Sgt. Ervin Reuben Wakefield

ABOUT ME: Sgt. Ervin Reuben Wakefield - I was born on January 21, 1890 to Reuben Edson and Adaline Miles Wakefield (Frost) in Hardwick, Vermont. I was the sixth of seven children. At the age of four, I was sent to live with my maternal aunt, Ida May and her husband Willis Parker. I joined the Vermont National Guard.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Letter to Aunt Ida - November 12, 1918




Le Mons Franch
Nov. 12 1918


Dear Aunt Ida:


Well the war is over and all the boys are in a very good humor.  Last night when they got the news the bells and guns sounded and then there was one grand celebration from 6 o’clock until midnight and I guess it will be worse today than yesterday.
Last night I got a pass and went out.  The streets were crowded and all the flags were out, everyone was feeling pretty good.  I never saw such pleased people in all my life.  They would throw their arms around us and yell “Vive Le America”.  Wine was just like water but as I had to be in at ten I was in good shape.
The Company that I came across with is stationed outside the city about 15 miles at a training camp. Perhaps they have moved by now.  Some of the boys from Montpelier are stationed in the town working at a garage, whenever I go in town I see them.  They have a dandy place and good things to eat.  So we get a feed off them.
Just now I have no idea when we will get started home but the chances are that it will be 6 months before we get anywhere near ready.   I suppose there is a lot of cleaning up to be done at the Front and a lot of supplies to be taken back so if we get home by next spring we will be lucky.
Before the Captain of the Co. left I had him sign my state pay cards and I will enclose them in this letter so Uncle Will can get the money on them sometime when he is down that way.  Pay is very slow in coming over here.  I haven’t seen any for two months but it is no wonder we have been going all the time since landing and I guess the money hasn’t had time to catch us.  I suppose we will get it sometime and then I will have a lot.
As yet  I have not received from home a letter or any news except a clipping in the paper about the Spanish “Flu” and I wonder if any of you have had it.  I hope not as it is very dangerous.   I have seen a lot of it.  Coming over on the boat we had 2,000 cases.
It will be nice if I can get home next spring and we can all go up to the lake and stay a week or so.  I can tell you one thing is this when I get into a good bed and a good bath tub it will seem pretty good, I don’t know as I will know how to act.
I have to go now and change my bunk to some other building that is about all I do is move.
 
Hoping this finds you O.K.  I remain With Love,
    Ervin