Letters - 1919

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.

February 14

Feb. 14 - 1919 Dear Folks: Just a few lines to let you know that I'm feeling fine and hope you are all the same. I suppose you're glad that we are coming home but believe me I am too, I'm sick of this country. We are pretty slow in coming home the 27th Div. which was ordered home last November is still here only a few miles from us they will probably leave in a week or two. There is so much paperwork that has to be done, I think that is what is causing the delay. I "am" in a nice town just about 1/2 mile from a big town so you can see we struck it lucky this time. The name of it is Villaines-Sous-Luce and it is a much better town than Recourt, not so much mud and regular streets. We were just paid for Nov. & Dec. and the money comes in quite handy after being broke for so long. How is every little thing at home, I can picture myself walking into the house, oh boy when I really do walk into the house - well I won't bother telling you how we will all feel. I was going to buy some souvenirs but they ask a lot of money, I was going to buy a pillow top and they want 50 francs for it, thats ($10.00) ten dollars, and all I got is about ten bucks left so I'll have to wait until later. No more news regards to everybody from your loving son Dan XXXXX

February 25

Villaines-Sous-Luce Feb. 25 - 1919 Dear Folks: Just a few lines to let you know that I'm feeling fine and hope to hear the same from you. Well I suppose you are all anxious to see me well I'm just as anxious to see you and listen in about 7 or 8 weeks we will see each other. We sail for America in April, there are 4 or 5 divisions sailing in April and this one the 26 will sail first so the order was read to us, let's hope nothing happens before then. Three years ago to-day I joined the army and I'll be doing my reserve starting tomorrow. Well its still raining it had been raining every day for the last two weeks and we drill in the rain it makes no difference how the weather is we drill rain or shine. Enclosed is a post-card picture of the town I'm stationed in, its only a small part of it but the house on the corner with the cross over it is the billet I'm living in. Private familys [sic] live downstairs and the soldiers live upstairs. I cannot think of anything else to write so I'll close with love and kiss to all. XXXXX Dan. Regards to everybody. Is everybody working? Did Father have a good time in Lowell?

Undated postcard from Villaines-sous-Lucé:

Villaines-sous-Lucé as of July 2013 (Google Street View, accessed February 05, 2017, from intersection of Rue de Saint-Calais, Rue de Cassière and Rue de la Gastonnerie, facing west [47.8655N, 0.4817E]):

April 12

Camp Devens April 12 1919 Dear Folks: I can let you know that I got back safe and everything is O.K. I was six hours late I told them why and nothing was said. Words cannot express my happiness when I saw you all and I'm waiting for my discharge so I can go back and stay for good. We parade in Boston the 25th and on the 27th or 28th we get our discharge the 104th will be first to get discharged. I never dreamed of eating so good in the army as we are eating here. Every breakfast we get oranges and apples, for dinner pie and ice cream and for supper cake, we get this besides our good meal. I'm waiting so I can go back to New York and enjoy myself for the first time in two years and believe me I'll have one good time. Well I'll have to close now I'm going to Gordon if I can find him. Regards to everybody Dan XXXXX

April 20

Camp Devens April 20 1919 Dear Folks: Can let you know that I'm feeling fine and hope to continue so. Excuse me for not writing so often because I'm in Lowell so often that I don't get a chance to write but I won't be in Lowell again until I'm discharged. I was in Lowell for Easter holidays (3) days and I went again Saturday and I just got back. Well we are going to be examined to-morrow and Friday we parade in Boston and Sunday we get our discharge. It looks like Sarah was coming to New York with me, she doesn't want to stay in Lowell. Let me know what you think of it. I think she ought to stay where she is, she is working and she has quite a few dollars. Well we are living the life of Riley in this camp good eats a good bed and only an hour and a half of drill a day, pretty soft. Well I'll have to close now, regards to all. Dan XXXXX

Page last edited: Sunday, December 30, 2018 (EB)