We honor the great correspondents of wartime — the soldiers
The letters came from the front. Or from the PX. Or from the trenches. By the Civil War, something had changed about the average American soldier in combat — they were literate. Starting in the 19th century they wrote letters home in great numbers, eager to share and get news and remain connected to their homes and loved ones. They described their lives in vivid detail — the horror of combat, the sheer boredom of months of doing nothing. They were ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances and they documented the everydayness of combat. For Veterans Day 2014 we asked our readers to share some of those letters. You responded with some amazing family treasures.
William Norton Miller, Civil War, shared by Donald Johnson of Elgin
Donald Johnson, of Elgin, shared this letter, written by his great-grandfather. William Norton Miller was 22 years old when he left Barrington Center (now Barrington) in 1861 to be mustered into service in Janesville, Wisconsin. Norton, as he was called, was a musician, and wrote this letter on March 1, 1863 from Belle Plain, Virginia, to an Aunt Helen living in Barrington Center.
Joseph Paschal, Civil War, shared by Maggie Burmeister, St. Charles
Maggie Burmeister, of St. Charles, sent this letter, one of about 100 found at an estate sale in St. Charles. It is written by Joseph Paschal, who was with the 37th Infantry during the Civil War. He wrote this letter to his daughter-in-law, Harriet Paschal. Harriet's husband, Milton C. Paschal, was a member of the 25th Iowa Infantry. He enlisted on Aug. 2, 1862, was discharged for disability on Nov. 8, 1863 at Vicksburg, Mississippi, and died the following January. Members of the Paschal family moved to St. Charles during the latter part of the 19th Century. One of Harriet and Milton's daughters, Lina Paschal, was the owner of the St. Charles Chronicle from 1903 until 1926, when she sold the paper after being named postmistress of St. Charles.
Phares Miller Holdeman, World War I, shared by Karen Colvin
Phares Miller Holdeman was a chaplain with the American Expeditionary Forces in France during World War I. His granddaughter, Karen Colvin, who lived for many years in Elmhurst, said his letters were always mysteriously headlined “Somewhere in France.” He ministered to American soldiers and to German POWs. This letter, dated Oct. 17, 1918, was written to his wife, Carrie, son Lawrence and daughter Mary by a man eager to go home — less than a month before the Armistice of Nov. 11, but after fighting had ceased in his area.
Ed Colburn, World War II, shared by Susan Ulbrich, Buffalo Grove
Susan Ulbrich of Buffalo Grove shared a letter written in Rennes, France, by her father, Ed Colburn, to his mother in Chicago.
Susan writes: This letter describes the ... Battalion's relationship with the children of Rennes. These children had spent most of their lives under occupation, experienced horrific bombing, poor food supplies and many lost their homes. These small acts of kindness and teasing brought joy ... I can just picture the smiles and hear the laughter. I also imagine how these bright moments helped alleviate the homesickness felt by the GIs who were far from home — subjected to the destruction and tragedy of war.
Robert D. Sayles, World War II, shared by Bill Sayles, Fox Lake
Bill Sayles in Fox Lake kept this April 7, 1944, V-Mail from his brother, Robert D. Sayles, written to their mother from “Somewhere in North Africa.” He writes, “This letter is one of many saved to and from family members during WWII. We are in the process of putting them in order in a binder to get a complete picture of what life was like at home and at the front during WWII.”
Steve Urick, World War II, Arlington Heights, shared by Ron Urick
Steve Urick, from Arlington Heights, spent his war in the European Theater. This letter, which his son, Ron Urick, shared, originally appeared in Paddock Publications in January 1945. We've excerpted the riveting part about Steve's experiences in Anzio, Italy.
Robert Davis, the Philippines, shared by Bob Davis of Winfield Township
Bob Davis of Winfield Township wasn't quite 3 years old when he received this letter from his father, Robert Davis, who commanded the LSM 337 when it was involved in liberating the Philippines. He writes: My mother received the letter in San Diego and tucked it away and forgot about it, just happy that he came back from the war. I never knew about it until shortly after my father's death in 1991 when my mother found it while going through all their documents. She had it mounted and framed and gave it to me as a Christmas present. Probably the finest gift I have ever received!