Sgt. Jess Novinger
Sgt. Jess Novinger.
France.
19 November, 1918.
To Old Girl ‘O Mine (E. Margaret Little, Kirksville, MO).
Courtesy of Pickler Memorial Library, Special Collections. Msv1_N2.
Dear Old Girl ‘O Mine:
I received all of your welcome letters — two I believe since I wrote you — but believe me I was some busy boys those days—
Well I came thru without a scratch — but believe me we were sure in some hot places — we started out at Chateau Thiery in July later went to St. Mihiel and got in on that drive and then came over and got in on the start of the Verdun drive of Sept. 25th and we gave the Huns Hell ever after — we ended up at Dun-Sun-Meuse when Fritz decided he had enouf.—
We had a long siege of about 40 days on the lines when on the night of Nov 10th it was flashed over wires that Bill had dissappeared and Germany accepted the armistice.— I was worn down pretty thin but felt good — we are back now resting up — I don’t know what we will do but hope we can come back to the good Old U.S.A. ere long—
I got a letter — joint combination from “Jena” & “Pete” Jena was down to Callao visiting Pete — Pete is sure some girl — always happy and frolicsome but that is the only way
Well I must close
Yours
(?) Jess Novinger
Sgt. Jess Novinger
France.
9 January, 1919.
To Margaret Little, Campbell, MO.
Courtesy of Pickler Memorial Library, Special Collections. Msv1_N2.
Dear Margaret:
I received several letters from you while up at the front — well, those days I didn’t have much time to write of course that is a rather poor excuse — but will try and tell you all about things in general here —
We started in on the Verdun Argonne drive Sept 26-1918- we stayed right on the firing line till Nov 11. – we had crossed the Meuse at Dun-Sur-Meuse and we were in action at a little village called Marveau when the armistice was declared. Nov 11 we started back across “No Man’s” hiked back to Commercy France there we rested a week and then drug our guns and outfit across “No Man’s” and thru Loraine and into Germany “Here we are” about fifty kilometers West of Coblenz — we are a part of the army of occupation so I will leave it to you & God to guess just when we get back —
We are having fine winter weather here just about like “Old Missou” — but – some – now I’d just like to be back in the “Good Old U.S.A. — you have heard a lot about “Europe” but to my way of thinking the U.S. has it beat a thousand ways.
We are billeted in these peoples homes – guess they don’t like it any too well but we are “boss” you can just bet about how these “Boche” would have treated us had they won. – you know how they treated the women of France and Belgium.———
We treat them like gentlemen – so I don’t think they will have and come-back at the “yanks.” ——— I’d hate to have to trust the treacherous Hun around My Mother or Sisters or friends – they are the most two-faced race you ever saw.-
I got a beautiful Xmas box from home – it had lots of fudge in it two packages of gum – two packages of Camel cigarettes – a form tam shaving brush just the thing I wanted – and two O.S. silk hanker-chiefs. -also a coat button which I later examined and formed to be a novelty button with two snaps of “Fena” inside —
Today – (this afternoon it is now about noon) is pay-day- I have “bokoo” francs- the rate of exchange now is 5.45 francs per dollar. –marks at the rate of 1.50 per franc but who wants marks?? — let the dirty dutch have them
Sgt. Jess Novinger
France.
21 January, 1919.
To Margaret Little, Campbell, Mo.
Postcard.
Courtesy of Pickler Memorial Library, Special Collections. Msv1_N2.
Dear Margaret:-
Will give you an idea of the antiquity of this place-
Yours
Sgt Jess Novinger
Msv1_N2. Violette Collection of WWI Soldiers’ Letters. Mudsp Collection V1. Truman State University Special Collections.
