DIY History | Transcribe | World War I Diaries and Letters | Conger Reynolds newspaper clippings, 1916-1919 | 1918-01-28 Clipping: "Letters from our soldiers" by Conger Reynolds

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Conger Reynolds newspaper clippings, 1916-1919

1918-01-28 Clipping: "Letters from our soldiers" by Conger Reynolds

LETTERS FROM OUR SOLDIERS
Nearing Port,
January 28, 1918.
W. Earl Hall,
Iowa City, Iowa.
Dear Louie:
Shortly before the good ship whose name I have been obliged to delete sailed from 
America an officer from the censors office came aboard and told us how to have our mail addressed.  Before I could write a letter to you about it, we had pulled away from the dock.
The correct address for me, according to the censor, is that I have given in the upper left hand corner of the envelope herewith.  It should be no more, no less and should be typewritten or printed.  The return address of the sender should be given.  I use no stamps, but the fellow at the other end will have to use postage, at domestic rates only.
Except for the thrills of the trip through the danger zone our voyage has not been particularly interesting.  The weather was bad much of the time.  The crossing was pretty rough.  Half or two thirds of the passengers were seasick; some of them all the way.  Inured to life on on the waves through my experiences on the Iowa I have stood the test like an old salt.  Compared to what the temperature must be back home, we have had warm weather.  During most of two days I lounged on the deck in a chair.  I can hardly fancy doing anything like that in Iowa in January.
For about forty-eight or more hours now we have been travelling through the zone most frequented by the submarine.  I'll admit the experience has been no great fun.  Everybody was a bit nervous at the prospect of having to take to the small boats in a sea that probably would have swamped them in a few minutes if it permitted their launching at all.  Conditions which I can't tell you about seemed to make our situation exceptionally precarious.
We are by no means out of danger yet.  Perhaps we are in the most hazardous part of the voyage now.  But with port only a few hours distance it is easy to feel confident that we shall get there.
We think, without knowing surely, that we are landing in England.  The postmark on this letter may tell you whether we did or not.
I shall be eager to hear what is happening with you and with other friends of mine at the University.  Do write to me.  And if there is anything I can do for you over here without sacrificing my primary business of helping to win the war, please ask me to do it.
May I ask you to tell ony of the folks at the University who may be interested that I have safely finished the first part of my progress toward the front.
More from France when I get there.
All good wishes,
Conger Reynolds.

Saving...

LETTERS FROM OUR SOLDIERS Nearing Port, January 28, 1918. W. Earl Hall, Iowa City, Iowa. Dear Louie: Shortly before the good ship whose name I have been obliged to delete sailed from America an officer from the censors office came aboard and told us how to have our mail addressed. Before I could write a letter to you about it, we had pulled away from the dock. The correct address for me, according to the censor, is that I have given in the upper left hand corner of the envelope herewith. It should be no more, no less and should be typewritten or printed. The return address of the sender should be given. I use no stamps, but the fellow at the other end will have to use postage, at domestic rates only. Except for the thrills of the trip through the danger zone our voyage has not been particularly interesting. The weather was bad much of the time. The crossing was pretty rough. Half or two thirds of the passengers were seasick; some of them all the way. Inured to life on on the waves through my experiences on the Iowa I have stood the test like an old salt. Compared to what the temperature must be back home, we have had warm weather. During most of two days I lounged on the deck in a chair. I can hardly fancy doing anything like that in Iowa in January. For about forty-eight or more hours now we have been travelling through the zone most frequented by the submarine. I'll admit the experience has been no great fun. Everybody was a bit nervous at the prospect of having to take to the small boats in a sea that probably would have swamped them in a few minutes if it permitted their launching at all. Conditions which I can't tell you about seemed to make our situation exceptionally precarious. We are by no means out of danger yet. Perhaps we are in the most hazardous part of the voyage now. But with port only a few hours distance it is easy to feel confident that we shall get there. We think, without knowing surely, that we are landing in England. The postmark on this letter may tell you whether we did or not. I shall be eager to hear what is happening with you and with other friends of mine at the University. Do write to me. And if there is anything I can do for you over here without sacrificing my primary business of helping to win the war, please ask me to do it. May I ask you to tell ony of the folks at the University who may be interested that I have safely finished the first part of my progress toward the front. More from France when I get there. All good wishes, Conger Reynolds.