1918 LETTER #14:

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LETTER SUMMARY:

This un-dated letter was probably written about August 1918 when the Yankee Division was briefly taken off the front line for some rest after six months of steady engagement.

-- "This is the first letter I have written in six months while not under shell fire."

-- "THE PRIVATE is the one who does the big things over here"

-- "TAKE YOUR HAT OFF TO THE DOUGH-BOY, the gamest man I ever met."

-- "THE TANKS . . . the enemy has nothing in his front lines that can knock it out of commission, therefore, you get in there without casualties. . . IT IS LIKE A MAN IN ARMOR AMONG ALOT OF CIVILIANS."

-- "Just received a letter from Peck Fowler; HE WAS SHOT March 18 . . . The bullet machine gun went through his body on the right side just missing his spine . . . HE ACCOUNTED FOR TWENTY ODD BOCHES BEFORE FALLING."

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SOME EXCERPTS FROM THIS LETTER:


Two 2-page typescript copies(?) of a letter. Neither appears to be an extant original letter.

Private H. W. Chapman
Co. D, 101 U.S. Engineers n.d.

Dear Ma and Pa:

I have a few minutes rest for the first time in SIX MONTHS . . . This is the first letter I have written in six months while not under shell fire.
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Am glad Pete bought a Liberty Bond;
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Charlie Ganzel was severely wounded
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You know what little truth we can write in our letters, then judge those who return home, the same way. Can tell the whole story when I return. Warner was never at the front as he stated. You didn't miss a thing that day.
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My serial number is 185005, Mil's is 185013.
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If you want some real good reading on the War, the Literay Digest comes as near the truth as any I know.
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Do not give to any tobacco fund or Y.M.C.A. Charity starts at home, and stands a better chance of reaching its destination. Don't be afraid to drop a nickel in the SALVATION ARMY, for they have been our only life savers.
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Just read 1 of Steve's letters, where it mentioned our promotion. Dn't look for anything further from me, for I am right where I want to be. THE PRIVATE IS THE ONE WHO DOES THE BIG THINGS, OVER HERE and when its all over you can bet your last cent that he's the one that finished it.

TAKE YOUR HAT OFF TO THE DOUGH-BOY, the gamest man I ever met.

After they have put in the time our Division did IN THE DITCH, their manner seems more matured . . . They are the ones who come into actual contact with the enemy, and to beat him as we did, it certainly takes intelligence, science, quickness, adaptability, conscious bravery and a thousand other things. And the Dough-boy possesses them all.
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Ma appeared disappointed over the TANKS; perhaps you don't quite understand their use, exactly. It isn't so much what they knock down' you know THE ENEMY HAS NOTHING IN HIS FRONT LINES THAT CAN KNOCK IT OUT OF COMMISSION, therefore, you get in there without causalities. It takes a high explosive shell to knock them out, and as they are a moving object, they are very difficult for a cannon to get a hit on. IT IS LIKE A MAN IN ARMOR AMONG A LOT OF CIVILIANS.
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Just recieveD a letter from Peck Fowler; HE WAS SHOT March 18, but not seriously. The bullet machine gun went through his body on the right side just missing his spine. He is getting better now. Tell his folks not to worry, as it is in no way serious. HE ACCOUNTED FOR TWENTY ODD BOCHES BEFORE FALLING.
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Am sending one or two SOUVENIRS; Boche belt buckle, gas mask and a couple of hats. Mil and I are dead tired.
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Expect a visit from Nug one of these days. Wouldn't it be great to go under a barrage with him on the guns that are laying down the barrage.
With love
Bootus

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