Walter G. Shaw letter to Lizzette W. Shaw - May 9, 1918
Transcript
[American Y.M.C.A. letterhead] May 9 1918 Dear Ma - : I should have Written to you sooner but I dident feel like it. My eyes were too weak. I am in a field Hospital. I got gased with mustard gas. My mask was allright but I had to take it off as the light rain was falling and it was so dark I fell in the shell holes when we went out after a wounded Leiut. and some other men. My lungs are still sore but I think I will be back with unit in 10 or 12 days The first breath of gas was
Transcript
the worst of all It almost took my breath. I couldent see for 2 days. We have the very best doctors. my unit is on one of the most active fronts on the line the german heavy artilery fire is awful espicaly the high explosives They wreck ones nerves. I recd your last letter saying you rec’d my card from Italy. Just Our Band went. we represented the american army. It was a propaganda expedition. The germans continue to launch their attact against the western front but they are only beating themselves they can never get thru. To-day is a nice day the
Transcript
sun is shining. An old French lady just passed thru camp. I talked to here she is a refuge. she hapened to have come from the same town where I was and she asked about her house on Ru de — which I accidentlely noticed one day while walking down that street. well I told here there wasent any thing left but ruins. she seemed very sorry. you can write Pearl that you heard from me I am not writeing only one letter and that is to you I dont expect to write again for a couple of wks. I must close Your Loving Son Walter
Details
| Title | Walter G. Shaw letter to Lizzette W. Shaw - May 9, 1918 |
| Creator | Shaw, Walter Gray |
| Source | Shaw, Walter G. Letter to Lizzette W. Shaw. 09 May 1918. Walter Gray Shaw Collection, 1917-1919. 1982.83.61. National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. |
| Description | In a letter written by Walter G. Shaw on May 9, 1918, while overseas, to his mother, Lizzette W. Shaw, Shaw wrote about his experience being gassed, the German artillery attacks, and the Band going to Italy on a propaganda tour. |
| Subject LCSH | United States. Army. Infantry Division, 1st; World War, 1914-1918--Medical care; World War, 1914-1918--Music and the war; World War, 1914-1918--Artillery operations, German |
| Subject Local | Mustard gas |
| Site Accession Number | 1982.83.61 |
| 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 | May 9, 1918 |
| Language | English |