Otto CW Kappelmann to Anna-Marie Bubendey
Title
Otto CW Kappelmann to Anna-Marie Bubendey
Creator
Kappelmann, Otto Carl Wilhelm, 1888-1960
Identifier
WWP18923
Date
1918 July 26
Source
Daniel Metraux
Subject
World War, 1914-1918
Language
English
Text
Camp Wadsworth, So. C.
My dear Anna-Marie,
Your letter of the 17th inst. arrived several days ago. I was very glad to hear from you again and thank you very much for same. Of course, I understand how hard it is for you to get to letter writing and therefore appreciate your letters all the more.
Was glad to hear that Etta has been keeping you company and, no doubt, father will also be with you very soon. I read that the weather is now warmer up north; we are also having quite a warm time of it just now with a heavy shower nearly every afternoon to cool us off. However it is not anywheres near as hot as down on the ‘border’. The country around Liberty, according to your description certainly must be very pretty and I wouldn’t mind being out there myself for a while. However, that’s quite impossible, in fact it now seems as though my plans for a furlough in September may not realize. The captain, I believe, hasn’t passed on it yet and the first sergeant refuses to receive any applications at present. Will keep you advised, however.
It’s very nice that Pauly can help you with errands and other little things. You see, the time will soon come when the kiddies won’t cause so much work anymore—just think of the time when Rhoda will be able to help you in the house;—time flies, you know!
How is Miss Urchs? Please remember he me to her. I at last wrote quite a long letter to Gustav Elsner; he shurly will be surprised to hear from me.
You asked about the darkies, well they don’t drill anymore as there is too much other work for them to do. Otherwise everything is just about the same as ever. Last Tuesday evening our entire detachment was taken in motor trucks over to an Infirmary on the other side of the camp for a physical examination. It was quite thorough, especially the lung and heart test and tuberculosis test and, of course, I passed in everything. We do not know the reason for this exam. but it does not seem to signify anything, they just want the records on hand. Such exams. seem to come around every once in a while.
We now have a new doctor in this detachment, seems to be very pleasant and having been bothered more or less with indigestion, I paid him a visit. So every morning he gives me a small glass full of mineral (Petrolatum) oil to drink which is doing me lots of good. I’m feeling great otherwise and hope you and the children are also well.
You will find a clipping enclosed which I thought might interest you.
Recently read that L. Vogelstein & Co. with whom I worked in 1913 have been taken up by the Government as alien property. I’m darn glad of that as far as Hothorn is concerned and I hope they make him sweat as much as he made others sweat! Nice sentiments, eh?
There seems to be quite some activity on the other side and if things keep up the way they have the last week peace ought not be so very far off anymore, at least not more than a year or so. The sooner the better, I say!
Been pretty busy in the office lately even though several new men have come into our department. Expect that the camp will soon again be filled up and larger than ever before & then things will be humming again.
Has John Ferguson heard from his brother? They must be quite near the front by this time.
Have been taking a couple of walks lately through the country, it’s quite pretty in some places & there’s lots of corn and the cotton is beginning to bloom again. Otherwise I spend my free time reading (mostly newspapers), playing checkers or cards, and seeing the movies. We had quite some interesting pictures lately—pictures showing the French in the war, also ‘Hit the Trail Holiday’ which I saw on the stage in 1915, etc. Once in a great while I go to town for a change.
Well, that’s about all for to-day.
Please give my love to father in case he is already with you, also to the children.
With lots of love.
Your brother,
Otto
My dear Anna-Marie,
Your letter of the 17th inst. arrived several days ago. I was very glad to hear from you again and thank you very much for same. Of course, I understand how hard it is for you to get to letter writing and therefore appreciate your letters all the more.
Was glad to hear that Etta has been keeping you company and, no doubt, father will also be with you very soon. I read that the weather is now warmer up north; we are also having quite a warm time of it just now with a heavy shower nearly every afternoon to cool us off. However it is not anywheres near as hot as down on the ‘border’. The country around Liberty, according to your description certainly must be very pretty and I wouldn’t mind being out there myself for a while. However, that’s quite impossible, in fact it now seems as though my plans for a furlough in September may not realize. The captain, I believe, hasn’t passed on it yet and the first sergeant refuses to receive any applications at present. Will keep you advised, however.
It’s very nice that Pauly can help you with errands and other little things. You see, the time will soon come when the kiddies won’t cause so much work anymore—just think of the time when Rhoda will be able to help you in the house;—time flies, you know!
How is Miss Urchs? Please remember he me to her. I at last wrote quite a long letter to Gustav Elsner; he shurly will be surprised to hear from me.
You asked about the darkies, well they don’t drill anymore as there is too much other work for them to do. Otherwise everything is just about the same as ever. Last Tuesday evening our entire detachment was taken in motor trucks over to an Infirmary on the other side of the camp for a physical examination. It was quite thorough, especially the lung and heart test and tuberculosis test and, of course, I passed in everything. We do not know the reason for this exam. but it does not seem to signify anything, they just want the records on hand. Such exams. seem to come around every once in a while.
We now have a new doctor in this detachment, seems to be very pleasant and having been bothered more or less with indigestion, I paid him a visit. So every morning he gives me a small glass full of mineral (Petrolatum) oil to drink which is doing me lots of good. I’m feeling great otherwise and hope you and the children are also well.
You will find a clipping enclosed which I thought might interest you.
Recently read that L. Vogelstein & Co. with whom I worked in 1913 have been taken up by the Government as alien property. I’m darn glad of that as far as Hothorn is concerned and I hope they make him sweat as much as he made others sweat! Nice sentiments, eh?
There seems to be quite some activity on the other side and if things keep up the way they have the last week peace ought not be so very far off anymore, at least not more than a year or so. The sooner the better, I say!
Been pretty busy in the office lately even though several new men have come into our department. Expect that the camp will soon again be filled up and larger than ever before & then things will be humming again.
Has John Ferguson heard from his brother? They must be quite near the front by this time.
Have been taking a couple of walks lately through the country, it’s quite pretty in some places & there’s lots of corn and the cotton is beginning to bloom again. Otherwise I spend my free time reading (mostly newspapers), playing checkers or cards, and seeing the movies. We had quite some interesting pictures lately—pictures showing the French in the war, also ‘Hit the Trail Holiday’ which I saw on the stage in 1915, etc. Once in a great while I go to town for a change.
Well, that’s about all for to-day.
Please give my love to father in case he is already with you, also to the children.
With lots of love.
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 July 26, WWP18923, Otto Kappelmann Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.