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War Letters, Past and Present – Part I
posted Sunday, 19 March 2006
This is a letter written by Lloyd Maywood Staley to his sweetheart Mary Beatrice Gray. Mr. Staley’s grandson maintains this website of many war letters written by his grandfather during World War I. Here is some historical reference from the same website that puts the following letter into perspective:
35th Division: September 26, 1918: On the front lines of the Meuse-Argonne -- the greatest battle of the American army, their mission was to take the Aire valley -- quite a feat for such a young force. They advanced and held the line until they were replaced by a more experienced division. General Pershing reports "The 35th suffered greater casualties than any other division during these four days of continuous fighting."
September 29, 1918
My Dearest Mary,
Well, I will write a little tonight and, since I have had six letters from you in two days, I am almost ashamed of myself for not writing oftener. I am certainly one of the most pleased fellows in the A.E.F. You can readily imagine how those letters made me feel. I am awfully pleased, little girl. You are certainly giving me my share of mail.
Kansas and Missouri.
I have not seen a whole lot. It rather seems at times as if I were not in the big game at all when I see what some of the fellows have done and are going through. Well, if the Germans like war, the Yanks are giving them plenty of it. For the life of me I can't see how anyone can be so devilish, brutal, fiendish (many other words that will better express it), as to say that war is necessary for the natural growth of nations. I have seen wounded men, my own soldiers in arms, coming back to the hospitals and, well, it just gets you, that's all. I am willing and ready to go to the limit (and you know what that is here) to bring this business to a decisive end. We are working even in the P.O. long hours these days. Last night I did not get in until after ten o'clock and we started at an early hour in the morning, but it is nothing at all as to what others are doing and I am ready to go night and day, if necessary. When we came in last night, some of "Jerry's" long range guns were trying to stop the transportation along a road over which we came. Every few minutes a big shell would come over and a blinding flash like a giant flash for photographic work would light the whole country then a big boom and I can say truthfully that is not at all a pleasant feeling to know those were intended for me or any other poor duck who happened to be about where the things broke. But he hasn't it all his way, not by a "long shot." Quite the contrary for I have seen lots of our own guns that were doing far more damage to him than he to us. I have also seen the towns that the Germans have completely ruined. In fact, they look like a huge rock pile with a wall standing here and there. Nobody about but soldiers for there is no place for anyone else. How these places will ever be made to look like towns again is beyond me. But the French will have them all built over after the war for these French are a tireless, indomitable lot and they can do it for they are doing and have done more in their four years of hell.
I neglected to say what dates your letters were at the first when I was speaking of them. I was so full of other thoughts, I had to let off a little. I hope the censor man doesn't think it was too much steam. These six gems from God's own country bore the dates of August 3, 12, 15, 16, 26 and 28, and two from Mother of August 26 and September 2. Your letters were written while you were in Ottawa at my own home and in Garnett. They were just the kind I like and the one you wrote after your visit with May was the dearest of all. Of course I don't think it foolish to think of our home. I think of it myself at times and it is indeed the sweetest of thoughts but you know, little girl, that this is a very uncertain time now for us and I don't like to build too much for it would not be right to you, it seems to me. But just the same, sweetheart, that golden someday will come and then we will plan and I know that you are the little queen when it comes to making plans like that. So, in the meantime we will carry on and do our bit in bringing peace to the world, trusting in God to make things come out right.
I thought as much had taken place with Jamie and May but, of course, I have not seen either of them for a long time. Jamie would talk with me if we were together for he is one of my dearest of friends and we have much in common. He is one of my few boy friends in whom I can confide and how I would like to talk with him now.
By the way, I sent you a little box about the first of August by registered mail. I hope you have it long before now. I don't remember mentioning it to you before so if you haven't received it, let me know. I hope this has compensated in part for those wonderful letters of yours. So I will close with all the love in the world to the dearest of this world's possessions, a true woman.
As ever, your own Lloyd
Well, I will write a little tonight and, since I have had six letters from you in two days, I am almost ashamed of myself for not writing oftener. I am certainly one of the most pleased fellows in the A.E.F. You can readily imagine how those letters made me feel. I am awfully pleased, little girl. You are certainly giving me my share of mail.
Kansas and Missouri.
I have not seen a whole lot. It rather seems at times as if I were not in the big game at all when I see what some of the fellows have done and are going through. Well, if the Germans like war, the Yanks are giving them plenty of it. For the life of me I can't see how anyone can be so devilish, brutal, fiendish (many other words that will better express it), as to say that war is necessary for the natural growth of nations. I have seen wounded men, my own soldiers in arms, coming back to the hospitals and, well, it just gets you, that's all. I am willing and ready to go to the limit (and you know what that is here) to bring this business to a decisive end. We are working even in the P.O. long hours these days. Last night I did not get in until after ten o'clock and we started at an early hour in the morning, but it is nothing at all as to what others are doing and I am ready to go night and day, if necessary. When we came in last night, some of "Jerry's" long range guns were trying to stop the transportation along a road over which we came. Every few minutes a big shell would come over and a blinding flash like a giant flash for photographic work would light the whole country then a big boom and I can say truthfully that is not at all a pleasant feeling to know those were intended for me or any other poor duck who happened to be about where the things broke. But he hasn't it all his way, not by a "long shot." Quite the contrary for I have seen lots of our own guns that were doing far more damage to him than he to us. I have also seen the towns that the Germans have completely ruined. In fact, they look like a huge rock pile with a wall standing here and there. Nobody about but soldiers for there is no place for anyone else. How these places will ever be made to look like towns again is beyond me. But the French will have them all built over after the war for these French are a tireless, indomitable lot and they can do it for they are doing and have done more in their four years of hell.
I neglected to say what dates your letters were at the first when I was speaking of them. I was so full of other thoughts, I had to let off a little. I hope the censor man doesn't think it was too much steam. These six gems from God's own country bore the dates of August 3, 12, 15, 16, 26 and 28, and two from Mother of August 26 and September 2. Your letters were written while you were in Ottawa at my own home and in Garnett. They were just the kind I like and the one you wrote after your visit with May was the dearest of all. Of course I don't think it foolish to think of our home. I think of it myself at times and it is indeed the sweetest of thoughts but you know, little girl, that this is a very uncertain time now for us and I don't like to build too much for it would not be right to you, it seems to me. But just the same, sweetheart, that golden someday will come and then we will plan and I know that you are the little queen when it comes to making plans like that. So, in the meantime we will carry on and do our bit in bringing peace to the world, trusting in God to make things come out right.
I thought as much had taken place with Jamie and May but, of course, I have not seen either of them for a long time. Jamie would talk with me if we were together for he is one of my dearest of friends and we have much in common. He is one of my few boy friends in whom I can confide and how I would like to talk with him now.
By the way, I sent you a little box about the first of August by registered mail. I hope you have it long before now. I don't remember mentioning it to you before so if you haven't received it, let me know. I hope this has compensated in part for those wonderful letters of yours. So I will close with all the love in the world to the dearest of this world's possessions, a true woman.
As ever, your own Lloyd
P.S. I just happened to think that this is Sunday and it is about 2 pm in U.S.A. and I wonder what you are doing at this minute. By the way, I am no longer a doughboy or a member of my old Regiment. We of the P.O. are transferred to the Postal Express Service of the A.E.F.
This is our P.O. stamp used for canceling letters. 
****
****
Now here’s a fictional example of what a “war letter” might sound like today. The writing is more immediate because we know that those electrons are going to travel at the speed of light across the globe. Though it still occurs, most soldiers don’t use pen and paper to correspond with their families from Operation Iraqi Freedom. Instead of writing a letter in the hopes that the recipient will get it within a few months, the modern soldier might simply walk into an internet café and ask for a computer. An electronic mail correspondence like this could happen over the course of a single week or less. Here's the historical perspective:
28th Infantry Division: March 2006. The 28th Infantry Division recently replaced the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Armor for responsibility of most of the Al Anbar Province. Their mission is to conduct stability and support operations in their sector, creating a stable environment for Iraqi military forces to take control of the country. General Jones reports, "The 29th Infantry has a proud legacy, and we are confident they will be effective in bringing stability to this war-torn area. The city of Ramadi, at its heart, has become a hotbed of insurgent activity, so the focus will be there."
Date: Fri Mar 3 14:30:52 2006
From: privatesnuffy@hotmail.com
{Add to address book I Block Address I Report as Spam}
To: meandyou@cs.net
Subject: safe in the sandbox
Hi Dad,
Sorry I didn’t get to call you last night like I said I would. The line was kind of long for the phones so I just signed up for a computer (that line was only a half hour). It was a long journey to get here. When we crossed the border from Kuwait into Iraq, my heart was really pounding. At one point, we had to stop because someone had found an IED in the road. We got to watch the demolition guys blow it up. It was cool and scary at the same time.
I’ll tell you more about it later, but I’m really tired and I just wanted you both to know I’m safe in Iraq! Right now I don’t know where anything is, and the Brigade we’re replacing is still here you know, so everyone is packed in pretty tight. And the lines at the chow hall are a joke. I’m not complaining, it’s just that there is no privacy, except a little plastic curtain when you take shower in the shower trailer. We have to take “combat showers” where you only turn the water on when you first get in and when you need to wash the soap and shampoo off. That’s because there isn’t a lot of water out here, so we have to conserve.
I hope Mom isn’t too sick. Did Doctor Easton give her any medication? Do you think it’s just the flu? Give her a kiss for me, okay? Write me back tonight so I can check for your e-mail in the morning. I know you hate computers, but you have to admit this is pretty cool.
Well, I love you guys. Don’t worry about me.
Your son in the sandbox,
Joseph
Date: Sat Mar 4 07:31:44 2006
From: meandyou@cs.net
{Add to address book I Block Address I Report as Spam}
To: privatesnuffy@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: safe in the sandbox
Hi Joe,
It was really nice to hear that you got to your base safely. I’d hate to have to wait for a letter or even a phone call, because I might miss it. Maybe there is some good in computers… maybe.
Your mom is fine. Dr. E did give her some medicine, and he thinks it’s just a bad allergic reaction she had to something she ate. I’m making her stay in bed all day and I’ve been pampering her. I just made her some lemon tea and pancakes for breakfast. How is the food on your base? Have you gone to the chow hall yet? Let us know what you need because your mom and her sisters are already making care packages to send you and your buddies.
I love you son. Keep your head down and be a safe as you can, okay? We’re so very proud of you.
Dad
Date: Sat Mar 4 18:06:16 2006
From: privatesnuffy@hotmail.com
{Add to address book I Block Address I Report as Spam}
To: meandyou@cs.net
Subject: Re: Re: safe in the sandbox
Wow, today was intense! I went outside the wire on a mission and we found an IED. We had to call the demolition guys again, but it took them like three hours to get there. It’s not that hot yet here, but I got hot wearing all that body armor out there. I drank so much water I had to pee on the tire of my HMMWV. The guys were laughing at me. After they detonated the IED we saw a car that they had been looking for and we chased them across the desert and arrested them. I guess it’s not really arresting, but we put them in these plastic handcuffs and brought them in for interrogation.
When we got back I had to fill out sworn statements about what happened and everything. It has been a long day! Don’t worry about me though. The six months we spent in training really helped. I knew what to do and I did it, and nobody even fired their weapon. What a crazy day for my second day working here.
I’m glad Mom is okay. Tell her I love her, and maybe you can bring the laptop up there so she can e-mail me too? They have web-cams here we can use too, so you HAVE to go to Wal Mart and buy one.
I have to go take a “combat shower” and hit the sack. I’m bone tired. I love you guys. I’ll send some pictures when I can. I asked the guys what they wanted and they said baby wipes and snacks. I guess you can never have enough baby wipes out here. The dust gets on everything.
Joe
Oh, and the food was pretty good yesterday. It’s a lot better than MREs!
Date: Sun Mar 5 09:21:04 2006
From: meandyou@cs.net
{Add to address book I Block Address I Report as Spam}
To: privatesnuffy@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Re: Re: safe in the sandbox
Joe,
Sounds like a busy day. I’m not going to tell your mom about the IED yet. She’s already worried sick. No pun intended. You know what you’re doing son, and I am very proud of you. I want you to promise that you and your buddies will watch each other’s backs.
I will go buy a webcam today, but one of your friends from school might have to show me how to set it up. How about Jeremy? Isn’t he a computer geek? His dad might be able to help also. Let me know. We’d love to see you. And we’d love some pictures. Next time you write back I’ll get your mom to reply to it. I’m making her rest and relax all weekend. I hope she’s feeling well before I go back to the office Monday morning.
Baby wipes, huh? I think we can do that. Maybe we’ll send some diapers too. Just kidding. This is really neat to be able to write to you like this. We were watching the news last night, and if that’s all I had to know how you were, I’d be worried. They seem to focus on the negative. But we support you son. We all do. You and your friends are doing a great thing. You’re a part of history.
Love,
Dad
Date: Wed Mar 8 17:50:22 2006
From: privatesnuffy@hotmail.com
{Add to address book I Block Address I Report as Spam}
To: meandyou@cs.net
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: safe in the sandbox
Dad,
Sorry it took me so long to reply. I am fine but really really busy. We are trying to figure out all the missions before the guys we’re replacing leave. And they’re leaving soon, so we have a lot to do! I have been eating, sleeping and working. That’s all I have time for right now. But I’m okay. I’ll write more when things slow down a little. Probably in a week or so I’ll be on a set schedule, and we can set up a time to web-cam, maybe every day! The chow hall had steak and lobster last night. It was gooood.
Love,
Joe
Date: Thurs Mar 6 06:37:00 2006
From: meandyou@cs.net
{Add to address book I Block Address I Report as Spam}
To: privatesnuffy@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: safe in the sandbox
Hi Joey,
It’s Mom honey. I miss you so much. I can’t believe how grown up you are! Twenty years old next month! The dogs are doing good. They keep getting out of the yard but Mr. Larry from next door brought them home.
Lobster, huh? That sounds yummy. We know you’re busy, so just be careful and write us back when you can. Dad said you went into the city there? Did you see any Palaces or anything? Just please be safe, okay? The news says it’s very dangerous, and you know how I worry. Can you call us sometimes too?
Your Aunt Marina and I sent some packages yesterday. I put all your favorite snacks in there. I didn’t get the baby wipes yet, but Dad asked me to go to Wal Mart or Best Buy and pick up a web-cam today. I’ll go to Wal Mart so I can get baby wipes too. Do they sell those at Wal Mart? You know I'm computer-challenged.
Well, we love you and we’re proud of you. Write and call when you can. How many hours ahead of us are you there?
Love,
Mom
Leave comments for Captain K here: (3)
1. M.J. left...
Monday, 20 March 2006 6:58 pm
Dear Lt.,
I hope you are safe and sound. I really enjoyed this piece. It is truly a
great idea and I look forward to more entries within this series. Take
care of yourself!!
With love,
Your friend always
2. Gypsy left...
Monday, 20 March 2006 8:15 pm
LT K, this is really enjoyable reading! I often think about the agony that
folks from previous wars would go through while waiting for a note from a
loved one vice the almost immediate communications of today.
3. Janet left...
Wednesday, 22 March 2006 7:23 pm
Lieutenant K,
I thought that this was an incredible idea and even more so now that I have
been reading the initial letters. This is but the first installment,
right????