George Rehn letter to Folks - November 5, 1918 - November 14, 1918
Transcript
[American Y.M.C.A. letterhead] Excuse the wavey writing as it is the sea going kind. At Sea [November] 5th [1918] Dear Folks! No doubt this is the letter you have long waited for. I am sorry I did not write the first day we left the States, but I just could not get started there being so many other things to do and watch. Say it is a grand and glorius feeling to think that we are on our way to the scene of action. At present no one knows where we are to Land, but Ill bet when we do we
Transcript
land once more. He has been sick every day since leaving, and at one time was so sick that he gave me his cigarettes, and was about to give me his money but I stopped him. It must be one awful feeling to hang over the rail and vomit and then go through the motions with out getting any thing to come up. Some Lay on the deck and groan. ha! ha! it seems funny to one who is feeling good. But I dont want to brag as we have yet about three days of it, and I may get the same dose We sleep a way down in the hold below the level of the sea. My bunk happens to be along or rather under a port hole which gives me some light but that is about all, as it never is opened and at night after sunset is covered by a lid. One hour after sunset the entire ship is darkened so as to leave no mark for a Sub-marine or any other enemy vessel. Last night my friend and I had several good meals together that is he would tell me what he would like to have to eat, and then I would tell him. We sat on the upper deck untill it got to cool, then went down to our bunks. Pier chow is a little better than we have been getting at [Parris Island] or Quantico, that is, there is not so much
Transcript
[page 2] [American Y.M.C.A. letterhead] grease about it. We used to have every thing cooked in grease but the sailors put out a better chow, they being better prepared for it, in having good untensils. For an example to day we had nice crisp pork chops, potatoes, gravy, bread and tea well when we had that on the Island it was mostly grease including the tea. This morning it was pork sausages, potatoes, oatmeal, bread and coffee not so bad at that was it. As for sleeping aboard a ship it is a peculiar feeling to feel yourself sliding from one end of your bunk to another then find yourself going up and down. I hit the hay about 830 every night and am up at 5. After a wash and breakfast we assemble on one of the upper decks and have rifle inspection ect. untill 1130 when we are dismissed for chow. After dinner the time is our own. We lay down on the decks gaze into the sea, dream of home smoke cigarrettes and laugh at the lads hanging over the rails. Its a regular hoboes life lay around smoke and think. I never was so crazy
Transcript
about playing checkers, but nothing else to do but that. Being broke is all that keeps me from poker or crap games of which there are many going on all the time. Sunday I went to church or services with my friend who is a Catholic. The acting priest preached quite a sermon, and there were many other things about the service which proved interesting to me, it being the first of that kind I have ever attended. That reminds me, some how or other the Luthern Chaplain at [Parris Island] found me and asked as to whether I had been confirmed or not. I told him no and he gave me a talking to and later confirmed me. I had the first glass of wine at that ceremony that I had in six months. The chaplain said he would mail the papers back home, I suppose you have them by this time. I hope this takes your idea of me being a heathen off your mind. Yesterday we had what is called
Transcript
[page 3] [American Y.M.C.A.] orchestra of four pieces. There were six boxing bouts between Marines and sailors. The sailors getting the decision in four of them. A little of the jealousy between the sailor and marine still exists as was shown yesterday during the show. A peculiar incident happened during the show. They have aboard ship what is called a mast, one at forward and one at aft. At the top of each is a nest or box called the crows nest in which there is a Lieut. and four Marines who act as look outs. Well while squatted on the deck watching the shows one of the men above got sick and down came the chow, spaghetti and all, over my self and every one around me. It surely happened at the right time as to give every one a chance to have a good laugh. November sixth passed in the usual way, nothing to do but eat and watch the water. But [November] 7th oh me, oh my I will never forget
Transcript
that day as long as I live. We got up at the usual time or rather fell out of our bunks at the sound of the bugle when we noticed the ship was jumping up and down and rolling from side to side. Well I dressed went up stairs and looked out. Along comes a big wave and threw me off my feet. Believe me I never heard the wind whistle so much in all my life or saw the rain come down the way it did. It just seemed to be raining side ways instead of coming down in the usual way. After a bit we got used to the storm and stood around watching others roll from side to side. You know they dont feed us at tables here. Each man has an outfit called mess gear which consists of an aluminum pan with lid, canteen, canteen cup, knife, for, spoon, bacon can and a condiment can which is used to carry coffee grounds, salt and pepper. Well to get to what I want to tell you about, we were lined up for chow, holding out our pans when up comes a wave and shoots the ship almost on it side. Every body fell in a heap and got up to find himself covered with
Transcript
[page 4] [American Y.M.C.A. letterhead] coffee, corn, soup, meat and potatoes talk about laugh it was a scream. Everything all over every body. I went to get a drink at one time and I slid about 25 ft after I got it then knocked over a can of oil and fell smack on my back. Ive heard of people falling up a flight of stairs and doubted it, but now I know it can be done as I had the experience. I started to go up and could not have come down if I tried. I just simply fell up. We saw men slide from one end of the ship to another. In the kitchen is where the fun was. I saw pans of meat sliding up and down the range as a boat does on a shoot the chutes. We had smooth sailing for some time and most were wishing for some rough stuff and believe me they got it. Today the sun is shining again and the water has settled down considerably but is not calm The sailors say it takes at times a week untill all is calm.
Transcript
To morrow we land, where I dont know, but its going to be welcome land even though it should be a desert. I am wondering whether you ever got the letter and cards I sent while on the train between Quantico and New York. I am going to close now and get ready for the great shove off I will write you very soon and very often. Dont believe I will close as yet for I have nothing to do at present and am lying on my bunk waiting for morning to come I dont think I will sleep tonight as I am not tired and all excited about seeing land once more. Makes a feller wonder how lands looks after not seeing any for twelve days. We sleep in all our clothes to night as we have everything packed up in our marching order. I dont believe Ive ever told you what we carry on a hike. Well here it is. 3 Blankets, 1 raincoat kit bay containing all our toilet articles 1 meat can. 1 meat can cover, 1 bacon can, 1 condiment can, knive, fork and spoon, canteen, canteen cup, 1 shirt 1 suit woolen underwear, 3 pair woolen socks, 1 pair woolen gloves
Transcript
[page 5] [American Y.M.C.A letterhead] 1 pair shooting gloves, 1 pair wristlets 1 sweater, 1 pair dress shoes, one half of a tent, 2 tent pins, 1 tent pole, 1 over-coat, 1 woolen helmet, first aid kit containing gauze and cotton, 1 bolo knive, (some carry a pick, shovel or pair of shiers instead) 2 towels, a bayonet and a rifle. If that aint carrying a load I dont know what one would call a load. The outfit complete including the rifle weigh about 98 pounds, and when you take a hike with 98 pounds on your back you think youve got a man on your shoulders. We get breakfast on the ship in the morning and dinner somewhere in France. If we were permitted I could write you a lot more about our ship, our landing place, our convoy that is the boats that came out to meet us today, and a whole lot more but then its a good thing we cant write what we want as I want some thing to talk about when I get back to Hanover.
Transcript
our company is on Guard Duty to night, that is, forty five men and I ran in luck this time in not being called. No fun to be out in the cold air, darker than Hanover when the lights are dead. And believe me the wind does blow, I know, for I had it the third night out at sea. Old man sea is a little rough again to night, but who cares arent we soldiers of the seas? Ha! Ha! Do you know what I wish I had now? Ten big homemade dougnuts, a few cups of hot coffee (that is real coffee the kind mother makes) and then a cigarette (oh man oh man) Just a good old fashioned old Dutch ladys afternoon lunch. Just as soon as we get to France Im going to get some of those famous Salvation Army doughnuts I used to read so much about back home Just as soon as you get this I wish you would get me some more razor blades and rush them to me as I am getting short. I dont suppose Mother forgot about that check on Irwin, How much wine did Dad get? They tell me there is more wine to be had where we land than any other place on the map. and it
Transcript
[page 6] [American Y.M.C.A. letterhead] it is cheap very cheap. But I dont beleive Ill touch it as I have lost all taste for alcohol. I hope this letter finds you all well and happy and that goes for Geo. and Marie too. Tell the Theirers that I will write them as soon as possible. You cannot expect very many letters from me from now on so dont worry. I cannot send an address as yet, but will shoot it through immediatley upon receipt of same I will close as ever Lovingly George Hello to Marie and George
Transcript
[American Y.M.C.A. letterhead] [November] 14th [1918] In addition I wish to state that we have finally become settled in a rest camp. Our present mode of living is a little different to what we have had. We live or rather sleep six in a tent on the ground. We use our ponchos, shelter halves and three blankets to lay on and two blankets and an overcoat to cover up with. Havnt had a change in underwear, taken a bath or had off trousers socks and shirts off since landing Our duty at present consists of Police work mostly. The eats or practilly the same and plentiful. The French people in this section of the country are great. Have nothing to offer but wine and candy and ask fancy prices for same. Its going to be some time before I see you all again as I think
Transcript
the Americans have quite a task to do before sailing for home I am well excepting a little cold and their is no need to worry as to my future, as we are being well taken care of by Uncle Sam. I know you are having some time in trying to read this letter but I am doing the best I can under present conditions. My present address is Company B. 9th Sep. Batl. U.S.M.C. A.E.F. France Cannot at present write any more due to lack of time. Lovingly George Write soon and a lot of it.
Transcript
Met a lad that worked for me at Sickles. He is a Dispatcher and claims to have made many a try to the front in a motor cycle. Saw and spoke to a few German prisoners to day, all being pleased with living conditions here. One seemed to think the war far from being over
Transcript
[American Y.M.C.A. letterhead] [written vertically] Dont forget the address Pvt. Geo. H. Rehn Co. B. - 9th Sep. Batl. U.S.M.C. A.E.F. France
Details
| Title | George Rehn letter to Folks - November 5, 1918 - November 14, 1918 |
| Creator | Rehn, George |
| Source | Rehn, George. Letter to Folks. 5 November 1918 - 14 November 1918. George H. Rehn Collection. 1982.279. The National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. |
| Description | George Rehn sent this letter to his family while sailing to France in November of 1918. Rehn discussed his voyage in great detail and inlcuded stories about sea sickness, food, and various daily activities. George Rehn was part of the 63rd Guard Unit, 13th Marine Regiment. Rehn served in France from November 1918 to July 1919 as part of Company B, 9th SEP Battalion. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918--Equipment and supplies; United States. Marine Corps--1910-1920; World War, 1914-1918--Transportation; World War, 1914-1918--Food Supply; Soldiers--Billeting; Weather |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; United States. Marine Corps. Regiment, 13th |
| Site Accession Number | 1982.279 |
| Contributing Institution | National World War I Museum and Memorial |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the National World War I Museum and Memorial: (816) 888-8100. |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. |
| Date Original | November 5, 1918 |
| Language | English |