Letters - 1917

Letters sent home, together with their envelopes, have been scanned and saved as PDFs. Or, if you wish to read them in text format in one file.

1917

April 11

Dear Folks, I can let you know that I am in Lowell again. I was in Lakeport since Monday and Wednesday morning...we had to come back to pass the doctor again. I passed the doctor, said I was good and healthy, this makes the third time we were examined by doctors. I don't know how long we will stay in Lowell but I think when you receive this letter we'll be somewhere else. Say thats a fine letter to send, to me giving me h--l. First, I couldn't get out of the armory here much, I was only home a few times and then never had much time to stay. I slept here about 2 times only, the rest of the time I would sleep in the armory. When I wrote you the letter from Lakeport N.H. I had to do it while I was on guard duty in a big cold wind, my fingers were almost froze[n], and letters will be plenty now so don't worry about that. Say send that shaving outfit right away. No more news to write, will let you know where I am as soon as I get there. Say it's a great place where I was, it was about 10 above zero, some cold but it was great, I gained 2 lbs. in 2 days. Your most devoted son, Daniel Douger. Regards to you all, also Annie and her husband and child, tell them I couldn't see them before I left, also Hyman and his wife and children.

April 13

Dear Folks: Just a few lines to let you know that I am sound and well and am hoping to hear the same from you. At present I am at Tilton N.H., and am guarding bridges here. It's hard now we are guarding 4 hours and rest 4 hours, but as soon as we get a few more men we will have it easy. Send all mail to Private Daniel Douger Co. K. 6th Mass.Inf. Lowell, Mass. Have no more news to write. Answer soon, Dan

May 07

Dear Parents: Just a few lines to let you know that I am feeling fine also hoping to hear the same from you. The vaccination certainly in taking on me my arm itches, and it is a little swollen, but it is getting better. There is nothing new to write about because I have written all that there is to be written about the place where I am and we do the same thing over and over again, it is a snap. I read in the paper that they are going to raise the pay for the soldiers in the army if that is the case I'll get about $36.00 a month. In Mass. they pass a law giving every soldier $10.00 a month beside the government pay, that would make $46.00 a month, but, when are we going to get it. We are not going to be here long, only about two more weeks or so, that is what I heard, and when we leave we will go to Ayer Junction, but I don't know now true it is. I wish is was payday I'm broke and I need money. How's things in New York [?]. Grandma writes me that when I come back she will make a party for me. I received your card, and please don't send it to Lowell, send it to Danbury N.H. I get it a day quicker. Believe me a fellow feels great when he gets a letter from home. Well no more news. Hoping we get the h---l out of here, I remain Daniel Douger

May 28

Danbury N.H. May 28, 1917 Dear Grandparents: Your letter received and was glad to hear from you. We might go to Ayer pretty soon, in about two weeks or so and if we do go there I might be in Lowell for a day or so. Sunday we got what is called recruit kits it is a box with different things in it. 2 towels, 1 tooth brush, shoe brush, shoe polish, clothes brush, razor soaps, comb and brush, a shaving brush and a small kit with needles, thread, buttons etc. it is called a housewife. A millionaire from New York sent it to us. Now I have more stuff than I can use so this week I might send to you a package with some stuff that I don't need. Every month the State of Mass. will send to father 10 dollars. There was a law passed in Mass. that all Mass. soldiers will get 10 dollars from the state beside the government pay, but we don't get it, our parents get it. The government has also raised our pay and the next time we get paid I expect a big pay. Sarah you should wear your new dress in good health. I wrote Charlie a post card Saturday but I forgot to write a return so I'll write again this week. Well I'll have to close now hoping to hear from you soon. I remain as ever, Dan Regards to everybody I know " " Joe Kaplan. How does grandpa feel in health how is the cold he had is it all better. How does grandma feel in health, and you and Sarah.

May 29

Danbury N.H. May 29, 1917 Dear Parents and Sisters: Your kind letter received and was very glad to hear from you. Say write me if mothers nose is all right because she once told me that she needed another operation and I would like to know if it still bothers her. In Mass. there was a law passed that all Mass. Guardsmen shall receive 10 dollars a months by the state besides the government pay which is now doubled. Saturday the captain was around for everybody to sin the paper which would tell where to send it and etc. He asked us if we want to wait until after the war and we will get all the money in a bunch or have it sent to your parents or whoever you want it sent to, so I told him to send it to you and I know I'll get it, so every month you will probably get a 10 dollar check. The government has almost doubled our pay, I get $18 a month now I'll get about $33 a month. Some cash. Miss Helen Gould the great New York millionaire sent everybody here on guard, well I think everybody in the regiment a recruit kit, it contains, 1 shoe brush, 1 tooth brush, hair brush, 2 towels, 1 razor, comb, shaving brush, shoe polish, 1 clothes brush, 1 cake of soap, and a housewife; a housewife is a small kit with, needles, pins thread, butlers scissors, so we could repair our clothes. Well believe me its [sic] great to get all this for nothing. It rains here all the time once in a while the sun comes out but soon it rains again. There are four of us on this bridge, we haven't seen any Germans yet the only thing that crossed the bridge was a cat, and it was at night. I thought it was a man crawling on his knees, it was dark and [I] could hardly see so I shot and killed it. We'll know more news. Regards to everybody I know. Dan. I don't know when we will mobilize.

June 12 (1)

Danbury N.H. June 12, 1917 Dear Folks & Sisters: Your card received and was glad to hear from you. I was glad to hear that father is working, money must be scarce now as food is very high now everything is going up. I expect to get paid this week. I'm broke and need some cash, don't need any writing paper, when I was broke and didn't know when I was going to get paid why then I needed paper, stamps etc., but now I buy writing paper and stamps in town and I have plenty of it thank you just the same. The government is going to double our pay well the law went into effect June 1 so when we get our June pay on July 15 I will get about $33.00. I'll probably save about 25 of it. Well what do you think about the war does it interest you any. I suppose you think that I will go to France, well don't think of it because we will never see France, we will have see the outside of the U.S. I hear we will be out of the service about September and October but that is only talk I guess. I'm going to ask the Captain for a 10 day leave of absence so I can go to New York for a week and I'm going to raise the diggens if he don't give it to me. Saturday while going to won I killed two snakes about 4 feet long. It starting raining Sunday morning about 8 O’clock and it's raining yet. Well I'll close now hoping to hear from you soon. I remain Dan. Regards to everybody I wrote to Hyman and Annie I haven't heard from them yet.

June 12 (2)

Danbury, N.H. June 12, 1917 Dear Parents: Your letter received and was glad to hear from you. I get a package of fruit and candy every week from Joe Kaplan and today I got a box of writing paper and envelopes and a book of 24 stamps, 1 dozen peaches, and candy and every week I get something. Be sure and send me your pictures when you take them Dora and Ida because I would like to see them. I wish you would all take pictures. I don't amuse myself here because there is no place to amuse yourself we have to hang around the shacks all day. So you and ma will have to register well don't get scared you won't have to be. Red Cross nurses miles you want to, they couldn't force you. (?) I sent Hyman a letter last week but I haven't heard from him yet, I also sent Annie a latter and I got it back today because they couldn't find them, did they move[?]; if they did send me the address. Wear your hat in good health Dora. Sarah is getting ready for the graduation now, she writes me that she is going to become a bookkeeper. The river here has risen about 4 feet and it is up to [the] door now if it don't stop rising we will have to get out, we stand on our knees open the door and wash up, but it stopped raining and the sun is out, and the river won't rise anymore, its hot here now. Well not more news at present. I sent you a letter this morning. Regards to everybody and to Louis. Answer soon. Dan

June 18

Danbury N.H. June 18, 1917 Dear Folks and Sisters: Your most welcome letter received and was more than glad to hear from you. I was speaking with the captain Saturday and I asked him if I can go to New York for a week or ten days and he said no. First we have to be in the service 3 months and second he couldn't let me go because he would get a calling down from the Colonel and he couldn't let me go, but after being 3 months in the service he said I should write him a latter and he would forward it to the colonel and maybe he would let me go, but that will be sometime in the middle of July. He said the longest I could be away for is 24 hours, so I'm going to Lowell Friday and come back Saturday. Too bad I couldn’t come to New York I certainly would like to be there and see you and Coney Island. Well I'll see you soon anyway. I received the two bucks and thank you very much for it. Say, I was offered 1.50 for the new dollar but I wouldn't take it, I can get two dollars for it. So you can get some hard cash from the state of Mass. pretty good, what? If I had anybody depending upon me for support I would get $30.00 a month more. Say for the love of Mike take some pictures I would like to see them. I thought I would get some in this letter but I got 2 dollars instead. Next time send me some pictures. What will you do with the money you got. I wish you would save it for me because after the war is over I will have quite a few dollars saved and it will come in handy. We got paid Saturday and is costs $4.32 to got to Lowell and back and I'll try to save 10.00 so I'll have 22.00 by grandpa. I bought a Liberty Loan Bond only $50.00 they will take $5.00 out of our pay every month until it is paid for. Keep this paper I don't want it, keep it for a while but I don't think it is necessary to keep it.

June 30

Framingham Mass. June 30, 1917 Dear Parents & Sisters: I arrived in Framingham Friday and believe me its some place compared to Danbury N.H. Its a fair sized city and lot of people and we can enjoy ourselves. We won't start drilling until Monday - now we are fixing things up, and getting our stuff together. I think we will stay here until about the middle of August then we might go south to South Carolina, or Georgia or Texas or Tennessee. You know the regulars are over in France and we have to take their places here in the forts where they came from until the war is over. I'm broke again when I went to Lowell. I spent all my money and I saved tend dollars. Well I'll close now hoping to hear from you soon. I remain your son. Pvt. Danial Douger Camp Darling Framingham Mass.

July 07

Framingham Mass. July 7, 1917 Dear Parents and Sisters: Received the two letters and thank you very much for the dollar you sent. I also got some money from Lowell to[o]. The pictures of Ida are both good and Dora's a good [one] too. I wear it on my shirt everybody asks me if it is my girl. I and another fellow took some pictures when we left Danbury you will find one in this letter. We drill 6 1/2 hours a day but I'm to be made corporal soon so I only instruct the rookies. Its a great place. Grandpa was to see me Sunday, but we go on guards that is Co. K. does, on Saturday night [un]til Sunday night and wouldn't be able to see him so he won't come. What's the matter with Ida that she is not working? Well I'll close now hoping to hear from you soon, I remain Pvt. Daniel Douger Co. K 6th Mass. Inf. Camp Darling Framingham Mass. I wrote my boss a letter today you know Mr. Lowenstein. We get paid soon.

July 14

Framingham July 14, 1917 Dear Folks! Your letter received and was glad to hear that grandma arrived safely how did she enjoy the trip? I'm trying hard to get off so I can go to New York but its no use they wouldn't let me go, they don't allow more than 24 hours and I want about 1 week, or 4 days at the lowest. We got paid Friday and we got $33.00. We gave $5.00 for the Bond so that left $28.00, I bought a wrist watch and all I could send to grandpa was $15.00, next time I'll send more it costs more to live here than in Danbury. How long is grandma going to say in New York? Simon went home today so I gave him the money to give grandpa. I'll close now with love and regards to all from your son, Pvt. Daniel Douger Co. K. 6th Mass. Inf. Camp Darling Framingham Mass. Girls - Boys ** **

July 23

Ayer Mass. July 23, 1917 Dear Folks: We arrived at Camp Devens in Ayer Mass. We left Framingham Saturday 9 O’clock and we walked all the way it was so hot that they would only let us walk 9 miles a day Saturday and Sunday it wasn't bad but today it was so hot that about 200 out of the 2000 in the regiment dropped out overcome by the heat. I was so hot that I nearly fell out of myself but I arrived OK. Two fellows from this regiment died today on the hike on account of the heat. Well this is a regular camp, it's a regular city and a lot of people work here. Lots of carpenters, plumbers etc. we live in tents but when the barracks are ready we will live in them. 200 in one barrack. Well I'll close now. How's grandma and Sarah. Good-bye and regards from Pvt. Daniel Douger Co. K 6th Mass. Inf. Camp Devens Ayer Mass. Tomorrow I will be a corporal

July 29

Ayer Mass. July 29, 1917 Dear Folks: Your letter was received with pleasure and was glad to hear that you and all in the best of health. I was in Boston Friday for 24 hours but I wasn't in Lowell so today Gordon and I took a trip to Lowell. We couldn't stay only a few hours and we rode back. Grandpa was down to see me today then we rode to Lowell. How's Grandma and Sarah. I have great new[s] for you, we left Framingham for Ayer because we are going to train the drafted army here. Every regiment in Mass. is going to France but ours, we will stay here and train the drafted army, and when they are trained they will go across, then another draft will come here and will start to train them all over again. We stay here for the rest of the war. From your loving son. Dan.

July 31

Ayer Mass. July 31, 1917 Dear Folks: We are not drilling today it is too hot. I received your letter yesterday and was glad to hear from you. Say please send me my union suits that you have I need underware [sic] and I wouldn't have to buy any. I don't know when I will be in Lowell again, how is grandma and Sarah enjoying themselves in New York? I received the stamps she sent me, but they are all gone. They have a Y.M.C.A. here where we read books every night and write all our letters, its a big tent but they a[re] making a building instead about 100 x 40 feet. Well I'll close now hoping to hear from you soon I remain your son Dan. Send me the suits as soon as you get this letter because I need it bad. I was appointed corporal last week when we left Framingham. Camp Devens

August 06

Dear Folks: I received your letter and bundle and thank you very much for sending it. I needed underware [sic] and didn't have the privee to buy any and the company didn't have any neither. Our regiment was in the parade in Boston Saturday and our company didn't go we were so glad, too, it was a big parade we stayed in camp and didn't do anything. Our company will go on guard Friday morning at 8 O'Clock and we will come off at 8 O'Clock Monday morning we do 2 on 4 off. I will have it easy because I am a corporal. We will be on guard around the whole camp which is about 6 square miles, it's an awful big place and don't know where I will be stationed. Last Friday night a lot of Lowell people came down and entertained us by singing and telling jokes, just like a show. The movies will be installed in the field soon just like in Framingham open air shows so we can enjoy ourselves. No more news. How's grandma and Sarah? I will also write a letter to grandpa. Dan Camp Devens

August 09

Dear Folks: Your kind letter was received and was glad to hear from you. We will parade in Lowell Thursday August 16 and we will walk back to Ayer. We will have to do our own cooking when we walk back to camp. I wish you could come out and see me but it costs too much money. I have tried and tried to come to New York but they wouldn't let me off. We go on guard tomorrow for 3 days we get off Monday morning. I received the letter Annie wrote me but you know how it is, I always forget to write. How did grandma and Sarah enjoy themselves in New York. I wish I was there. So Louie is going South, gee I wish I could go but I always have such rotten luck we stay in Ayer to drill a bunch of rookies. I was in Lowell Wednesday for 24 hours. Did you get the 10 bucks from the state yet, expect to get paid Monday.

August 21

Camp Bartlett. Dear Parents: Arrived here Saturday night O.K. and everything is O.K. About going to France, nobody knows anything about it bust listen. Sunday they were to take 300 men from this regiment that is the pick of the regiment and they are going to France to take care of the ammunition trains and I was picked and believe me I was glad it was the happiest day I ever knew, but, they picked too many and some had to drop out and as luck would have it I was told to drop out, gee I was mad. They are breaking up the regiment and we don't know where we will be soon. we are still drilling and we all wish we could go to France. Answer soon. I remain your loving Son. Corp. Daniel Douger Co. K 6th Mass. Inf. Camp Devens Ayer Mass. Camp Bartlett Westfield Mass.

August 29

Dear Parents, We let Ayer this morning at 9 O'Clock and arrived here 3:30 this afternoon. 800 from the sixth regiment left to join the 2nd regiment and I was one who went. I haven't much time to write now but tomorrow I'll write a letter and let you know just where we are. Corp. Daniel Douger Co. L. 104th U.S. Inf. Camp Bartlett Westfield Mass.

September 01

Dear Parents, Whats the matter you don't answer my mail. I haven't heard from you from the letter I wrote Tuesday the day we came here. I am not in Co. L now, we are all in Co. K 104 U.S. Inf. So please answer soon and don't forget to send me some cash for I am broke. Corp. D. Douger Co. K 104 U.S. Inf. Camp Barlett Westfield, Mass.

September 06

Dear Parents: Received your kind letter and much needed money and thank you very much for it. Its pretty lonesome here we drill only 4 1/2 hours a day and it is easier than when we were at Ayer. Westfield is a 10 cent car ride from Springfield but never was in Springfield because I didn't have any cash. The camp is 2 miles from Westfield which is a nice town for its size. The sixth regiment is all broke to pieces now some men are in the 101st some in the 102 some in the 104. The 101 is in Framingham the 102 in New Haven Conn. the 104 here in Westfield. Gordon is in the 101. I was lonesome in Ayer but I had a girl and I used to see her about 4 times a week she lived in No. Chelmsford and when I let Ayer, she was crying because I told her that I was going to France. We write letters to each other and believe me she is some girl. She is a Christian. I don't know how long we will stay here in Westfield, I don't think we will stay here long. We will go to some other place for training. We had a heart and lung examination and I was O.K. Tuesday we were inoculated for a different disease my arm was sore but its all right now only two more times to be inoculated. I don't know where we will be when the holidays come but I'll try and come to New York soon before we leave here maybe this Saturday or Sunday. I'll blow in when you won't expect me that is if I can get off. Corp. D. Douger Co. K. 104 U.S. Inf. Camp Barlett Westfield Mass.

September 10

Camp Bartlett. Dear Folks: I got a pass last Saturday and I went to Lowell. I cam back this afternoon. At first I was going to New York but I changed my mind for this reason. Some time this week or early next week we will leave this camp, Westfield, and I heard we were going to Long Island, so I thought that if me go to Long Island I will be right near home and will see you often so thats why I went to Lowell. We will parade in Springfield Thursday and about Saturday or early next week we will leave for Long Island or in a place in New Jersey near New York. Its cold here but we have enough blankets to keep us warm. We will get all our winter clothing sometime this week so you can imagine what that means. If we ever do go to France we will have to get about 1 years hard training and in about that time the war will be over. I got a letter from Louis Kessler. Regards to everybody. Dan

September 23

Camp Bartlett. Dear Parents: Excuse me for not writing earlier we are busy here packing stuff and receiving equipment. We expect to move sometime this week but we don't know where we will go, we think Long Island. Some of the heavy baggage is going tomorrow and then we will go. How's things in New York now, is everybody working. I think we leave Tuesday or Wednesday, so I'll probably see you this week. Well as I have much time now I'll close with love. Corp. D. Douger I had some pictures taken and if I don't get them by Tuesday they will send them to you in New York

September 26

Dear Folks: Enclosed find two postcard pictures I had taken here last Saturday. I think we move Friday now, we don't know for sure. We have everything we need now we are all ready to move which I hope we do soon.

September 28

Camp Bartlett. Dear Folks: Your letter received and was glad to hear from you. Enclosed you will find my discharge from the National Guard, we get them because we are in the Regular Army now. Now we are told that we wont have until Sunday or Monday, we are all packed ready to move, and they won't give us a pass. At first we were told we were going to Long Island but I guess they were giving us a good time. I won't let grandma know until I'm in France. I write quite a few letters here so I forgot to write to everybody that's why I didn't write to Louis, tell him to let you know his address so I'll write to him from France. I wrote my girl that I was going to France this week or early part of next so she was here yesterday, she was crying when she went home last night. She lives in No. Chlinsford and she is some baby. Well I'll close now hoping to hear from you soon I remain, Your loving son. Dan I wonder when we leave here now they tell us that we have Sunday or Monday maybe its true but we will know soon. Answer. Did you receive the pictures.

September 29

Camp Bartlett Sept. 28, 1917 Dear Folks: In the letter I wrote you today I forgot to put in a picture for Annie and Beckie, please give them one each. Sunday is the day we leave so the officers told us to-day but keep it quiet. We are burning up old clothes and things that we can't carry with us. Well it's going to be a great trip across I'll like it over there. I'll always write to you and don't forget to answer, its bad enough here but over there it will be still worse we will get it once in a while you know it will be censored. This is what my address will be when I'm over there, you see we don't know where we will land: Corp. Daniel Douger Co. K - 104 U.S. INF. 52-BRIGADE 16-DIVISION AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES VIA. NEW YORK - CITY Don't write to the above address until I let you know. I'll write to you and let you know. I'll try and enjoy myself over there that is not to be homesick and lonesome of course I'll be thinking of you all the time also of my girl and that makes a fellow feel blue but I'll be brave and stand. When I'm over in Germany I'll take the mustache off the Kaiser and bring them back and I'll make a clothes brush out of it. My girl told me I'm coming back after the war, so after the war I'll look for a job in New York City. Dan. There's nothing to do now so I'm writing this letter. Regards to everybody.

October 01

Camp Bartlett Oct 1, 1917 Dear Parents: I received your special delivery letter and was sorry to hear that you couldn't come and see me before I went away. We leave Westfield, Tuesday Oct. 2 about 4 or 5 O'Clock. I don't know where we will land. I heard we land at Newport News but I don't know if it is true or not. We have been waiting anxiously for the order to move, now that is [sic] come we are overjoyed. I know we won't go to Canada because we are taking only one blanket and if we went to Canada we would take two or three. Don't worry about me because I will take good care of myself and after the war I will come back strong and healthy. Of course it won't be a war like it is hear [sic] but we will soon get used to it and we won't mind it. My girl and her mother were here Sunday to see me and believe me there are a few more broken hearts now. Well I'll close now because we have alot of work to do. I will write to you as soon as I land, in the first place then when I land over the other side. I hope you will always remember me when I [am] over there and don't forget to write.

undated

1917 undated Dear Folks: I guess its quite a long time since you heard from me but now you will hear from me quite often. Don't worry about me because will take good care of myself. I certainly did enjoy the trip, I was seasick at first but I soon got over it and was glad to. There are lots of things I would like to tell you about but couldn't on account of the censors. We had two stormy days and at one time I thought sure we were lost but we are safe at last. I am in the best of health now and the food on the ship was good. I'll write grandma a letter too. I couldn't write much now but when I'm in camp and all set I'll write you a long letter. I have a lot to tell you. Corporal Daniel Douger Co. K. 104 U.S. Inf. [censored] Brigade [censored] Division American Expeditionary Forces Via New York City, N.Y.

October 26

On ACTIVE SERVICE with American Expeditionary Force Oct. 26, 1917 Somewhere in France Dear Folks: Have just arrived in our training camp, it is in a small French village. The people use us like they would there [sic] own sons. I am in the best of health and certainly do enjoy this life. I have been in several rest camps but now I am in a training camp. I have seen a big part of France and have been in a few large cities but I wish I was in the U.S.A. Write them a letter also. Well hoping to hear from you soon I remain your loving son. Dan You have my address. Say please send me a New York paper, not the Journal but some other one. You might send some cigarettes also if you can. I smoke camels we couldn't get them here. [J.W. Falken, 2nd Lt. 104th U.S. Inf.]

December 12

Somewhere in France Dec. 9 - 1917 Dear Folks and Sisters: I received your letter and was glad to hear that you are all in the best of health, I've been waiting about two months for mail from you and I hope you will send it often now. I've written grandma about 4 or 5 letters and I haven't had no answer yet. When I was in Westfield I wrote to you and told you what my address will be when I'm in France. The reason I don't write every week is because there is nothing to write [about], it's the same thing over and over again, and we couldn't write what we want you know. We are having a fine time here, that is after drill, I'm in bed about 7 or 8 O'Clock fine time. we had a dandy Thanksgiving dinner all the turkey we could eat, and cranberry sauces, cake, sweet potatoes. Say I had so much I couldn't eat supper. I hope you will send me what I asked for especially those camel cigarettes. I'll close now hoping to hear from you soon, I remain your loving son. Dan. Answer soon. [T. L. Harring..., 2nd Lt. 104th Inf.]

Page last edited: Sunday, October 29, 2017 (EB)