Dear Folks:
Whether this date is correct I don't know for sure but it is Sunday and we have had the entire day to ourselves. Have been sleeping nearly all day long.
Well mother, I have at last had mail from you and you may be sure that nothing could have pleased me more. I have had fifteen letters during the past two days and all from you, Deva, Merritt, one from Lila, and one from the Dean of the Law College. I am sorry that Dad has been troubled with one of those ferocious bunyons or what ever it is and surely hope you both will do everything possible to keep yourself in the best of health so I will have no occasion to worry over your health.
I am still getting along fine and feel in the best of health although I am losing some good fat - that is quite natural as strenuous training and climatic changes are responsible for that. I feel better for the reduction in waist line and you will say that I never looked better when you see me walk down the village street next fourth of July. That is the time I have set in my own mind that I will be home. Of course it might be sooner or it might be years later - who ever can tell. Pershing is credited with the remark "Heaven, Hell, or Hoboken, New Jersey by Christmas." Of course it can't end too soon for any of us. You know I am keen on getting home in time to beat the tar out of my old Democrat friend George Barton for County Attorney. I would rather have Frank Lewis to beat but I guess it doesn't make any difference. Know I can get it. It would have been mine this time if this World War hadn't butted in. But as the men would say, "What is a mere county Prosecutor to a whole World War."
Have been advanced to the rank of Sergeant and am mighty well pleased over it. I would much rather have it than a Second Lieutenant. It really pays more in that one has all clothes issued and board and room furnished and Band Sergeant pays $44.00 plus a 20 percent increase based on the old standard and the old standard a Sergeant drew $36.00 I think so you are 20% of that which is $7.20 and plus $44.00 amounts to $51.20. But aside from the pecuniary advantage I am pleased with it. I will sent the warrant home later on as I have no place to carry it. except in my clarinet case.
It is almost supper time and I think I will cease. It is still raining again and if it keeps it up I am going to miss supper rather than go out and get wet.
We go to bed at about eight o'clock and often at seven thirty. The town is small and there is nothing to do so we get plenty of sleep.
Oh yes, I received the draft and you don't know how I appreciate it. I was flat broke as we haven't had a pay day for two months but will be paid soon and I also received the little compass. I enjoyed receiving both. I needed both.
Must close as it is supper time.
Grant
September (censored), 1918
Dear Folks:
Am very shy on stationary so you must content yourself with a rather short letter for which I am truly sorry since there is so much to write about.
In the first place I feel fine. I had a real sleep last night and it is almost the first real sleep I have had since we started on our long journey.
We came to this place but a short time ago and I only wish that you could see it. It is one of those quaint old French towns and incidentally it dates from the 12th Century. You can readily see that it is very old. It is built on top of a big hill and it seemed as high as Pike's Peak when we climbed it with our packs. The village has gates just like one reads about and they are closed I suppose at night. We were met at the gates by some very stately old gentlemen, presumably the town's Mayor and the city fathers and they gave us a royal welcome. The French are so utterly different from the English. Those British seem to think they are the real cream of the earth and are bending their unusually stiff backs to welcome one while the French give us a welcome that is a real welcome.
I hope we stay here for some time as I have had plenty of travel for a while. It will give us a chance to get a good rest even though we will have quite a little to do in the way of playing and drilling.
I have received no mail since leaving (censored) and probably won't get any for a month yet but am looking forward to quite a little of it when it does come.
A recent order from Pershing provides that Bands will do no letter bearing or hospital mails except in cases of extreme necessity. It is order 390.
Love,
Grant
Am very shy on stationary so you must content yourself with a rather short letter for which I am truly sorry since there is so much to write about.
In the first place I feel fine. I had a real sleep last night and it is almost the first real sleep I have had since we started on our long journey.
We came to this place but a short time ago and I only wish that you could see it. It is one of those quaint old French towns and incidentally it dates from the 12th Century. You can readily see that it is very old. It is built on top of a big hill and it seemed as high as Pike's Peak when we climbed it with our packs. The village has gates just like one reads about and they are closed I suppose at night. We were met at the gates by some very stately old gentlemen, presumably the town's Mayor and the city fathers and they gave us a royal welcome. The French are so utterly different from the English. Those British seem to think they are the real cream of the earth and are bending their unusually stiff backs to welcome one while the French give us a welcome that is a real welcome.
I hope we stay here for some time as I have had plenty of travel for a while. It will give us a chance to get a good rest even though we will have quite a little to do in the way of playing and drilling.
I have received no mail since leaving (censored) and probably won't get any for a month yet but am looking forward to quite a little of it when it does come.
A recent order from Pershing provides that Bands will do no letter bearing or hospital mails except in cases of extreme necessity. It is order 390.
Love,
Grant
September 19, 1918
Dear Folks:
Do not know how soon this will go out as the censor has his hands quite full with a stack of mail to be censored but I haven't written for a few days and perhaps the other mail is out of the way now and this can go forward to you.
We are in another place and like it fine although it couldn't possibly be a nicer place than the last one. The people there were so agreeable and we were getting nicely acquainted. This seemed to be a better educated class of people in the last town and they were great lovers of music.
We are billeted in a house barn. Part of this building is used as the house and the rest for a barn. We are in the hay loft and have made some very comfortable beds. The other side of the building downstairs is used for the cows and chickens. Our French landlady is very good to us. She has an apple orchard at the back fo the house and gives us apples. Last night she made us a big jar full of apple sauce and it was delicious.
This morning for breakfast we had coffee, bacon, biscuits and jam. The biscuits were baking powder biscuits I guess although I must confess that I know very little about such things.
Eggs sell for three francs a dozen (about sixty cents). Clark and I bought two apiece the other evening and had them scrambled.
The people are, in the main farmers here. They use oxes instead of horses. They dress quite like Americans but wear wooden shoes.
Am getting very anxious to receive our mail but it should reach us soon now - unless we move again very soon. We never know when we are going to move or where we are going.
Grant
Will be 29 in seven days.
Do not know how soon this will go out as the censor has his hands quite full with a stack of mail to be censored but I haven't written for a few days and perhaps the other mail is out of the way now and this can go forward to you.
We are in another place and like it fine although it couldn't possibly be a nicer place than the last one. The people there were so agreeable and we were getting nicely acquainted. This seemed to be a better educated class of people in the last town and they were great lovers of music.
We are billeted in a house barn. Part of this building is used as the house and the rest for a barn. We are in the hay loft and have made some very comfortable beds. The other side of the building downstairs is used for the cows and chickens. Our French landlady is very good to us. She has an apple orchard at the back fo the house and gives us apples. Last night she made us a big jar full of apple sauce and it was delicious.
This morning for breakfast we had coffee, bacon, biscuits and jam. The biscuits were baking powder biscuits I guess although I must confess that I know very little about such things.
Eggs sell for three francs a dozen (about sixty cents). Clark and I bought two apiece the other evening and had them scrambled.
The people are, in the main farmers here. They use oxes instead of horses. They dress quite like Americans but wear wooden shoes.
Am getting very anxious to receive our mail but it should reach us soon now - unless we move again very soon. We never know when we are going to move or where we are going.
Grant
Will be 29 in seven days.
France October 1918
Dear Folks:
Am perched on top of my bunk writing and am using a music pouch for a table but I'm sure you care not how I write it just so the letters reach you. I think you will have had a good many letters from me by this time as I have received several from you and a few just three or four days ago. We are liable to get some more mail very soon as it is about time for it again. I will glance over your letters now and see if there are any questions to be answered before I forget it.
Just noticed in the last bunch of mail a letter from you dated August 29 and that you had just received my card advising you of my safe arrival, but I have letters from you dated Sept. 11, 13th and 19th and have had letters from Deva dated Sept. 11, 19 and 20. The letter of the 20th came through in excellent time - about three weeks.
You speak about the Board having a time securing good teachers. I am not at all surprised and until they change things considerably they will continue to have just such a time. I don't approve of those youngsters although it is fine for them to get in so easily. I do hope they get along well though.
I know Ike and Ivan will enjoy the drive to Des Moines and no doubt they are planning on having Mona there to meet them from her school.
It is very unfortunate for Pearl Robins that Tom is so confounded tight or Pearl might have been well on the road to recovery long before this, but as to Mrs. Fuller going east instead of south you must remember that she is a German. I would like to see Harry and intend to write him some time very soon.
I want Deva to go to school and I surely hope it can be arranged. My worthy "Bill" is certainly more than able to send her and never mind what it takes. It would mean much to her and also to me. I'll leave it to you mother.
Did Hen Wilson sell the big National? He will go into a ditch as sure as the deuce.
I will be very pleased to receive the Record News but have received none of them yet. The "Hun" paper is the best of all. I think of Sam every once in a while when I try to read these beastly French papers. We get foreign editions of the New York and Chicago papers but they are a day behind time and have very little in them but war news.
So R.C. Smith had to register? That amuses me and I imagine Mrs. R.C. has a vision of losing her man right away. Well he will be writing insurance when I get home.
Thought I would have those package blanks today but will get them tomorrow (Monday).
The French band gives a concert at three o'clock and it is almost that time and I want to hear them so will close.
Grant
Am perched on top of my bunk writing and am using a music pouch for a table but I'm sure you care not how I write it just so the letters reach you. I think you will have had a good many letters from me by this time as I have received several from you and a few just three or four days ago. We are liable to get some more mail very soon as it is about time for it again. I will glance over your letters now and see if there are any questions to be answered before I forget it.
Just noticed in the last bunch of mail a letter from you dated August 29 and that you had just received my card advising you of my safe arrival, but I have letters from you dated Sept. 11, 13th and 19th and have had letters from Deva dated Sept. 11, 19 and 20. The letter of the 20th came through in excellent time - about three weeks.
You speak about the Board having a time securing good teachers. I am not at all surprised and until they change things considerably they will continue to have just such a time. I don't approve of those youngsters although it is fine for them to get in so easily. I do hope they get along well though.
I know Ike and Ivan will enjoy the drive to Des Moines and no doubt they are planning on having Mona there to meet them from her school.
It is very unfortunate for Pearl Robins that Tom is so confounded tight or Pearl might have been well on the road to recovery long before this, but as to Mrs. Fuller going east instead of south you must remember that she is a German. I would like to see Harry and intend to write him some time very soon.
I want Deva to go to school and I surely hope it can be arranged. My worthy "Bill" is certainly more than able to send her and never mind what it takes. It would mean much to her and also to me. I'll leave it to you mother.
Did Hen Wilson sell the big National? He will go into a ditch as sure as the deuce.
I will be very pleased to receive the Record News but have received none of them yet. The "Hun" paper is the best of all. I think of Sam every once in a while when I try to read these beastly French papers. We get foreign editions of the New York and Chicago papers but they are a day behind time and have very little in them but war news.
So R.C. Smith had to register? That amuses me and I imagine Mrs. R.C. has a vision of losing her man right away. Well he will be writing insurance when I get home.
Thought I would have those package blanks today but will get them tomorrow (Monday).
The French band gives a concert at three o'clock and it is almost that time and I want to hear them so will close.
Grant
France October 1918
Dear Folks:
Have been trying to write this letter all day and now that the rush of business is over for a few minutes I think that I will get to finish this. Here is hoping as I want to write you about the one Christmas package that I am entitled to receive.
We are entitled to receive one Christmas package and the size of same is 9 by 4 by 3 and its weight is not to exceed three pounds. I know that you will be disappointed in the event that you have made me anything and are planning on sending it. It will have to wait until I can get an order for it from the Colonel and we can get such orders only in the event the articles are not procurable here. Well to go on with the Christmas stuff. We are issued a little slip which I am enclosing to you and you have to paste it on the box which you will get to fit the exact size as that size only will be accepted at Hoboken, N.J. I am enclosing the little slip to you in this letter properly addressed. I have done a whole lot of thinking about what to ask you to send. There isn't a thing I want with the single exception of some candy. I will appreciate a three pound box of home made candy and I really prefer fudge to anything else that I can think of.
In the event that you can get the sugar to make the stuff with and in the event you are unable to get the sugar it might be a good stunt to get Hershey bars - those flat chocolate bars that do not take up so very much room in the packing. If you do that be sure and take off the wrapping so that you can get in the very last one possible. I assure you that I prefer the home made variety in the event that it is possible to get the sugar. I wrote Merritt about sending me a fountain pen but have heard nothing from him although I imagine I haven't had quite time enough to do that. Now I can't have but one package so you and Deva will necessarily have to get together and both of you make the stuff or you turn the making over to Deva and then you two can get it ready and I will consider that it came from you both. If you should have anything else for me already or before you get this letter rather please save it for me as I will be home some of these days and will have a little Christmas party all my own. It is impossible to send it over and there is always danger of it being lost. I hope the candy gets here better than the strawberries that Deva sent me at Camp Dodge. I accused the mail man of stealing them but he emphatically denied it the other day so I guess we will have to fix the responsibility on someone else.
Now that is everything that I want for my Christmas except of course I would like to be there to spend it with you but perhaps I can celebrate the grand and glorious fourth of July with you and have all the fried chicken there is in Ringgold County and don't forget the liver. You will always remember how well I always liked the liver.
So much for the little Christmas package. I will be allowed but one and if you think of something better than fudge or chocolate of some kind send it along. I will leave it to you. The little slip which I am enclosing and which you are to paste on to the box will explain about everything there is to it.
Am enclosing a little poem that is a peach and surely represents the truth concerning traveling in France. The title is "Hommes 40 - Chevaux 8." It means 40 men or 8 horses. That is painted on the side of the box cars and the cars are very small too. The word "bull" refers to canned beef and we call if Bull beef. Five centimes represents a cent in our money. With that I think you will appreciate the poem about as much as I have although you have not had the pleasure of the ride and that is a whole lot I assure you. It was a very comfortable and very interesting ride. However I am enclosing the poem which I copied from the "Stars and Stripes" - the official army publication here. It is quite good and represents the truth.
Had a good supper tonight. It consisted of good bread, good roast beef, gravy and kidney beans. Of course we had coffee along with it. It tasted very good to me and to say the least I was hungry as we have been pegging into it in good shape this whole day long.
Think this is quite a letter and I had not intended to write so much when I started out, so I will close now.
Good night,
Grant
Have been trying to write this letter all day and now that the rush of business is over for a few minutes I think that I will get to finish this. Here is hoping as I want to write you about the one Christmas package that I am entitled to receive.
We are entitled to receive one Christmas package and the size of same is 9 by 4 by 3 and its weight is not to exceed three pounds. I know that you will be disappointed in the event that you have made me anything and are planning on sending it. It will have to wait until I can get an order for it from the Colonel and we can get such orders only in the event the articles are not procurable here. Well to go on with the Christmas stuff. We are issued a little slip which I am enclosing to you and you have to paste it on the box which you will get to fit the exact size as that size only will be accepted at Hoboken, N.J. I am enclosing the little slip to you in this letter properly addressed. I have done a whole lot of thinking about what to ask you to send. There isn't a thing I want with the single exception of some candy. I will appreciate a three pound box of home made candy and I really prefer fudge to anything else that I can think of.
In the event that you can get the sugar to make the stuff with and in the event you are unable to get the sugar it might be a good stunt to get Hershey bars - those flat chocolate bars that do not take up so very much room in the packing. If you do that be sure and take off the wrapping so that you can get in the very last one possible. I assure you that I prefer the home made variety in the event that it is possible to get the sugar. I wrote Merritt about sending me a fountain pen but have heard nothing from him although I imagine I haven't had quite time enough to do that. Now I can't have but one package so you and Deva will necessarily have to get together and both of you make the stuff or you turn the making over to Deva and then you two can get it ready and I will consider that it came from you both. If you should have anything else for me already or before you get this letter rather please save it for me as I will be home some of these days and will have a little Christmas party all my own. It is impossible to send it over and there is always danger of it being lost. I hope the candy gets here better than the strawberries that Deva sent me at Camp Dodge. I accused the mail man of stealing them but he emphatically denied it the other day so I guess we will have to fix the responsibility on someone else.
Now that is everything that I want for my Christmas except of course I would like to be there to spend it with you but perhaps I can celebrate the grand and glorious fourth of July with you and have all the fried chicken there is in Ringgold County and don't forget the liver. You will always remember how well I always liked the liver.
So much for the little Christmas package. I will be allowed but one and if you think of something better than fudge or chocolate of some kind send it along. I will leave it to you. The little slip which I am enclosing and which you are to paste on to the box will explain about everything there is to it.
Am enclosing a little poem that is a peach and surely represents the truth concerning traveling in France. The title is "Hommes 40 - Chevaux 8." It means 40 men or 8 horses. That is painted on the side of the box cars and the cars are very small too. The word "bull" refers to canned beef and we call if Bull beef. Five centimes represents a cent in our money. With that I think you will appreciate the poem about as much as I have although you have not had the pleasure of the ride and that is a whole lot I assure you. It was a very comfortable and very interesting ride. However I am enclosing the poem which I copied from the "Stars and Stripes" - the official army publication here. It is quite good and represents the truth.
Had a good supper tonight. It consisted of good bread, good roast beef, gravy and kidney beans. Of course we had coffee along with it. It tasted very good to me and to say the least I was hungry as we have been pegging into it in good shape this whole day long.
Think this is quite a letter and I had not intended to write so much when I started out, so I will close now.
Good night,
Grant
November 2, 1918
Dear Folks:
Wrote you yesterday so this will be rather short but I am enclosing a little pamphlet that I picked up yesterday and I would like to have you save. It is about one of the big issues of the war - Alsace-Lorraine. I will want it when I get home.
Don't know what about getting Christmas presents. We surely can't get them here and I don't know where we will go from here or where but hope it is near some good town and so I can get a few little things to send home.
This is a real morning. Dusted out early and have first been batting around with Cliff. We took a walk and will have a rehearsal this afternoon. Think I am going to get clear out of the message center all right. I hope so. We are breaking in two new men and after they get onto it I hope to be out definitely and back with the band.
Am playing solo clarinet now as Williams is gone for awhile. We two play it when he is here. Our band will be increased to fifty pieces. We do no stretcher work except in cases of the most extreme emergency and that isn't apt to arise.
This is a pretty country here. Can look out and see mountains but they aren't so very high. Probably they would seem high if one started to climb them.
Had two letters from you dated Oct. 5 and 9th. Can't get hold of that issue of the Stars and Stripes but I saw the same thing in it and have read the order relative to bands that came direct from General Head Quarters.
Cliff and I are scrapping about Iowa and Ames. He is an Ames man and I can't see Ames for dust. Will cease and scrap it out with him.
Grant
Wrote you yesterday so this will be rather short but I am enclosing a little pamphlet that I picked up yesterday and I would like to have you save. It is about one of the big issues of the war - Alsace-Lorraine. I will want it when I get home.
Don't know what about getting Christmas presents. We surely can't get them here and I don't know where we will go from here or where but hope it is near some good town and so I can get a few little things to send home.
This is a real morning. Dusted out early and have first been batting around with Cliff. We took a walk and will have a rehearsal this afternoon. Think I am going to get clear out of the message center all right. I hope so. We are breaking in two new men and after they get onto it I hope to be out definitely and back with the band.
Am playing solo clarinet now as Williams is gone for awhile. We two play it when he is here. Our band will be increased to fifty pieces. We do no stretcher work except in cases of the most extreme emergency and that isn't apt to arise.
This is a pretty country here. Can look out and see mountains but they aren't so very high. Probably they would seem high if one started to climb them.
Had two letters from you dated Oct. 5 and 9th. Can't get hold of that issue of the Stars and Stripes but I saw the same thing in it and have read the order relative to bands that came direct from General Head Quarters.
Cliff and I are scrapping about Iowa and Ames. He is an Ames man and I can't see Ames for dust. Will cease and scrap it out with him.
Grant
November 13, 1918
Dear Folks:
Well "Le Guerre Finis" the war is over and when you get this just take it from me that I am thankful to the divine creator for being alive. Our division arrived at one of the main fronts just at the hour that hostilities ceased. We heard the last one of the 150,000 guns and heavy shells that were thrown our way by the Germans. They put up an intense bombardment on this sector from the afternoon of the 10th to eleven o'clock of the eleventh.
I have always claimed that I was born with a horse shoe around my neck. I mean by all this that the 88th Division is very fortunate. In a few more hours we would have been at the very front instead of thirty kilometers from the lines. Well it is all over now and we can but wait until we get home.
You must have absolutely no worry now. I am in excellent health and trained down to a fine point. There's not a thing wrong with me physically that I know about. Think I weigh about a hundred eighty pounds or perhaps a trifle less. I have lost a lot of fat and have taken up my belt over six inches and find that I am hard as nails. One simply has to be in good physical trim to stand this hard marching with heavy packs. I am thankful that I have been so fortunate so far.
You speak so much of the influenza there. There is some of it here but very little of it in our Regiment. We have none in the company. There was plenty of it at one time but we are not bothered with it now.
Had your letter dated Oct. 12th and mailed from Des Moines and also one from Deva. Surely was I pleased to receive them. I write you at least three times a week and some weeks oftener. I hope you are getting them all but the condition of the mail is such that I doubt if you are. I feel sure that I am not getting all yours although I may at that.
Don't have the slightest idea when I will get home. It would be but a guess so I am not even going to guess. I can only hope that we are at least along the middle. I think the ones who have been here the longest should be the first ones home. We have seen many interesting things and I think I can remember a whole lot of them and my one request is that you don't believe all that I will tell you because we are apt to do a whole lot of stringing.
We are getting decently billetted and have plenty of covers. Must close and go to bed.
Grant
Well "Le Guerre Finis" the war is over and when you get this just take it from me that I am thankful to the divine creator for being alive. Our division arrived at one of the main fronts just at the hour that hostilities ceased. We heard the last one of the 150,000 guns and heavy shells that were thrown our way by the Germans. They put up an intense bombardment on this sector from the afternoon of the 10th to eleven o'clock of the eleventh.
I have always claimed that I was born with a horse shoe around my neck. I mean by all this that the 88th Division is very fortunate. In a few more hours we would have been at the very front instead of thirty kilometers from the lines. Well it is all over now and we can but wait until we get home.
You must have absolutely no worry now. I am in excellent health and trained down to a fine point. There's not a thing wrong with me physically that I know about. Think I weigh about a hundred eighty pounds or perhaps a trifle less. I have lost a lot of fat and have taken up my belt over six inches and find that I am hard as nails. One simply has to be in good physical trim to stand this hard marching with heavy packs. I am thankful that I have been so fortunate so far.
You speak so much of the influenza there. There is some of it here but very little of it in our Regiment. We have none in the company. There was plenty of it at one time but we are not bothered with it now.
Had your letter dated Oct. 12th and mailed from Des Moines and also one from Deva. Surely was I pleased to receive them. I write you at least three times a week and some weeks oftener. I hope you are getting them all but the condition of the mail is such that I doubt if you are. I feel sure that I am not getting all yours although I may at that.
Don't have the slightest idea when I will get home. It would be but a guess so I am not even going to guess. I can only hope that we are at least along the middle. I think the ones who have been here the longest should be the first ones home. We have seen many interesting things and I think I can remember a whole lot of them and my one request is that you don't believe all that I will tell you because we are apt to do a whole lot of stringing.
We are getting decently billetted and have plenty of covers. Must close and go to bed.
Grant
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