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Culbert, Elmo S.

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Chapman University Chapman University Digital Commons Elmo Culbert First World War Correspondence Collection CAWL Archives: First World War 11-17-1918 1918-11-17, Elmo to Emeline Elmo S. Culbert Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/eculbert_collection Recommended Citation Culbert, Elmo S., "1918-11-17, Elmo to Emeline" (1918). Elmo Culbert First World War Correspondence Collection. 13. https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/eculbert_collection/13 This Letter is brought to you for free and open access by the CAWL Archives: First World War at Chapman University Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Elmo Culbert First World War Correspondence Collection by an authorized administrator of Chapman University Digital Commons. For more information, please contact laughtin@chapman.edu. 1918-11-17, Elmo to Emeline Keywords U.S.A., U.S. Postal Service, Salt Lake City, U.S.A., Soldiers, Homesickness, Romance, Hot Weather, Cold Weather, Food, Wife, Camaraderie, Women at Home, Self-Determination, Gifts from home, soldiers' slang, photography, celebration, government, kit, reveille, training Identifier 2014.160.w.r_Culbert_worldwarone_1918-11-17_015 This letter is available at Chapman University Digital Commons: https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/eculbert_collection/13   Nick Dante 9/9/2015 [[Culbert Correspondence #15]]     [[Page 1-Letter]]   Sunday.  My own little wife: --  Dear, sweet girl, I wonder what you are doing. Only 1 hour separates us in real time, sweet- heart, so we are closer together than it seems. Yes, dear, you are closer than that –your little picture protrudes from a pocket of this writing kit, while your framed picture rests upon a small shelf above the head of my cot.  So you see dear, that your presence is almost felt. You are looking at me now, honey, and in your own hand writing I read “Always your own “Babe”.” It’s a sweet message, too, covering a world of meaning and feeling for me.  Sunday, dear, and me practically a prisoner. Two of us                     Nick Dante 9/9/2015 [[Page 2-Letter]]  are in charge of Quarters, a  job that I’m glad to get over and done. We have to see that the barracks are kept clean, taking up ourselves the dirt swept by the men into the aisle. Then we run messages for the Administrative Officer,  acting as his orderly –maintain order, etc. But it isn’t so bad, and I’m glad my turn came on Sunday, for I won’t have to miss any classes, as I would is it were on a week day. And besides, there has been lots of company around. My bunk is a regular headquarters, anyway, for a certain crowd, and they have kept me entertained all day. I say all day –I mean                            Nick Dante 9/9/2015 [[Page 3-Letter]]  when I haven’t been busy. I’ll  bet I’ve swept up a hundred times, and gone out as orderly about 20 times.  Really, honey, this is a wonderful life. My respect for the Gov’t has gone up a hundred fold, for their  effeciency has been demonstrated to me in a way I had no conception of. “Red Tape” might be criticized, but it is a faction of system, it is beyond critisism. For their system is the keynote of their success, and its a certainty  that success is being obtained.  Baby girl, my letters have probably been dry to a certain extent, for I know that the major portion of them have been made up of my work here. But, sweetheart, there are only two things in my life now, you and my work here and when I am talking to you, I                          Nick Dante 9/9/2015 [[Page 4-Letter]]  naturally want to tell you of what I’m doing, and what it is doing for  me. In the absence of news from you, my heart aches, but I try to hide all of those inner feelings and just let you know that your boy is well and working hard. Well, did I say, dear? I’m in better condition than I’ve  been in for years. Had occasion to run about a half mile yesterday and finished it with a spurt that would have killed me two months ago. Really, I’m astonished at myself. They sure will have me in the pink  when I leave here.  This is a funny climate, dear. one day it rains, then it pours and then it clears up. One day will be  warm as the deuce and the next will be bitterly cold. It sure is changeable. And no matter how hot the day, the nights are always cold. But I don’t                         Nick Dante 9/9/2015 [[Page 5-Letter]]  suffer any. Some of the fellows stand Revellie in the morning shaking like an Asp.  I mentioned yesterday having our official picture taken. Saw a proof of it today and its real good. Will send you one. Baby girl, when they are printed.  One fellow has just given me some home-made fudge and its sure a treat. This is a good bunch here and they all go 50-50 with me when they receive their packages. One of my jobs today has been calling at the P.O. for company mail and distributing  it, so I know who has received them – can pretty near always spot the candy and cake packages.  Little sweetheart mine, be my own little girl wife in spirit while I’m about, even as I am your own boy. Shall quit for now, babe dear. Your Elmo. 

1918-11-17, Elmo to Emeline

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1918-11-17, Elmo to Emeline

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