030819-28 No Envelope Letter 1 March 8th, 1919 Dear Mother& Dad: -Only yesterday I wrote you all a long letter- so will add only a few lines here saying that I hope you enjoy these books, also the map of Rhein which I know will interest you and Dad. Perhaps you can find _____ places that might interest you that you know about. In this envelope I am sending a snap shot of my dear boy to realy not 2 as good one as it was his first days out of bed taken on the Ward with some of the other nurses from Base Hosp. No 1. I have better one‟s only this was among them pasted in my book of pictures and as it came off the easiest by wetting it. I am sending it to give you an idea of what a nice chap he is I know you will all like him.I also enclosed a negetive of my self take on balcony of my ward early last August, but I am much 3 thinner at present.Also one in my new French negleget taken in my room in Vichy.Have them printed and save them all for me.I just received a telegram dated Jan 31 from my boy on noon mail stating he was leaving “Bordeaux” the next day for good old U.S. it sure made me very lonesome and more home sick then ever, but I don‟t think it will be a 4 great while before we will all follow.I am looking for a telegram from New York on his arriaval in port, surly that will be some time after this one coming at this late date; of course it was forwarded from Vichy, France.Please write soonLovinglyClara. 031319-29 No EnvelopeLetter 1 Quantico Va. March 13-19 My Dear little one:Your‟s dated Feb. 5th today and sure glad to hear you are in good health and enjoyed your furlough.It sure seems like ages since I last received any mail from you and often I tough you had forgotten me or were taken 2 seriouly ill or had found some one you loved more But I see it is all dreams on my part dear hearth. Now about you staying over ther you done just as I would of done had I been in your place. And I think all the more of you dear heart. And love you all the
more to think you are so brave a little nurse the onley ting I am worried about you will work to hard and be taken seriously ill. What ever you do little on take good care of your own self as Ill be waiting for your return and will make you happy. I expect to be discharged by the last of next weak. Have a job waiting my return at the Buick Motor Co. at Flint, Michigan. Am goin to work 3 for my Brother am not goin to take a furlough as it will onley be a matter of a few days till I get out of the service and then I can go back to stay. Now listen dear heart you ask me in your letter if Id wait for my little one and love her you no know Ill wait if you stay over thear for two or three years as you are the onley 4 one Ill ever love dear heart and if you don‟t come back or find some one you love more Ill back it the rest of my days. Ill onley wish now Id of stayed over thear but I tough you would be sent home so I did not care to stay being that it is all over whit I tough it was my place to go home and get out and get a start so I and you could be together 5 as I sure am lonesome whit out you dear heart and onley hope that will not last long over thear so you can return back to your dear Mother as I know she will be worried about staying over and the other girls coming home will try and get down your way and see your dear mother and tell her not to worry about you as soon as I am discharged. Have had an awful time whit my mouth the past few days I had all my teeth fixed up I had all that gold taken out and had a bridge put in they sure look good and feel good, now all I have to do when I get out is to buy civilians close and go back to work, wich will be pleasure to me after goin through the hardships over ther. And will think of you dear and will write you often. Now listen dear 6 heart if you nead any ting don‟t be afraid to write and ask for it as Ill be glad to send it money or any ting you nead. What is mine is your‟s dear heart. Must anchor this now will write you tomorrow agin excouse poor writing as I wrote this on my bunk ans soon and write me when ever you have the time Bocoo love and Kisses wish you were here so I could kiss you good night send my mail to my home address so it will not get lost Your own boy alwaysSgt. Otto A Lawrence 031819-30 Envelope *(postmarked Alexandria VA- Mar 18 10-AM 1919) * written in pencil: Evac H. 26 APO 934 *loose sheet of paper in Clara‟s handwriting enclosed in this envelope, separate from this letter Addressed to: Miss Clara L. Walde A.N.C. U.S. Base Hosp #19 Evac H. 26A.P.O. #781 APO 934American E.F.France
031819-30 (con‟t) Letter 1 Quantico Va. March 18-19 My Dear little one:Am goin to try and write you a few lines this fine evining don‟t know of any ting to write as I have not been away from camp and I can not tell what is goin on in civilian life. So it‟s all most emposable 2 for me to write. About the onley ting I know is what takes place here in camp and that would be of no intrest to you dear heart. Must tell you that I was almost a civilian Saterday but on account of my record book being lost thear was a mistake in my accounts it had to be sent back to Washington to be looked up don‟t know just when Ill get out now I know it will be in a weak or two at the most and do hope and pray you will be able to get home by the Fourth of July.Whity is here at Quantico he just got here and expects to go home on a furlough in a day or two also have seen a number of other boys that were 3 at Vich. Whity come accrost on the same ship that part of the Base Hosp #19 nurse‟s were on coming back to gods country. If that pond was not so larg Id almost attempt to start accrost in a row boat just to get to see you and put my arms around you and teas you a bit. Just wait till you get home if you don‟t get the D- loving you 4 ever had in your life I am a liar you compre*. You better be bocoo comesaw (?) so Ill have a arm full. As I am getting that way my self since I got back. We got bocoo good eats here and have nothing to do but eat and sleep and go to the shower at night at the Y.M.C.A. you cant beat that on the out side. I almost told the Sgt. Major to ship for thirty years but tough of you dear heart and I changed my mind about shiping the onley army Ill ever ship in agin will will be one of my own and have you for a skipper compre. Must ____ this short as its getting late and taps have been sounded and I have still got the lights on and if I don‟t doust them Ill get hell so will say good night as I am not able to kiss you good night. Write when ever you have a minute to your self. Excouse poor writing always your own lonesome marine Sgt. Otto A. Lawrence Tawas City Mich. Box 15_Send my mail home as I don‟t know were Ill be in a weak from todayans Soon Enclosed sheet in Clara‟s handwriting 1 you have had a good reputation but have “some one better!” Hold on!! That makes trouble. As soon as you “so are better,” then your reputation advances and you have to “cover” its “value.” Does this mean that peace comes to him only who bepps a little behind his re.? that will not work!! His rep. will fall off, and then he, too, must
031819-30 (con‟t) “backslide.” It seems to be “onward and upward,” or, backward and downward. Primary class 2 the reports from- seem to indicate that you are getting quite smart and are eating and sleeping in good form. As well as I can recall you have a good reputation on those lines. It is well that you have, and that you are living up to your rep. by the way, you may have noticed that that is a hard thing for some men to do; some times. Of course you have had no experience in this matter as far as you are all personally concerned. But have some 032819-31 Envelope *(postmarked US Army Post Office MPES*715*- 29-6) *nurse‟s mail Addressed to:Miss Olga Walde, 185 Parkside Ave. Rochester N.Y.U.S.A. Return Address:C.L. Walde Evac. Hosp. #26A.E.F. GermanyNeuenahr. Letter 1 28 March 1919 Friday P.M. My dear Olga and all:Your precious long letter date March 11th received yesterday also enclosed snaps. My but I can‟t tell you how sorry I am to hear the unfortunate news, had received a letter from Lillian Monday telling me all about it, the little fellow surly looks the part of suffering, but how thankful I am that Our Lillian was spared although its hard after going through the entire stage then to lose the babe but I know she‟s such a sensible, brave girl and can be thankful that she was spared for Jes, Bens, 2 and our sake. It is realy most terrible to learn how many our the people at home have suffered with the awful flu. Many of our dear boys are going back home who have lost perhaps all or a certain few of their dear ones. But it all seems to go with this war but I am more then greateful that our dear Lord has spared you all, I am much worried about Mother, surly I feel for her, for the strain was to much for her but I pray that she‟s better again and hope you will care well for her. In fact I want all of you to be careful. You know before I left France to come here I felt that some thing at home was drawing me there but at same time, my duty was a task I could not leave unfinished, however I tried
032819-31 (con‟t) to throw it off saying to myself it was foolish, now I am sorry I did not come although I would not have reached home until all was over. We heard only to-day one of the girls received a clipping from R.D. that our unit had arriaved in New York. Gee but I should love to have been with them, but now I am glad for me here has just so much more experienced added to our crew, and to be here in Germany when 3 we were all aiming for ad many are returning to states dissappointed that they did not have the chance. Mother as you say I did bet you to it but I am sure you would not wish to be here at this perticular time, however it‟s a beautyful country far modern to any place in France, but these people have not suffered what France has it will take ages to rebuild their country. Well, to-morrow I am sending four white uniforms so as to make more room in my trunk for the many extras 4 I am taking home. Next week I shall send another with my 2 prs. tights heavy underware. You can look for them dear and I hope they get there all right. Yes I received all the packages you sent and am sorry if I neglected in telling you in my letters.I am also enclosing a 50 _____ note equal to our 10 cents which you can have to remember old days I do wish you might tell me what you would like most to bring you from here although 5 there is little to be had in Germany. Did I tell you I took found some wonderfull things while walking over the battle fields on my leave? German helmet and gas mask very much different from our own, the helmet I shall use for a hanging flower basket I believe I realy don‟t know how I shall pack them but I think they will go in my blanket roll pack small things in side and others all around, I also picked up at “Verdun” in a shell hole a large flower vase made from a 75 in. shell. Its carved very beautyful. Perry laughs at me she says I realy don‟t know how you think you will get your junk home, but I laugh and I think with what I am sending home Ill have plenty room.Well I must say some thing worth while was I have written a lot but said nothing. Sunday afternoon returning from my boat trip up the Rhein to “Calve” had day off, I found a letter from my boy, first I have received since 8th Jan. I believe I sent that to you with several others did you receive them? Well he was 18 days crossing but had a fine trip in spite of storms he undoubtly 6 landed in “New Port News” instead of N.Y. because he was in Alexandria Va. at his present writing dated Feb. 20th, he could hardly express the real joy to be back in Gods Country again said he had not let his people know he had arriaved but expected to surprise them the following Sat. as he was going home on 2 months furlough he of course will be greatly surprised to find my letters waiting him that I was in Germany. I rather fear to get a reply to one of them for he was anciously waiting my return shortly after he got there and how I wish I was there too so we could realy have some good 7 times, but I guess they will keep! The 42nd leaves next week for their homeward trip my how lonesome we will all be when we realy see them go. We were in hopes we might
032819-31 (con‟t) join them but I expect we will have to remain as they say the 3 rd regulars are coming in to relieve them. Then another _______ is that we relieve Evac. No. 9 in “Coblenze,” but I guess nobody knows realy what will become of us we 8 just long for peace to be signed that will finish it all.Perrys friend leaves some time last of next month he is still in France with the 78 Div.I had a letter from Camp and Kehrig telling me they were awaiting having orders as they Base Center was closed. They hope to come here or go to “Belgium.” From your letter kid you surly are a little saint what happened you it does not sound like you talking. Given up shoes why when I get home you will have to show me one good time, or I will you and you can expect it. For it will be one wonderful relief to realy be out of this mass Army. It has not been all sunshine by any means. Our boys have appreciated what was done for them but no others no body ever look after us we are realy considered the step children of the A.E.F. but then our boys hear suffered and endured too and we feel that we must not 9find fault. We saw the “7 keys to bald pate” first real show I have seen since over here given my 3 rd Army stock Company Monday night nothing has realy happened since then and I wrote Lillian in ans. a long letter telling everything since I last wrote you. So it will do for all. Did you receive the snaps I send a few weeks ago one of Lawrence my boy and few negatives. I am sorry about that picture but I took it out of my scrap book.Well my dears here loads and loads of love to you all and take good care of your own dear self. Your lonely sisterWrite soon. Clara. th (*top of 7 page: Tell mother I am ancious for to see presents for I know they are lovely, but don‟t spend so much for me*) 033119-32 Envelope *(postmarked U.S. Army Post Office MPES *715* 1-4) *Nurse‟s mail Addressed to: Mr. Charles Walde 185 Parkside Ave Rochester N.Y. Return Address: C.L. Walde, A.N.C.U.S. Evac. Hosp. #26 Neuenahr Germany. Letter 1 I know Dad dear that I shall be very proud of that pretty room of mind thanks so much for papering it. My that room will seem a treat after living in so many funny places over
033119-32 (con‟t) here.31 March 1919Monday eve.My dearest Mother & Dad:- As I came to our quarters for supper to-night I Found dear dads letter waiting me. It sure helps to keep the blues away to hear from home this makes three letters during past week, yesterday I had one from Geo. & May. Please keep up the good work.I am very glad to hear that everybody is well again and take good care of your selfs until I get home. Yes dad it sure was a dissappointment for me not to return as I planned but as you say I believe its all for the best 2 I am thankful now, for I felt satisfied that I remained until all is over, the boys are fast improving and a great many of them will return to their company‟s soon to return with their Div. 42 the early part of April in U.S. Now I should love to be with them for we all know what wonderful reception they have waiting them in the states, but I guess we must remain awhile longer.It is roumored that the 4th regular Div. relieves the 42nd here so I believe there will be still a little for us to do but not a great while longer, for we are all so very ancious to get home.We hear good news that they are asking for volenteers in the states to do gaurd duty on the Rhein, I expect thousands of them will enlist now that the war is over and there is no danger. It makes us all very happy for we then know that many of our boys who are ancious to return to there homes. After they have been over most of them wearing 3 service stripes I believe they are entitled to return. Oh! They are all so wonderful I shall miss it all when I return I know it will all seem like a dream another life we have lived apart from the usual one, after all is over. Well I Sent Louise Stein a card yesterday. I wonder if you have received all the cards I 3 sent while on my leave to Monte Carlo, Nice, Grenoble, Italy, Rheins, ect. did you? I have quite a collection which I will take great pleasure in showing you when I get home. We just had orders to take a days trip to “Coblenze” leaving to-morrow aft. stay all night take the early train Wed. a.m. for “_____” where we will go sightseeing ect. return on 60/c. train bring us back here 9 p.m. I believe we will get a pass a 3 rd Army H.Q. You perhaps know there are great riots in Berlin the place is being shelled gased and gas is used in the streets we wonder how the women and children stand it, we sincerely hope there won‟t be another war but it looks very much like it we are all 4 very much dissappointed that the job was not finished up right in first place, but if our boys ever start up again “good night Germany” they are all so blue and homesick they surly will bring an end to things if necessary „toots sweet‟ but we hope it won‟t come to war, but it looks serious even the people here act the part. Dad I shall write to your people in Basle but I am sorry that I am not permitted to visit them no leaves to there, I am more then sorry for I should love to see “Switzerland” above all places, but I must be satisfied. I realy have seen more then I ever dreamed 5 I would. To me the battlefields was the most inspiring, crossing the Hindenburg line I shall never for get that day. I heard from Camp since she and Kehrig went there also since we came here, they have left Vichy. Transferred to “Marseilles France.” I hope
033119-32 (con‟t) they will like it but know they will be dissatisified for their one aim is to come to Germany. Well mabey they will come latter. I am very sorry mother was so ill surly I think and worry about her all the time and you to dad I am glad your well and hope mama soon picks up. Don‟t let her work to hard tell her for me that she will have a new house maid when I return for I‟ll take charge and give her a good rest which she needs. Realy and truly I won‟t upset the house like I used to throw away and hide things as mother used to say, but have me good time and Dad will go to the movies real honest to goodness one‟s Oh! I can hardly realize: and I know Dad you are going to be crazy about my “bow” for he‟s real good sport and will make you laugh all the time just the kind you like. I hope he has got his discharge. O.K. if not it means another year from this April, to serve but with 6 his good record and all he endured through three hard battles I am sure they will release him, I am anciously awaiting a letter from him telling me the good news, but I fear I am going to be scolded real hard for staying over, however he will admire me all the more for it if he realy cares for his “little one” as he calls me.Well my dear one‟s ill stop for this time hoping to hear from you soon again I am writing you every week—so you can look for them since I came here, so you wont worry please write often for I love to get your letters. With loads and loads of love to you all Your “Consa” soldier girl P.S. I got letter & picture _____ he‟s a darling. We are having terrible snow storms here.