[ NOTE: IF YOU ARE READING THIS SERIES FOR THR FIRST TIME, IT'S BEST TO START AT THE BEGINNING]

Letter to Aunt Nell -

H.Q. 1st Bn. 112th Inf.

Le Mans, France

25 March 1919

Dear Aunt Nell : -

Well, I'm finally with my outfit again - rather rested up and - well, wondering what the H--- is next!

Fact is the Battalion pulled out of little, old Burey - la - cote last Tuesday morning - after 69 days there - and after our 24 hour claim period was up, I started balancing up, getting Billeting Lists signed and clearance papers fixed. Well, I got away a couple days after - all clear as far as I know (if something unforeseen comes up I presume I'll have to go back) and went to Neufchateau (big entertainment. "Y", K of C and Hospital center). From there to Toul where I staid all night. Then I went to Commercy; Bar - le - duc; St. Digier; Vitry; Epergny; Chalous - sur - Marne and Chateau - Thierry. Fact is I was very disappointed in the final state of the later [latter?] as it's in excellent repair in comparison to Ypres, Armentiers and Cambrai. From Chateau - Thierry I went on into Paris for the night - saw some more of the city (the old Latin Quarter), went to the Opera - Comique, got a good bed in the Louvre and left next day for Le Mans, via Versailles. I arrived at Le Mans, got my bearings & came out here to the forwarding camp where I found my outfit in tents. Am occupying a big tent with the Amusement officer, the Rifle Instructor & the Chaplain. Fine crowd - but - we've good cots, seats, a warm stove and - so it's pretty decent living.

My scouts are with their companies so I haven't a thing to do except write an odd report now and then and loaf, smoke, mess & sleep. It's pretty tiresome - but - I guess I'm slated for the good bye to this outfit soon. You see there's a lot of N.C.O.'s who are dissatisfied to go home with chevrons and for political reasons it's desired to give them second lieutenancies - their old 2nd Lt.'s will get 1st Lt. and we'll go home as casuals without any out fit at all! Hell! I (?) it? But if they kick us out "toute-de-suite" - why we may get attached to a bunch of casuals and get home early. But - lordy - how I hate to go home in something other than a fighting division. Will let you know as soon as I know what's to come of me, etc.

The weather here is pretty mild - some rain - but the ground is very sandy - and dries easy. We are far enough from Le Mans so we have to have passes to get in. I need a bit more equipment, etc. and want to get in in a day or so if the Regt'l Adjt. will grant me a pass.

I'm pretty much disgusted all around - with nothing to do, no men to keep my mind occupied and the question of will all of us 27th Div. men get kicked out to make way for Pennsylvanians? - and if so - how soon? Enough to make anyone sick! What an army! Oh! I've some very interesting things to tell you about the A.E.F.'s executive organization when I get home!

How's New York? Have O'Ryan's roughnecks paraded yet? God! What a body of men that 27th Div. is? I'm more proud to have served under Gen. O'Ryan than any other fact in my military career! He's a man! And - he's not a politician. The 27th has surely brought glory to old N.Y. and - when I come home the first thing I should do is get the 27th Div. emblems on my left sleeve - because - I feel I earned that chevron - and - am proud of it.

Well - will close for now - give my regards to Miss Caroline and write soon & often, as ever

With much love, / Clyde

More diary entries -

March 26, 1919, Wed. Weather - some rain

Up for bkfst. Read, Mech. Eng. took & saw a guard mount in a.m. Wrote Frances Lambert, 339 Gray St. Herkimer & Allen in p.m. Also Dorothy Spoor. Loafed & smoked. Good messes. Read "Betty Zane" by Grey.

[The legendary western author’s debut novel (1903) based on the real-life adventures of his own ancestor, an American frontier heroine of the Revolutionary War.

In the late eighteenth century, Wheeling, West Virginia, was the western frontier of colonial America. And when the young nation fought for its independence, Wheeling was the site of the American Revolution’s last battle: the Siege of Fort Henry. A vivid work of historical fiction, Betty Zane brings to life the events that culminated in that vicious attack.

On September 11, 1782, an army of two hundred British troops, together with four hundred members of the Shawnee Tribe, descended on the small fort. As enemy forces approached, Col. David Shephard charged the Zane family with mounting a defense. And while many fought bravely to save the fort, the heroine of the battle was Silas Zane’s young and spirited daughter, Betty.

Betty Zane is the first novel in a trilogy of historical westerns set along the Ohio River. It is followed by The Spirit of the Border and The Last Trail.]

March 27, 1919, Thurs. Fair. Some rain.

Slept pretty late. Wrote a few letters, read "The Iron Heel" by Jack London. 

[pub. 1908 - Generally considered to be "the earliest of the modern Dystopian," it chronicles the rise of an oligarchic tyranny in the United States. It is arguably the novel in which Jack London's socialist views are most explicitly on display. A forerunner of soft science fiction novels and stories of the 1960s and 1970s, the book stresses future changes in society and politics while paying much less attention to technological changes.]

Worked on my C.E. report - had a suit cleaned - smoked & loafed.

March 28, 1919, Frid. Fair. Cool breezes.

Loafed, shaved & bathed & went to commissary in a.m. Wrote some reports & read papers from Aunt Nell in p.m. Wrote Anna in evening. Cooler. Chaplain Hall has a desk for our tent. Tres jolie!

Letter to Aunt Nell -

LeMans

28 Mar. 1919

Dear Aunt Nell -

Hello! again! Just rec'd a wonderful big pkg. of papers - and - I've spent a day that would have otherwise have been pretty dull - reading. " Merci! Beaucoup!" As our Yank doughboys say.

Will you do something else for me - please? Get me four or five copies of the Magazine Section of the N.Y. Times - under date of March 9th 1919? There is an article therein that makes a lot of things very easy for me to explain! You'll easily recognize the paper & article as it has a picture of General Jack O'Ryan with his hat and helmet! I hope you can get a few copies.

No further news about my getting transferred home - or anything of the sort. Am busy doing nothing - but loaf - and - a bit of C.E. work which I can't tell about as yet - due to orders from G. - 2. (?). But - it's very interesting & I will tell you about it when I get home.

Will close for now - as ever -

With much love, / Clyde

Back to the diary -

March 29, 1919, Sat. Rain.

Got out my C.E. report & (?) orders to my agents. Wrote Allen. Rec'd a picture of Lt. Gaines(?) from his widow. Wrote her a few lines. Lt. Ralph Tobin back - in our tent talking old 107th spirit most of day. To bed quite early. Card from Ethel Whitterby.

March 30, 1919, Sun. Snowed last night.

Up at 8:00. Poor appetite. Read & loafed most of day. Very good luncheon. Very nice day. No rumors. Went to see 103rd F.S. Bn. play 111th Inf. football. 111th beat them 3-0. Good game. Bed early. Wrote Aunt Nell & Dad & Doris.

Letter to Aunt Nell -

Le Mans. F.

30 Mar. 1919

Dear Aunt Nell -

Just rec'd your letter of Mar. 9 - and it was a pretty long letter - but - Ye Gods! how you do bawl a chap out for almost nothing! and - tell me what a fright I look like in my picture - and - I'd already admitted it once - so why rub the fact in that I'm the homeliest creature of the A.E.F.? Have a heart! Ha!Ha!

And say - laying aside that already decided question of lack of beauty on my part - please listen to a description of my very newest uniform. It's an American tailored - light serge! Fits like a rubber glove - wonderful cloth and - well - makes me look like a Colonel! Ha!Ha! Oh! with cordovan puttees & shoes, that new American serge, my now dark mirror polished Sam Browne and overseas cap with its Infantry blue piping - with my shoulder bars & service stripes embroidered on in gold thread - and - of course - regulation gray kid gloves & overseas coat - I'm at my ease whenever officers gather.

Oh! Shucks! lets lay off the (?)folly girl question entirely! It's nothing but a bore at the best - and - well - the word's "mark time". I don't want to talk, think or hear girls until I get home and well oriented once more.

I'm studying very hard now - and have a bit of time daily for practical experience too. Am taking the A.E.F. course in mechanical engineering - as I have most excellent offerings from the Remington Arms - V.M.C. people when I again start to work after that vacation, etc. I rather hope to get up to R.P.I. [Rensselaer Polytechnic institute is America’s oldest technological research university, offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.] next fall for a year there, studying M.E. and - if things go well - why not a year at Columbia after that?

No - I don't know entirely how interesting N.Y.C. is - but - I do know how interesting El Refugio is - and - by George - I'm due to make up for the spoiled summers of 1916, '17 and '18 before I discover any new corners of America.

What's your bloomin' poetic society like? I've some very funny ideas about long haired, shell rimmed spectacled people - of big brains and puny bodies - that - well - you'll be telling me how ignorant and warped are my impressions! Shout!

Oh! Lord! What a line of stunts! Can't say as I - after two years plus - as a squareheaded doughboy - can exactly savor such a string of ---- stuff!

 Was in Paris a week ago, as I mentioned - but didn't know if Miss Whiting was there or not, and really forgot about trying to look her up.

Miss Caroline rec'd my acknowledgment of her card, Eh? I presume she'll condescend to write - and - rather hope so - but - not having rec'd that photo of her - have absolutely no idea what she's like and fancy she's pretty much superior in lots of ways. Imagine she thinks of me as a new species of up states - soldier (?) be interesting to study - as I'd study the habits of a bird or quadruped - or something! Eh?

No - You hadn't informed me about this party. And - I can't say as it clashes round my rather oversized ears with such a welcome (?)! I wouldn't mind talking to you - of an evening - or even meeting her - but - a party - and me in overseas clothes with more or less conspicuous decorations to attract curious attention and boresome stares - would be so (?) pleasant - and me absolutely foreign to modern American ways - etc, etc., etc., etc.!!!

But - could I in turn be promised something from you and Miss Caroline - I'd bear up through it - even if I had to bring a tin hat & gas mask! Ha!Ha! Here's my idea! I presume both you & Miss C- will be taking vacation. Naturally I shall assume you bot like the country - especially such country as Otsego County. Now - why couldn't I, in all propriety - ask you both to visit me at El Refugio? The house will be yours - I'll live in a tent some rods away - teach you to fish - and try to be a modest, helpful host - and - if mere man is capable - your visit - make it a week, two, three, or a month - will be a pleasant one! Think it over and let me know when you've decided to accept.

"Who are the 14 Karat Red Cross people?", you ask! Well - they are just what the Y.M.C.A. is not. The Red Cross has stuff to eat, drink & smoke - and read - for the doughboys. If he has beaucoup francs - he can pay for it. If he's broke - he gets it just the same - and just as welcome. If a doughboy goes to the "Y" he pays for what he gets or he don't get it. The Y's mercenary, narrow and heartily disliked by all combat troops. And - the "Y" women, I can say - with no intended insult to those not guilty - have a reputation that would win my hearty disapproval of a daughter of mine entering it's service! But - the "Croix Rouge" - God bless 'em - are there - they're real stuff - 100% - 14 Karat! And - so are the Salvation Army folks! But - the sentiment of us doughboys - "to H- with the Y!"

As you probably know - the Darks were absolute failures as fighters - and would go forward only when they had white officers behind them to shoot the first one to hesitate. They just wouldn't be led like white Yanks!

No - I don't fancy the League of Nations idea myself. Ever officer I have talked to, up to and including Colonels - talks in a very discouraging manner about it. It's not approved in army circles at all. Personally - I think it's very idealistic - fine sentiment and that sort of thing - but with the first rupture of world peace - it would go the "scrap of paper" class! So - I shan't discuss it's merits or weaknesses. But - we're due for a Republican President in 1920 - sure's you're born - the nation's problems of reconstruction need a G.O.P. administration and I shall approve of any one - except Pershing - who would run on this ticket.

Oh! I did go up into Germany! Thought I told you about it. Went up on some "Contre Espionage" work - first to Luxemburg then to  Coblenze to a meeting of Intelligence personnel representatives - about the A. of O. a bit and back. Yes! Saw the Rhine - the bridgehead - dined at Trienes and back via Metz. Pretty decent trip.

Le Mans is a devil of a place. Full of robbing shops, more than plenty blind tigers [A speakeasy, also called a blind pig or blind tiger, is an illicit establishment that sells alcoholic beverages], some excellent movie houses & barber shops and absolutely infested with bad women. It's a mighty fine place for a young man to stay away from.

The 77th Division is here in camp too! You know the 77th is heartily disliked by the 27th and 28th alike. They're draftees - they're poor fighters - their 'Lost Battalion" publicity is one big blunder so contorted as to sound wonderful to civilian ears - and - all in all the "Liberty (Liberty hell) Div." is the laughing stock of the A.E.F.

Please withhold - however - my expressions on the YMCA, the 77th Div, the League of Nations and Pershing until I am a civilian, as it ill behooves an army officer to express himself unfavorably on such questions - as you probably understand.

Will close for now - please send me another snapshot of Miss Caroline - if you have one - will let you know of any change in my assignments, etc. - and write soon & often.

With much love, / Clyde

More diary entries -

March 31, 1919, Mon. Fair

Went up to Capt. Shaw about a pass for Chaplain Hall & I Wed. OK. Went to commissary - shaved. Loafed all p.m. Much warmer today. To "Y" to movies in evening. Some very good comedies. With the Chaplain, Major & our prospective new Adj't. Dixon. (Murray is going up to Antwerp.) Letter from Claude.

April 1, 1919, Tuesday

Fine day - an ideal spring day. Shaved & bathed - went to commissary - & played soccer in a.m. Wrote Grandma & Dorothy in p.m. Wrote Anna about Catholic religion. Loafed, had my laundry done. Hughie polished up my leather. Rec'd my pay 791 fr. Payed Pierce 30 fr.

April 2, 1919, Wed. Beautiful day.

The + [Chaplain] and I went to Le Mans. Had a shave, went to le Bains [baths], movies, bought bedding roll, new cap, polish, ornaments, toilet articles, etc. Spent over 350 francs. Good luncheon - fine time - back in truck - (?) for supper. Bed quite early.

April 3, 1919, Thur. Beautiful day.

Loafed most of day. Got in C.E. [Contre Espionage] reports from agents. Wrote Anna. Compiled report for historians, etc. Warmer. Feeling bum. Bed early. Bill O'Brien over in evening.

April 4, 1919, Frid. Fine day.

Fixed my (?). Ordered out to range for observation. Cadillac car called for me. Went out - picked route for troops - got all the dope on billets, range operations, etc. Had dinner at Belgian Camp Officers Club. Loafed & read in evening. Bed early. Have tooth ache.

April 5, 1919, Sat. Fair.

Up 10:30. No bkfst. Washed - made bedding roll - down to see Liaison Officer & transportation people. Got a dinner at club - then secured a Dodge to come in with. Back - reported to Major Graff - made my bed - wrote mother & Anna. No mail. Went to minstrel show & movies in evening. Have a H--- of a toothache yet.

April 6, 1919, Sun.

Up before 8:00. Good bkfst. Washed up and shaved - rotten toothache all day. Dressed up after lunch. Regt. photographed. I took my regular place in the Major's staff. Then had my scouts photographed. To baseball game. Good supper. Feeling rotten from tooth. Bed early.

April 7, 1919, Mon.

Rotten night. Bloody sick all day. Tooth & jaw's bloomin' ulcerated big as a '[?]!  Dead painful - looks funny! Slept & read all a.m. In conference with the Major & Co. C.O.'s in p.m. & slept balance of time. Moving to range tomorrow. Paid mess bill - 40 francs! Shaved after supper. Bed early. Jaw swollen & sore yet.

April 8, 1919, Tues. Fair.

Loaded baggage - trucked out to range - got all set out there - everything fixed. Ordered back to the forwarding camp with all baggage. Orders in to move soon. Back, cleaned up - went to movies - bed early.

April 9, 1919, Wed. Some rain.

Reg't. had a check insp. by A.E.C. [Don't know what this was] Inspectors - unsatisfactory. To be repeated. Chaplain & I went over to commissary. Scout pictures in. Ordered 2 sent to me & 1 to Aunt Nell. Also ordered 2 Regt'l pictures sent home. It is rumored that we go the 13th to St. Nazaire. Great sing in our tent in the evening.

April 10, 1919, Thur. Rain.

Inspections again today. Sent my record book & identity card to personnel Adjt. (Capt. Coe). Loafed most of day. Wrote & read. Bed early. Feeling better.

Next up - letter to Aunt Nell and more diary entries as Clyde readies himself to return to the U.S.