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Letters Home From WWI |
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This page part of the Wallowa County AGHP Site
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Letters Home From WWI |
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Irl L. Olmsted
France, May 31, 1918. Dear Ones at Home: - I
received your letter of May 5 a few minutes ago, and just at present I haven't a
thing to do but kill time and write letters. You are wondering why I have so
much time to spare? If I could, I would spare you the pain of knowing the awful
truth, - however, you may as well know it now as later. I have the mumps. I fear
that my personal vanity would receive a frightful shock if it weren't for one
small coincidence. About a month ago my only trench mirror got bent, so I cannot
tell whether the image I see in it now or the former one is natural. So you have
a scare of small pox there, but it cannot be very serious. Here in the army we
have many quarantines but thanks to modern science, small pox is unheard of.
I know you are curious to know all about our life here.
It soon becomes commonplace to us. A never ending source of interest to me is
the French people themselves. One almost finds himself wondering how they can
really be intelligent and talk the lingo they do. Here, where we are, there is
but a very small percentage of the people who understand English. It is great
fun trying to talk to them. I'm getting so I can talk with my head, shoulders
and hands, and all ten fingers in a way that would get by down in old Manhattan
among the worthy descendants of Israel
Shopping is a great experience. You go into a store and
look all around and spot just what you want. Then you point it out and say "Coblen"
(pronounced kom-blan". Then there comes a torrent of lingo that doesn't stop
until you throw up your hands in horror and motion to them to write it down or
you begin to count out these tobacco coupons and copper washers that they call
money until they tell you to stop. The other day I bought a pencil, then wanted
an eraser. I couldn't see any around so I took the pencil and made out as if I
were erasing something. He took the pencil and sharpened it. I said "non,non"
made a mark and tried to show him I was erasing it, and he tried to sell me a
pencil sharpener. The one word they do understand is "tobacco." They call it "tobac."
The French kids nearly drive us crazy trying to get tobacco.
I will try to describe as well as I can what my
occupation is. I am stationed at the artillery training center. I have finished
the course in the truck and motor school for which special selection was made
which I told you about, and have been retained as an instructor. Also I have
charge of a string of machines and have to see that they are kept in shape and
locate the trouble if the driver gets stuck. When they go out in the mornings I
form the line and park them when they come in. While out on the road I'm
"troubleshooter". I have a touring car all to myself and follow along behind the
column. Whenever a car gets into trouble, it drops out to the side, and I come
along and, if possible, get it going again.
It is very pleasant work, mostly riding around, and
gives me a wonderful chance to see the country. It is quite possible that I will
be transferred out of artillery and stay on her indefinitely. I should like it
fine if there is an opportunity to advance, but couldn't be satisfied to remain
stationary.
France is certainly beautiful. For the past two months
we have had clear weather with the sun bright and warm. The whole country around
here is gently rolling hills and all an intense bright green. The roads are all
white macadamized and lined with immense old hardwood trees. On many of the
hills are chateaux, surrounded by a park and enclosed by high hedges and stone
walls. It certainly makes the old French romances seem realistic.
I haven't seen Curly Clayton or Raymond Dunbar for some time. The rest of the
regiment is billeted out in the country.
Keep the letters coming. I get all of them as it is
pretty hard for them to go astray. I am also getting the Chieftain fairly
regular.
Your mention of all the good things to eat starts the
saliva until it makes my mumps ache. They feed us good here tho. Had strawberry
shortcake yesterday. I warn you I'll keep you busy cooking when I get back. You
wont get me out of the kitchen for a week.
I am getting along fine here and my work is very
interesting. Things may change when we get into action but during training
conditions here aren't nearly so bad with us as many people at home think.
My best love to all of you and my hopes that we will
soon all be united again.
Enterprise Record Chieftain
Thursday, July 4, 1918
~~~~~~~~~~~
Sgt. Irl L. Olmsted
Irl Olmsted writes from France to his father, Judge
J.B. Olmsted, giving his present address as Summer Artillery School, A.P.O. 718,
A.E.F. He writes:
As you will notice, I have again changed my address.
The change means very much more to me than a mere change of location. I have
been sent here to the artillery school for commissioned officers. Of course
there is lots of work before me before I can get a commission, but it all rests
on me now as to whether I make good. The course here lasts three months and
those who enter as enlisted men, if they make good, are made officers when they
finish.
I cannot explain so you could understand how much it
will mean to me if I can make it. One who has not been in the army cannot
understand the gulf which exists between the officers and enlisted man. After
the surroundings and position I occupied in civil life I would feel humiliated
to think I could not rise to the same relative position in the army.
It is not that I want to make soldiering a profession,
far from it. I hate war worse now than ever before, but there is no worse
torment than to have to do anything in which you have no pride and ambition. No
matter what one is doing, he can bring himself to feel this pride and interest
if he puts his whole energy and ability to it. After all, a man tan't fit to be
a "buck" private if he has no ambition.
This reminds me more of my college days than anything I
have been in. We have a regular schedule of classes and lectures with field work
in place of the laboratory. The men whom I'm with are nearly all college men, a
great part of them, graduates; the greatest collection of noncoms I ever
saw-sergeant-majors, first sergeants, master gunners, master electrician
sergeants, etc. Our life together is of course very congenial and pleasant.
There are fourteen of my old college mates here. Most
of them already had their commissions from the third "camp" back home but they
have to come here to take this course before going into action. Have also found
two fraternity brothers, not from our chapter; one is from Utah and the other
Wisconsin or Cornell. I don't remember which.
I'm feeling as well as I ever did in my life and my
sincere hope is that all of you are as well. You do not say anything about it
but I know that you and mamma worry far more than is warranted by conditions, if
you could but know them as they actually are.
Enterprise Record Chieftain
September 26, 1918
From C.W. Otto
Wallowa County reporter - I will now try to write you a few lines.
I am in the 18th Company and we have our uniforms, that is some of it. I have
not got my pants yet but will get them tomorrow. I have taken my examination
and passed alright and am thankful for that. This is surely some life. When we
leave
here we can look the world in the face but if we were slackers would have to
sneak
off to some deserted place and live and die without a country, without a flag,
for
he who refuses to defend old glory cannot claim it. The Y.M.C.A. boys surely
do help us. They give us all of our books, magazines and papers and envelopes
and also they have some kind of a program every night of the week. They send for
the best speakers and singers, not only of the U.S. but of the world. There is
no
praise to high for the Y boys as we call them here. I am now writing this letter
in the
Y.M.C.A. and there is a fine speaker on the stage. The officers of our company
are
sure good men and are good to show us and help us.
The Wallowa boys are all in one company but Guy Skaggs, he is in the 17th
company.
Dr. Hockett was over to see us the other day. I saw him once but not to talk
with him.
I have not seen anyone else that I know but there might be a 100 and never see
them in
this camp. It is twelve miles long and 5 miles wide. The Captain just informed
us that we
would get down to it in the morning. We have not done much so far and we are all
ready and we also were informed that we would have to take singing lessons three
times
a week. this gives you an idea how we are trained in everything.
Camp Lewis is nothing less than a big school house where a man that can pass
the
examination can learn anything he wants. Lee Pakrs and myself are now corporals.
I will have to close and write more next time.
Clarence Ott, 18th Company, 5th brigade, 166 depot brigade
Wallowa County Reporter Wednesday August 7, 1918
***************************
C.W. Otto Writes
C.W. Otto writing to his brothers in the Odd Fellows lodge, says:
We have so many things to learn that we have no time for lodge. I have
forgotten the pass
words but I will never forget the teachings and they surely help in the army to
keep one from
falling by the wayside. There are all classes of men in these camps.
I will try to tell you a little of our life. here. We live in a tent and
there are six men in
each tent. We have three blankets, a small tent or as it is called a
shelter-half.
That is what we have for a bed and when we are out from camp and have to
use
the shelter-half for a tent we only have three blankets. We have an overcoat,
raincoat,
two outside shirts, two pair of shoes, one pair or dress and one for marching.
We have a
blouse to go with our pants, then next we have a pair of overall and a
jumper. The last
two we drill in to save our uniforms. We have to get down in the mud and dust
every day.
I will now tell you what we have to pack with us. This is called the field
pack
and is carried on the back at all times when in the field. This pack is one
blanket, mess kit, cartridge belt, 100 rounds of cartridges, one suit of
underwear,
soap, towel, comb, tooth brush and paste, two pair of socks, tent pin, a small
folding ridge pole, tent, gas mask, bayonet and rifle. This pack and gun weights
60
pounds but we get so used to it that we do not know that we have it on our
backs.
We have to get up at six o'clock in the morning and have mess at 6:30 and go
out
to drill at 7:30. We then have mess again at 12; then supper at 5; then line up
for retreat.
I will now tell a little of our life. While we were on the rifle range it
rained every day
and we had to walk six miles in the rain and mud and when we got to our tents
they
were wet so you see we were wet day and night and we had to wait until the sun
came out to dry them. How do you think the boys acted in this rain. Well, we
would
leave camp at 5 o'clock in the morning and as soon as we got started someone
would
start a song and this would be taken up by 600 men singing and keeping time.
That is
one thing they learn here is to sing. We have some of the best teachers in the
world. There
is so much to tell I cannot write it one letter. C.W. Otto.
Wallowa County Reporter Thursday October 17, 1918
Arthur J. Ownbey
Arthur J. Ownbey is on the U.S.S. Albatross, which
is in Atlantic waters. He wrote his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ben F. Ownbey,
recently from the ship's station off the southern states, as follows:
As I have two letters from you that I have not
answered, will answer both at once. I am well and hearty with the exception of a
bum ear which I hurt diving off the ship into the water. It ached pretty bad for
a couple of days but not bad after that. It runs a lot yet, tho, but is getting
better. I guess my ears can't stand diving.
I know how anxious you both are to see me, and believe
me, you are no more anxious to see me than I am to see you. I am too far away
now to think of coming home on leave, for it would cost so much and I want to
let you have all the money I can. When the war is over, which I hope will be
soon, I probably will be able to get a good long leave and will try and come
home then. There have been a few furloughs issued to men on the ship lately, but
they are given for such a short time that it is not worth while when you have to
go so far.
I got the magazines you sent all right and was glad to
get them. But I am getting so I don't care to read stories much, I am tired of
them. We get all kinds of magazines on the ship now, a literature fund being
given to each ship by the government. We subscribed for all the good magazines
in the market and got a lot of good books, too. So you see we are not short of
reading matter any more.
I expect you will not like it when I tell you what I am
studying for. I am going to try and get transferred to the naval aviation
section, but not as a flyer, but as a sort of mechanic. I sure hope I make it,
am afraid it will be pretty hard to get a transfer. I want to go in as a
quartermaster, which I know I can hold down now, and then after I get in there
is every chance in the world to advance. My rates is now quartermaster third
class and I expect to be rated second class in a short time. If I can get into
the aviation section as quartermaster second class, I will sure be tickled to
death.
I am treated fine on the ship, but don't like this kind
of work and it is no good to me on the outside, what I learn here. But if I can
get into the airplane business and learn it, it is something that will be a fine
paying trade after the war and work that I like. In the work I will do if I get
in, there is no danger to speak of. In these times anyhow a fellow cannot regard
danger at all and I don't want to keep out of it. Of course I realize my duty to
my parents and know that I have to figure your claim on me, but under the
circumstances I have to do whatever my military duties call for, and danger
cannot be taken into account.
It is getting quite a lot cooler down, here now and is
much more pleasant. It has been raining all day, had quite a lot of rain lately.
The fleet is going to parade tomorrow, a Liberty bonds parade.
Enterprise Record Chieftain
Thursday, October 24, 1918
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