Otto CW Kappelmann to Anna-Marie Bubendey

Title

Otto CW Kappelmann to Anna-Marie Bubendey

Creator

Kappelmann, Otto Carl Wilhelm, 1888-1960

Identifier

WWP18896

Date

1917 August 8

Source

Daniel Metraux

Subject

World War, 1914-1918

Language

English

Text

Pleasantville, NY
1:am

My dear Anna-Marie,

Received your postal of the 1st ins for which many thanks. Was glad to hear that you are all well and are having a good time.

We had quite some hot weather here too last week, but now it is very pleasant and cool. I spent most of the hot time in the swimming pool.

Have been extremely busy the last days—especially to-day—as the paymaster came around. Generally one of the officers pays off the company, but as all of our officers were away at the time, I had to take charge of the money to pay off the company. This kept me busy nearly all day, and as I got only 3½ hrs sleep last night, having been on patrol duty for 8 hours, and now being on patrol duty once again, I naturally feel pretty tired.

I must say that I will be very glad when we leave this place so that we get more regular hours. All sorts of rumours are still around, and we received word from a friend at Governor’s Island that he saw an order for us to leave for Brooklyn on Friday, Aug. 10th —at 6:P.M.—I certainly do hope this order will come through, but as you already know, things are very often delayed in the army. In case we should leave, however, it would mean that we stay in the city for about two weeks as the camp in So. Carolina does not seem to be ready yet.

This afternoon I had to take some food to our outpost at the lake but before getting there, the tire blew up. I have been exceedingly lucky so far as this was my first blow out. Well, I had to run the car several miles without a tire as I didn’t have another one.

Last Sunday morning I went to the city and had dinner with father at the Germania. Everything was very nice. I then went out to the Ariel, but finding no one there, proceeded to Coney Island on a bicycle. I met a sailor from the U.S. Navy on the way out and had quite an interesting conversation with him. He said that the soldiers were quite comfortable on the transports and the sleeping accommodations are very good as the cabins on the steamers are not torn down. Of course, there will be more men than ordinarily in one state-room, but I guess it will be quite a nice trip across if we ever start out! had supper in Bath Beach and left Monday morning. If you see Miss Wilhelms, please tell her that I talked to Herman Buechner regarding his coming to the Lake, but Herman says the Eisemann Co. is so busy that all vacations have been cancelled. Well, that’s another instance of their darn niggardliness, instead of hiring more men when they are making lots of money, they steal the vacations from their employees. Well, it’s the same story all over again, but we should worry.

From what I hear and read of Spartanburg, So. Carolina, this seems to be quite a town and is supposed to have about 30,000 inhabitants. I must say, that I’m really quite anxious to get there. The country must be very pretty as the town is situated right at the foot of the Blue Ridge mountains.When do you expect to return to the city?

Hope all are well, with lots of love to you and the children,

Your brother,
Otto

Please remember me to Lieschen and everyone at the lake.

Original Format

Letter

To

Bubendey, Anna-Marie Kappelmann, 1887-1986

Files

D32007.pdf

Tags

Citation

Kappelmann, Otto Carl Wilhelm, 1888-1960, “Otto CW Kappelmann to Anna-Marie Bubendey,” 1917 August 8, WWP18896, Otto Kappelmann Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.