TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT MARCH 21, 1919 P. 19
No doubt you think I have forgotten you, but don’t think that way. I have been writing for the last month, and this morning I simply got to it. Since we are in Germany I am the hardest man to write a letter; will try and do better after this, at least one letter a week. How did you spend you Xmas? We didn’t have much of a Xmas, although we had a tree trimmed in our room Xmas day. We played a few concerts around the town where the companies were. In the evening we had a little service here. It was nothing like the Xmas we had in Waco. We thought of those good boxes of eats many times during the day. I haven’t received my Xmas box from home yet. They sent it with the others from home, and mine got lost or someone else had a good lunch. I hope I will be home for the next Xmas.
I sure have had enough of this army life. We are located 30 kilos across the Rhine at Selters. This is a dandy town, paved streets, waterworks and electric lights. Billeted in private places. This has got sleeping in woods and shell holes all beat to death. It has been raining here for the last week; seems strange to see umbrellas in February.
Maybe you would like to know where we were and what we were doing when the armistice was signed, and how we got into Germany and settled down. We left the town of Burill, France, had orders to move into the lines again. Left about 7 p.m.; just getting dark, and the land sure was muddy. Crossed the Meuse River and canal on pontoon bridges. We followed the river bank for several miles, and in mud nearly up to our knees. About midnight we had our places in the lines. The orders came to take the town of Brcheville in the morning. When it came time to get up and put our shoes on they were frozen stiff, and our fingers still worse trying to get the shoes on. Everything but loving words were heard. Before daylight we were being shelled and bombed by Boche bombing planes. They were shelling the town in great style, but we managed to get in there and reach a house. When we were there no longer than half an hour off goes the top-story of our house, a shell having hit it. Things weren’t very comfortable around here that morning.
It was the night of the 10th when we had orders to go over the top in the mornig at 5:30, when up comes a runner with orders saying everything was canceled. This was the first time any orders like that ever reached us. Then we were told the armistice was on, and hostilities were to cease at 11 a.m., 11th day and 11th month. It didn’t seem true, for the shells were whistling back and forth, but very far between. At 10:55 a.m. I heard the last shot, and have never heard another since. It seemed they took us out of hell and put us in a world of quietness. There wasn’t any celebration going on as, no doubt, like you had at home. We were mighty glad everything was quiet. Before evening the fellows were exchanging souvenirs with the Germans, until stopped by the officers.
In town that night things seemed strange, for we were allowed to have lights, the first time in six months. The fellows came down the street lighting cigarettes, something they could never have done before. We were in Brcheville about a week, and when the German army started on their backward hike we followed them right up to see that they did a good job. Our division was classed as one of the best fighting divisions, and had the honor of marching across the Rhine. We hiked through Luxemburg, and when we got to Wasserbillig, we stayed there a week for a rest. Wasserbillig is on the Moselle River, and divides Luxemburg and Germany. While there I managed to get a pass to visit Luxemburg city. The city is pretty well Americanized. I can speak enough German to make myself understood. The Luxemburg people sure were very nice to us, and were glad to see us march through their country and rid them of the Germans, after they had contended with them for four long years.
It was Sunday morning, December 1, 1918 that we crossed the bridge 7:30, playing the 32’s march into Germany. It was a joke to see some of the people beat it and the kids run.
Somehow they were afraid of the Americans. It was a hike of many days. We made about 15 to 20 kilos and stayed in a town overnight, and out again early the next morning. Some mornings I ached so I thought I would have to drop out, but after all I managed to stick it out to the finish. We got to a town on the Rhine, Urmitz. Here we rested for a day. Crossed the Rhine Friday, December 13, at 7:30 a.m. and hiked 40 kilos to Selters, where we are now. This was the hardest day of the entire march. It rained all day, and we were wet to our skins. With a pack on our backs and a wet overcoat we nearly collapsed. For a while the Germans were deadly afraid of us, for the retreating German army told the people here to look out for the Americans, for they were bad actors, and were Indians. It was a joke to have them tell us what they thought of us. Now they realize what an armistice means and what they have to do, and so far there hasn’t been a bit of trouble around here.
There was one woman that said she hated Americans, and “damned them.” So now she has to report to our headquarters every morning and tell the major she likes the Americans. I guess she had to do this for 10 days. The people thought this was a fine idea, and sure has a laugh on her. Believe me, there hasn’t been another word said. They are more pleased to have the Americans in here than the English or the French. The people sure treat us fine, and are ready to do anything for you. One thing I must say, the country in Germany is much more improved than we have seen in France, and the towns are Americanized.
We were in Coblenz for two weeks playing in parades and so on for the 4th Division. Made a boat trip up the Rhine 14 miles. The scenery sure is pretty. Saw one of the kaiser’s castles, also two forts, one built in 1400. I also saw the home of Mendelssohu. Our band was the first to play in the kaiser’s private chapel. We had Sunday service there. It sure was a wonderful place, and there was a private chair for the kaiser, in sort of a cage. The old kaiser has seen these places for the last time. The city of Coblenz is under American orders. It is hard to get coal here, not to say anything of wood, to start a fire, and it is getting cold in my room, so will have to make this do for one letter.
NOTES: Walter P. Erdman of Little Rock, Arkansas was writing to a friend in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was serving with the 127th Infantry Band in the Army of Occupation in Germany.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
No doubt you think I have forgotten you, but don’t think that way. I have been writing for the last month, and this morning I simply got to it. Since we are in Germany I am the hardest man to write a letter; will try and do better after this, at least one letter a week. How did you spend you Xmas? We didn’t have much of a Xmas, although we had a tree trimmed in our room Xmas day. We played a few concerts around the town where the companies were. In the evening we had a little service here. It was nothing like the Xmas we had in Waco. We thought of those good boxes of eats many times during the day. I haven’t received my Xmas box from home yet. They sent it with the others from home, and mine got lost or someone else had a good lunch. I hope I will be home for the next Xmas.
I sure have had enough of this army life. We are located 30 kilos across the Rhine at Selters. This is a dandy town, paved streets, waterworks and electric lights. Billeted in private places. This has got sleeping in woods and shell holes all beat to death. It has been raining here for the last week; seems strange to see umbrellas in February.
Maybe you would like to know where we were and what we were doing when the armistice was signed, and how we got into Germany and settled down. We left the town of Burill, France, had orders to move into the lines again. Left about 7 p.m.; just getting dark, and the land sure was muddy. Crossed the Meuse River and canal on pontoon bridges. We followed the river bank for several miles, and in mud nearly up to our knees. About midnight we had our places in the lines. The orders came to take the town of Brcheville in the morning. When it came time to get up and put our shoes on they were frozen stiff, and our fingers still worse trying to get the shoes on. Everything but loving words were heard. Before daylight we were being shelled and bombed by Boche bombing planes. They were shelling the town in great style, but we managed to get in there and reach a house. When we were there no longer than half an hour off goes the top-story of our house, a shell having hit it. Things weren’t very comfortable around here that morning.
It was the night of the 10th when we had orders to go over the top in the mornig at 5:30, when up comes a runner with orders saying everything was canceled. This was the first time any orders like that ever reached us. Then we were told the armistice was on, and hostilities were to cease at 11 a.m., 11th day and 11th month. It didn’t seem true, for the shells were whistling back and forth, but very far between. At 10:55 a.m. I heard the last shot, and have never heard another since. It seemed they took us out of hell and put us in a world of quietness. There wasn’t any celebration going on as, no doubt, like you had at home. We were mighty glad everything was quiet. Before evening the fellows were exchanging souvenirs with the Germans, until stopped by the officers.
In town that night things seemed strange, for we were allowed to have lights, the first time in six months. The fellows came down the street lighting cigarettes, something they could never have done before. We were in Brcheville about a week, and when the German army started on their backward hike we followed them right up to see that they did a good job. Our division was classed as one of the best fighting divisions, and had the honor of marching across the Rhine. We hiked through Luxemburg, and when we got to Wasserbillig, we stayed there a week for a rest. Wasserbillig is on the Moselle River, and divides Luxemburg and Germany. While there I managed to get a pass to visit Luxemburg city. The city is pretty well Americanized. I can speak enough German to make myself understood. The Luxemburg people sure were very nice to us, and were glad to see us march through their country and rid them of the Germans, after they had contended with them for four long years.
It was Sunday morning, December 1, 1918 that we crossed the bridge 7:30, playing the 32’s march into Germany. It was a joke to see some of the people beat it and the kids run.
Somehow they were afraid of the Americans. It was a hike of many days. We made about 15 to 20 kilos and stayed in a town overnight, and out again early the next morning. Some mornings I ached so I thought I would have to drop out, but after all I managed to stick it out to the finish. We got to a town on the Rhine, Urmitz. Here we rested for a day. Crossed the Rhine Friday, December 13, at 7:30 a.m. and hiked 40 kilos to Selters, where we are now. This was the hardest day of the entire march. It rained all day, and we were wet to our skins. With a pack on our backs and a wet overcoat we nearly collapsed. For a while the Germans were deadly afraid of us, for the retreating German army told the people here to look out for the Americans, for they were bad actors, and were Indians. It was a joke to have them tell us what they thought of us. Now they realize what an armistice means and what they have to do, and so far there hasn’t been a bit of trouble around here.
There was one woman that said she hated Americans, and “damned them.” So now she has to report to our headquarters every morning and tell the major she likes the Americans. I guess she had to do this for 10 days. The people thought this was a fine idea, and sure has a laugh on her. Believe me, there hasn’t been another word said. They are more pleased to have the Americans in here than the English or the French. The people sure treat us fine, and are ready to do anything for you. One thing I must say, the country in Germany is much more improved than we have seen in France, and the towns are Americanized.
We were in Coblenz for two weeks playing in parades and so on for the 4th Division. Made a boat trip up the Rhine 14 miles. The scenery sure is pretty. Saw one of the kaiser’s castles, also two forts, one built in 1400. I also saw the home of Mendelssohu. Our band was the first to play in the kaiser’s private chapel. We had Sunday service there. It sure was a wonderful place, and there was a private chair for the kaiser, in sort of a cage. The old kaiser has seen these places for the last time. The city of Coblenz is under American orders. It is hard to get coal here, not to say anything of wood, to start a fire, and it is getting cold in my room, so will have to make this do for one letter.
NOTES: Walter P. Erdman of Little Rock, Arkansas was writing to a friend in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was serving with the 127th Infantry Band in the Army of Occupation in Germany.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT