Sarrey, France
Dear Em.
This card and a few words to let you know that Im O.K. and expect to see you soon. This town is about three miles from Sarrey or the town we are now at. Expect to move toward the coast any day now. Hoping this finds you all well I am
Sam.
Samuel E. Avery #69762, Hdq Co. 103rd Inf. U.S. Army
© Copyright 2009 by Richard Landers, All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
[Continuation of letter started 1/13/18…]
Jan. 14, 1918
Received a letter from Lil this morning dated Dec 23, and here it is only Jan 14th. Going some for the mail service what? A batch of newspapers just came in that were printed around the time that President Wilson arrived in France, so you can see what news we are at this time posted on. Im feeling great and looking forward to boat sailing time, and then of coarse the docking of said boat.
I see that the 76th is home and got a great reception. Well after what that bunch that has arrived there already has done the poor boys deserve it I suppose. Well Em as I said above I hope to be home very soon after this reaches you, but I will continue to write as long as we are in France.
Hoping that you will continue to write until you know Im on the ship I will close this, the same
Sam.
Samuel E. Avery #69762, Hdq Co. 103rd Inf.
© Copyright 2008 by Richard Landers, All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
Sarrey, France
Dear Em,
Have just received your letter of Dec 8 in which you spoke of sending a package and also one sent by Lil. Both have arrived and all the contents are very much appreciated and were neaded greatly, especially the socks, razor blades and pipe. Socks are our greatest worry and I think I have explained the weather and the condition of the ground we are quartered on. Lil sent two more pair of socks in her box so you see Im pretty well heeled in this respect.
It is snowing now which will only add a little to the under foot discomforture we are gladly putting up with, now that we have been assured that we start next week for the (good old U.S.). No doubt I will see you shortly after this reaches you if not before, for as things stand now we leave here Tuesday the 14th for Le Mans, there to be placed in quarenteen and to be decootieorized. This will take ten or fifteen days after which we are pretty sure now that its “Homeward Bound” for us.
We have just been paid to date in full, and must say that Im feeling good. Must take some time off to buy souvineers which means a good twenty five miles from here. I started this yesterday and since then I got two more letters from you dated Dec. 15 & 19. I see by your letter of the 8th that Pa is on the night shift again and Im glad that he is feeling O.K.
Yes I did write around the 11th of Nov. and I should say its about time you got this letter. The Lord only knows now what I said in it for I was so happy and surprised that I may have said anything. I feel very sorry for “Old Bill” on losing his son. The boys that are going home sure are going to feel for parents in his position, and they will get all the sympathy from us that is due them. Don’t worry about my accepting any inducements to stay in France for I guess sixteen months of it, the most of which were very uncomfortable is enough. Your letter gives me a good welcome home which is more than any proposition they can offer.
Glad to know that Madge and the rest are all well. Give them all my best wishes and say that the reason Im not writing now is because there is nothing of interest to say and that I expect to see them all soon anyway. It is still very damp, rainy and disagreeable here and they can’t get us out of France any too soon…
© Copyright 2009 by Richard Landers, All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
Sarrey, France
Dear Em
A few lines today to let you know that Im still O.K. and looking forward to seeing you soon. The date will show you that it is Sunday, the heading will also show you that we are in a different town than where I last wrote. We pulled into this town the day before yesterday, but don’t expect to stay here long. Get me now, don’t expect to; the facts are that we know nothing about it nor anything else. One would think the war was still on as far as our movements are conserned. Be that as it may, we are here and here we stay until they dope out another move.
As there was not enough room in the town itself, we were put into these barracks and as long as I can say nothing good about our quarters why I will leave a lot unsaid. Rain; say Em I don’t beleive Ill ever (in my coming many years) see as much again. If I do I hope Ill be some place other than in a worse place than a swamp, for this place is all, yes and more than Im cracking it up to be. Of coarse nothing could posibly compare with the conditions that had to be smiled at while in the lines and the war was on; but for peace conditions, and a victorious peace at that, will say that we are living a wonderful existence. The chow is fine and men could wish for nothing better.
Yesterday the regiment was inspected and reviewed by some staff officer of the Corps. It was no pleasant day for the men. Mud, in some places over your shoes, rain, and a cold stiff wind blowing, and when I say that a field inspection means the standing of from one to two hours before it is your time to be inspected you will agree, that it is par bon for comfort. Ive forgotten now how long it has been since I saw the sun shine longer than five minutes a day, and as I write this it is raining, well just as hard and as wet as ever.
Ive received no mail from you or any one since I answered your last one, and surly will appreciate the next one to arrive. There are plenty of other fellows in the same boat as myself so there must be something the matter with the mail service. Im having a pleasant smoke with the pipe you sent now, and my feet are dry due to the fact that Ive got plenty of good dry stockings. Changed into a pair that was sent in the box last night, said change being neaded after our swim yesterday beleive me.
We’ve got plenty of wood for our one stove in this barrack and take it from me we take advantage of both the wood and the stove. As there is nothing doing today there is a crowd around it now and will be all day. It is not what you could call cold, but the continuous rain mud, and wind makes it very disagreeable, although we can and will stand it.
When I say barracks don’t for heaven’s sake think of Devens or camps of that nature. These and those are as near alike as the Back Bay and Harrison Ave. New Years we had a wonderful feed in Chauffourt or the town we just left. Here it is, Fresh roast beef, brown cream gravy, mashed potatoes, creamed Spanish onions, sliced pickles, bread, butter, coffee, prune pie and cottage pudding.
Well I hope this finds you all well. Tell them all it left me so and Ill remain
Sam
Samuel E. Avery #69762, Hdq Co. 103rd Inf.
© Copyright 2009 by Richard Landers, All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
Soldiers' Mail
Soldiers' Mail 