since I came from home. My cold is much
better and have but little cough now.
You will have gotten a card
telling of our safe arrival some time before this letter reaches you so
I know that you will not feel worried because I have not written for some
time. When I was home I felt that you
knew where I should be sent next so I said very little about it as I knew it
would only be harder for you.
For reasons that you already
know we are not permitted to tell where we are but can tell you enough to let
you know that we are prospering fine.
The weather has been nice all
the time of which I for one was very glad.
Every protection is given us and I must say we are well provided for and
feel that every precaution is being taken for the preservation of the men
although we no doubt will have to work hard here which is quite right under the
circumstances.
I will not make my letters long
as the censor may tire reading same and feel like discarding them but do not
feel bad because I write little because I think of you often and perhaps I can
learn better what to write after more experience.
Address my letters Co ‘D’, 7th
Inf, A.E.F.
Your most loving husband,
James
PS - I await a letter from you
very anxiously. JDC.
Second letter, postmark may read April 26, received May 9
Somewhere in France
My dear Anna;
You will think I have forgotten
to write but such is not the case. I
have been moving and have not had an opportunity.
I know you will be very anxious
to hear from me so I am writing at the first opportunity and think I shall be
able to write more often since I am settled for the present. I hope to get a letter from you soon which I
anxiously await. I am feeling very good
now and do not tire easily. My cough has
nearly gone.
I have the privilege of having
access to a YMCA which I appreciate very much.
This is a beautiful country indeed and it seems good to see vegetation
so green.
I am not very wise yet as to
material which I may write but will soon get a few ideas after a little more
experience.
I am wondering what you people
are doing these days but I can imagine how things are there.
I can readily see how different
are the customs of the people here from at home. I have little success speaking their language
and consequently have not tried but little to talk to them. Everything seems very different but expect I
shall simply have to adjust myself to conditions.
I hope to hear from you before
very long. Please write often.
Your most loving husband,
James
The next two letters arrived the same day, May 20.
Somewhere in France
April 24, 1918
My dear Anna;
I will start another letter on
its way. I will try and send one every
few days.
Everything is all O.K. and am
getting along nicely. Am feeling fine
and feel that the steady work is doing me considerable benefit. Am trying to get a good grip on my work but you
know how hard I am to get into shape. I
have hopes however and feel that I shall get over my blunders in time.
The weather is damp and all
forms of vegetation look fine.
The language seems very
different from ours but know that ours appears just as strange to them.
The weather must be warmer with
you now and expect the country there is just as beautiful as here.
I ate the last of the maple
sugar this morning and of course wished there was more.
I am interested in my work and
as I feel fine I know I shall feel fine.
I cannot afford to be discontented and neither can you. I have a work to do before I come again. I know you will understand.
Please write often. Your most loving husband, James.
Somewhere in France
April 27, 1918
My dear Anna;
Wills send you a few lines today
to let you know that all is [well]. I am
also sending you a little surplus valuables that I had here. I am anxiously awaiting a letter from you and
expect to get one before very long.
I have written but few letters;
have sent them to you and mother only. I
know that you will let Cora, Anna [his sisters] and the others know that I am
O.K. Tell the people to write me and try
to let them know how I shall appreciate a few lines from them.
I expect you are finished with
the maple syrup but there is not doubt many other pieces of farm work demanding
attention. I feel that it is good that I
can keep busy enough to keep my thoughts from wandering too far away as they
surely would otherwise. Do not think
that my thoughts do not come across to you because they do every day as I know
yours do of me.
Please notice when the next
premium is due on my insurance policies.
I believe there is a semi annual payment due on one Aug. 3 and a yearly
payment due on the other October 3 or about that time.
Now that you know the situation
please write as often as you conveniently can.
Your most loving husband, James
The last letter he wrote in April took over a month to get to Anna. She didn’t get it until June 7. Three later letters written in early May all
came before this one.
Somewhere in France
April 29, 1918 (postmark May 19)
My dear Anna;
I am writing you a few lines
this evening to let you know that all is O.K. with me. There are many things I should like to write
to you about but since I am not permitted to do so will have to wait until I
can talk to you personally.
I was at services yesterday and
it certainly did seem good to hear the preacher voice again. I expect I shall be able to get to services
nearly each week. We are fortunate
enough to have an ordained minister with us at all times.
I expect the weather will be
getting warmer with you now and you will soon be all busy getting the crops
soon. Am afraid I shall almost forget how
to care for horses and cattle but am sure I could learn the art by brushing up
a little.
When I get a letter from you I
shall be able to write you better letters than at present. Letter writing is much easier when the letter
in question is in answer to one already received. I could ask many questions but I know that is
needless as you will write me a letter of general information.
Your most loving husband, James
F.S. Long [Censor]
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