Introduction
The following is compiled from Sid’s letters home to Alberta Douglas (which went to his daughter) and Sid’s war diary (which went to his son). Both were kind enough to grant me (his granddaughter) access.
Lost were an unknown number of letters which must have been written while Sid was at Camp Custer. His sister Charlotte's son remembers a trunk filled with Sid's WWI photos, which somehow ended up in Charlotte's posession but no longer can be found. Anyone who is a family historian can imagine the cry stifled when I heard this. Still, I count myself more fortunate than many to have letters, diary and the 329th Barrage Book, which give one of the more complete accounts of daily life for an American artillery soldier.
[Brackets] are used in transcription of Sid's writings, when ink was blurred, written over, and/or where cursive scrip was not clear (such as proper names). I left out the sections of personal letters that were chit-chat about folks back home or that were repetitious, leaving in what I thought would be of most interest to family. Family members may contact me for full transcripts.
Journal titles are my only change to Sid's writing, and were added to help readers locate sections from the archive that may be of most interest.
Click on thumbnail prints to expand photos.
If readers suspect typos, please email me and I will check the text entry against the originals. Thanks.....
[Your Name Here]
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Sept 7, 1917 (Camp Custer) Letter Home: Arrival at Camp
(for map of Battle Creek, near Camp Custer, click here)
My dear Alberta,
Please don’t find fault with the writing because I’m stretched out on my cot writing and I’m awfully tired too. We arrived all safe and sound and have been given our beds, blankets, towels & soap. Joe and I are both in the same company, that is battery. I will tell you about the trip tomorrow. Our cots and equipment so far is swell and the officers are all nice to us. We are in a company of swell fellows and certainly enjoy it.
Hope your mother wasn’t angry at me for keeping you out so late but I sure did hate to leave.
Examinations and uniforms tomorrow I hear. Reveille at 6:00 a.m. Isn’t that nice and only 5 minutes to dress in. Well, I’ll have to stop here so goodbye.......
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To read Battery entry on the arrival at Camp Custer click here
Oct 10, 1917 (Camp Custer) Postcard
April 15, 1918 (Camp Custer) Letter Home: hoping for six day furlough
Dear Alberta,
Well, I supposed you will think that I am awfully slow in writing but I have had charge of the shooting records on the range this week since Wednesday and certainly have had my hands full. I wish I had had time to call on you while I was in town Wednesday but I was afraid of missing the train. We were all just about played out for about 2 days after that trip from lack of sleep and excitement.
The trip was a success in every aspect and we have been complimented many times since for the way everything was handled. On the way back some of the boys got drunk and one of them was Sgt. Gustafson who was acting 1st Sargent. He was reduced to a private as a result and everyone here is very sorry that it had to happen as he was a dandy fellow.
I received a letter from dad today in which he said that he was taking my sister Florence to Ann Arbor for a special examination and treatment so she must be in a very serious condition. I have been worried about her condition for the past month and am afraid she’s too weak to ever get well again and because of the situation I won’t be coming to Detroit in the near future but will have to hold myself in readiness to go home when I receive the word. It certainly is a fright after all the poor kid has had to go through with mother’s death and the care of the children.
I am very sorry to have to disappoint you again but believe I am doing the wiser thing by staying here. If she improves you can expect me in a couple of weeks and will let you know when I can come. Our passes have been cut down again to- from Saturday noon to Monday reveille (6 a.m.) so I wouldn’t have much time there.
If I get a call to come home I will try to get a six day furlough and get some dental work done while I am there and I might possibly be able to come back by way of Detroit.
I must stop now and get on my fatigue clothes and go to the stables as the horses have to be put back in the barns. Heaps of love and best wishes to you and all.
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To read more about the Detroit parade, click here
June 25, 1918 (Camp Custer) Letter Home: preparing to leave
Dear Alberta,
.....I haven’t been home since Feb 22 and I guess I’ve forgotten when I was to Detroit last. We are packing up and making preparations to leave very shortly and they certainly do keep your truly on the jump. This will be my last chance to go anywhere so it I don’t get a chance to go this week I’m out of luck completely.
I’m planning on going home to bid the folks farewell and as much as I would love to come to Detroit, I’m afraid it’s out of the question. From Saturday noon to Monday reveille is as long a pass as one can get now.
We are receiving 88 men tomorrow to fill up our battery to full strength (194 men). I don’t know where they are coming from, but I think from Camp Grant. We had our overseas physical examination today and everyone of our bunch passed with colors flying....
...I don’t know exactly when we are to leave but we won’t be here for the 4th according to rumors at Headquarters. The Infantry and some of the other regiments are ready to leave now and after our horses are turned in it won’t take us over two or three days to be on our way (if the order comes) . We expect to turn in the horses some day this week, I’m glad I took a nice long ride Sunday evening as I imagine I won’t get another chance. I hate to see my little horse go but if it’s going to hasten our departure I’d sacrifice anything....