Letter #44

Letter #44

Boulder, Colorado

June 29, 1918

My Dear Sweetheart,

It is now twenty minutes of ten. You wonder why I’m not in bed. Well, we are off until 12:00 o’clock. SO how could you blame me for not staying up, for it is the first time since I left? Well dear, I am in the best condition and have never felt better in my life; that is spiritually and temporally, but in one other way, I am not. Love, I am craving that sweet look of inspiration you always have given me. And oh dear, how I wish I could get near you so that I could get rid of some of this stored up love I have, for I’m afraid if I don’t, something is apt to break.

Since writing last, we have had a great number of things happen; last night we were given the night off until 10:45 to go and hear the Camp Kearney Band. But they were not Utah boys. Well, George and I went to the Y and I wrote a short letter to my other girl. It has been over a week since I have received one from her. So you see, sweetheart, how much I think of you, to be writing you so much. Tonight the girls of Boulder gave a little Vaudeville to raise a little money for the grand celebration and Farewell Dance we are to have next Tuesday night. We are going to take up the beds and cots and place them to one side and have a grand old time, that is for the soldiers and in a soldier’s way. But nothing like I would have if you were here.

We received word today for 25 men to leave immediately for France. They leave July 3, 1918. There are to be 10 auto drivers, and 15 auto mechanics. They have begun to take them out now. We will be taken out a few at a time until we are all gone. I am surely waiting for the day to come so I will know what to do: either we will go to some other camp, or we will have the privilege of coming home to my little dear. Do you really want me to come home?

Today after 3:00 was visiting day for the soldiers’ wives. Oh dear, how I longed to have you near me. They were given the privilege of eating with us. They were served the same, only we reserved a table for them. They seemed to enjoy it, for they were laughing all the time. I met a number of them. They surely treated us well. I received my cherries today, or rather tonight. They surely were good. I wish to thank the one who sent them; I don’t think it was you, was it? It had your name on it, but whoever sent them surely knew what I liked. I just ate the last of my cake, down to the last crumbs, it sure tasted good, for I knew they were from one who sent her love and best wishes to her soldier-sweetheart here at Boulder. They were received I that manner and every bit was eaten with the same love for you. I have often wondered what it would feel like not to have your love and prayers so near me in at all times. But it is impossible to have you leave me mind. I am thinking of you always.

Today has been a hard day for me, for I have had the blues, if you can call them that. For I can’t think of anything else but you. You, and the great time I’ll have rejoicing with you someday. I think the reason for the blues is that there have been a great number of men here this afternoon with their wives, and it makes me think more of you.

I am here at the Y and George and I are alone, so you see how true we are to each other and to our dear sweethearts at home? There are dances to go to, movies, and girl romancing around the campus, but they are of no use to me. For you stand out more than any of them.

I received a quart can of fresh strawberry jam the other day. Oh how good it tasted, for after meals I always put an extra slice of bread in my pocket to take to my bunk. A number of men have asked me what I am going to do with the bread. I just told them I had something good upstairs and I want to tell you it is good, because we are given but little sweet stuff here. Tomorrow is our day for we are going to try to get some cookies from the bakery and eat jam with them. I think we will be able to enjoy ourselves with the cherries.

Tomorrow we are mustered into the service of Uncle Sam, as we take the Oath. There is always something doing all the time. I have just finished signing my card for the service, which provides the kind of experience one has had through life and what branch of service he wished to enter in. I wanted to get into the quartermaster’s corps. They sent me into the construction department instead, but I’ll have a better chance of development than in the quartermaster’s. Every minute of the time is taken up for 5:45 in the morning until taps at night. I must not complain, for that is one thing I am trying to blot out of my life.

You ought to come here if you want to get cold. For the weather has changed, and it feels a great deal like fall. We need some cool weather for it surely has been hot here, especially in the middle of the day. Today as the captain was playing ball, he turned his ankle. I surely feel sorry for him, for he is such a good sport. He is always out with the men in their sports. Lieut. Lowery has been operated on for appendicitis. We are having bad luck with our officers. We also had our picture taken today, the entire company, so when they are finish I will send you one.

I surely am glad you loved it about the Barlow family, for Clyde has not said boo to me since. I did not think you had mentioned it about what happened. I am not in love with them, either, but I don’t wish them to understand that I am telling them a lie, and that they need not cast any remarks about you. I hope you enjoyed it up at Irvin and Mary’s. Did you kiss Lady Norine one for me? I have almost forgotten how the stunt was done. But I can imagine how I would act if I should meet you, dear.

Well, dear, it is getting late, and I must go to my roost, for I am tired tonight. Just be as brave as you can and ask God to direct us in all we attempt to do, and if we do our part, God will do His, and all will be right in the end. May you ever be doing that which is right is my desire. One good big kiss X …Thanks. I received Hazel’s letter today.

I am your Loving Soldier-Sweetheart, Henry