Shall not cable when we leave because I am broke flat and so is everybody else.

Homesick, broke and frustrated, Grant tells his troubles to his family in Mankato.

Nantes, France
April 22, 1919

Dearest Family:-

If I were only in a position to say this to you instead of writing it to you I would be the happiest boy in all the world.  But I’m not so why crab?

Willard home, Mankato, MN

We all hoped and believed that when we left Bretzenheim on the 26th of last month we would not have another opportunity of writing letters from this continent but the army has decreed otherwise.  We are here in Nantes awaiting shipping orders and have been since April 9th.  Everything looks blue and we are all feeling blue.  We are under stiff military rules and regulations with little time and no place to play.  It would not have been so bad if we had arrived down here expecting to be treated thusly but we weren’t prepared.  Like children we expected to be shipped immediately.  The let-down has been far from easy.  

On April 14th I sent the following cable to Dot: “Section held at port.  Home soon.  Forward folks.”  I was too near “broke” to send two cables and foolish enough to believe rumors of an early get-away.  In this way I account for and excuse the “home soon” and “forward folks”.  I hope the cable reached you.  Dot should have received it on April 15.

On the evening of April 14 I was keeping time at a basket ball game in the YMCA at Nantes when a large YMCA man came up and introduced himself as Guy Smith.  I’m ashamed to say that I didn’t know him and had his introductory speech not given me ground to stand on I should have been very much embarrassed because I felt that he was someone I should know very well.  We had quite a visit.  He seems to be doing a big work as athletic director in this district and likes his work but is very anxious to get home.  So say we all of us!  He wanted me to be sure to remember him to you with his very best regards.

Grant with Hap Ahlers (left)

Hap is well and crabbing with the rest of us.  He cabled his family the same day I did.

As to our departure there are no present reliable rumors.  I can only say that we all sincerely hope that we are on American soil before this letter reaches you.

Am well and kicking—thinking hard of the future.  Will be demobilized in the east somewhere if possible.  Hope to see some of the family there when we arrive but wouldn’t advise your leaving Mankato to see me yet awhile.

All kinds of love,

Your homesick son,
Grant.

P.S.:--Shall not cable when we leave because I am broke flat and so is everybody else.---GRW.

Easter! What an Easter!

Sunday, April 20, 1919, was Easter Sunday--the second that Grant Willard passed in France. He thoughts were undoubtedly of home and family that day though he didn't mention it in his diary. 

Saturday, April 19, 1919:

New clothing issued in preparation of another inspection tomorrow. Received two letter today--1 from Mother dated Apr. 2 and 1 from Zella dated April 3. Very surprised to get them. 647 was alone in the contingent in receiving mail.

Sunday, April 20:

Easter! What an Easter! Fratz, Hap and I went out to a ball game between the S.S.U. and S.O.S. We won easily by a score of 8-1. Draper pitched a good game for us assisted by Brown and Lt. Gunkle. Spent the rest of the day in cleaning and pressing clothes in preparation for coming inspection. 

Boredom, Boxing and Inspections

Wednesday, April 16, 1919:
    Nothing new except rumors. New dope says we will be inspected on Friday by inspector general from St. Nazaire. Two preliminary inspections tomorrow. Regular medical this A.M.

Thursday, April 17:
    Two pack inspections today preliminary to final tomorrow. More red tape than ever. Lieutenant Smith very encouraging in his remarks. Say things never looked better toward a getaway since our arrival. Went downtown tonight with Chalfant, Johnnie, Hap, Risley, Savage to see YMCA boxing matches. There were about 6 bouts--some were very good. One S.S.U. man (Edwards 506) was represented and fought a hospital man 3 tow-minute rounds to a draw. If Edwards had had the experience he would have knocked his opponent out in the 2 round.

Friday, April 18:
    The only thing good about this Good Friday is the sunshine. We stood inspection before a Major from St. Nazaire-inspector general. It went pretty well, but not good enough. Our drill and packs were alright, but our clothing he would not pass. We are to be issued new clothes and stand clothing inspection next Sunday or Monday. The Major said he had inspected some 30,000 troops in base ports recently and that our contingent of 402 men had by far the most decorations of any body of troops he had seen. “The men must have better looking uniforms to go with the decorations.”

We spent four hours in eating chocolate éclairs. The pastries in this town are marvelous.

Just five days after arriving in camp at Le Douet Grant and his comrades were beset by boredom and frustration. The fighting had ceased five months before and yet they had no certain information about when they would sail home. 

He cabled his fiance, Dorothy, that he was delayed, and it cost him the equivalent of nearly $36 in today's market. He was so broke that he couldn't afford a second telegram to his family in Minnesota, and asked Dot to "forward" the message.  In this age of Twitter and texting, it's difficult to fathom a mode of communication that was considered the texting of its day taking two days or more to reach its intended recipient.

At least the pastries were good... 

Monday, April 14, 1919:

No new dope. Dirk, Hap, Fratz and I went to Nantes this P.M. Sent Dot the following cablegram: "Section held at Port. Home soon. Forward folks." It cost me 17 frs. 40 c. My supply of cash is low so I couldn’t afford one to the family. Dot should receive the cablegram day after tomorrow. We spent the rest of our four hours in eating chocolate eclairs. The pastries in this town are marvelous.

Tuesday, April 15:

Absolutely nothing new. The weather is rotten. Cold, windy and rainy. The only good day we have had since our arrival here was Sunday afternoon. They say it rains 360 days out of the year down here. Some hole to put a bunch like this in and there to wait indefinitely. There are not even encouraging reports anymore. No chance to get athletics started--no fields and all water. Our quarters are cold and uncomfortable with no place to sit except on the floor. Cafe hours are 12-2 and 6-9. During these hours there is a mad rush for the warm places. The rest of the time we just loaf when not on detail. 

Lieutenant Smith is Camp Adjoint [assistant or substitute]. He is doing everything he can for the good of the contingent, but he has as his superior officer a West Point Colonel who is quite obstinate and the other officer of this contingent are very inefficient. I sure feel sorry for the Lieut.

At the YMCA last night watching a basketball game between the Fatimas and Camels when a large YMCA man came up and asked my name. 

“Willard from Mankato?” he asked. 

“The same,” I replied. 

Whereupon he fell on my neck and told the assembled multitude many things about myself which I had never heard before. His name is Guy Smith. I know who he is now, but he had me guessing for awhile. Was glad to see him and hope we meet again.

Inspected by General Pershing today... a great disappointment.

Now every day closer to home, Section 647 made its way by rail from quarantine camp at Ferrières-en-Gâtinais more than 200 miles to the west to a village outside Nantes called Le Douet. Here they would sit and wait... and wait.

While in Le Douet the 647 was inspected by none other than the commander of the American Expeditionary Forces--General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing. Grant was not impressed.  

Tuesday, April 8, 1919:

We left Base Camp this P.M. at 2 o’clock. Lieut. Smith is contingent commander so we see little of him. Jack Swain is our highest officer and makes a good one.

Wednesday, April 9:

Spent a tough night in our box-car, but what’s the difference--we’re going home! Arrived in Nantes, after a beautiful trip during the daylight about 5 P.M. We were marched about 5 km out into the country and billeted in a small town called Le Douet. Very, very tired and footsore.


Thursday, April 10:

Rotten weather and spirits very low. Have just been talking with a boy in a hospital unit who had been here for 5 weeks and didn’t know when they were going to sail.


Friday, April 11:

Still in Le Douet doing dirty details.


Saturday, April 12:

La même chose!


Sunday, April 13:

John J. Pershing (1860-1948)

Inspected by General Pershing today. Made us a very poor speech. He was a great disappointment. “American arms are the greatest in the world. The American Nation is the greatest nation in the world. The allied morale was about to break when America came into the war. America won the war.” These are a few thing he told us. If John [Pershing] expects to be elected President of the U.S. he’ll never do it on such a speech and I hope he doesn’t at all.

Note to reader: There was a movement to draft Pershing for GOP presidential nomination in 1920. At the time he said he wouldn't actively campaign but also wouldn't refuse to serve. Of course, the nomination (and presidency) went to Warren Harding instead.

Got de-cootized today which was a big farce.

SSU 647 passed out of existence in April 1919. As the ambulance men turned in their well-worn Fords at base camp in the ancient town of Ferrières-en-Gâtinais, the SSU was dropped from the group's name and became simply Section 647 awaiting demobilization.

Tuesday, April 1, 1919:

Sent my trunk home via Am. Express costing me 104,50 francs, closed out my account with Morgan Harjes and beat it for St. Cloud.

At 1:30 we drove to Ferrières Base Camp--our last drive in our old Fords. 644, 649, 598 and we were on the road at the same time--a good race. We all pulled into Base Camp about the same time, left our cars and were given poor barracks.

Wednesday, April 2:

Busy, busy times! Reports are going in and everything is being checked up. Tomorrow we go into quarantine. Everything is being rushed and looks most encouraging toward an early getaway. The old Base Camp life over again--details, details, details--all absolutely ridiculous.

Ferrières Quarantine Camp

Sgt.-Major Prince told me last night that we will leave for Brest next Saturday or Sunday and will board a boat in not longer than 48 hours layover. I told him I’d buy him a great feed when we all got back if his report is true.  

Thursday, April 3:

Got de-cootized today which was a big farce. It consisted of standing under lukewarm water for two minutes on a cold day in a cold bath house. Then in our underwear we ran a quarter of a mile to another building there to stand around shivering until our clothes were returned from a steaming machine. They were damp when we got them and I shivered for an hour before mine came at all. Then we moved into quarantine quarters and were not allowed out except, of course, for details. Men on detail could be sent anywhere.

Friday, April 4:

647 stood guard last night again. There are 11 sections here in quarantine and go to make up our contingent. There is much paper work to be done before we are ready to go. All accounts must be straightened up, service records checked up and transportation papers made out. Boddie, Soles, and the Lieutenant are very, very busy in the office. About eight Parc A boys are now in our section together with Sgt. Chalfont and Sgt. Sullivan bringing our enrollment up to 40. Astlett, Gaynor, McEnness, Putnam have left the section to be demobilized over here. Titchner has left for a permission in England to be sent home later as a casual.

Saturday, April 5:

The dope is that we leave tomorrow for St. Nazaire instead of Brest. We are being issued out complete traveling equipment today. I will tomorrow carry the first military pack of my life. 

Sunday, April 6:

Orders countermanded! We leave tomorrow.

Monday, April 7:

Orders are again countermanded! We leave tomorrow!???x x x x x