First World War Soldiers Wrote Letters From The Front

Big Bertha
Courtesy Wikipedia

What today's history books call the First World War was simply the "European War" to Americans until soldiers from Punta Gorda, Charlotte Harbor Town and thousands of other United States communities joined the Allies in April 1917.

Then it became "The war to make the world safe for Democracy," or, "The war to end all wars."

In short, it was a "popular" war. The Selective Service Act conscripted young men by lottery, but just as many volunteered in a fervor of patriotism. The first American soldiers saw action November 30. Then a flood of fighting men began streaming to training camps -- first step to active duty in the Allied Expeditionary Force under Gen. John "Black Jack" Pershing.

Local boys -- "selects" and volunteers -- marched off to great adventure. Sometimes to death or serious injury. By May 1919, the Punta Gorda Herald published the names of 64 whites from Punta Gorda, five from Charlotte Harbor Town, and seven "colored" from Punta Gorda in training camps or enroute to the "battle lines of France."

Among the volunteers were two physicians, Dr. D. N. McQueen, and Dr. Archer Smith; and a dentist, Dr. Henry Carver. Embarkation of nine African-Americans was typical of the good-wishes accorded all the young men:

"Nine young colored men who had been selected for military service, left here for the training camp Tuesday morning.

"They are Leonard Fulford, Bennie Coleman, Harrison Wadsworth, Lexie Bass, Jim Jackson, Ben Zachary, Ed Hayes, Lewis June, Will Martin, and Sellars O'Neal.

"They were given a great send-off by their friends, a large number of whom assembled at the depot to bid them a patriotic farewell. "The nine were placed in line beside the railroad track. In front of them was a truck upon which their church pastors stood when addressing them.

"Rev. M. L. Cherry, pastor of St. Marks Progressive Baptist Church, was master of ceremonies. "First, a large number of girls tastefully dressed in white, sang ' America' beautifully. Then a patriotic, excellent address was made to the nine by Rev. W. W. Hamilton, pastor of the A. M. E. Church.

"This was followed by the singing of the 'Star Spangled Banner,' after which a prayer was said by Rev. T. W. Sanders of the Primitive Baptist Church.

"By this time, the train was waiting. The selects boarded it while the girls sang another song. As the train moved off, there was a great waving of hats and handkerchiefs.

"Dispatches from the battle line in France report that the colored troops there are covering themselves with glory. When our Punta Gorda colored men get over there, the dispatches will have more stories of valorous deeds to relate."

Letters From France

The Herald also persuaded its readers to share letters from their sons. The following excerpts from those personal communications provide an insight to that war since overshadowed by more recent conflicts -- but poignant and instructive nevertheless.

Furgerson Jones, Co. F, 112th Ammunition Train, 37th Division --

"We had a nice trip across the pond, though two submarines caused some excitement. Both were sunk by the convoying destroyers.

"England is the prettiest country that I have ever seen. The English girls seem to think the American soldier is the only man in the world."

William E. Vecqueray, lst Sgt. Co. C, 6th U.S. Engineers -- "It is a peculiar thing, but unless there is too much cannon fire among your own guns, you can tell when a gun is fired from the enemy side, headed in your direction.

"You can hear a dull thud, absolutely distinct from any of the other explosions. Almost immediately comes the whine of the shell coming toward you. Then you sit down close to the side of your trench, and wonder where it is going to hit.

"You get used to them in time, however, and seem to know automatically when it is time to take cover, and when it is safe to remain as you are.

"On one occasion, some of the boys were under a poison gas attack for eight hours, but were lucky enough to come out of it with only a few of them very slightly gassed. It is estimated that over 30,000 gas shells were fired."

Daniel W. Collins, Co. L, 28th Infantry --

"I was lucky enough to get through the big battle Saturday. I was shot about two inches above the left knee and right in the center. The bullet went only to the bone. I walked three miles after I was wounded.

"My leg is stiff, but I can walk without pain. I will be in the hospital two months.

"I don't want to be boastful, but I took two machine guns and killed six Germans before I got hurt. I was shot by an aviator in an aeroplane. We have put Kaiser Bill in mourning for awhile, so all's well that ends well."

Herald Publisher-Editor Adrain P. Jordan, whipped out an editorial in August to declare that the paper "now finds itself in a peck of trouble."

"The youngest son (Ivan) of the editor has been summoned to the colors and will leave for training camp tomorrow morning. He has been doing all the job printing, setting the advertisements, making up the forms and putting them to press. No other one in the office can do the job.

"We had hoped, and confidently believed, that as the examining physicians had certified that a crippled leg rendered him unfit for military service, he would be exempted.

"This is not all, but is the worst of troubles inflicted upon the Herald. The increase in postage and infliction of a zone delivery system upon newspapers have been sufficiently discussed.

"Now comes some other government regulations which will impose serious burdens. These require that all subscribers who have not paid in advance shall be dropped from the subscription list; also, that the papers shall use 15 percent less paper than they have been using.

"Newspapers not observing these regulations by the War Industries Board will have to cease publication because paper mills and ink companies will be forbidden to sell it supplies.

"All these things make the writer wish he had never gone into the newspaper business. It would have been more pleasant -- and possibly profitable -- if he had devoted his life to raising chickens."

Two weeks later, Ivan Jordan wrote his father from Camp Wheeler at Macon, Ga.

"I have passed through the physical examination and passed O.K. Thirteen of us were from DeSoto County (before Charlotte was split off), and only one man was turned down.

"I thought sure I was going to get home after I had seen hundreds of big, husky-looking fellows turned down, but it looks like they want me for the government printing office.

"Some of the poor fellows here are grieving over things too much. Four have committed suicide since I arrived. Two hung themselves, and two cut their throats. None of them were from Florida."

Raymon Ried, Transportation Battalion, A.E.F. --

"As I told you before, I was driving a truck at Deeize. Then I was one of eight men sent to Paris by train to pick up new trucks.

"The first thing that attracted our attention was an explosion. We did not know what it was but learned that it was a shell from the 76-mile German gun 'Big Bertha,' or, 'Fritz' as they call it.

"After that we heard the explosions every few minutes.

"There goes one now! They are nothing to worry about, as the French children laugh and make fun of it every time."

Big Bertha was the largest cannon barrel ever built up to that time. It was mounted on a special railroad car that at the high-water mark of German advance hurled projectiles into Paris. However, little damage was done because the shells fired were only 8.4 inches in diameter. Payload had to be sacrificed to achieve distance.

Big Bertha on Rails
Courtesy of Wikipedia

Constance Cook, R.N. -- Dear Col. and Mrs. Charles A. Waltmire:

"I am writing for your son Robert, who is at present a patient in an American Red Cross hospital in the Picardy region.

"First, I must assure you that he is not seriously injured, and that he is progressing nicely. He has a minor injury of the right knee caused by a bullet wound; also, the left hand was penetrated by a machine-gun bullet.

"Robert went over the top in that splendid victory at the Soisson's sector of July 18th and 19th, when so many German prisoners were taken.

"It must have been very hard for you to see three of your sons leave for France with the First Division. It seems war was inevitable and that it was an absolute necessity for Americans to make their sacrifice along with the nations already long at war.

"We who have been privileged to do our part over here in France in active service are more than proud of the work done in the ranks by our own American boys. They deserve much credit.

"You have reason to be very proud of your sons -- and of Robert in particular, perhaps. Do not worry about your boy. He will be up and around long before this letter reaches you.

"You should see your son now -- sitting up for breakfast -- with the aid of a backrest. I have helped him wash his face and hand, and he has scrubbed his teeth and combed his hair. I do not have to tell you how nice he looks now.

"As I happen to be the night nurse, I have cooked a pot of oatmeal on a queer little French coal-oil stove in the ward. The boys also have French coffee, bread with butter and jam, and oranges.

"Having finished breakfast, Robert proceeds to smoke a nice looking, but bad smelling -- as you know -- pipe and read a book."

Robert, better known by his middle name Nevin, and his two brothers Allred and Jack, were among the first Floridians to volunteer for Army service. They went with the first contingents to France.

NEXT WEEK -- VICTORY

cutline l -- negative, frame l, three soldiers

*it Photos courtesy of Charlotte Harbor Area Historical Society *io

These three unidentified Punta Gorda soldiers await arrival of a train to take them back to their training camp.

cutline 2 -- hospital ward

Nevin Waltmire, in Picardy Hospital bed near standing soldiers was wounded but recovered nicely

By Lindsey Williams, columnist for Sun Coast Media Group newspapers