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Shepp, William, fl. 1917-1919 William Shepp Diary 1917-1918

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06888.01 Author/Creator: Shepp, William, fl. 1917-1919 Place Written: s.l. Type: Diary Date: 1917/06/03-1918/11/05 Pagination: Height: 11 cm, Width: 7 cm Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document

3 June 1917 - 2 June 1918. Begins with Shepp's enlistment on 5 June 1917. Mentions daily activities, such as calisthenics, army drills, physical examinations and vaccinations, attendance at church services, Bible study, and French class, and activities at the Y.M.C.A.
25 June "I am happy and contented more so than in civilian life."
28 June "Heard that we were to go to France in three weeks. Happy news! Bad dreams.
1 July "Went to church in the evening and heard the sermon, "Saving the Waste," preached, which ended by 3 churches petitioning the President to have no more grain made into liquors."
24 August "Saw 'Lady Lawson's Secret,' a five reel feature. First.
5 September "Scolding for laughing at some officers' awkwardness."
7 September 7 "Aiming and firing (trigger squeeze) exercise until noon….Learned Professor Cooper [French teacher] would soon leave. Oh, I'm so sorry."
15 September "Today is payday. Yes, I have just drawed my 30 bucks. Now I have bought a few necessaries, sent 16 dollars home to finish paying note in bank. Last debt on my education. Free! Free!
21 September "Cooked my own dinner in the field by army methods for the first time in my life. Oh, it was great to eat "hard tack" like we actually will in real warfare!"
28 September "Went to Y.M.C.A and heard 5 Alpine Yodlers and singers."
11 October "Yesterday at supper and today at breakfast each chased a prisoner to his barracks for his meal. Slept all morning today."
5 November "Company marched to a prize fight at 7 P.M. Went against my will."

Shepp, William, fl. 1917-1919

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