Soldier Letter Group & Photo: Pvt. Hartman -mg Co. 113th Infantry/29th Division For Sale

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Aug 28th, 1918.Dearest Bee. I have just returned from my first trick in the trenches – not exactly the trenches because at present, the machine gunners do not go up that far but stay behind and act as support. The day finally came when we were told that we were to depart and that night, just after dark, we pulled out. After marching what seemed a long time, we came to a woods and it was so dark that one could not see their hands before face. I was carrying the gun and stepped in a good sized shell hole and went head over heels. I picked myself up and relieved my feelings by talking to myself. The first night, nothing happened but the second morning, we were awakened by a terrific barrage fire. I thought for sure hell had broken loose and will admit I felt a little nervous . But aas time wore on and no shells exploded in our vivinity, I felt allright. They say never worry about the noise because that hurts no one. We were gathered around the gun that is the gunner and myself for I act as the no.2 man and were awaiting a signal to start firing. It finally went up from the front line and the old gun did certainly talk for a while. While we were firing , the aeroplanes were circling overhead and one came directly over us just over the tree tops and searched the woods with machine gun fire. The barrage lifted at the end of one hour so we all went to bed for a little more rest. Sleep was almost out of the question during our stay and did not average over 3 or four hours a night. During the day times, we were kept busy strengthening our positions and after that was completed, the company was relieved. We came in back of the line to a small village and at once took advantage of a canal nearby as there was no opportunity up at the front to get washed. In fact, did not have my clothes or shoes off so that I always would be on the job if we were needed to help the infantry. The trenches can be seen all over and the barbed wire runs runs through nearly every field. The trenches run in every direction without seeming to go anywhere and have been told that most of them were built by the Germans. I gueuss the boys have them on the run now if they can only continue to keepthe dirty Dutch moving, this will be over soon. We had only one bad night and it rained like everything and as we preffered sleeping on the ground instead of a covered trench because of the dampness and rats running over you. , we got soaked. The rats are as big as cats and as you do at home, pull the sheets over your head to keep the mosquitos from biting, so we pull the blanket over our heads to keep the rats from crawling over our faces. …..lovingly, Wally

Nov. 1, 1918 Army Base Hospital 22 APO 705

Dearest Bee,…If you notice the change in address, I am staying in a hospital to which I was sent to have my knee doctored. It went a little out of place as I was carrying the machinegun to the rear. It feels much better now and I have been working in the dental infirmary. ….when I came out of the front, I was one dirty mess. I had not washed in four weeks and my clothes were covered with mud from laying as close and even under the dirt as possible in order to let the bullets whistle harmlessly overhead. I tell you what Sis, there is no way to imagine how it is like at the front as it is indescribable and one has to experience the sensations first hand in order to really know. Will not state any on this subject as I want to forget as much as possible. If I ever should have the opportunity to get back, I will tell you all about it. I wrote you a little just before going in and have carried it around ever since. A sorry looking mess it is now as the sweat blotted all the writing and stuck the envelopes together. … Joe (her boyfriend) ought not to get angry because you worry about me. He just ought to be over here and he would change his mind for he would find out there was occasion for worrying. Anyway Honey, do not lose any sleep over me because it is all in God’s hands if I return or not and by the way, he has taken care of me the last month. I think that I have some show of coming back. ….Did I ever tell you before that I had been gassed up at the other front? By luck, I only got it on my body and only a few burns showed up. It was mustard gas and burns the flesh fierce. The mask saved my life by keeping it out of my lungs. Who do you think I met – George Brigham in a YMCA about a month ago. He was just returning to his division after being in the hospital since the Chateau Thierry drive where he received a snipers bullet while out on patrol duty. He looks fine and is very fat toward what he used to be. They all say the same about me I guess. I shall have to admit so. I know this coat I am wearing is awful tight and the lining is ripping around the arm pits because there is not room enough in the pits. Have not seen any pay for two months and now that I am away from my company, there is no telling how long before I receive any. One thing I did not get that nearly every boy has was cooties and do not understand it because I sleep in many tough and dirty places. …lovingly, Brother Wally

Nov. 8th, 1918 US Base Hosp. No. 22

Dear Sister, …it sure does feel strange to sleep in a cot and do you know that I can not rest very well nights because of being used to sleeping on the ground ever since I left the US. From all reports I heard this last week, I thought sure that the war would soon be over but since supper, I heard that Germany refused to accept the Allies’ terms. I suppose they were stiff but she will have to take them sooner or later. They are in no way now to protect themselves and every days sees her in a more difficult plight. Sure did have visions of home but can not see it now. Will have to keep up heart and plug on until the end…..Lovingly, Wally

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This item has been shown times. Soldier Letter Group & Photo: Pvt. Hartman -mg Co. 113th Infantry/29th Division: $52