June 17, 1917
I never imagined I would be drafted and be stationed in France. When I am sleeping in the dugout i can feel the huge rats brush up against my leg and the sound of them is terrifying. They have stolen the little food I have out of my pockets, but I would rather have that than them feasting upon myself. I feel as if I am going insane with the thoughts of these beasts.
When I do try to sleep it is awfully difficult because of the stench of dead, rotting corpses. The rats feast upon these even when they aren't even all the way dead. There seem to be an endless amount of rats. I have never smelled anything so terrible as when I am in the trench. Nothing can compare to it. I need to try and get some sleep, so until tomorrow, goodnight.
Johnny Manion
March 21, 1916
My Dear Family,
The other nurses and I are now at a hospital in France. I have become friends with the other girls. I have been doing fine, I just wish the war to be over as quickly as possible so that all of us can come home. The terrible wounds from battle are not nearly as many as those who come in with their poor feet needing to be amputated or in need of care.
I have heard many stories from the men. They talk of the endless days of going without removing their soaking wet boots and socks. It is very similar to frost bite and has caused many men to come to the hospital for it. Sometimes the men went and took socks from the other dead soldiers to include as part of the rationing. I wish they could be supplied with endless amounts of socks and boots. I will keep working hard here and I hope that all the family is well. I love you all.
Love Always,
Mary Chapman
November 23, 1915
Mother & Father,
How are you? I miss you and the whole family. I am doing all right, but i recently discovered that i have chatts. It is such an unpleasant thing. I have blotches all over my skin from them and had to cut my hair to the skull. I dreaded having this done, but someone told me that if i did not, i would get money taken from my pay.
The chatts make all of us so itchy. I don't know how somebody in our battalion first got them, but they were spread very quickly to all of us. I try not to itch because I see the ugly marks it leaves on some of the other men. I have been stationed here in Germany for quite a few months now, but I want to come home.
Love,
Charles Ericson
