Letter #67
{This letter is written on army stationery
with each sheet a different picture of a soldier’s life, beautifully done. But the big surprise was the thick lock of
Henry’s dark brown hair that slid out of the envelope, perfectly preserved. It was pressed very flat and curled into an
‘S’ shape..}
July 25, 1918
Camp Dodge, Iowa
Dear Sweetheart,
All
work is over and I am through for tonight, so you see, I am trying to write to
you tonight. If it gets any hotter, I
will have to shed some more clothing. I
am writing with my shirt off as it is, and my arms are wet with sweat. But thank goodness I’m not like some of the
fellows, for they are wet all the time.
I don’t know how they keep their clothing clean and free from smell,
although there are some who could be a little more clean.
The sun
is shining just like mid-day and it is raining in buckets, large drops like we
have at home. When it rains here, it
does not seem to reduce the temperature.
Well, dear heart, I received two letters today: one from my best girl in the whole world; and the other from my other girl, but not
‘best’. For how could I ever think of
loving anyone else but you, for you have such fine ways and your face seems to
beam everlasting loveshine. I often take
the pictures I have of you and look at them to see if I have forgotten your
looks and face. But as I look at you,
the things of the past come to mind, and I just let my mind wander back home
and forget for a while that I’m here in Camp Dodge.
Last
night after the bugle blew for taps, I lay on my bunk thinking of home. I don’t know how long my mind was back there,
but I feel asleep and awoke this morning this thinking of you. I don’t know why I had such a feeling, but I
just had to do something, for it seems a century since I was with you. Oh, what would I give for one more night or
evening with you. I would be able to
tell you what my heart desired and show why absence makes the heart grows
fonder.
Last
night there was a great deal of excitement here in the barracks. This was something interesting and something
I hope someday to be my lot, but not just in the same manner. There was a marriage. One of the soldier’s camp and they were
married in the mess hall. What a
romantic place. After the ceremony, a
large crowd of fellows got one of the army wagons, and fastened ropes to it,
and then backed it up against the entrance.
Then they placed chairs in it for them to sit on. After all were in, they started off with
them. They were going to give n a ride
to the station which was a little over a mile away. It surely would be something to be remembered
all through their life.
Dear
sweetheart, you spoke about preaching to me.
Now don’t think I don’t care for it, for that is the only religion I can
get: through you and the folks at home. Now I ask a favor of you. Dear, for I just
crave something like that, for I can’t get it here. No matter how hard I may try. You know how hard it is for one to get true
religion in such a life. And when I receive such good advice from one who I
know is trying to help me, as you are, love, I feel as though life is more
pleasant and cheerful.
Well,
dear, you told me to tell you something interesting about my life here. The
only thing I can say is that same thing over and over again. I have just received my hat chord, slicker,
and mess kit. The hat cord is red and
white. By the way, they gave me an engraved
button for my collar. So you see, I am
beginning to look like a soldier.
One
thing here, they are surely tight or severe on inspections. WE have them every afternoon. They give us the entire afternoon in
preparing ourselves for retreat. I
surely spend a great deal of time on my rifle.
For that is to me my friend “over there.” It must be oiled and polished so that one
cannot find any dirt or grit on it. It
you happen to leave a little, it means an hour’s drill after night mess, or
probably in the kitchen for a day. I
have passed all so far. I hope I can
still carry my good record. Well some of
the fellows were called for not dusting their shoes. They may call you for the least thing you are
not looking for. So you can’t be too
particular in preparing for such and inspection. One thing I dislike about it , is we stand on
the west side of the building where the boiling hot sun pours down upon you,
and when you are standing at attention,
you want to tell you it is
something, which must be done without a move of head, hand or feet. If you think a joke, just go out behind your
barn and stand facing the west for 5
minutes, and follow the plan I’ve just
mentioned. I’ll bet you, you will agree
with me, when we stand for 10 to 20 minutes, and sometimes 30 to 40. And so, your First Ward’s service flag has
been placed where people can see it. Do,
dear, you are not the only girl who has a sweetheart away at war. It would kind of look selfish if we were to
be together all the time, and other boys who are away are fight for the
freedoms of the world.
May God
ever be near me so that I will have courage to endure this to the end. For I deem it a great honor, besides a
privilege to be one who has just put his life up, if needs be, for the freedom
of the people who have never known what
freedom is. It surely will make those
boys who remain at home ashamed of themselves when the men come triumphantly
home after the war. “Won’t we be proud
of our boys?” But more so of our dear
mothers and fathers and sweethearts, for they have had the great burden of the
war to carry
The
poem you send was surely great. As I
read it, I thought of you at home and how I would have liked to have been there
to have heard you recite it before that crowd of people. I surely will keep it as a keepsake. When I
see that some of the men are in the right attitude, I will read it to
them. Just as soon as I can get to some
city, I’m going to get you some remembrance of the different places I go. I think I will like them, won’t you? If you don’t, just keep them for me.I forgot to send you the lock of hair I promised you, so I will send it tonight. {enclosed}
Well
dear, I don’t know how you will like this paper. I think it’s great, because it feels like the
real army. I must go down and see if I’m
on detail for tomorrow. I hope I’m not,
for it is harder work and longer hours.
Well,
love, just keep sending your love to me and all will be right in the end. My mind has been more free the last few days
for some reason or other. I have been
thinking of where and when this war will be ended. I hope it is not very long. May God ever grant His blessing on us and
carry us safely through. This is my most
desired prayer and love.
Your
Loving Soldier,
Henry
I must not forget my goodnight kiss. Thanks
X X
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