Darling mother:
Several days
have slipped by and I haven’t written any letters. Have been waiting to hear
from you. Received your letter yesterday written Oct. 8th, so guess
I’m getting my mail a bit more regular. Hope you receive all my mail and that
the censor has not cut out half.
War news is really
exciting now, patiently waiting for peace. May be tomorrow this time we will
know – if not, from what we see and hear it seems to me it won’t be long. Every
once in a while, someone starts and exciting peace rumor and within a few
minutes it has spread throughout the camps and the cheering and yelling has
everyone and everything in an uproar. It certainly is a thrilling feeling even though
it is for a few minutes only and you know it is not true. But we do know that
it cannot be a great way off. It is coming to remove the fear that burdens so
many hearts to restore happiness to a world of sorrow. How little we realized
what war really was. How little we realized the strain borne by these nations
so long engaged in this war. How little we knew of the sacrifices made by the
solider, (and nurses) – loss of everything, loved ones, liberty, and even
possible life itself. No one can understand or will understand who has not been
in it. Oh, I’m glad that I am here – and don’t mind any sacrifices on bit.
We have been
very, very busy. Influenza is as bad over here as in the States. Have it fairly
well under control in this camp now. Think our work will be a bit easier
hereafter.
The weather
remains about the same, damp and cloudy, we have an honest-to-goodness stove in
our shack now, and almost makes this bare, rough room quite cozy – at any rate
it renders great comfort.
The other day
while returning from mass (by the way had mass out of doors but expect to have
a Red Cross hut for that purpose soon) I met rather one of the boys walked up
to me and called me by name. I knew him not but he told me he was a Thurmes
from Fairfax. He has been in the hospital quite a while. Fred Bregel is in one
of the Base Hospitals here. Haven’t been able to see him.
Mother I only
wish you could see all the wonderful things the Red Cross is doing for the
boys. Of course you are making the things, but if you could only see how the
boys enjoy and appreciate every bit of it. I wish some slackers, or people who
haven’t any time, could see, I know they would soon change. There are two Red
Cross workers with each unit who take care of and distribute the things among
the boys.
The other day
when ordering a sweater for one of my patients I found it was made by a girl in
Renville, Minn. The note was dated Jan.1917.
Am feeling fine
now. Had an abscessed tooth and had to have it extracted. Old age is beginning
to show.
Had a letter
from Ed today. Also one from Maime. I do enjoy getting mail but I do hope they
understand that I write just as often as I possibly can find time to do so.
Will try and send you some of our papers.
Love, and love to all, Alma H. Kienlen, A. N. C., B. H. 56, A.P.O. 785; American Exp Forces, Via New York
Editor’s Note: We do not have a photograph of Alma Kienlen.
Posted: February 22, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Letter From F G Kohler, Hector Mirror, 12-26-1919
January 17, 1889 – ????
Camp Custer, Mich., Dec. 15, 1918
Dear Folks:
Rather a lonesome morning. I am on duty until one o’clock but not much doing, as only of part of the sick and wounded……. It is very interesting to converse with these boys who have just arrived from the front. I have seen all kinds of cripples, from those with one finger lost to those with both legs and an arm gone. The most remarkable thing about these men is that not one among them has a single complaint to make and they cannot praise the Red Cross service enough. Poor boys, they are a pathetic sight, but they take great pride in the thought that they still live. They will be well looked after until physically fit, when they will receive artificial limbs, and Uncle Sam will take good care of them.
Had a big fire near here Friday evening; the Liberty Club and several other building went up in smoke. Our fire fighting machinery is just the same as in a large city only we don’t need the long ladders, as the tallest building are only two stories high. Our water supply comes from artesian wells located north of the Kalamazoo river, from a distance of five miles and the pipes are laid under the river. The water is just grand, and soft as rain water.
This afternoon, if rain does not prevent, I am going over to the heavy artillery range and get a few relics of sharpnell shells, etc. The camp here was once a farming community but I can’t understand what they could raise as it is all sand and quite a little timber, but not large trees, and very hilly.
Wednesday 11:30 a.m
I wish you could see the over seas men here this forenoon. There are now a couple of thousand in this area and eighteen hundred more coming in today. They will gill thirty six two story sleeping barracks. I saw more cripple in one bunch today (and I see a whole lot more inside of twenty-four hours) than I ever expect to see again, and more artificial limbs than there are people in Hector. A great many of these boys will have to have a re-amputation in order to get a good stump for artificial limbs. Those who are in fairly good shape will leave immediately, or as soon as they get a settlement from the government. A final settlement is made in all cases before discharge so there will be very few after pensions.
One poor fellow had his nose shot away, and a new one replacing it was made from parafine and a skin graft from the arm, and one must look very, very close to see any mark. All one can see is a very light line of demargation where the skin or the arm and the face grew together. That operation was done two weeks ago in New York and he can be discharged in a few days.
It is mess time now. Will write again soon.
Dad
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Posted: February 22, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Letter from Dr Harley McLaren, Hector Mirror, 12-26-1918
May 22, 1882 – July 25, 1944
France, Nov. 25, 1918, W. J. Hager and Wife,
Dear Friends:
It’s nearing Thanksgiving time and I wish I could run in and eat a leg off your Turkey on Thursday but guess I will eat hard tack and bully beef the small as usual with the bunch.
We are present in a temporary camp waiting for further orders, where we pulled in yesterday after a four days travel with the animal transport, coming from the Argonne Forest where no doubt you have read in the papers, that the 77th Div. have been for so long maneuvering under difficulties thru the valleys and over hills with an enormous list of casualties and you can’t imagine what a great relief came when hostilities ceased along the line and the amount of celebrating there was done all over France over the victory. Everyone saw it coming but did not think it was quite so near until the final collapse came all of a sudden. I was in a hospital 175 miles south of Paris the day the armistice was signed. Took sick and of course was shipped where all sick men go over here. Was in the largest hospital in the world for ten days only and while returning to my organization I stopped off a day and night in Paris and saw the sights and the best and quickest way of describing Paris is to say that it is the most wonderful city that I have ever seen, especially after spending so many months in the shelled areas. Arrived at my organization just two day before starting on this move and tomorrow we are to start on a nine day move south no one knows where.
There were rumors that this division was going home but the latest rumors rather spoil the first and now we may wind up at the Rhine, but there is one great consolation we are not wondering any more how much longer the war will last but instead we are all wondering what boat we are going to sail on and we certainly know that our time in France is limited from now on. There are a good many divisions over here that have not been under shell fire at all and we are wondering why they are not selected to make up the army of occupation instead of some of us, however we won’t complain from now on as orders are changing continually and some day before long we will get orders to sail.
Kindest regards to you both. Remember me kindly to my friends.
McLaren
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Last Updated: February 22, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Letter from Jay Leasman, Hector Mirror, 12-26-1918
Nov. 20, 1918
Dear Mother:
This is my first chance to write for some time owing to scarcity of writing material, also that we have been moving considerably. We are quartered in an old German village which was very recently occupied by German troops. We are very comfortably located, but expect to move shortly further north. Our last move we made in trucks. We were called at 2 a.m. and started about 4 a.m. arrived here late in the afternoon. This is our second day here. We have done very little here except go sight seeing and rest up. This country is covered with trenches, shell holes, barb wire entanglements dug outs, etc. There are no civilians here, in fact we have seen none for about a month, as we have been where the fighting occurred the past few months. We were in a graveyard this a.m. Saw crosses dated on 11-11-18, date of Armistice.
These towns are not ruined nearly as bad as those further south.
Things have eased up considerable lately, in fact we are having a good time, better than you think and we surely are seeing some country. People from U.S.A. will be paying big money in the near future to come over and see less than we have seen.
Here is a sample of German propaganda picked up behind the American lines near Metz, Germany:
THE BETTER PART OF VALOR
Are you a brave man or a coward!
It takes a brave man to stand up for his principles. Cowards stand behind leaders and die, imagining that by so doing they become heroes.
The motive of an act is its measure. If you think the war is hell and that you as a citizen of the United States of America have no business to be fighting in France for England you are a coward to stay with it. If you had the courage to face criticism you would get out and over the top in no time to a place where there is some likelihood that you may see home again.
What business is this war in Europe to you anyhow? You don’t want to annex anything do you? You don’t want to give up your life for the abstract thing “humanity.”
If you believe in humanity and that life is precious, save your own life and dedicate it to the service of your own country and the woman who deserves it of you.
Lots of you fellows are …………….Your wills are …………….judges of what is best for you to do. Do it and save your life! Germany never did any harm to you , all the newspaper tales of wrongs were printed to inflame you to the fighting pitch, they were lies, you know you can’t believe what you read in the papers.
If you stay with the outfit ten chances to one, all you will get out of it will be a tombstone in France.
I have been acting Sergeant since arriving over here and was raised to that rank Oct. 27th, received my warrant a few days ago.
Wish you all a merry Xmas and a Happy New Year.
Jay
Editor’s Note: We do not have a photograph of Jay Leasman.
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Last Updated: February 22, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Letter from Florense Grimes, Franklin Tribune, 12-25-1918
February 25, 1892 – July 17, 1968
Saumur, France, November 24, 1918
Dear Dad,
Well, dad, I’m going to open up and tell some of my experiences in the A.E.F. and the trip across Powder River. We have been given the privilege to do so. I think most of us appreciate it. I know I do. I can’t tell it all as I’m not a novelist or a newspaper man and I wouldn’t have anything to tell when I get back if I did. So here’s part of it.
We left Hoboken, N.Y., the 31st day of July and landed in Brest, France, the 12th of Aug. We left Hoboken with a convoy of nine transports and two cruisers. When we were about three days out we were met by six sub destroyers to take us to port. On the morning or the 11th about 8 o’clock a sub was sighted. It was rumored that it fired a torpedo at one of the transports. It came up near one of the destroyers and before it could submerge and get away the destroyer ran over it, dropped a depth bomb and the sub blew up. I was lucky enough to see it. There were several shots fired from the transports at what they took to be another one. About two o’clock in the afternoon of the same day several more subs were sighted. I didn’t happen to be on deck at the time so didn’t see any of them. I was down on the fourth deck below the water line when the shooting started and if the Atlantic goes dry I’ll always claim that some of the bombs that were fired that afternoon went thru the bottom of her.
We landed in Brest without a scratch. We were there about six days and moved to Reames, where we stayed about three weeks and then moved here to Camp Villibernier. We are about three miles from the town of Saumur, which is 120 miles west of St. Nazaire. Our camp is a good one compared to most of the camps I have seen. We have good barracks and lucky enough to have a hot shower bath. The camp is not large, as the men that are here are nearly all railroad men. The 31st Engineers were here about six weeks ahead of us and had started to build a railroad yard and shop. They were all railroad men so when we got here they went out on the road and we finished the shop. I went to work as engine watchman in the yard as soon as I got here. I had a chance to take exams to go firing on the road so that’s what I’m doing now. Our division is on the P. & O. between Saumur and Geviers and Saumur and St. Nazaire. There is some excitement to it with lots of hard work attached. It’s a good job to take up time and that’s what a fellow wants here now as all the talk is about going home. I son’t know when we will part for America but hope it will be tootsweet.
Sis said in her letter that now this thing is over you would feel better to know that we were all together. I can’t say anything about Henry as I haven’t heard from him since I got over here. As for me, I have ben congratulating myself on my good health for the last few days as there is a pen of fat geese out back of our kitchen and so far I haven’t found any bullet holes.
Well, Dad, I’m about out of wind. It’s nearly supper time and I need some sleep so I will call this the end. With love to all and A Merry Xmas.
Your son, Pvt. Florense T. Grimes, Co. B. 44th Reg. T. C., Amer. E. F.
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Posted: February 22, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Letter from Alma Kienlen, Fairfax Standard, 12-26-1918
Darling mother:
Several days have slipped by and I haven’t written any letters. Have been waiting to hear from you. Received your letter yesterday written Oct. 8th, so guess I’m getting my mail a bit more regular. Hope you receive all my mail and that the censor has not cut out half.
War news is really exciting now, patiently waiting for peace. May be tomorrow this time we will know – if not, from what we see and hear it seems to me it won’t be long. Every once in a while, someone starts and exciting peace rumor and within a few minutes it has spread throughout the camps and the cheering and yelling has everyone and everything in an uproar. It certainly is a thrilling feeling even though it is for a few minutes only and you know it is not true. But we do know that it cannot be a great way off. It is coming to remove the fear that burdens so many hearts to restore happiness to a world of sorrow. How little we realized what war really was. How little we realized the strain borne by these nations so long engaged in this war. How little we knew of the sacrifices made by the solider, (and nurses) – loss of everything, loved ones, liberty, and even possible life itself. No one can understand or will understand who has not been in it. Oh, I’m glad that I am here – and don’t mind any sacrifices on bit.
We have been very, very busy. Influenza is as bad over here as in the States. Have it fairly well under control in this camp now. Think our work will be a bit easier hereafter.
The weather remains about the same, damp and cloudy, we have an honest-to-goodness stove in our shack now, and almost makes this bare, rough room quite cozy – at any rate it renders great comfort.
The other day while returning from mass (by the way had mass out of doors but expect to have a Red Cross hut for that purpose soon) I met rather one of the boys walked up to me and called me by name. I knew him not but he told me he was a Thurmes from Fairfax. He has been in the hospital quite a while. Fred Bregel is in one of the Base Hospitals here. Haven’t been able to see him.
Mother I only wish you could see all the wonderful things the Red Cross is doing for the boys. Of course you are making the things, but if you could only see how the boys enjoy and appreciate every bit of it. I wish some slackers, or people who haven’t any time, could see, I know they would soon change. There are two Red Cross workers with each unit who take care of and distribute the things among the boys.
The other day when ordering a sweater for one of my patients I found it was made by a girl in Renville, Minn. The note was dated Jan.1917.
Am feeling fine now. Had an abscessed tooth and had to have it extracted. Old age is beginning to show.
Had a letter from Ed today. Also one from Maime. I do enjoy getting mail but I do hope they understand that I write just as often as I possibly can find time to do so. Will try and send you some of our papers.
Love, and love to all, Alma H. Kienlen, A. N. C., B. H. 56, A.P.O. 785; American Exp Forces, Via New York
Editor’s Note: We do not have a photograph of Alma Kienlen.
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