Otto CW Kappelmann to Anna-Marie Bubendey
Title
Otto CW Kappelmann to Anna-Marie Bubendey
Creator
Kappelmann, Otto Carl Wilhelm, 1888-1960
Identifier
WWP18933
Date
1918 October 1
Source
Daniel Metraux
Subject
World War, 1914-1918
Language
English
Text
Dear Anna-Marie,
Just a few lines about that commission proposition. You say I have some push to take that exam! Well, I I really don’t call it that—gall is the better name for it! To tell you the truth, I’m rather worried about the proposition—if I should pass they might put me up against some job about which I don’t know know any thing at all. However, that’s a chance everyone has to take! You see, I was awfully sick of this place and in a sort of a desperate fit, jumped into the mess I’m now in. Well, it remains to be seen whether I bit off more than I can chew, possibly luck will be with me. Howver, being yet uncertain about the whole proposition, I still do not care to mention it to anyone until things are more decided.
So far we have not heard about the exam results. Last Monday we were called up before a Lieutenant Colonel, for over at Depot Headquarters, for a personal interview. He interviewed each one separately and the very first question put to me was: ‘Do you speak German fluently?’ and also ‘Are you German decent? Where do you come from?’ so it wouldn’t surprise me at all if the German decent held me up, even in case I passed everything else, which is also still doubtful. I certainly took a lot of wild guesses in the exam., they sure did ask some awful conundrums! Of course, everyone felt rather nervous before the interview but I believe mine went off OK; at least, I was able to answer everything he asked at the interview—some questions were on military law, questions on which I flunked in the written exam; at least judging from his remark to me that if I had written the answers as well as I had verbally answered him, my mark on the law would have been very much better!
To-day I heard a rumour that three men flunked, twelve others would be commissioned direct, and the balance would be sent to school. However, I never pay much attention to rumours until they are confirmed. Who the flunked men, or the others are, I don’t know, but nothing will surprise me. I must confess, however, that the suspense is not very pleasant.You do not know how much I appreciate the fact that I can talk things over with you—there isn’t really anyone else I feel like expressing all my thoughts and ideas to—so you see I certainly do appreciate your remarks at the end of your letter.
My correspondence with Elisabeth has been kept up quite regularly. After returning from my furlough last January I often thought about the things we talked about when I was home and I’ve sort of come to the conclusion that the best thing is to remain just very good friends. I never mentioned anything else to her and it’s just as good that I did not. You know, I’ve often said that I’m not a marrying man, and I now more confirmed in that than ever before.
With lots of love,
Your brother
Just a few lines about that commission proposition. You say I have some push to take that exam! Well, I I really don’t call it that—gall is the better name for it! To tell you the truth, I’m rather worried about the proposition—if I should pass they might put me up against some job about which I don’t know know any thing at all. However, that’s a chance everyone has to take! You see, I was awfully sick of this place and in a sort of a desperate fit, jumped into the mess I’m now in. Well, it remains to be seen whether I bit off more than I can chew, possibly luck will be with me. Howver, being yet uncertain about the whole proposition, I still do not care to mention it to anyone until things are more decided.
So far we have not heard about the exam results. Last Monday we were called up before a Lieutenant Colonel, for over at Depot Headquarters, for a personal interview. He interviewed each one separately and the very first question put to me was: ‘Do you speak German fluently?’ and also ‘Are you German decent? Where do you come from?’ so it wouldn’t surprise me at all if the German decent held me up, even in case I passed everything else, which is also still doubtful. I certainly took a lot of wild guesses in the exam., they sure did ask some awful conundrums! Of course, everyone felt rather nervous before the interview but I believe mine went off OK; at least, I was able to answer everything he asked at the interview—some questions were on military law, questions on which I flunked in the written exam; at least judging from his remark to me that if I had written the answers as well as I had verbally answered him, my mark on the law would have been very much better!
To-day I heard a rumour that three men flunked, twelve others would be commissioned direct, and the balance would be sent to school. However, I never pay much attention to rumours until they are confirmed. Who the flunked men, or the others are, I don’t know, but nothing will surprise me. I must confess, however, that the suspense is not very pleasant.You do not know how much I appreciate the fact that I can talk things over with you—there isn’t really anyone else I feel like expressing all my thoughts and ideas to—so you see I certainly do appreciate your remarks at the end of your letter.
My correspondence with Elisabeth has been kept up quite regularly. After returning from my furlough last January I often thought about the things we talked about when I was home and I’ve sort of come to the conclusion that the best thing is to remain just very good friends. I never mentioned anything else to her and it’s just as good that I did not. You know, I’ve often said that I’m not a marrying man, and I now more confirmed in that than ever before.
With lots of love,
Your brother
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 October 1, WWP18933, Otto Kappelmann Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.