November 25,
1918
Dear Father:
Understand that
we may write a letter today. Known as “Dads Letter” in which censorship rules
are cast aside and we are allowed to mention the place we are now located in
and also tell of the places we have been in as well as some of our experiences.
We are now on a
trip across country, southwest of Verdun, and tonight are at a small town named
Waly, in the department of Meuse.
About the first
of September we took over a sector in Alsace. Known also as the Vosges pm
account of being in the Vosges mountains. We were there for 40 days and got our
first taste of real war. It was called a quiet sector but it was quite noisy
according to my notion. We were shelled nearly every day by the enemy by large
caliber guns. We were situated in the central part of Alsace near the town of
Munster, which town was behind the enemy’s lines.
From there we
went farther north, to the Argonne sector, where the American troops were
driving the “Jerries” back at a rapid pace. We were to relieve a division there
but they had the Germans running so fast they could not catch them and we were
in chase for six days thru the muds and devastated country. The chase was thru
the Argonne forest, the towns captured enroute being Briquenuy, Grand Pre,
Authe, Chateu Therry. Apoemont, St. Pierremont, Cernay, Stonne and several
others.
Our division
assisted in the capture of Stonne and another town beyond there. We were
ordered to the Verdun sector, as there were plenty of men there to keep the
German going.
While on the
way to Verdun, the armistice went into effect and hostilities ceased. We
continued to Verdun however and got a chance to see that wonderfully fortified
town. It is a great sight to see; the town is practically ruined, due to
shelling and bombing from airplanes but never was captured. There is a town
large enough to keep a large army in, under Verdun proper.
We were out to
see the battlefields north and east of Verfun, where so many hard fought battles
were fought in 1914 and later. The ground and everything is ruined by
shellfire, even the trees being all shot down. It is a very desolate looking
stretch of country, the only thing in sight being old shell holes, lines of
trenches and barb wire entanglements. We left there 3 days ago and are now
bound southward where we are bound for or what we are to do is merely a matter
of conjecture.
Between the
Argonne Sector and the Verdun sector we spent one day at the former Village of
Montaucant, which is now in ruins. It is claimed that it was there that the
English Nurse Edith Cavell was executed and buried. This was verified by our
interpreter who is quite reliable in giving us information. In this town is
also the Crown Prince’s palace, in the tower of which he witnessed the great
battle of Verdun. About all that is left of the palace are the walls and a
concrete and steel lined shaft that stands in the middle and goes to a heighth
of 60 feet. The walls of this shaft are several feet in thickness and in here
he stood and witnessed the battle thru field glasses.
Many incidents
of interest happened in these trips that I will relate when I get back, which I
hope may be soon. The way it looks now and by reading the newspapers. I think
we will soon be started back across.
Have not seen anyone I know lately. Am feeling fine and hope all you folks are well also. I remain, Your Son, Jim
Editor’s Note: We do not have a photograph of James Sherin
Posted: February 22, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Letter from Lewis Dvorak, Renville Star Farmer, 12-26-1918
Dear Mother:
I received your letter a few days ago and I was glad to get a letter from home.
I am fine and dandy. Hope these lines will find you all the same.
What are you all doing at home? I am working on the railroad now. Since the war is over us fellows have to work on the work they give us. I suppose Frank is working all the time too.
Yes, I am happy because I can come home pretty soon. What are Uncle and Aunt doing? Is Stella home?
Well, the weather sure is fine here. As I can’t think of anything more will tell you all when I get home.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I remain your loving son,
Private Lewis Devorak, Co. F 2nd Bt, 22 Engineers, A.E.F.
Editor’s Note: We do not have a photograph of Lewis Dvorak.
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Posted: February 22, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Letter from Howard Kromer, Olivia Times, 12-26-1918
November 21, 1890 – April 15, 1961
November 17, 1918
Dear Mother and Sisters,
Hurrah for our side the war is over at last. Of course this will be old news by the time you get this but I had to mention the fact any way. Generally get by on Saturday about every two weeks yesterday was the mail day but I looked just the same.
I heard from Ben last Monday and his letter was written October 20th and he was O.K. just had gotten out of a long term in the trenches had gone over the top twice.
On the day the armistice was signed we started out to another camp for our weeks visit and were kept busy. If you ever saw a flag day it was one and the people were simply wild. During the whole thing I was wondering what was doing in the United States and am sure it was a wild time.
Our weeks visit was to a camp on the border of Alsace Lorraine away up in the hills there is some wonderful seenery. One afternoon the whole bunch of us took a truck and went up to the Crown Prince of Germany’s summer home we all returned with some souvenirs and will try and get them home.
The weather has turned cold but we do not notice it much and there was also some snow in the air today. One good thing there is no mud to wade thru now.
Say but the French people are wild which they have a right to be. We are trying to do our little share in the celebration parade and so forth. Last night was a big night and the officers here surely enter into the fun. There were three dance halls going till twelve last night the band split up furnishing the music.
The boys are all out at target practice today and by the noise one would think the war was still on. It is a good way to let out the overflowing spirit.
Well I don’t think it will be such a very long time till we get back home again but suppose one has to be patient. Be sure and save me a dill pickle and every thing.
With Love, Howard
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Posted: February 22, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Letter from James Sherin, Olivia Times, 12-26-1918
November 25, 1918
Dear Father:
Understand that we may write a letter today. Known as “Dads Letter” in which censorship rules are cast aside and we are allowed to mention the place we are now located in and also tell of the places we have been in as well as some of our experiences.
We are now on a trip across country, southwest of Verdun, and tonight are at a small town named Waly, in the department of Meuse.
About the first of September we took over a sector in Alsace. Known also as the Vosges pm account of being in the Vosges mountains. We were there for 40 days and got our first taste of real war. It was called a quiet sector but it was quite noisy according to my notion. We were shelled nearly every day by the enemy by large caliber guns. We were situated in the central part of Alsace near the town of Munster, which town was behind the enemy’s lines.
From there we went farther north, to the Argonne sector, where the American troops were driving the “Jerries” back at a rapid pace. We were to relieve a division there but they had the Germans running so fast they could not catch them and we were in chase for six days thru the muds and devastated country. The chase was thru the Argonne forest, the towns captured enroute being Briquenuy, Grand Pre, Authe, Chateu Therry. Apoemont, St. Pierremont, Cernay, Stonne and several others.
Our division assisted in the capture of Stonne and another town beyond there. We were ordered to the Verdun sector, as there were plenty of men there to keep the German going.
While on the way to Verdun, the armistice went into effect and hostilities ceased. We continued to Verdun however and got a chance to see that wonderfully fortified town. It is a great sight to see; the town is practically ruined, due to shelling and bombing from airplanes but never was captured. There is a town large enough to keep a large army in, under Verdun proper.
We were out to see the battlefields north and east of Verfun, where so many hard fought battles were fought in 1914 and later. The ground and everything is ruined by shellfire, even the trees being all shot down. It is a very desolate looking stretch of country, the only thing in sight being old shell holes, lines of trenches and barb wire entanglements. We left there 3 days ago and are now bound southward where we are bound for or what we are to do is merely a matter of conjecture.
Between the Argonne Sector and the Verdun sector we spent one day at the former Village of Montaucant, which is now in ruins. It is claimed that it was there that the English Nurse Edith Cavell was executed and buried. This was verified by our interpreter who is quite reliable in giving us information. In this town is also the Crown Prince’s palace, in the tower of which he witnessed the great battle of Verdun. About all that is left of the palace are the walls and a concrete and steel lined shaft that stands in the middle and goes to a heighth of 60 feet. The walls of this shaft are several feet in thickness and in here he stood and witnessed the battle thru field glasses.
Many incidents of interest happened in these trips that I will relate when I get back, which I hope may be soon. The way it looks now and by reading the newspapers. I think we will soon be started back across.
Have not seen anyone I know lately. Am feeling fine and hope all you folks are well also. I remain, Your Son, Jim
Editor’s Note: We do not have a photograph of James Sherin
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Posted: February 22, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Letter from Lawrence Schafer, Olivia Times, 12-26-1918
November 25, 1895 – March 16, 1969
Somewhere in France
November 23, 1918
Dear Folks at home:
Just a line to tell you the war is over which you undoubtly already know, and I was in the last big battle with the famous 5th Division went over the top and did not even receive a scratch. Was in the trenches from the 26 of October to November the 11th.
Have marched day and night so much that I landed in the hospital a few days ago on account of my feet.
The 5th Division got a great write up from Gen. Pershing for capturing 20 towns.
I have experienced some hard knocks since I began active fighting. Hiked two days and night on one box of hard tack and slept in a water hole, on my canteen. Great life if one does not weaken.
I was transferred from the 5th Division to the 2nd Division but the day the 2nd Division left for Germany to do patrol duty, it was impossible to get my shoes on, so had to stay and go to the hospital.
Wish I could get a change of socks and other clothing as I have wore these since I started active fighting. We stopped firing on the 11th month, 11th day and 11th hour.
I have had about 500 narrow escapes, many of my comrades were killed, a few of our old Company C. men too, were in the casualty list.
Most of the patients in this hospital have been gassed and been here about two months.
A Red Cross nurse comes thru here almost every day, other wise a couple of young lads in overalls take the place of nurses in each ward.
The Government issues smoking tobacco to us and about all we do is sit around near the stove, and tell what we used to eat at home and what we will eat when we get back, and the most of us wish for pan cakes. We get better eats here than at the front and more regular. I have no trouble eating all I get and I am not on light diet either. We get white bread here and it tastes like angel food cake to me. The morning I left for the hospital my Division left on a 5 day hike for the Rhine. I could not hike much now even if they did equip me again with rifle, pack, shoes, and so forth as my toes are numb like and give me considerable pain. I do not know what my address is now, but it does no good to send one home, as I have had so many, that’s why I have received no mail over here. I take it for granted every one back home is well. They will classify the men here, and send some home, others to their Division. There are lots of rumors about when we will get home but I think it will not be before spring by the looks of the papers. Well there is no more dodging whizz bangs or going over the top and facing machine guns which helps a lot.
Its cold clear fall weather here now, no snow yet, it rained almost every day, until the armistice was signed then stopped – queer is it not?
Now that the huns are properly whipped I would like to get a discharge, and help on the farm again.
Well good by, from your very much alive son, Lawrence Schafer
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Posted: February 22, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Letter from Ben Leonard, Olivia Times, 12-26-1918
The following letter was received last week by Sol Bergstrom from Ben Leonard:
France, November 17, 1918
Dear Sol:
Sunday and have been thinking of you for some days so going to pen you a few lines at this time. Now, as the war is over we are all wondering when we can come home which I hope is soon. I was in the line the day peace was signed at 11-11 and we shook hands with the Dutch when the good hour came. Every man is happy and ready to come home. Our outfit, Sol, has seen its share of fighting. I have been over the top 5 times. We went over the top again the day before the big doings. I will not go into details and tell you any of my experiences but will do so when I return, one thing I can say is, I have been a pretty lucky man. Sol, I have been with a man who is a dandy Violin player for the past four months and what he has learned me is not slow, of course I am out of practice and can’t pull off what I have in my head. He also gave me all the five points about a band which may be of some good to me some day. Sol, I am happy the war is over, but on the other hand I hate to come back to Olivia and find my home gone. The shock to me was something terrible and I can’t realize it yet. One good mother to me and no chance to see her any more. I have not seen or heard of any of the Olivia boys for a long time except Howard and he is getting along fine.
Well, Sol, I will come to Olivia but do not think I will make it my home. I think I will take my Fiddle now and look for bigger game.
Well Sol, I hope these few lines find you in the best of health and with Gods blessing I will say good bye.
Your old Pal, Ben,
P.S. Give my regards to your wife and any one you wish.
Editor’s Note: We do not have a photograph of Ben Leonard.
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