April 20, 1919

                                                                                                              Marson, France
                                                                                                              April 20, 1919

My Dear Sweetheart,

You are right Dear, when you say, “One more week nearer our meeting.” When a person is in doubt about when he is to sail, or even having no knowledge as to when he will be permitted to return, he looks upon one week about as near as the other. Of late, we have heard some good news. We have been told that we were to sail in early June. Now how true that is, I do not know.  But listen, Dear, I seem to feel it in my bones this time. I do not know what could be more welcome, unless it is your letters. But, Dear, I have been filled with joy. Even the weather seemed to partake of the same good spirit and gave us some sunshine. I am willing to do most anything if it will help us get away and towards home sooner.

Our captain told us of the great amount of work which had been placed upon our shoulders: that is, polishing up the entire area. We have the doughboys to help until the first of May [Doughboys: WWI American Expeditionary Forces]. Then what is left we will be compelled to finish and then catch up with our Division at the Port of Embarkation.

Another thing that makes me think we are going (toot sweet) is the big review which was staged at Gondrecourt. This review was for the entire Division with General Pershing. General Pershing passed right near me. He surely is a military man.  Our flags and colors were decorated for the work we did at the Haute Alsace sector. We all marched by him in a column of squads. After that we were rounded up like cattle in a circle near the hill where we listened to a speech by Pershing and Sec. Baker. The both spoke well, and told us we were soon to depart for the States, but what I wanted to know was how soon. With those few words of encouragement I can wait until my time comes. Oh, but it does not go fast for me.

At present I am doing a little different work than what I have been doing. I am in charge of a road detail. We are fixing the holes in the road from here to Reffory, about two kilometers.  The roads are the one thing which we have to fix before leaving. 

This morning, Holman, the one whom I told you had lost his mother lately, was over to bid me goodbye. He was leaving today at 12 o’clock for home. His discharge came in last night. Well, he is one whom I would like to see have a discharge, for he is not the same fellow as before. He appears to me to be lost, but the poor fellow has surely stood his grief like a man. 

Also, the Jones boy in my Company from Willard has his discharge. He came last night from a 21 day leave to Wales. He lost his brother over here. He was in the same squad as his brother, and died in the same squad.

I have almost forgotten to tell you that I received two love messages Friday night from you. They were written on the 28th and the 31st. I think that yours was between the 24th and 28th. Mother’s letter must be with it, for it has not come yet. I surely appreciated the good tidings you send to me from time to time. Your love seems to connect up with mine, which makes it impossible for me to let loose of it. Oh, how I long for the day when I can call you my own dear little lover. I’m sure there is a day of days coming for us both. 

They have a song here which they sing a great deal, “Oh What a Loving the Girlies Will Get When the Boys Come Home.” Do you think that is true? I am sure it will be true with me. There is another still, which I hope will be true, “For Every Hour You Are Sad There is a Year in Which to be Glad.”
Oh, what a happy life we will have if that will be true. 

Well, Dear, I am feeling happy today for I’m sure time “Over Here” is limited. No, I am not counting the days. I too, received a letter from W.C. Holbrook. He made me laugh when I read of his success. He said, “Married life is not as one would expect, but perfectly natural.” Then he told me to hurry home, for he was sure I would be of the same opinion as he.

In your letter, there were a few things that kind of made me wonder a little. Now don’t think I took it 

the way it read to me. Do you remember this part, ..after choir practice, it was raining and I had nothing on but a thin scarf? Say, if you are going to choir practice dressed like that you had better quit Ha! Ha! Now don’t think I am criticizing you and your writing for I’m not, Love, but it struck me funny when I read it. Please forgive, Dear X O X O. I knew you would. You know what a tease I am. Is there anything serious about Deloras sitting on a pin, is she hurt? She should come over here when you go months without seeing them. You said your mother had been sick or was sick. I surely hope she is better now, for I know what it is to have a sore throat.

Friday night Geo. and I went for a short walk. We were gone about 3 1⁄2 hours, but we went by ourselves, so it did not seem that long. The weather was beautiful as the sun sank beneath the western hills and I remarked to Geo., “What do you suppose is waiting for us far beyond?” His answer was just a shaking of the head.

Last night I stayed with him all night. We slept in one of those French beds, but for some reason or another I could not or did not sleep well. But I surely enjoyed being with him even if I had to sit up all night, just to get away from the Army talks and noise.

I know, Dear, you would be more than willing to help me if you could. But remember, even if your thoughts can’t be carried out, they are being appreciated “Over Here.” For I have found in you that which probably would have taken years, had we not been separated from each other. You have given and sent your love which has been one of the greatest means of keeping me from going into wayward paths. You have proven to me, that you can stand up before anyone and say, “I have given him advice and prayers that him led me through many places of sin.”

You have proven that a woman can do the work which you have done. You, have a soldier’s heart and a soldier’s love.  And you are worthy of that soldier, who has placed his life in the hands of God for the love of our county. I wish to send you the true love of a soldier who has seen for himself the real and true value of love. 

May the impulse of love that throbs from my longing heart be extended back to that spot which you hold so sacred in your heart, for the one you love.  May I be worthy of that love, and may you receive the comforting blessing of life on this Easter Sunday is the love I send to you, Dear Sweetheart.

 With oceans of love and a kiss on every wave.

Henry X O X O X

Corp. Henry D. Call 
Co. A 313th Engrs.

P. S. Give my love to all. Tell Deloras be careful where she sits. How is Uncle Jimmy? Ask him if he wants to see the world or these battlefields. If he wants to see them he better enlists right away. Geo. has received word that his sister who was married the day he left is a momma now. A 9-pound boy. Bessie says she loves boys anyway, how about you? 

April 6, 1919

 

                                                                                                                     Marson, France 
                                                                                                                     April 6, 1919

Dear Sweetheart Mine,

                  Sunday once more and still I am separated from you, but that does not prohibit me from sending you my best wishes and love, does it Dear?  Today being the 6^th, I’ve thought of what most of the people back there are doing.  It makes me just a little bit sad to think I could not be there and partake of that great amount of spiritual food which I know will be sent from God.  He speaks unto his few chosen, which have met in General Conference to be nearer God and understand His laws and commandments better than they did the last six months. 

         It will be a great honor to be there and hear the will of God from the mouth of a new prophet.  Well, if I can’t be there, I can imagine myself listening to them, for I have heard most of them speak.  But as I look across in space, and over the ocean, I see a certain young lady sitting there with head erect, listening to that which will be of benefit to all who wish to put it into practice. She is where I am getting my inspiration of the divine love of God.  From her I am receiving the love and comfort which she sends to me daily over this boundless earth.  From her I receive courage and faith to go about and do my daily labors.

         Well dearest mine, I hope you receive the same amount of love that I send to you as I receive back from you.  Oh, how dark and gloomy this life would be were it not for the love we hold for one another.  It is one of the greatest means of holding body and soul together.  Take that love away and what do you have? Nothing but one plunging into the darkness, with hands outstretched trying to grasp the smallest ray of light. 

         Today is the first real spring day we have had.  The sun is shining brightly and the whole world seems to be lifting its head upward to that long welcomed sun.  I’ve been going about in my shirt sleeves most of the day.  I came up here this morning, or was it nearly noon, and wrote home to mother.  It seems almost impossible to remain quiet very long, for the weather is so tempting outside.

    I haven’t seen Geo. this morning as last night he was not feeling very well.  I hope I can find him before tonight for I want to ask him if he will go over to Boville with me.  Oh, you are wanting to go, are you?  Do you suppose Bessie would like to go too?  Alright, I’ll take both of you. Oh yes, we will take both of you and say no more.

         By the way, what is going on over there?  Miss Wilson, President Wilson’s daughter, is going to entertain us here.  I do hope we all can go.  Did you know I took a few minutes of leave?  Holman came in, and I just had to stop and talk a few minutes with him.  He seems so near to me, and to tell you the truth, he needs someone to cheer him up, for he has received bad news. To me it would be almost unbearable, but he is taking it like a man, for the news strikes home to him.  He has lost his angel mother.  Oh, how the light must have be taken from him as he read that fatal letter.    Last Thursday night was the first time I’ve seen him in over two months.  And just as soon as I saw him, I could see that anxious look on his face.  Oh dear, how my heart went out in sympathy for him.  I cheered him as much as possible and tried to get him to look on the bright side of life, but I feel that it is something which can’t be put behind and left to the darkness.

         Just as Holman was leaving, Geo. came in and sat down behind me.  He is better.  I guess he was feeling a little bit blue last night.  He is trying to write to his little love.  He does not call her that, although I call her that for him.   He seems so discouraged at times because he thinks Bessie is trying to play with him.  I tell him he is only is mistaken.  But he is in one of those downhearted moods which comes quite often. 

          The way we are being treated is enough for anyone to be discouraged with life.  After we have completed the work we were sent to do, we should be taken back to our homes.  What hurts me most of all, those who volunteered to come over, and really wanted to be here, they are the ones going home.  Those who were drafted into the Army have to stay. 

         Is it right?  No.  They have made those men of the Army hate a great many of the government leaders, politics is playing the greater part of the war.  They who are suppose to be true blue and who are in a position to get us back home are standing by, and looking into the future and saying, how can I get the most votes for the next election?  I wanted to tell you this, and I don’t care if anyone else knows.  The politicians who are in office today are able to do as they wish.  But if they don’t do it soon, they’ll be ruined when the American Expeditionary Forces returns home.  For the soldiers are going to be the ones who will tell the people how they were treated “over here.” 

         One thing it has done for me, it has made me have no love for politics.  Just to think that a nation supposed to be the greatest of all treating their soldiers as we have been.  It is no time to bring politics in.  They should be put in their proper place and let the will and mind of the people guide their actions. 

         I do not know whether this is true or not, but I have heard that men who willfully evaded the draft were sent to prison.  They have been released and given their freedom, and besides that, they were given a 50 or 60-dollar bonus.  This I have heard, but if that is true, oh how I loathe that man who stands at the head of our government to allow such things to exist.  If that is liberty and justice, I do not want any of that in my homeland.  We as soldiers of the United States of America support liberty and freedom for the world.  We should be treated with more respect than we are now receiving.

         I did not try to make this the whole letter, but I told you just what my feelings were.  I see by the Camp Dodge News, which I will send, that we are now in the Army of Occupation.  If that is true, let us do what they want of us, then return us back to those loved ones we hold so dearly to our hearts. 

         Well, Dear, do not think I am getting to be a regular complainer, but I want to tell you when a man gets enough, he has had enough.  He can stand only so much, and when the politicians begin to crowd in upon his future, he feels like kicking a little. 

         As things stand now, I want to ask God to give me the courage and faith to stand it endure to the end, no matter how hard and rough the road may be.  But if I could only tell you dear, the real feelings of my soul, I would be able to stand almost anything.  As it is, I can tell it only in a brief way.

         Oh, how that love throbs from my heart daily, for the girl that stands firm as a statue waiting for her lover’s return. 

         May that Great Spirit of Eternal Love be with the one I love. 

                                    Eternally Yours, X O X O X O, Henry

                                   

                                    Corp.  H.D. Call

                                    Co.  A 313^th Engrs.

                                    A.E.F.  France 

April 2, 1919

                                                                                                                        April 2, 1919

                                                                                                                        Marson, France

To My Dear Sweetheart,

            Yes, I am trying to write in the middle of the week.  It surely seems strange, for it has been a long time since I did it, but you will accept it, won’t you Dear?  Oh, I’m so happy tonight.  I’ll bet you can’t guess why.  No, I did not receive a letter, but it surely would have helped to make it still happier, for the night here is like so many of the nights at home:  warm, stars shining brightly, and the air is scented with the perfume of bursting buds and spring flowers.  It makes me think of home and the many spring evening walks we’ve have had together.  I don’t see the same image in the sky as I did when I was there with you, but every star seems to have that smiling face of my dear lover back home.

            Yes, I received my birthday letter Monday, the last day of March, coming through in 18 days.  Oh dear, it surely did make me feel as if I was the only soldier of all soldiers, but that was only in my mind.  I surely appreciated it even if it did come two weeks ahead of the time.  As it is, I can celebrate yours and mine together.  So you see, I’ll have a grand time all by myself.       I’m going to see Geo. and we will celebrate all by ourselves, so do not think you won’t have a birthday party.  We’ll get some candy, cookies, and have a grand old chat by ourselves.  What more could you ask of us so far away, Ha! Ha!  Just think, two more days and you’ll begin to think you are getting old.  Just think, 20 years old! 

            It seems that long since I’ve seen you.  If I ever get my foot back on dear old America soil, they surely will have a time getting me to leave her again.  Well dear, I wish you joy and a heart full of love on that grand old day, April 4^th.  I surely will have the advantage of you, for my day’s work will be almost completed by the time day breaks back there.  That is the day I begin work again, for I am having a day and a half off for the Sundays we worked.  We got off at noon today. This afternoon I did some washing, just a few pieces.  Did you ever hear of a soldier washing pillow slips?  Well, I still have mine and it gets dirty, but I sure would like one I don’t have to wash.  But for the largest part of my washing, the French people do for a few francs.  The remainder of the afternoon I play ball.

            Last Monday night we had a grand celebration here at the Y.  I’ll bet you can’t guess what it was.  A real American dance and real American girls.  Yes, I had a partner (Geo.) and we danced several times together, then the ladies came.  No, we did not ask them for a dance, as we do back home.  The girls remained in the center of the dance floor, then a whistle was blown and the men rushed for them.  Yes, I was with them.  I managed to catch one quite often.  The whistle was blown in the middle of a dance.  The first one there had the honor of dancing the remainder of the dance, and the first partner had to leave the floor.  This continued all thru the dance, so now you see the kind of dances we have “over here.”  Hob Nails, why yes.  There was danger of falling down, for the floor was made of rough lumber.  But what do we care for that, we were so crazy about a dance.

            Last night we had Vaudeville from the 7^th Division, a real minstrel show with about 35 Negroes.  They kept us on the laugh for the two hours.  Many of the jokes were unfit for polite public to hear, but it seems like the men want something that is moving, and full of jokes that are low in nature.  However, I’ve seen a few that are good clean shows.  I heard from the audience remarks which proved to me that they did not appreciate something uplifting.   But of course, we are in the Army, and we are all men, but we should have things placed before us that will be an advantage to us in our future life.

            If this letter is mixed up a great deal, just pardon me, Dear, for men are talking all around me, the Victrola is going, and the piano is loud.  So you see what we have to put up with while writing.  But there is one thing I’ll still have no matter how loud they talk, and that is my love for you.  It has been my guiding light since leaving dear old Bountiful.  My love increases to such an extent, that at times I want to fly back to you, for I know that which my hunger longs for can be found in your heart.  So, Dear, just keep smiling the whole day long and say he is coming back to his dear little love.

            Now that April is here I am beginning to think spring is here, for the weather has changed from rain to sunshine.  Oh, I’m so happy for the blessings I’ve received from my loved ones from home, and our great Maker.

            The only thing I ask, Dear, is to send me your love. In turn you shall receive the love of a true and tried love.  It is a love of one who has battled hard to be worthy of the love of a true woman that has freely sent it over the briny deep and to these villages of France.  May God guard you for me is the love I send to my darling. 

                                                                                                Eternally yours,

                                                                                                            Henry  XXXXX

                                                                                               

                                                                                                Corp. H.D. Call

                                                                                                Co. A 313^th Engrs.