TRANSCRIBED FROM THE HOME NEWS FEBRUARY 7, 1919 P. 3
Villerupt, France
January 1, 1919
Mr. Grover McCrory,
My dear friend Grover:
“Greetings, old chap.” It is with genuine sympathy that I greet the fact that you can’t be with us. Really you are missing the time of your life. It will take intimate conference some fine day, in the future to tell you just how much you have missed. At first the thoughts that to be in the army of occupation would keep me from a speedy return to the states, this made me blue at times. But I am indeed glad that the Second Army was selected for such a task.
For a new years eve frolic, two friends and myself were in three countries during the evening. At six we had dinner at Villerupt, France at seven-thirty we talked or my room mate German to the girls in the city of Audun-le-Tiche, Alasce Lorraine, later ee assisted the new year in in the city of Esch, Luzumberg.
This city of Esch is really a gay place. No scars of the great war are here to keep the miles of pleasure away. All dress well, and look well fed. German and Luzumberg coin are in plenty, and the people are good spenders. But, oh, the drinks, only France and England have the drinks. The beer at this section is very bad really I had rather have water Champagne is not to be found for any price. The wind is as poor a grade as the beer, thus the soldier who cares for the strong drinks is out of luck. Germany has had no chance to make the famous drink she is well known for having so much in abundance. May she soon get to work along the old lines of beer of beer brewing.
So much for the drink subject. I am sure you don’t care for such any more than myself in fact, it is the girls that you want to hear about. Well, they are here in large lots, good looking ones and the others as well. German is the most important language, that is, it is spoken more than the others. No English, all can speak the French, so if you can’t compre the German, you need not be surprised to hear “tout-de-suite”. Being of the lucky lot I have a room mate who can speak German as well as the natives. Rathke, being his name, would indicate that he would be well versed in the language of the Huns. Really one of the nicest fellows I have had the chance of being with. He does all the talking and I look on. We had been in the city only a few hours when we had a room at 48 Rue-de-Carnot with a Luzumberg faamily that treat us as well as one could be. They are strong for the Americans, and don’t care for the Huns one little bit. When we asked the price of the room per month, the answer was, “why should you pay us, the Germans never thought of such a thing.” This is not the American speed as you well know and the family are receiving more than they would expect for their entire home per month. And II must add that it is a real nice place, electric lights, coal stove, one of the grandest beds one ever dropped into. You have read of the famous French beds. Well, this is one I’ll write a book on some day. When I landed in the said bed at an early hour this morning, I thought it about the grandest little thing I ever came in contact with.
We were all fixed up for a move on the Rhine, but Lieut. General Bullard, commanding the second army paid our city a visit last week and thus orders came out that we stay here for a few more days. May the days run into weeks and even months, if we to stay over here.
Where the fellows from in and around McCrory are, you know, I do not. None, not one do I konw the address of, they may all be back with you for all I know. But this is hardly possible as the newspapers give no news of troops returning to the ports.
Much is being said about Mr. Wilson’s visit in Europe. The papers we see are full of the accounts of his royal welcome, both by the French and English. To be unprecedented is Mr. Wilson and in my way of thinking the greatest of all presdents. I am sure every Americans soldier is for him.
Can’t you find time to tell me all about business and gossip in and about the city?
Sincerely.
OSCAR WINFREE
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LARAE SHURLEY
Villerupt, France
January 1, 1919
Mr. Grover McCrory,
My dear friend Grover:
“Greetings, old chap.” It is with genuine sympathy that I greet the fact that you can’t be with us. Really you are missing the time of your life. It will take intimate conference some fine day, in the future to tell you just how much you have missed. At first the thoughts that to be in the army of occupation would keep me from a speedy return to the states, this made me blue at times. But I am indeed glad that the Second Army was selected for such a task.
For a new years eve frolic, two friends and myself were in three countries during the evening. At six we had dinner at Villerupt, France at seven-thirty we talked or my room mate German to the girls in the city of Audun-le-Tiche, Alasce Lorraine, later ee assisted the new year in in the city of Esch, Luzumberg.
This city of Esch is really a gay place. No scars of the great war are here to keep the miles of pleasure away. All dress well, and look well fed. German and Luzumberg coin are in plenty, and the people are good spenders. But, oh, the drinks, only France and England have the drinks. The beer at this section is very bad really I had rather have water Champagne is not to be found for any price. The wind is as poor a grade as the beer, thus the soldier who cares for the strong drinks is out of luck. Germany has had no chance to make the famous drink she is well known for having so much in abundance. May she soon get to work along the old lines of beer of beer brewing.
So much for the drink subject. I am sure you don’t care for such any more than myself in fact, it is the girls that you want to hear about. Well, they are here in large lots, good looking ones and the others as well. German is the most important language, that is, it is spoken more than the others. No English, all can speak the French, so if you can’t compre the German, you need not be surprised to hear “tout-de-suite”. Being of the lucky lot I have a room mate who can speak German as well as the natives. Rathke, being his name, would indicate that he would be well versed in the language of the Huns. Really one of the nicest fellows I have had the chance of being with. He does all the talking and I look on. We had been in the city only a few hours when we had a room at 48 Rue-de-Carnot with a Luzumberg faamily that treat us as well as one could be. They are strong for the Americans, and don’t care for the Huns one little bit. When we asked the price of the room per month, the answer was, “why should you pay us, the Germans never thought of such a thing.” This is not the American speed as you well know and the family are receiving more than they would expect for their entire home per month. And II must add that it is a real nice place, electric lights, coal stove, one of the grandest beds one ever dropped into. You have read of the famous French beds. Well, this is one I’ll write a book on some day. When I landed in the said bed at an early hour this morning, I thought it about the grandest little thing I ever came in contact with.
We were all fixed up for a move on the Rhine, but Lieut. General Bullard, commanding the second army paid our city a visit last week and thus orders came out that we stay here for a few more days. May the days run into weeks and even months, if we to stay over here.
Where the fellows from in and around McCrory are, you know, I do not. None, not one do I konw the address of, they may all be back with you for all I know. But this is hardly possible as the newspapers give no news of troops returning to the ports.
Much is being said about Mr. Wilson’s visit in Europe. The papers we see are full of the accounts of his royal welcome, both by the French and English. To be unprecedented is Mr. Wilson and in my way of thinking the greatest of all presdents. I am sure every Americans soldier is for him.
Can’t you find time to tell me all about business and gossip in and about the city?
Sincerely.
OSCAR WINFREE
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LARAE SHURLEY