Dot doesn’t like Mankato

September 11, 1918, was a fateful day for Grant Willard, whether he realized it or not. Of course, it was the eve of the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, the first big test of the American Expeditionary Force in the First World War, and his unit would soon be embroiled in it. But it was also the day that he received a letter from his fiancee, Dorothy Houghton, in which she proclaimed her general unhappiness with life and her displeasure at the idea of settling down in sleepy, Midwestern, Mankato, Minnesota. She wanted him to live in her native East. Here, in this one letter, lay one of the bones of unhappiness that would run through their marriage. 


Wednesday, September 11, 1918:

Went to Belleville again this A.M. for gasoline in the truck. Got 1000 litres. Such a town to do business in! The traffic is frightful and these Americans surely do drive like the wind. Didn’t even get called down by any officer today. Something must be wrong “in Denmark.” Smashed my left hand between two 500 litres barrels and am loosing a finger nail as a result. Sore as the devil! Worked on Eric’s car this P.M. Changed his bands for him!

Mail today--two from Dot (Aug. 4 and Aug. 12); one from Mother (Aug. 12) and one from Kenneth Johnson from France. Poor Dot! She is so unhappy and God knows I would give my neck to make her happy. But what can I do? I’m helpless! And now Dot wants me to start in business in the east rather than returning to Minneapolis after the war. She doesn’t like Mankato nor the thought of my going into business on my Dad’s name. She prefers Mpls. to Mankato. But “we’ll see when the time comes”, as Mother used to say. I’ll bet I don’t settle down in the east and I’ll bet Dottie settles with me.

Tonight after supper the Lieutenant called us together and told us that something was about to break. “Don’t be disappointed if you don’t get into right away. Your turn will come.” “Stick together and work as you always have worked and we will have no trouble whatever.” This is about all he said. Later Kendrick told a few of us a bit more. The attack is set for tomorrow after a 12 hour barrage, starting tomorrow morning between 12 and 3. The apex is to be Seicheprey through Montsec directly for Metz with proportionate advances on the wings. We are the right wing (Pont-à-Mousson) and Verdun is the left. The intelligence bureau reports Boche masses off. Pont-à-Mousson and Verdun which would indicate (if true) that should our advance on Metz be successful through Montsec that they propose to attack our flanks in a rush for Verdun and Nancy. This may have been what the Lieutenant meant by being patient.