5.
Charles
Lewis "Charlie" ECKROAT
- the 5th child of
Lewis Anthony ECKROAT (1854-1935)
and Elizabeth "Lizzie" DAUM WINKAMP (1857-1896)
b: October 10, 1890 Near Fleming (Logan Co.?) CO
d: December 22, 1975 Seattle, WA B: Willamette National Cem., Portland (Multnomah Co.) OR
m: Lola M. PEASCCWNY/PIASCCXNY m. abt. 1920 Valpraise? Chile, South America
Charlie’s mother (Elizabeth) died when he was 6 years old. He, his brother George, and his sister Louise attended a Catholic boarding school, St. Francis Academy, in Columbus, NE.
He was a Corporal in the U.S. Army during WWI. Sister Connie saved his letters and postcards in her scrapbook. His date of entry in the service was October 3, 1917. His basic training was at Camp Lewis (now Fort Lewis, near Tacoma WA).
From Barbara ECKROAT WILD: Uncle Charlie worked in the Bremerton Navy Yard until retirement. He commuted from Seattle via ferry all those many years! We had all his wonderful descriptive letters from the front line (fox holes) in France and Germany. He served under General Pershing.
From Robert WILD: Uncle Charlie was in WWI and kept his old helmet in the basement. It had a bullet hole all the way through. The bullet grazed the top of his head which left a scar. As a kid this was very fascinating!
Charlie and Lola were married in Chile, although Lola was of Polish descent. He and Lola had one child who died at age 6 mos. They lived in a small house in Seattle.
Visit this site below for a listing of the young men who served in World War I from Whatcom, Skagit, and San Juan counties.
Thank you,
Darilee Bednar and Third St. Books Downtown
Marysville WA
http://www.thirdstbooks.com/colors/ww1whatcom2.html
http://www.rootsweb.com/~waskagit/ww1service4.html Our Uncle Charlie is there! (photo and bio)
| Charles Lewis | Eckroat | pic 08 |
Eckroat, Charles Lewis
Corporal, C. F, 59th Inf., 4th Div.;
born at Fleming CO, 10 Oct 1890; son of Mr. L. A. Eckroat, Orange CA; entered
service from Bremerton WA, 4 Oct 1917; transferred from 91st Div., to Co. F,
59th Inf., 4th Div.; transferred from Camp Lewis WA, to Camp Greene NC; promoted
from private to corporal; served at Aisne, Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne; in
Army of Occupation; overseas 15 months; awarded bronze star and silver star
citation for bravery near Chateau-Thierry; mustered out at Camp Lewis, 15 Aug
1919.
Letters of Charles Lewis Eckroat
Compiled & transcribed by Tammy Wild, Jan. 1997
Corporal U.S. Army to Sr. Constantia (his sister Louise)
Date of entry: October 3, 1917, Camp Lewis WA (Fort Lewis, near Tacoma)
Date of separation: August 14, 1919
Postcard Camp Lewis, Oct. 5, 1917
Dear Sister: Well, I am in the army now arrived here last night. Will write you a letter later. Address 11th Battalion 42nd Co, 166 Depot Brigade, Camp Lewis, Wash. Your brother, Chas.
Camp Lewis, Nov. 3, 1917
My dear Sister, Your letter was received a few days ago and was sure glad to hear from you. I should of written sooner but we are busy about all the time now, drill 8 hours a day & at night I am pretty tired and haven't much time after taking a bath and cleaning my clothes. It has been pretty dusty here and when we are all drilling. It is something awful every one of us has a cold and the dust doesn't help it much either. I guess we won't be bothered with dust anymore as it is just pouring down rain the worst I ever saw in this section of the country.
I have been home to Bremerton twice since I have been here. We came from that county 1 month ago today and it almost seems a year ago, so the time sure does pass slowly here. This camp is 17 miles from Tacoma & 40 miles from Seattle & Bremerton is 16 miles from Seattle. I can be in Bremerton in 3 hrs. if I make the right connections. I have my uniform but not as I want it. Everything is so small & tight fitting I can't get used to it at all.
This life is sure a fright, learn nothing but the easiest way to kill the other fellow in order to protect oneself. Those bayonet drills sure gives a person the cold chills. We have very comfortable quarters if they were kept warm but the upper half of the windows are to be left open at all times on account of our health. I have been vaccinated for small pox & three shots of the typhoid inoculation in my right arm. Was sure sick & my arms were so I couldn't move them for about the first week I was here. We all were sure tortured at first but now everyone is through with all this treatment. We get up in the morning at 5:45 for roll call or revelry, at 6:00 breakfast, 7:00 sick call, 7:30 drill till 11:30, 12:00 dinner, 1:00 drill until 4:30, 5:30 supper & after supper we are free until 10:45 p.m. But if we are in the barracks the lights are put out at 9:00 p.m. so you see we are very busy and have regular hours. We expect a payday pretty soon the 5th, but that is so small I don't feel as though I am getting any money at all - $30.00 a month. I was making $35 and over $40.00 a week before I was drafted & still have 26 days pay coming from the Navy yard. I don't know how long we will be here as it rains so much here in the winter months, they may send us to the Mexican border.
I am in a different company now than when I got your letter, we are just sent from one place to another as soon as everyone gets acquainted with each other. I got a letter from Tillie the other day she says Elmer Sheafer died in Fremont, Nebraska. This is the Sheafers that are next neighbor to them in Colo. on the homestead. Well I will send you one of my pictures I had taken before I left Bremerton but they are not so good as I expected them to be so will have some more taken in these Army clothes when I can get away long enough. Will try and write more next time so don't worry as I am not going to France without letting you know when I leave even if I don't answer your letters promptly as we go according to rules & order here. Write anything you please, as the letters are not censored and we are not very patriotic as much as we thought we would be before coming down here. With love and best health to you. Love, Your brother Chas. Address: Co. B. 361 Inf. Lewis Branch, Tacoma, Wash.
Camp Lewis, Dec. 15, 1917
My dearest Sister, Your most welcome letter was received with much pleasure, was sure glad to have you write again. I suppose you won't receive this letter until X-mas so it will be a little present for you anyway. Would like to send you a present but it looks as if we are not going to have any chance to get to town or anywhere. We are quarantined for the measles and then the mumps broke out but I am not worrying about either as I have had both. I had the mumps when we went to school in Columbus. The weather here is something terrible lately, rain, rain, rain, every day and the worst of it is we are out in it all, even if we are quarantined.
We are having target practice now also, 10 days completes the first course, and we have 5 days in on it now. It sure is awful right out in the rain. It sure keeps us busy cleaning our new rifles and keeping them from rusting. And every Saturday we have inspection of everything and we sure have to step some if a little rust is on one of those rifles. On the 100 yard range slow fire I made pretty good, but I done pretty good on all the rest too. Rapid fire, 10 shots a minute, I made 9 hits out of 10 on the 200 yd. range. It sure pays to be a fair shot as it may mean some good if we go to France. We are expecting to go most anytime but not to France right away at least not this 361st Infantry. We are short about 100 men in our company now 50 were sent away yesterday to work in the woods to get spruce for making airoplanes and some are in the hospital for measles and mumps and some for exemption.
You were asking if everything in the Army is as they print it in the papers, well you know how newspapers are, how they can lie. We sure are not in any summer resort or getting any swell eating either, butter is a thing we very seldom see and hash is the main bill of fare. We have beans quite a bit but they are so full of sand and rocks we can hardly eat them at times. So don't believe anything the papers say. These papers from Seattle & Tacoma sure print some awful lies of the nice time our Sammies are having at Camp Lewis. We can't even go to Seattle without a special pass and no one is going to get to go anywhere for X-mas either not even home so they tell us. All that will have to be done is keep us in quarantine and we can't go anywhere. I haven't been out of here since the last time I wrote to you.
I have a letter from Tillie and one of the girls, the other day she says she has an awful cold. I sure have had a long siege of the Lagrippe. Last week I could hardly hear a thing and out in the rifle range sure is bad too. 3,000 men shooting sure makes some noise. I am wearing the sacred heart you sent me. I hope it will be the best protection for me as this war looks as if the U.S. has to finish it now and we all will sure have to fight as the Germans are going to fight to the finish. We have only about half enough clothes so far: only one uniform, shirt & 2 pair of shoes and some haven't even their uniform yet and have been here as long as I have. Don't know when we will get our move. We will have to move to where the climate suits our clothes pretty soon. Well as news is pretty scarce here and I don't get any outside sights to write about I will draw my letter to a close hoping you are well when this reaches you. I will close with my best wishes and love. I am your brother, Charles- Wishing you a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
Camp Greene, NC, March 6, 1918
Dear Sister, Well I am at Camp Greene now. Came through Chicago but didn't take route through Lafayette. Was intending to telegraph you ahead so you could of saw me at the train but didn't go that way. Went through Columbus & Omaha, Kentucky, Tenn., Virginia. It was muddy here. Will write you a letter all about the trip later. Don't know my address yet, so will tell you later. From Chas.
Camp Greene, NC, Sun., April 7, 1918
My dearest Sister, I suppose you are longing to hear from me and my where abouts but have been thinking of you quite a bit. But I assure you it isn't my fault by me not writing you sooner. I arrived here from Camp Lewis one month ago yesterday and I have been in quarantine ever since until Friday. One of our number was taken down with the measles and when we arrived here those that were in the same car on the train were placed in quarantine for 14 days and when we had about 12 days of the time in, one in the same tent got the mumps and that meant 21 days more so at last I am to my company. I am in Co. F. 59th Inf. 4th Div. Yesterday was the first time I have been out of the camp. About 20,000 from this division were on parade being the anniversary of one year since the U.S. declared war on Germany and also for Liberty day the 3rd Liberty Loan. It sure was a grand sight. So if you happen to see the movies of the parade in Charlotte I am in the 3rd Company from the front of the parade.
I had a letter from Papa and Tillie a few days ago but they didn't say much. Papa is feeling pretty well so he says. I hope you are enjoying health as am well at present my self. How is the weather up there? It sure is some hot here at times, then it is cold and rainy awfully changeable. It is windy and dusty today. The ground here is red soil and say it sure is some muddy when it rains. I sure would liked it very much if I had of gone through Fowler or Lafayette then possibly I might of seen you at the train but we came via Omaha, Chicago and Cincinnati through Kentucky, Tenn., Virginia, and then here. We were 6 days and nights on the train, had a Pullman sleeper all the way and on the same train. Came over the U.P. main line to Omaha from Camp Lewis went through Julesburg, CO, 60 miles from where Tillie is. I sent her a telegram that I would either come through Denver and past Proctor or through Julesburg, but had no chance to send her a different message after we got along the line. You know we are not allowed to tell how or where we are going. We will leave here probably in the next few weeks to some where unknown to us so don't be surprised to hear from me in France or some place else before long. This is sure a large camp here about 60,000 soldiers here and they are from all over the U.S. I met a young fellow from Sterling, CO, last night that I used to work with there he sure was glad to see me.
I am in the Knights of Columbus hall here or rather they use it for services Sunday morning and then it is open to the soldiers for reading and free writing paper and envelopes so I am pretty lucky to get writing paper free anyway, don't you think so? I do hope the war will soon be over, don't you? I think it will soon end after this big spring drive that is on as the Germans are using the old men and young boys for soldiers now and we have lots of help behind us to finish with. I went through Columbus and while we stopped there I dropped Sr. Agnella a card that I was on my way probably to France. I inquired of a fellow at the depot of the Merz boys and one of them is in the training camp in Kansas. There are men here from Camp Pike, AR, Camp Custer, MI and almost every regular and national Army camp in the U.S.
Write me as often as you can well be expecting a letter from you soon as I am closer to you than any and write to the same address even if I go to France. Sending my best luck and best wishes to you. I remain, your brother, Chas.
P.S. I am wearing the scapular and sacred heart medal you sent so don't worry about me. I will stop off to see you when I go home if nothing happens. Write soon.
Camp Greene, NC, Wed., April 17, 1918
My dear Sister, You’re most welcome letter was received today also the box of candy and cookies, also the rosary and scapular. I am sure very pleased to think you are the only one that has sent me anything so far, but I guess George will think of me a little. I wrote to Papa and asked him to hint to George to send me a razor and a few things, but he is so closed since he is married that he don't think of me or anyone else. He may have a chance to be in the army himself there he can find out, it isn't all a bed of roses. Tillie and Papa wrote me once since I have been here but I guess they will write regular now, as I have a permanent address now. You write the same address until I write you different. I may be in a different camp most any day now, but we don't know where we go from here as the song of the army is "Oh! Joy oh! Boy where do we go from here."
The weather here is sure changeable, hot one day, cold as winter the next. Today is the worst yet since I have been here, a regular dust storm. I sure have an awful time keeping my rifle clean in this dust. I have another new rifle, different make than the one we had in Camp Lewis. There we all had the new 1917 model Enfield a French make rifle or rather a French patent and made in the U.S. Now we have the Springfield 1903 model a fine rifle but it sure gets heavy drilling and carrying it all day. The worst we have is to go on a hike, they call it with the heavy pack on our backs. The target range is 12 miles and when we go on target practice we carry these packs, rifle, bayonet, scabbard and cartridge belt. The bayonet drill sure gives one the cold chills to think that some day we will have to defend our lives with one for our country's sake. But let us hope and pray that the dear Lord will end it all by having something done with the Kaiser. He is the cause of all our misery, don't you think so? We all in this regiment are in hopes we will stay in the U.S. for a while at least as we have so many new men here. They may take the best as we are to pass another physical examination at the place of embarkment then I guess all the poorest ones will have to stay here and do home guard duty.
You asked me what I did to pass the time away while in quarantine. Well I just had a good rest, lots of sleep mostly as we are up and going at the same time every morning 6:45 new time, old time 5:45 a.m. The trip out here was sure grand alright, but we all got pretty tired the farther east we came. As the people in this part of the U.S. don't scarcely know that the war is on. One negro here asked one of the boys "are they sho nuf fittin in France?" So you might know from that that they are pretty green here. The population here is mostly all negroes. Charlotte is mostly all negroes and the filthiest city I have ever been at and the worst roads. One's head hits the top of an auto every ten feet almost, bumpity, bump all the way to town. About one mile and a half from here is the street car line--fare 15 cents. But that is too far to walk from the 59th regiment, we are in the southwest corner of the camp all the other regiments are nearer town or nearer the car line. We can go to Charlotte by auto for 25 cents and street car for 5 cents. In Camp Lewis the auto from camp to Tacoma was 50 cents one way.
I sure would like to go back to Camp Lewis as it seemed more at home, but here I am among strangers and no place to go to pass the time away. I have some people in Seattle that call me their son and send me lots of things they sent me a fruit cake and some homemade jelly but so far I haven't received the package as it was addressed the Detention Camp and is probably in the dead letter office here. Well I suppose I have told you about as much about army life as I dare as we are not allowed to tell our movements until we have reached our destination after leaving this camp so don't be worried and think I have forgotten to write you as I may be on the move to some new camp most any time. But you can still write me here as the letter only takes 3 days from Fowler, Ind. From Papa a letter takes 6 days to come.
Well as I have told you most all the news I know so I will draw these few lines to a close hoping to hear from you soon also that you are well as this letter leaves me. Your brother, Chas.
Camp Greene, NC, April 21, 1918
Dear Sister, I am leaving here in a few days for a new camp so I thought I would write you a few lines today to let you know. When I get to the new camp, probably Camp Mills NY, I will write you again. In case you have written me before you get this letter I will get your letter sent to me where ever I go. Tillie wrote me a few days ago she is getting along fine, she says she has not heard from you for a long time. I received the prayer book all O.K. and I sure am thankful to have you think so much about me. I don't suppose I will remain the U.S. very much longer. The weather here is sure awful the mud is almost knee deep. Autos can scarcely get along the road between here and town. I was in Charlotte for the last time last night. I had to walk about a mile to the car line. There was so many soldiers in town that one could scarcely pass down the street. Any one in civilian clothes looks out of place around here as there are nothing here but soldiers. I haven't heard from Geo. or Papa since I wrote you last, but I am expecting a letter today or tomorrow.
Well as I have to get busy this morning and pack up I will have to close these few lines and write you again when we arrive at the new camp. Wishing you the best of luck and happiness.
I remain as ever, your brother, Chas.
P.S. If I don't get a chance to write you for a long time just you write to Co. F 59th Inf. 4 Div., Camp Greene, Charlotte, NC. Then I will get your letters shortly after arriving to the new camp or France. The address will show American Expeditionary Forces soon.
Postcard Form Letter
Dear Sister, I arrived here safely, and feel none the worse after the train journey. I am anticipating a pleasurable sea voyage, and will send another postcard on arrival at destination. Kindly note the mailing address. Pvt. Chas. Eckroat
Postcard Camp Mills, Long Island, NY, April 24, 1918
Dear Sister, I am in N.Y. state now. Left the south Monday so write me the Co. and Reg. as before only Camp Mills, Long Island, NY. Your bro., Chas.
Postcard New York City, April 27, 1918
Dear Sister, I am in N.Y. seeing the sights. Expect to leave the U.S. soon. I am well.
Your Bro., Chas.
Post card Camp Mills, L.I., NY, May 1, 1918
I sent you a postcard picture but it isn't very good will write later. Chas.
Postcard Camp Mills, L.I., NY, May 1, 1918
Dear Sister, Rec'd the cake O.K. It sure was fine also a big surprise to me. I am still in the U.S.A. Hope you got my picture and cards. Papa wrote me. Geo. is sick but is probably well now. Have been in NY city twice since I have been here. We are about a mile from Mineola, L.I., NY I am well. Hope you are the same. Write soon. I will write a letter later. Bye-Bye.
Your brother, Chas.
Postcard "SOLDIERS' MAIL THE AMERICAN RED CROSS"
THE SHIP ON WHICH I SAILED HAS ARRIVED SAFELY OVERSEAS.
NAME Pvt. Chas. L. Eckroat
ORGANIZATION Co. F 59 Inf. 4 Div.
American Expeditionary Forces
Letter written on Y.M.C.A paper "Le Foyer du Soldat, Union Franco-Americaine"
Somewhere in France, Sun., June 23, 1918
Dear Sister, I suppose you are very anxious to hear from me and also to know how I am getting along. I am very well at the present time of writing and I hope you will be the same when these few lines reaches you. After a few weeks of travel, as I can't mention my wereabouts in France. I will assure you I am all O.K. and don't worry for we all expect or let us hope to return home safely soon with honor. I suppose you received the card mailed you by the censor that I arrived safely overseas and nothing happened on the way, I had a most pleasant voyage across. The water was as smooth as one could expect all the way across. We all were very glad as you know to all land once more. Some of the boys got a little sea sick but I never missed a meal all the way. I know you would enjoy a tip on the ocean very much if it was not rough, would you not? I have one letter from George & one from Papa and Tillie since arriving over here.
We are having very nice weather here with the exception of a little rain now and then. The nights are somewhat cold for the time of the year, much cooler than in Washington where I was. I wonder if Pat Emanuel is over here by now he was so anxious to come, but I guess I have arrived here sooner than he. I am doing very nicely since I came overseas. I have been rated to corporal now. I was down to the village last evening to a French YMCA and the French soldiers gave a nice concert. It sure was quite a treat for a few of us who were there. We have a few boxing bouts every night or so, and the band turns out and plays a few of the melodies they used to play in the good old USA.
I do hope war will soon be over. I know everyone would be much happier and I feel sure the Kaiser won't start anything very soon again. The only real excitement is seeing Jerry (as the nickname for the German airplanes are called) flying over now and then like a hawk, but soon beats it when the big guns are turned on them. They fly very high but one can distinguish them from our planes by the sound of the exhaust from the engine. Our greatest trouble here is the language. So far I know but very little French, but I suppose in time I will be able to speak it some. The money also, we have 1/2 pennies, 1 pennies, 1/2 franc, 1 franc, 2 franc pieces in silver and copper and the paper money is given aside of ours.
This country is sure pretty, everything so nice and green, the land is very hilly, the roads are very fine, big trees and hedge fences on both sides most everywhere. Every few kilometers is a little village, houses, barns and everything under the same roof, they also have large carts drawn by one horse, in one place we saw oxen. They have very few four-wheeled conveyances or drive two horses abreast. In peace times it would be a very nice place to motor from one place to another as there are very many interesting sights and different ways of living which is so much different from our way in the states. This seems to be a very healthy place as scarcely any of the boys have been sick so far.
Well as news is very scarce here and we very seldom see a newspaper, although they have English papers here but are not plentiful so we all can get them regularly. As I close these few lines I hope you will not worry very much as I expect to come back some time in the near future. Then I may possibly be able to stop off and visit you before going back to the Pacific coast again. Hoping to hear from you as often as you can have time and I will let you know as much as I can that I am all OK. With my best of luck & wishes, I remain your brother.
Somewhere in France, July 10, 1918
My dearest Sister, Your two most loving letters are received all O.K. I am well at present and hope these few lines find you the same. I suppose you have heard from me by this time as it takes so long to get a letter from you and all the other relation, more so from Papa & George as they are farther away. I have several letters from Geo., Papa and Tillie also from the kids. We are having very nice weather here in France, rain a few days then clears up and is awfully nice. Everything is nice and green also the crops look very nice. I haven't had very much time to write you as we are very busy of late.
I won't write much this evening as I couldn't get any more paper to write on so will try and write more again soon. You were asking if I took out insurance, Yes I took out $10,000 the first month in the Army. It doesn't seem possible I have been in the service 10 months, the 4th of Aug. We have a Chaplin with our regiment so we have services where we can. It looks now as if we will bring this awful war to an end soon at least we are all trying our best so as to get home again. I really think your prayer have been of a great help to me but can't write you much as you know. Trusting to hear from you often even if you don't hear from me. I remain in health and hope you are well also. Bye-bye until later.
Somewhere in France, Aug 22, 1918
My dear Sister, I suppose you have my letter I wrote you some time ago when I was in my first battle and returned safely. Well I have been up again since and again. Thank God I returned back safely once more. I had a wonderful experience also a very interesting one to see the Dutch retreat when the Yankees went "over the top" amid artillery and machine gun fire and got them out of their nice cozy dug outs some 30 or 40 ft. under the ground and put them on their way back to Berlin instead of their trip to Paris. It is a wonderful sight to see also at times a little sad but we are here to win which I assure you we have done our best. As the Kaiser's best men the "Prussian Guards" were on the line but nothing is to great for the Americans and we have a wonderful record. You can see by the newspapers how the line is. It would be more interesting for you if you could see some of the villages and also see how the Huns? blow them to pieces. And also could travel close to the line and see a battle which can be seen for some distance with strong glasses. But I have been on the Front line and am very proud to say I done my very best as we are all anxious to have peace once more and come home and tell you all about our soldier life in France and on the battlefield also of the battle we were in which will be one long continued story.
I just wrote to Papa & Geo. also to Tillie and the children so they know I am well. It sure has been hot the last few days we all are hunting a nice shady spot under the trees which are not hard to find as there are groves of trees most any place in France. I am glad you are having your vacation now as I can't say the same of myself. Tomorrow we will start our drill once more. We have 5 hrs. of drill & the afternoon for games & sports so all our time isn't work you see.
You were writing me of different Chaplains in the Army, well it would be hard for me to get acquainted with anyone different than ours that is with this regiment as we scarcely see anyone but our own men. Our Chaplin is in the hospital having got "gassed" looking after his work on the line. I do hope he will come out alright as the gas isn't very bad as in previous years of fighting. Well, as I haven't very much news to write you I will have to close my few lines for this time so as to give this letter to the mail orderly and get it on its way to you as soon as possible. May God bless you. I remain, your brother.
Somewhere in France, Nov. 17, 1918 Dear Sister, Well the war is at an end and I am safe and sound. I also hope you will be happy to know that I am well also. I have the handkerchief you sent also the medal & sacred heart badge you sent for my birthday. I thank you very much. Also Our Dear Lord surely must of heard your prayers and brought me safely through the battles I have been through. I have been in all the 3 big drives and 5 times to the front line and are to be one of the first 6 div. to return to the states so I will stop off if I can on my way to Washington and tell you all my experience and all about France. I am wearing a gold chevron on my left sleeve for my 6 months service in France and expect to wear a medal of the great war. Our division is called the Ivy Leaf Division. We also wear an ivy leaf on the left shoulder but we haven't been issued that yet.
It is quite cold over here, freezes every night. So we all are glad we don't have to go to the Front anymore and be exposed to the cold. We are getting everything new and when we return we expect to parade for the movies somewhere over there, probably in NY. Well I will have to close this letter as I know you are anxious to hear from me so good bye until I return home sometime soon. I remain as ever, your loving brother.
Kirschberg, Germany, Dec. 11, 1918
Dear Sister, I received your letters all OK. The last one I just received dated Oct. 12th and I was very glad to hear from you. I have been very busy since returning from the front and also since the armistice was signed. We have been on the go most of the time. We have marched 250 kilometers since Nov. 20th. We are now within 40 kilometers of the Rhine river in Germany. So now I am able to tell you where I am for the first time since I have been in France. I am with my same division that I came over here with and we are with the best picked divisions to occupy Germany. We all are anxious to come home but don't know how soon it will be. I do hope it will be soon. I have some wonderful stories to tell when I return also I am very proud to say that I was in the 2nd Battle of the Marne, July the 18th to the 23rd. Then I was on the Vesle river after following the retreat of the Germans 22 kilometers. After returning from there I was in the trenches in St. Mihiel and Verdun front about 30 kilos from Metz. After returning from there we were in the Argonne woods on the drive to the Meuse river when the Armistice was signed. We have 5 Citations from our General and are now considered the best division over here also having driven the Germans back farther than any other divisions of Americans on the line. The 4th Division is heard of all over now although there are not many of us old men left to tell of the experiences we have had and hardships of war, but anyway we have done our best to finish the war before X-mas as which we did.
Germany is quite a nice country but we are marching and it is not very nice to climb the hills with a big pack on our backs, but it won't be long until we will all be home again. I will try and come to see you when I return home. You were asking me about getting an order from my Captain so you could send me the sweater. Well, they have not given us permission to get anything from the states but mail so far on account of transportation and we have not received our slip for X-mas package yet so I guess I will have to wait until I return and get the X-mas presents that everyone wants to send me. I am sure happy now that the war is over and am waiting patiently for the day when we can get on the boat and sail for New York.
I have several letters from Papa, George & Tillie, but I haven't any paper much to write on as we are on the move all the time now, so I can't write very often. So don't worry any more as there won't be anymore fronts to go to and we hope to return home safe now. Well as I want to get this letter mailed and also want you to know that I am alive and well is the main thing so I hope I will be able to see you before long. Wishing you a Merry X-mas and a happy New Year.
I remain your loving brother.
Pottersdorf, Germany, Dec. 28, 1918
My dearest Sister, Your letter of Nov. 19th was received last evening and I sure was glad to hear from you once again. I have been a little slow in writing lately one thing was paper has been very hard to get and another thing I have been on the march into Germany since the 20th of Nov., leaving France on that date. I am here in this little village now, which is situated on the north bank of the Moselle river about 60 kilometers from Coblenz on the Rhine river, have been here about two weeks. Also spent X-mas here. I sure have been thinking of home very much lately and I am in hopes that soon I will be on my way home. I don't know if the armies of occupation will be relieved very soon or not I really think myself we have done our bit and should come home first as there are so many soldiers in France that have not been in active service on the front but I guess I will have to have patience and wait for orders.
My great advantage is no more front line to go to and that the war is at an end. We seem to be well welcomed by all the German people and are treated very good considering just a few weeks we were in battle. They all are sure glad it is over even more so than we as they were on the loosing side and were going back all the time since our first big American drive July 18th. And it meant that in a few more months they would be without food. We all are in the houses with the folks, have rooms to ourselves and sleeping between feather ticks something unusual for a soldier to be sleeping in a real bed once more it seems more home-like after sleeping out of doors and in shell holes and dugouts most of the time. It sure must of been a great day in the states when the Armistice was signed 11th month, 11th hour, 11th day. Some felt sure it almost go to the 13th then we all would call 13 a lucky number hereafter.
Now for the day when we sail for "Dear old New York," once more to see the "Statue of Liberty." We are now making history so if the book is a very large one I may be home when the "roses bloom again," unless they write it in shorthand. I am afraid I can't promise to see you soon. I haven't received the X-mas parcel Papa and George sent, or was to send. I received a letter from George saying he would "cable" some money to London to the Red Cross and they would send me a box of candies. We all were given a small package from the "folks at home" delivered through the YMCA; 2 bars of chocolate and 1 can of tobacco.
You, no doubt, will be surprised to hear it snowed here on X-mas day and has been raining almost continually since we are in Germany. I hope the "Spanish flu" is all stopped over there by now. The papers state that more people died from that disease than there were casualties on the front line in France, it surely must of been serious. I haven't heard of many cases over here among the soldiers we have been lucky so far. I received the sacred heart badge & St. Benedict medal all OK and I am wearing both. Well as my paper is getting short I will have to close for this time. Hoping you are well as it leaves me. Wishing you a Happy New Year. I remain as ever, you bro.
Pottersdorf, Germany, Jan. 22, 1919
Dear Sister, As I have not heard from you lately I will now drop you a few lines to let you know that I am well and still over in "Dichland." I don't know when I will be on my way home, we hear different things about going home, some say soon and others say not until next summer. Well, I really think it won't be long, but since being in the Army of Occupation I can't say when we will be back. I got a X-mas package from George & Papa it was a few days late but better late that never. It was mostly candy and gum and it sure was fine as candy is very scarce over here for some reason. We used to get plenty of candy in France if we had a few "Franc" pieces to spend but money is of no use here as we are without a canteen. Some of the boys were on pass to Coblenz last Saturday. I was on special duty so I didn't get to go, but I am in hopes of getting a furlough for 7 days soon. That will be for a trip to the leave area in France. If I stay here long the trip will be sure fine as I haven't saw much of France to speak about, except the part close to the front lines. Being in danger of an air raid or shell fire most of the time, all our work had to be carried on by daylight as we could use no lights after dark for fear "Jerry" would come over and drop a "bomb" on our camp.
We are all indoors now each being housed with a German family, have a room and feather bed to sleep in and we all are treated very nice by the "old folks" as they are so glad we downed the "Kaiser" and his staff and brought peace for the world. This is a fine little village on the Moselle River which empties into the Rhine River at Coblenz a distance of about 50 kilometers. Well as I haven't much paper to write on I will now close hoping to come back soon, also hoping you are well. With much love, Cpl. Chas. L. Eckroat, I remain you bro. Write soon.
Pottersdorf, Germany, March 5, 1919
My dear Sister, Your ever welcome letter was received a few days ago and I'm glad to know you are well. I am also well and getting fat and sassy. This climate sure must agree with me as I am sure gaining weight fast. I don't know how much I weigh, as I have not seen a scale since I am overseas. We are having spring weather here and it is getting warm, quite a bit of rain lately. The trees are beginning to bud out, and the people are all busy trimming the grape vines; there are grapes galore here when they get matured. This is a great wine center, also I am not on the Rhine River as you said, but one the Mosel River which empties into the Rhine at Coblenz. I was down to Coblenz, Washington's Birthday, so I can say I saw the Rhine. Coblenz is quite a nice place and is a leave center for the Army of Occupation which you know I am in the 4th Division, and we are in the 3rd Army, 4th Corps. Also I have been in this company just one year. I joined it in my transfer from Camp Lewis, Wash. 91st Division, this division is also in the Army of Occupation and is to sail for home some time this month. The sailing schedules for the divisions is posted up until July 1st. So I guess you won't see me until after that date unless a new bill is passed to send the drafted men home before. I am now in the same as the regular army so I guess I might just as well come home with the boys I was with on all the different bouts.
I wrote Papa and George a little history of my experience over here so I guess they will send it to you, but if they don't I will tell you most everything when I come back. I am now trying to forget the happenings of the battlefields, and my only thoughts are of an early return to the dear old USA. I have a letter from Papa, he said he had an operation on his eyes and he hoped I would be home soon before he has lost his eye-sight entirely. I do hope he will be alright soon as he has had so much sickness lately. He says I will be about the only one from Bremerton who has seen real action, that will come home without having something wrong with them. So I am surely very thankful to God I got out without a scratch.
So Pat arrived in France just as the armistice was signed, well I must say he is very lucky in a way by not having to go to the front as we could of handled what few were left ourselves. It wouldn't pass the censor if I told you how many of my company or regiment lost their lives. So I won't tell you just yet. I am glad you have a service flag in the church and have the star for me in blue instead of gold. I am wearing 1 gold chevron for service overseas and if I am here until the 15th of May I will have 2 gold chevrons for my 1 year service over here. Well when I come back I will surely try and stop off and see you, also all the ones I know. Thanking Sr. Agnella very much for this paper. I close wishing you all my best love and hope to come back home safely overseas. I remain your brother, Cpl. Chas. L. Eckroat
P.S. Please excuse this writing as I am Cpl of the guard and had only slept 4 hours last night.
Postcard Nenauahi, Germany, April 28, 1919
Dear Sister, I am on a 3 day leave in this place. My company is located at Weitersburg, about 9 kilos from Coblenz on the other side of the Rhine. I hope you are well. Write me soon. Your bro, Chas.
Postcard Remagen, Germany, June 10, 1919
Dear Sister, I am still on the Rhine. I do hope the orders to go home will soon come. I am well. Just got back from a trip down the Rhine toward Cologne. From Chas.
Remagen, Germany, July 3, 1919
Dear Sister, Just a line to let you know I am well, and also I am about to start on my homeward journey very soon. I will do my best to stop off and see you on my way to the west coast. I just wrote to Papa & George so I won't write much now only to let you know that I may be back very soon. Hoping that I won't have to write anymore letters in this far off land.
I remain as ever, your brother, Cpl. Chas. L. Eckroat
Postcard Form Letter
The Salvation Army Welcome Home Port of New York, U.S.A.
Date Aug. 1st 1919
ARRIVED SAFELY TO-DAY!
GOING TO CAMP Merritt, NJ
WILL WRITE LETTER SOON
Signed Cpl. Chas. L. Eckroat
Unit Co. F 59th Inf. 4 Div
When I get home remind me to join the American Legion.
Postcard Lincoln, NE, via Denver CO, Aug. 10, 1919
Dear Sister, I am here so far on my way home. I am sure sorry we didn't come over the U.P.R.R. from Omaha. I am on a troop train so I can't get to see you. I know you will sure be very much disappointed, but when I get home I will try and come back to see you. We left NY Aug. 1st going to Camp Lewis. Expect to be out of the army by next Sunday. Good bye. We will be going soon. Write me 230 Front St., Bremerton. Your bro., Chas.
Compiled & transcribed by Tammy Wild, Jan. 1997
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington - This place is prominent in the ECKROAT family.
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~eckroat/ECKROAT-WINKAMP.htm << Parents and siblings of Charles ECKROAT
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~eckroat << Go back to MAIN PAGE
This webpage created: 7-16-05 * Last edited: 01/14/2006
By Tammy Wild famtree007@aol.com
Our line: George ECKROAT>Lewis ECKROAT>Jacob ECKROATE>Daniel ECKROATE>George ECKROTH>Johann(es) ECKROTH
