BX November 9, 1918
Letter From Archangel Is Received Here – Walter E. Potts of U.S. Infantry, Medical Detachment, Writes Home
An interesting letter has been received by Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Potts, 7 Brighton Row, Brantford, from their son, Walter E. Potts, Medical Det. 339th Infantry, A.N.R.E.F. Archangel, Russia, dated October 4 and received November 8, here:
October 4, 1918
Dear Mother and Father,
Well here I am in another country and some place at that. I am glad we are settled again as I am tired of the water. We had a long trip but I am feeling fine and we are having a good time as we go along. Our Captain is a fine man and sure looks after us. We think a lot of him. Now you must not worry about me and tell the rest the same, as I am all right and having a good time and when I get home will have a lot to tell you. We have a good place to sleep and lots to eat. It is cool here now and we are wearing overcoats but in another month we will have winter, but we have plenty of wood and stoves. After it freezes I will not be able to send anymore mail as they cannot get up here with the ships, so if you do not hear from me do not worry. I have 14 men to look after here in the hospital, so have lots to do. They are all singing tonight so must be feeling better. We get uptown about twice per week. We have good movies and see some good American plays and it makes me feel as if I were back in America again. The other evening the Russians gave a concert for us and it was about the best concert I have ever heard. We are in the north end of Russia, in a town of about 40,000 so we never get lonesome. They say it gets very cold here in the winter. We hear the band concerts in the parks but we cannot talk to anybody here or read any of their papers. I have had as many as 19 men to look after. You do not know what war is until you get into it. We were on the war 24 days after leaving England and that was 23 days too long. We were three weeks in England and spent some of the time in London and other large places. We had a fine time in England, but this place – good night – it might be worse. A sailor dropped in tonight and told me he was sailing tomorrow and would take this letter out for me. Remember me to my friends in Scotland, Vanessa, and Kelvin and write the people at Detroit. I would like to write them all but am kept pretty busy and don’t get much notice as to when the mails go out. Now I don’t want you to worry about me as we are well fixed for the winter. We have a good place to sleep and plenty to eat and are in good hands.
Your loving son,
Walter
BX January 11, 1919
With U.S. Force in Murmansk – Walter E. Potts Says Troops are Warmly Clad and Well Fed
Mr. and Mrs. J. Potts, 7 Brighton Row, Brantford, have received word from their son, Walter E. Potts, who is with the 339th U.S. Infantry in Northern Russia writing under date of November 30 he states:
We are having cold weather here now, lots of snow. Was out for a sleigh ride this morning. All the boys are feeling fine, and as for me, I never felt more fit in my life. We get plenty to eat and have good warm clothes to wear. We have fur caps and fur-lined overcoats, as well as sweaters and heavy underwear, so you see we are warmly dressed, and we put in a good time as we go along. I was out to a movie show last night. We are getting more accustomed to the ways of the Russians, and get along with them better now. I can speak a little of their language, but very little. The war is looking better, and I hope by spring it will be over and we can all start homewards. I will have a lot to tell you then. I certainly will be glad to get back home and get between white sheets again. At present I have a French soldier in to see me. The French soldiers think the American boys are all right, and we have good times together. We cannot understand one another very good, but they are sure good friends. I only wish you people could meet them. They are our best friends, and we think a lot of them.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Your loving son,
Walter.
