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Military Letters, WWI As
found in old newsletters. |
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Updated Saturday, March 06, 2010
From Otto Schoessler
Army and
Navy YMCA
With The Colors
Somewhere in England
Dear Folks:
Well I suppose you have already received notice of my safe arrival in the Old World. I am well and happy and hope the same of you. I tried to write you when I landed but could not for the cable service is too rushed, so could not.
Say, that trip is something a man gets once in a lifetime; a person can hardly say enough about the differences in all matters concerned, scenery, people, climate, etc. The people here are just harvesting their grain. I can hardly believe my eyes at the changes.
The scenery is wonderful. The towns and people quaint and old fashioned in their ways; why a person could write a book on all of the things. We traveled a little way through England by train in the daytime and we sure had a chance to see things.
The trains seem funny; the cars and coaches have doors all along both sides and room for six or seven persons in each room. Each car is divided into such rooms. No doors on the ends. You never see conductors go through a car only when they light lamps or some such thing.
Most of the freight cars we saw hold from five to six tons. The engines remind one of a high wheeled wagon only they have three big drive wheels on each side and no more small wheels ahead like the U.S. engines.
The people sure are glad to see us here. The old men and women, children and everyone come out to see us. They sure treated us fine on our journey. I wish I could take pictures of the places I saw, for they are sure as wonderful as you see on paintings.
I see by the newspapers where the Allies are now holding the German city of Metz. Well say, that means one thing only and that is this – Germany is slowly but surely being beaten to her knees and just a little more and she will fall to pieces, for when WE get there, things will sure “pop” for you can see by the way the other Alleied soldiers act, that the U.S. soldiers are putting the morale and pep back into them.
I have not been sick since I left home; not even a headache.
Well I must ring off now. Hoping this finds you all as well as it leaves me. I am always,
Your Son,
Pvt. Henry C. Schoessler
Co. G. 336 Inf.
A.E.F. Via New York
P.S. Write soon and often, even if you do not hear from me as often as you write. What does August write?
O.S.