Find A ProjectSign Up To TranscribeSign In
EN
DeutschEnglishEspañolFrançaisPortuguês

Lewis J Ashby Letters

ReadAboutContentsHelp
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.

Pages

21
Complete

21

(2)

the roads are ripe and delicious. The wooded hill sides are full of ripe wild strawberries One can hardly realize that France has had over four years of war until one gets within a few kilometers of the front. We are the first Americans to be billeted in the village we are in and the villagers watch us with intense curiosity.

Yesterday I went swimming in the famous river [redaction]

The people in the villages we've passed thru treated us very kindly We obtained splendid meals for almost nothing. The women and children throw us flowers and the French soldiers greet us warmly.

We've been having fine weather with only light showers which last for only a few minutes.

I haven't had any mail for over a month but expect to receive some in a few days.

How are you dear. I hope my sweetheart is feeling fine and not working too hard.

Last edit almost 5 years ago by California State Library
22
Indexed

22

(3) I am feeling fine and am getting huskier and healthier every day.

I think of you every day — love — and am looking forward to the time when I can be with you again.

Say Hello for me to everybody, especially your folks.

Your soldier boy lover Pvt. L. J. Ashby American E.F. Co. "F" 117 Reg. Engrs. via New York

L R Paxton Lt Eng.

Last edit almost 5 years ago by California State Library
23
Indexed

23

AMERICAN Y.M.C.A. LOGO SOLDIERS MAIL

Postmarked: U.S.Army Aug 1 120 PM. Pvt. L.J. Ashby Co. F 117 Reg Engrs. A.P.O. — 715

Miss Mildred A. Neher 402 E. 1st Long Beach, Calif U.S.A.

A.E.F. Passed as Censored 206

Last edit over 4 years ago by California State Library
24
Complete

24

AMERICAN Y.M.C.A. logo

ON ACTIVE SERVICE WITH THE AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES

July, 21, 1918

Dearest Sweetheart,

I have been very busy the last two weeks and this is my first opportunity to get paper or time to write. I am now allowed to state that I have been in action on the Lorraine Front near and in Badonvillier. This is in the north west part of France. If you can't find this place on your map look for Baccarat and make a mark about 5 miles north of there.

That was sure some cartoon Erny drew of you, playing at Renricks, in the M. A. Weekly of May 22.

Sorry to say that the souvenir I bought to send you was destroyed by fire which burned down our barrack. Harold & I had picked out the best in

Last edit over 4 years ago by California State Library
25
Complete

25

(2) the place and I had it packed ready to mail and had been carrying it about waiting for an opportunity to mail it. I will get you another one at the first opportunity. I am now an automatic rifleman, the french is ("sho sho") it can shoot 140 shots per minute and is loaded by clips, each one holds 18 shells. Bandy is also an automatic rifleman. Well sweetheart, things have commenced to look brighter over here and I believe I will soon be able to come back sooner than I expected. I often sit and think what a wonderful time we are going to have when I get back. Goodby sweetheart I will write you a longer letter when I get time, Hoping you are having

Last edit almost 5 years ago by California State Library
Displaying pages 21 - 25 of 105 in total