Letter to Mary A. Hawley (Document)

Letter to Mary A. Hawley

Hawley, George B., 1895-1918

2 pgs. 6" x 8", partial envelope

Hawley writes: of a baseball game played last night was so engrossing the teams didn't notice much of the air battle going on overhead. He states that baseball is their chief diversion when they have the time; that they have still not been shipped out to the front but still get bombed by the Germans. He thinks he is going to the rifle range tomorrow to learn how to fire grenades. He met someone in his platoon who is from Danbury and is acquainted with the Hawley family. Hawley also instructs his mother on how to send him care packages, inquires as to whether his family have received the souvenirs he has sent yet and asks for a description of the memorial day parade in Danbury.

1918-05-30

World War I--United States--Personal Narratives.

United States. Army. American Expeditionary Forces. Infantry Regiment, 307th.

France.

France
May 30, 1918
Memorial Day
Dear Mother –
Haven’t received a letter from you since April 8th but expect one soon. I suppose there was a very large parade there today. Write and tell me all about it. Last night we had a ball game which lasted until 9 o’clock and while we were playing, there was an aeroplane battle over us, but we were so busy we didn’t notice it much. Today, we played the non-commissioned officers of our platoon and defeated them by a score of ten to four. Baseball is the chief sport when we have leisure which are very seldom. Today the Germans shelled our vicinity more than any time since I have been here. We haven’t been in the line yet but expect to be very soon. Tomorrow I expect to go to the rifle grenade school to get instructions in firing grenades with very high explosives in it and when it explodes it fires shrapnel which are small pieces of steel. My address is:
Private George B. Hawley
Co. B, 307th Infantry
American Expeditionary Force
Via New York % B. E. F.
I thought I was the only fellow from Danbury in this company but yesterday I heard someone talking about Danbury and I questioned him, and he said his name was Rowley, lived on Elm Street. Mayme knows his sisters. They used to work in Rogers’ Silverplate factory. They work in Warner’s Corset factory now. He is in the same platoon with me. I saw one of the Zucca boys the other day, but forgot what company he was in.
By the way, if you want to send me any cigarettes, write to this place and ask them about sending things.
Miss Virginia Fuller
18 East 48th Street
New York City
They hold meetings the first and third evenings of each month at 6 East 30th Street. It is a family unit for Company B. They look after allotments also. Send your address to them if they haven’t notified you yet. They have tried to get all the addresses of nearest relatives of the soldiers in the service. Did you receive the two handkerchiefs I sent and one for Mayme? I wrote to Aunt Vinnie the other day. Hoping this letter will find you, Father, Mayme and her children well. I have got to clean my rifle now. I did a little shooting today and want it clean for tomorrow. Best regards everybody.
George