TRANSCRIBED FROM THE BAXTER BULLETIN SEPTEMBER 20, 1918 P. 1
Dear Mother:
I should have written sooner after my arrival here where we have been for three days but always there has been things to prevent. We are back out of the front lines and gradually emerging from the condition of the semicoma induced by fatigue and overstrained nerves. We hope this is the beginning of a reasonable period to refit, reform and rest up for officers and men that they may return to normal condition of body and mind. I am enclosing a copy of general orders which I know you will enjoy, blessed ma; and because your unworthy son was one of the many in the crowd who did his best toward doing his duty. It has been a rather strenuous time. Our division has also been commended in similar terms by the Commander of the allied armies, and you see, so far we have gotten away with it. It has of course cost us a lot, but such things cannot be helped in the war. Those of us that are left look around and wonder why it is we are left and others are taken. I will soon have an opportunity to write you some real letters. Battle of the Marne are a boon, it is terrible to be as dirty as one necessarily gets at times. There were rumors that we would this day participate in the celebration at Paris, it would have been grand fun to have been made much of, marched behind a band and see human beings dressed in something besides uniforms. I would enjoy looking at some clean women and children, and hearing some music and seeing a show. Well I will have the chance soon I reckon. I am getting back to my second childhood you will think, but it not that, only my military life has none of the pleasant part of military life mixed with it as yet. We enjoy it all the much more when the chance comes. At the present I am writing in a room in a house on a hillside looking out on a most beautiful section of the Marne valley, well worth fighting for and to keep the Boche out of. It seems to me that we have their number and they have gained a wonderful respect for “this ridiculious American Army.” Prisoners say of us that “they fought as if they were drunk, they don’t stop coming and the artillery must be crazy the way they cover us with shell fire.” Now adjos. Thanks for your dear letter of the 14th. I have been very fortunate of late.
Grant Shepherd
NOTES: He entered the service at an early date and was commissioned a captain at Fort Myers, Florida. He was wounded in July at Belleau Wood. This letter was written to his mother, the widow of Bass Shepherd.
TRANSCRIBED BY CALEIGH PICKARD
Dear Mother:
I should have written sooner after my arrival here where we have been for three days but always there has been things to prevent. We are back out of the front lines and gradually emerging from the condition of the semicoma induced by fatigue and overstrained nerves. We hope this is the beginning of a reasonable period to refit, reform and rest up for officers and men that they may return to normal condition of body and mind. I am enclosing a copy of general orders which I know you will enjoy, blessed ma; and because your unworthy son was one of the many in the crowd who did his best toward doing his duty. It has been a rather strenuous time. Our division has also been commended in similar terms by the Commander of the allied armies, and you see, so far we have gotten away with it. It has of course cost us a lot, but such things cannot be helped in the war. Those of us that are left look around and wonder why it is we are left and others are taken. I will soon have an opportunity to write you some real letters. Battle of the Marne are a boon, it is terrible to be as dirty as one necessarily gets at times. There were rumors that we would this day participate in the celebration at Paris, it would have been grand fun to have been made much of, marched behind a band and see human beings dressed in something besides uniforms. I would enjoy looking at some clean women and children, and hearing some music and seeing a show. Well I will have the chance soon I reckon. I am getting back to my second childhood you will think, but it not that, only my military life has none of the pleasant part of military life mixed with it as yet. We enjoy it all the much more when the chance comes. At the present I am writing in a room in a house on a hillside looking out on a most beautiful section of the Marne valley, well worth fighting for and to keep the Boche out of. It seems to me that we have their number and they have gained a wonderful respect for “this ridiculious American Army.” Prisoners say of us that “they fought as if they were drunk, they don’t stop coming and the artillery must be crazy the way they cover us with shell fire.” Now adjos. Thanks for your dear letter of the 14th. I have been very fortunate of late.
Grant Shepherd
NOTES: He entered the service at an early date and was commissioned a captain at Fort Myers, Florida. He was wounded in July at Belleau Wood. This letter was written to his mother, the widow of Bass Shepherd.
TRANSCRIBED BY CALEIGH PICKARD