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Lewis J Ashby Letters

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Twenty-seven letters written by Private Lewis J. Ashby to his girlfriend Mildred A. Neher while serving in France, and occupied Germany. Lewis J. Ashby (sometimes spelled Louis in military documents) served with the 2nd Battalion of the 117th Engineers during World War I. This battalion was recruited at the outbreak of the war for immediate active service as combat engineers who performed the dangerous work of building roads, bridges, and putting up barb wire, often while under enemy fire. The 2nd Battalion was the first complete unit from California to see active service in France and the only one to serve through all of the campaigns on all of the important fronts.

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71
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Knights of Columbus Oversease Service

Two American Flags crossed over the Knights of Columbus logo

On Active Service with American Expeditionary Forces

A.P.O.

Date

(4)

Several ways, to be plain, that ain't ours. There's Fanchette, who stays at the estaminet, Who sends me the candy and flowers; There's Marie, she's a peach -- not to mention Julie, Or Celeste with that brown bobbing curl; But I'm headed right straight for the old U.S.A. Say, I Got to Go Home to My Girl!

(Them's my sentiments)

From your ever lovin' boy.

Pvt. Lewis J. Ashby. Co. F 117 Reg. Engrs. A.P.O. 715

Last edit over 4 years ago by California State Library
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L. J. Ashby Co. F 117 Reg. Engrs. A. P. O. 715

Postmark: Long Beach, Cal. Mar 12 6 - PM 1919

Miss Mildred Neher 402 East 1st Street Long Beach, Calif. [struck through] U.S.A

[added in pencil] 316 Ave 64 Los Angeles

Last edit almost 5 years ago by California State Library
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American Army of Occupations

YMCA

"Rainbow" Division 117th Engineers

Mayschoss Germany. Feb. 14, 1919

My Dear Mildred,

Just returned to the company dear. We are in a little German village near the Rhine and are living with the German people. This is a very mountanous part of the country. The vallies are so small that there is barely enough room for the houses of the villages. The sides of the mountains are stepped and they are covered for miles in every direction with grape vines. The civilians treat us very good. We are not allowed to sell or buy any food. I did not find on my

Last edit almost 5 years ago by California State Library
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American Expenditionary Forces Young Men's Christian Association Army of Occupation

(2)

return, any mail from you. But the company clerk informed me that all my mail had been sent to me. I have written for it and expect to receive your dear letters in a few days.

Well, dearest, conditions are begin-ning to look as if I'll soon be able to promenade down the broadwalk with my sweetheart.

I suppose you know that Harold Cook is not with the Company any more. He took sick on the way up and was left behind. I suppose by the time this letter reaches you he'll be back in L.A. Give him my best regards

Last edit almost 5 years ago by California State Library
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(3)

I had a wonderful trip up here. Stopped over night in the fortified town of Langre where we were stationed last winter. Past over the old battle grounds, Thru Metz in Lorraine; Luxembourg; Traveled along the Rhine, thru [Co stz] The Rhine scenery is wonderful, every once in a while I could see, on the top of a high mountain, one of the famous old castles.

I will send you some postals of some of the beauty spots around here.

We are guading the towns, roads and railways. Also doing a little drilling to keep from getting rusty.

We also go to school. Various college men of the regiment teach. We have classes in mathematics, French German, English and etc.

Last edit almost 5 years ago by California State Library
Displaying pages 71 - 75 of 105 in total