Otto CW Kappelmann to Anna-Marie Bubendey

Title

Otto CW Kappelmann to Anna-Marie Bubendey

Creator

Kappelmann, Otto Carl Wilhelm, 1888-1960

Identifier

WWP18926

Date

1918 August 28

Source

Daniel Metraux

Subject

World War, 1914-1918

Language

English

Text

Camp Wadsworth, So. C.

My dear Anna-Marie,

Just received your long and interesting letter of the 25th inst. and thank you very much for same,—also for the clipping enclosed which also interested me very much. I had already seen an article about that Chemical Co which, however, did not give as much information as the one you sent me. Yes, there can be no harm in sending newspaper clippings through the mail, only be s it might be well to be sure that your envelopes are pasted securely,—the one just received arrived open and just looks as though it had never been pasted. I only mention this because I don’t like people around here to stick their nose into family affairs.

I am very glad that Miss Cappelle can be with you and can imagine she is just the company you would like. Also glad to hear that father will probably spend another week with you; no doubt the rest up there does him a lot of good. I regard to Elisabeth,—I hope she can spend a short time with you but, you know, she is pretty busy with a Secretarial course just now and so it seems doubtful whether she will be able to accept. She wrote in her last letter that Gretchen has given up her position in Philadelphia and is now working for the Mardon Orth & Hastings Co. in New York City—a big chemical concern. August will enlist in the Naval Reserve Force but had to undergo an operation in St. Peters Hospital before doing so. Yes, no doubt many of our friends will soon have to enter the service and I am rather interested to hear what Otto Koechl will do. Paul, of course, will be excused for physical reasons. How old is Minna Lee’s son? Of course, lots of my friends are already overseas and others in various training camps. Cranz just wrote me that two Ariel friends have joined the Navy recently. Cranz recently returned from the Pocono Mountains where he spends his 2 weeks vacation every year. Of course, he had to register with the Marshall up there,—he has to report whereever he goes, not being a citizen.

Glad to hear that the weather is now more agreeable; we also have nothing to kick about down here in that regard. Furthermore, everything down here is just the same as ever and there is absolutely nothing of interest to write about. Have been quite busy recently paying off hundreds of drafted men who are going back home, having been rejected for physical reasons. The Government is still quite particular about the kind of men getting into the service which is proved by the fact that as much as 30% was were rejected from the last draft bunch.

Besides the Slavic Legion which will soon be organized down here, a new Division will probably be formed in this camp, as per newspaper clipping enclosed.

There is no encouraging news to write in regard to my furlough plans,—in fact my plans have been pretty well shot to pieces as the commanding General has issued an order in accordance with which no more furloughs will be granted! I hope, however, that after the present organization’s have moved out of camp, which will possibly be by Sept. 15 th , the General will rescind the order. At any rate I will keep you posted.

A recent article in the Eagle interested me very much. It stated that Cook Wilker, formerly a cook in my old company when we were up state New York on the Aqueduct, was given a decoration over in France recently for bringing up his fine kitchen close behind the advancing infantry and feeding the soldiers under a heavy barrage, while the other kitchens were unable to advance. He’s a mighty fine fellow, formerly undertaker by trade.

So sugar cards have been issued now! Well, I guess a lot of unexpected and surprising things will happen before this mess is over. To-day I read that soon the Government will prohibit the use of automobiles for pleasure on account of a possible shortage of gasoline. It’s a good thing that the Government tries to regulate matters before they become critical.

Too bad about Mr. Wiener. Glad you got something for your shares.

We have several hundred German prisoners down here—all sailors. They are used on the camp farm and from what I hear are very willing and hard workers. They look quite healthy & robust. The prisoners are now building themselves a new stockade prison about five minutes walk from our office. It will be surrounded by three rows of ten-foot poles, each all closely interwoven with barbed wire and, of course, armed guards will surround them at all times. They work eight hours a day and get the same kind of food given to our soldiers when under prison sentence. Only the guards are permitted to speak to them.

With love,

Otto

Hope you and the children are well. – Best regards, Cappellman.

Original Format

Letter

To

Bubendey, Anna-Marie Kappelmann, 1887-1986

Files

D32040.pdf

Tags

Citation

Kappelmann, Otto Carl Wilhelm, 1888-1960, “Otto CW Kappelmann to Anna-Marie Bubendey,” 1918 August 28, WWP18926, Otto Kappelmann Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.