WWI Love Letters between Henry Call and Violet Wood: March 23, 1919

March 23, 1919

Marson, France

To My Dear Waiting Sweetheart,

To be sure, it is Sunday once more and I still remain here in France. But I am happy today for the sun is shining, which has been hidden for so long. But besides this, there is another thing that makes me happier. Can you guess, dear? Mail came twice last week. Monday night I received one from home, one from Jay, one from Bert, and three from you, love. Oh how happy it made me feel! If you could only have been a mouse in the corner. I bet you would have said, “Isn’t he happy and content now?”

Then last night, just before mess, I received the one you wrote March 2, posted Monday. It made me feel a great deal better, for I was a bit blue to think that Geo. had not come in, as I expected he would. He was in Thursday morning, no, he came in Wed. night. The sergeant whom I was sleeping with had just left on his pass to Paris, so I was sleeping alone. Can you guess what I did? I just asked Geo. to come and stay with me. So after the show, instead of bidding him goodnight, as I have done many times, he came on down with me, and to our hearts’ content, we were together once more. It surely did seem fine to have him with me, for he is so good and willing to share his pleasure and sorrows with me.

He left again on detail. I do not know where. I did not go out this week. I remained here, taking Monday off. The next three says, I worked at the barracks building bunks for us. So we could move from those dusty, dirty, and dark holes into some decent and respectable place. So yesterday afternoon, we moved, at least the part of those who are here. But some seemed to like the old barn and remained there. I surely was willing to move. It seems more like home here now.

Friday morning I left for a football game in Gondrecourt, where a trainload of 88 men were entrained for BarSurAube, about 100 kilometers further southwest of Gondrecourt. The trip was very cold. We were placed in American boxcars, 4^th class, operated by Americans. We arrived at BarSurAube at 1:30 P.M. The big game began at 2:00 P.M. between 1^st and 2^nd Armies. The field was located a little way out of the town. They had two large bleachers for the men. In between them was a shelter for the Generals of the Army. General Pershing was there, also the King and Queen of Belgium.

Besides untold numbers of officers and men, there seemed to be a great many French people. They seem to enjoy themselves about as well as the Americans did. I thought I had seen some hard fought football games, but this was the hardest game yet. It seemed like all they could do was to make three downs, and then they would be forced to kick the ball. It would no more strike the man’s hands, then they were down. But in the last quarter, the 1^st Army men composed of 36 Divisions made a touchdown. There were two minutes left, and many of the 2^nd Army men were up on their feet wishing those two minutes would pass. But they made the touchdown, and kicked the ball over the goal successfully. They tried to make a drop kick, but it was blocked and went straight up into the air. So they finished with a score 7-0 in favor of 1^st Army.

After the game I went to the Y, which they had there. It surely was a welcomed place, for it was raining hard outside. I got some postcards of the place. I’ll send them this week. We did not leave BarSurAube until after 10 P.M. After loading into the cars, I unrolled my pack, rolled myself in blankets and did not wake up until we got to Gondrecourt [see postcards below]. There we found trucks waiting for us. It snowed most of the way home, but we arrived safe.

Did I tell you I sent your parcel? I hope it gets there by your birthday. If it does not, expect it just the same. I sent it last Sunday night. I sent Mother’s Tuesday. So by now they are well on their way. I saw by the Clipper that two boys from Centerville had been killed over here, Fred Duncan and Howland Craft. How long ago was it? You have not mentioned it to me. Anything like that, please let me know. That makes three boy for Centerville now, and only one from Bountiful. We surely ought to feel mighty thankful that this war ended when it did.

Our Division is called the Fighting 88^th, which describes us. We did all that was required of us. We were ready to give our lives if need be, but God saw fit to end the war. Oh, how thankful I am because otherwise, many of us would be under the sod today. Let them say what they wish. Of course, it hurts, but we will try and fight it out with them. We fought and survived. Some of them doing the big talking did not ever fight in combat, or enter into the far lines, or even handle ammunition. Freo Jensen told me he only fired the gun one day. The rest of the time he was carrying ammunition. Many others are same. And many were brave and did their part and were on several fronts.

The good news, that we are to sail in May, surely looks good. But do not place too much faith in it for they seem to think there is a mistake. But I surely hope there is not, for I think we have done our share, don’t you, dear?

You wanted to know if I could guess how much you weigh. Well, if I could get a good look at you, I believe I could guess within a few pounds. I would say, between 120 – 130 lbs. Did I guess near it? In your last letter you seemed to touch my inner most soul. For if I ever felt anything, it was when you said, “You will not find the same Violet, but a stronger woman instead.” Oh dear! If you only could have felt the throb which burst from my heart. You would have said to yourself, it is that love which one has which determines true-tried love, as I have found in you. Dearheart, I am proud of you. More than words can tell. Hasten the day to our meeting… is the love I send to that dear girl.

Yours eternally, Henry X X X X

P.S. Give my love to all. I surely was disappointed to hear that Hazel was sick again. I hope she will be all okay by now. She must try and not go out on cases when she seems so weak. Tell her I wish her God’s blessings. Henry.