Otto CW Kappelmann to Anna-Marie Bubendey
Title
Otto CW Kappelmann to Anna-Marie Bubendey
Creator
Kappelmann, Otto Carl Wilhelm, 1888-1960
Identifier
WWP18914
Date
1918 March 31
Source
Daniel Metraux
Subject
World War, 1914-1918
Language
English
Text
Camp Wadsworth, So. C.
My dear Anna-Marie,
Being alone in the tent at present, most of the fellows are either playing or watching a baseball game, I take this opportunity to thank you for your long, nice letter of the 25th inst. which arrived two days ago. I was especially glad to hear that you and the children are quite well again. Now let’s hope that you will soon get satisfactory help again.
I had intended to send you Easter greetings before this but somehow didn’t get to it. However, my thoughts have nevertheless been with you all right along. Am very glad that you got some Easter gifts for the kiddies for me and also thank you for getting that drum for Paul’s birthday. I have asked father to give you the money just as soon as you let him know the amount.
Please excuse this scribble, but I’m writing this letter on my lap, having no table in the tent.
It was very nice of Pauly to send me that card which arrived yesterday afternoon. Also many thanks for your note on same. Elisabeth writes that she finds Paul very much quieter and very good which I was very glad to hear. It is too bad that Paul’s teacher cannot manage him and, no doubt, from what you write, she doesn’t seem to be the right kind. It is, of course, rather hard for me to say just what to do in the case. From a former Poly man in our corps I hear that Mr. Little’s school has a very good reputation and Mr. Little always seemed to me to be a very fine man. I have been rather inclined to favor public schools, that is those which have scholars from better class families as Paul’s seems to have, but there is no doubt in my mind that a male teacher certainly would be very much better for Paul. Therefore, Mr. Little’s school seems to me about the right thing. He will, no doubt, get more individual attention there. Where is this school located? How old are the pupils? I do no think much of a private teacher at home! In fall it could then be decided just what course to take after seeing what result has been accomplished, I mean in case Paul should go to Mr. Little’s school. Changing around, of course, that is frequently, is not very good either but, I guess, in Paul’s age doesn’t make so much difference in his studies.
Very sorry to hear that Mrs. Koechle is not well. Please give my very best regards to her as well as the rest of the family when you see them. It certainly is too bad that they couldn’t get the Lake George place again.
Have you thought about this summer? Have you made any plans? Is Etta going away with the baby? It would be very nice, I should think, if you go with her to some place.
I am not quite sure as yet just where I will spend my summer. Haven’t made my plans yet! (?) I must confess that this place is getting rather tiresome; however, it isn’t a bad summering place and, no doubt, I’ll spend a part of it here anyway. My landlord has been a little more kindhearted (?) than Mr. Koechle’s. Don’t even have to pay any rent at all! However, I would not mind a change of location and may decide to go on a little tour to Europe this summer. You know, that used to be quite the thing to do for a summer vacation!
About 30 men recently arrived from the Jacksonville, Fla. school and are attached to our corps. They all came from the school for which I applied last December which, application, you will remember, was disapproved by Washington. I now find that only a very few of the men down there were commissioned and so it seems that I didn’t lose anything after all by not going there. I’m now where most of those men are now. Seems queer!
Nothing of especial interest has occurred around here. Last Wednesday night I attended the Division Show “You Know Me, Al”, in Spartanburg. We have some excellent professional actors in this Division, that is—actors who are now soldiering, and they certainly put up a fine show. Seemed like the old days on Broadway. The fellows taking girl’s parts were especially good and I nearly caught myself flirting with one of them! Last night I had my usual Saturday night’s spree in Spartanburg—ham & egg supper, vaudeville show and then the movies. I put one over on the restaurant man alright! Ham & eggs cost forty cents. Well, I ordered 2 fried eggs for twenty cents and a ham sandwich for ten cents, thereby saving a dime. Got just as much ham and eggs, too, and two more slices of bread than otherwise! That’s what you call strategy! A dime is more in the Army than most other places, you know.
Tuesday night we will have a written & oral examination on the parts of an Escort Wagon. Don’t sound much, but when you see all the parts belonging to an Escort Wagon you kind of think it’s quite a job. There are exactly 103 parts, all kinds of bolts, staples, etc. and all with different queer names. However, I’ve been trying to pound them into my nut during the last week and guess I’ll get away with it. Next week we have to learn the different parts of a harness, etc.
Well that will be about all for to-day. I received 2 letters from father which have not been answered yet.
In the “Gas Attack” which I am sending you to-day you will find quite an interesting program of the Division Show. I think it’s made up quite well.
I do hope you are all having a joyful Easter to-day.
With love to you, father, & the kiddies,
Your brother,
Otto
My dear Anna-Marie,
Being alone in the tent at present, most of the fellows are either playing or watching a baseball game, I take this opportunity to thank you for your long, nice letter of the 25th inst. which arrived two days ago. I was especially glad to hear that you and the children are quite well again. Now let’s hope that you will soon get satisfactory help again.
I had intended to send you Easter greetings before this but somehow didn’t get to it. However, my thoughts have nevertheless been with you all right along. Am very glad that you got some Easter gifts for the kiddies for me and also thank you for getting that drum for Paul’s birthday. I have asked father to give you the money just as soon as you let him know the amount.
Please excuse this scribble, but I’m writing this letter on my lap, having no table in the tent.
It was very nice of Pauly to send me that card which arrived yesterday afternoon. Also many thanks for your note on same. Elisabeth writes that she finds Paul very much quieter and very good which I was very glad to hear. It is too bad that Paul’s teacher cannot manage him and, no doubt, from what you write, she doesn’t seem to be the right kind. It is, of course, rather hard for me to say just what to do in the case. From a former Poly man in our corps I hear that Mr. Little’s school has a very good reputation and Mr. Little always seemed to me to be a very fine man. I have been rather inclined to favor public schools, that is those which have scholars from better class families as Paul’s seems to have, but there is no doubt in my mind that a male teacher certainly would be very much better for Paul. Therefore, Mr. Little’s school seems to me about the right thing. He will, no doubt, get more individual attention there. Where is this school located? How old are the pupils? I do no think much of a private teacher at home! In fall it could then be decided just what course to take after seeing what result has been accomplished, I mean in case Paul should go to Mr. Little’s school. Changing around, of course, that is frequently, is not very good either but, I guess, in Paul’s age doesn’t make so much difference in his studies.
Very sorry to hear that Mrs. Koechle is not well. Please give my very best regards to her as well as the rest of the family when you see them. It certainly is too bad that they couldn’t get the Lake George place again.
Have you thought about this summer? Have you made any plans? Is Etta going away with the baby? It would be very nice, I should think, if you go with her to some place.
I am not quite sure as yet just where I will spend my summer. Haven’t made my plans yet! (?) I must confess that this place is getting rather tiresome; however, it isn’t a bad summering place and, no doubt, I’ll spend a part of it here anyway. My landlord has been a little more kindhearted (?) than Mr. Koechle’s. Don’t even have to pay any rent at all! However, I would not mind a change of location and may decide to go on a little tour to Europe this summer. You know, that used to be quite the thing to do for a summer vacation!
About 30 men recently arrived from the Jacksonville, Fla. school and are attached to our corps. They all came from the school for which I applied last December which, application, you will remember, was disapproved by Washington. I now find that only a very few of the men down there were commissioned and so it seems that I didn’t lose anything after all by not going there. I’m now where most of those men are now. Seems queer!
Nothing of especial interest has occurred around here. Last Wednesday night I attended the Division Show “You Know Me, Al”, in Spartanburg. We have some excellent professional actors in this Division, that is—actors who are now soldiering, and they certainly put up a fine show. Seemed like the old days on Broadway. The fellows taking girl’s parts were especially good and I nearly caught myself flirting with one of them! Last night I had my usual Saturday night’s spree in Spartanburg—ham & egg supper, vaudeville show and then the movies. I put one over on the restaurant man alright! Ham & eggs cost forty cents. Well, I ordered 2 fried eggs for twenty cents and a ham sandwich for ten cents, thereby saving a dime. Got just as much ham and eggs, too, and two more slices of bread than otherwise! That’s what you call strategy! A dime is more in the Army than most other places, you know.
Tuesday night we will have a written & oral examination on the parts of an Escort Wagon. Don’t sound much, but when you see all the parts belonging to an Escort Wagon you kind of think it’s quite a job. There are exactly 103 parts, all kinds of bolts, staples, etc. and all with different queer names. However, I’ve been trying to pound them into my nut during the last week and guess I’ll get away with it. Next week we have to learn the different parts of a harness, etc.
Well that will be about all for to-day. I received 2 letters from father which have not been answered yet.
In the “Gas Attack” which I am sending you to-day you will find quite an interesting program of the Division Show. I think it’s made up quite well.
I do hope you are all having a joyful Easter to-day.
With love to you, father, & the kiddies,
Your brother,
Otto
Original Format
Letter
To
Bubendey, Anna-Marie Kappelmann, 1887-1986
Files
Collection
Citation
Kappelmann, Otto Carl Wilhelm, 1888-1960, “Otto CW Kappelmann to Anna-Marie Bubendey,” 1918 March 31, WWP18914, Otto Kappelmann Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.