July 10, 1919
APO 710
Engers, Germany
Dear Sister Anna:
I suppose you think I am a peach for not writing to
you more than I do, but lately we have been just a
little more than busy and so havent written to
hardly anyone.
The 18th of June we got orders to move to the edge of
the occupied territory so as to be ready to move on
thru Germany if the Dutch wouldnt sign peace.
Our orders came about three in the morning and we
were all packed up and on our way by noon, but
believe me we worked getting ready and then that
afternoon we marched thirty-five kilometers getting
to our district at about eight oclock.
We were all out of practice in hiking so it was a
hard trip for us and I guess about everyone had
blistered feet and were about all in.
We pitched our shelter-tents out in a meadow and
thats where we lived until the 29th when we
marched back in. It was fine living in the tents for
the first five-six days and then it started to rain
and rained the rest of the time we were there, so the
last part was pretty wet and then it turned cold and
the nite before we left we had a good frost, froze
hard enough to freeze water at the kitchen.
Thats pretty cool weather for the last of June.
The people here say that this is the coolest summer
they have had for many years. Of course it suits us
as we dont like the heat very much.
After we got back to Engers from our trip up to the
front, five of us were sent to play at the Officers
Club in Mieuwied. We had a dandy little orchestra and
played there for a week. The only thing was that we
had to work pretty hard and played a good share of
the day and then some nights we played for dances.
We were there over the fourth and say they had some
celebration over here, not so much in the daytime but
at night they had the finest fireworks I have ever
seen, every three, four kilometers along the Rhine
where the troops are stationed they had lots of
fireworks and you could see them fifteen kilometers
up and down the river.
I have been wondering just what kind of a celebration
you had there, bet it seemed funny to celebrate
again.
Say you can tell Helmer to get the new tub ready for
a good bath when I get back. Not that I am so dirty
as we have a fine bath house here, but I will want to
try it out and maybe after a few days ride in cars a
bath wouldnt do much harm.
I had a letter from Walt from Canada and from what he
says he must have had a fine time. Guess he was
pretty glad to get out of the army, well I will be
too but it really doesnt seem I have been gone
so long. It will be two years this month.
It was just a year ago today that I left Camp Cody to
come home for a few days. Say I was happy then and I
wish I was leaving for home again today.
I wonder where I will be and what I will be doing a
year from today. Pretty hard to tell.
You spoke of having some nice young chicks, say you
want to get them in good shape and I will help you
eat them when I get back. Almost forgot what chicken
tastes like.
Well I must close for this time as it is about supper
time and you soon learn in the army not to run any
chances of missing meals.
Say hello to everyone from me and love and kisses to
the girls, Helmer and you.
Your loving brother,
George
P.S. Watch the papers for news of the 2nd division
landing in the states.