Bracher, Elmer Gladstone
edited by Gabriella Hudyka
Mss: 
https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T3JQ13QB
Biographical Note
Elmer G. Bracher (RC 1918) was born in 1894 in Rahway, New Jersey, to parents George S. Bracher (1839-1902) and Evelina Johnson (1853-1923). He was the youngest of six children. As locals of Rahway, Bracher and Silvers knew each other’s families well. Elmer goes by the nickname “Pi-an” or “Pian” in these letters, the origin of which remains mysterious (to us, at least). Elsewhere, classmates refer to him as “Toady” Bracher.
Bracher’s desire to communicate fairly bursts from the page. It’s clear that the College, his fellow football teammates (Bracher was a star halfback despite his small stature), and the Delta Phis (his and Silvers’s fraternity) constitute his chosen family. He is conspicuously silent about his biological family, despite the fact that Silvers would have known them from town, and Bracher shipped out of Hoboken with his older brother Robert. Bracher’s other major topics—who is getting married or engaged, and being at the rear versus the front of the war effort—reveal a preoccupation with contemporaneous attitudes towards masculinity. One senses that the war to him is a giant impediment to maturity. Not only did it cut short his athletic career, but being stationed at a base hospital in Savenay, France, hundreds of miles from the Front, meant that he couldn’t as easily demonstrate soldierly notions of nobility or strength. Nor could he become engaged. He is clearly stung by the news of Mildred Terrill’s engagement. Terrill, who Bracher calls “the Voice” (a singer?), was Earl Reed Silvers’s sister-in-law, and apparently Rahway’s own Helen of Troy. Bracher is not the only one to write of her; in a more humorous vein, Ainsworth claims to be “sore as hell at being thrown over” for Lyle B. Reeb (RC 1919).
Bracher’s letters show a certain remove, or even tone-deafness, on the subject of illness and death. He refers to “nut patients” and a “nut hospital” (Base Hospital No. 214, also at Savenay) when speaking of the war’s shell shock victims. Of Morris B. Jackson (RC 1919) dying of the flu, he says “[i]t certainly was too bad.” And of Chapin Barr (RC 1918) and Rudolph Elmer’s (RC 1917) deaths, he merely states that it was news to him that they “kick[ed] in.” Bracher himself would die four years after demobilization. He crashed his Stutz touring car into a stationary truck in the early hours of Sunday morning, September 30, 1923, after watching the Rutgers-Penn Military College football game the prior evening. He is thought to have died at the scene.
Sources
- Elmer Gladstone "Toady" Bracher, "Find a Grave," 17 May 2020, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/210183871/elmer-gladstone-bracher.
- "Football Star Killed as Auto Hits Truck with Sleeping Driver," The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 1, 1923.
Elmer G. Bracher to Earl Reed Silvers, July 29, 1917
WAR WORK COUNCIL
ARMY AND NAVY
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
"WITH THE COLORS"
July 29 1917
Dear ,
Well, Sil, [we’re] off at last. at one o’clock today and I guess we will drop out tonight. I don’t imagine that this mail will go out for four or five days so by that time we will be almost there. I am enclosing my permanent address to you and you want to be sure and write as often as you can for you know it will be mighty fine to have word from folks in God’s country. You want to address it as I give it to you. It is a rather
WAR WORK COUNCIL
ARMY AND NAVY
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
"WITH THE COLORS"
long one but, it is the official one so I guess you had best send it exactly as it is. How is and everybody? Give my best regards to all. Well good—bye old Sil, take care of yourself and Eda and when I have time I’ll drop you a line from “Somewhere in France” when I have time
Yours in the Bonds
Name
American Expeditionary Forces
American Embassy
Paris
France
France
Elmer G. Bracher to Earl Reed Silvers, [August] 1917
We have finally arrived in France. The voyage over was calm and uneventful until the last day out, which was Monday. Then we had just sighted land when we heard six short blasts from the whistle. That meant a sub attack. It was a quarter to nine, and the next hour was the most exciting I have ever had. We were on the (censored) which was the largest and most important in the fleet, and they all tried to get her. There was quite a gang of subs, for it was officially reported that we sank five. Believe me, it certainly was great to hear the guns going off and to see the shells hit the water. We didn’t see any of the submarines, but we were able to see the white water where the periscopes were. I also saw the wake of a torpedo which passed about fifty yards from our stern.
We lay in the harbor for two days, and on Wednesday started out with full equipment for (censored) where we now are. We left at half—past nine and arrived at half past three. We had five stops and were walking the rest of the time. The distance was eighteen miles, and I never walked so far in all my life. There was quite a bunch that had to fall out. We are situated about four hundred miles from the front, and I think that it will be permanent.
Elmer G. Bracher and Joseph L. Costa to Earl Reed Silvers, August 7, 1917
[An illustration of Belgian soldiers fighting in the war during the winter, by Alfred Bastien. Two of them are aiming down their sights over a barricade while a third one patrols. Another three soldiers are tending to a wounded soldier lying on the ground.]
CARTE POSTALE.
NEW YORK, N.Y. 2
AUG 7
10 AM
1917
Côté reservé à l’adresse. Au revoir.
Pian
Mr. E.R. Silvers
Rahway
N.J.
Publié au bénéfice des Asiles des Soldats Invalides Belges
Siège social provisoire : 79 Mark Lane (Londres)
Imprimé par GEO. W. JONES, à l’Enseigne du Dauphin. 12—14 Gough Sq., Londres.
Elmer G. Bracher to Earl Reed Silvers, September 4, 1917
AMERICAN Y.M.C.A.
ON ACTIVE SERVICE
WITH THE
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES
Sept. 4, 1917
Dear Sil:
It will probably take me quite a time to compose this letter, with you being a critic and it having to pass the censor. So you know it’s pretty hard to write without putting something in that shouldn’t be in, so make some allowances. How are you and Eda and everyone else? Are you still running the college? What’s doing now? For the Lord’s sake write to a person once in a while and tell me some news. You ought to be with me if you want to save money. I’m working on the night shift and have spent about twelve francs in the last week. four of that going for laundry and two for some towels. My gosh! if that had been all the money I spent a week while at college, I’d have been a rich man. We work in twelve hour shifts and one certainly is glad when the twelve hours are up. I go on at six P.M. and am off at six A.M. We eat breakfast at seven and then generally sleep from eight until four. Who did you think is in town? Old . It certainly was a mighty pleasant surprise to see him. Had dinner with him the first night and that meal certainly did taste good after the food we had been having aboard ship. We certainly had a peach of a voyage over. Only had one rough night and that wasn’t enough to make one seasick. Believe me, I certainly was glad that I wasn’t seasick. I’m stationed in a new addition to the hospital and there are no electric lights in it. Have to see by candlelight, that accounts for my spilling some on this paper. It certainly is a mighty fine night here tonight. There’s a most wonderful moon out and it almost makes one wish he were home again. Well, Pro, don’t forget to write as often as you can and if you publish any books, send me one. Give my best regards to Eda and everyone else. Hoping I’ll see you soon.
I am
Yours in the Bonds,
Pian
Censored by J rais Noyes [?]
1st Lt. M.R.C. [?]
Elmer G. Bracher to Earl Reed Silvers, September 14, 1917
AMERICAN YMCA
ON ACTIVE SERVICE
WITH THE
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES
Sept. 14, 1917
Dear Sil:
Received your letter on the 12th and certainly was most glad to hear from you. I had a gala day on the 12th Received six letters and a postcard. You can imagine that it made me feel pretty good. It certainly is too bad about , isn’t it? I certainly do hope that he will be exempted for it certainly seems that he is needed at home. I’m mighty glad that Pete received his commissions. One of the fellows had a list of the Fort Meyer appointments and I saw that practically all the fellows from college received their commissions. I sure do hope that the football teams turns out to be a good. I certainly am going to miss playing this year. Send me accounts of the games anyway, will you, Sil for that will help a little. I think it was Joe that told me that was married, is that true? This night work is going fine now. I am about used to it now and like it quite well. There’s nothing new that has happened that I can tell you about. A great many of the patients here are from a southern regiment and quite a few of them are college men and I had some mighty interesting talks with them. The great majority of the men are fine fellows and it is a pleasure to help them and they do all they can to help out. I just wrote a letter to and if she gets it, get her to tell you some of the interesting parts. Give my best regards to Eda
Yours in the Bonds,
Pi—an.
Censored JE Dunley [?]
1st Lieut. M.O.R.C. [?]
Elmer G. Bracher to Earl Reed Silvers, September 27, 1917
Sept. 27, 1917.
Dear Sil:
Received your letter of Sept. 8 yesterday and it sure was fine to hear from you. We hadn’t received any mail since Sept. 11 until yesterday when a big batch came in for us. You can imagine how it made us feel. Whom do you think I run into the other day? Old . He is a first lieutenant in the Dental Corps. He is a casual here at the hospital awaiting orders. Gee it sure was fine to see him. Did you know he was engaged? He said he was mighty sorry he wasn’t at your wedding, but, he got the dates mixed. He sends his best regards. I also saw Young the Queens Club man. He is on one of the gun crews on a transport. Believe yourme you don’t know how good it is to meet someone from God’s country whom you know. That is good news about Eda, Sil. You know I wish her the best and best of luck in her hour of trial. If wishing will do any good she won’t have a bit of pain or hurt. I sure hope it is a boy so we’ll have another Delt in the Silvers family. Say Pro, tell the “Voice” to write more often. I’ve only heard from her once since I’ve been here. Also tell her not to forget to send me an announcement. All the fellows wanted to be remembered to you. They are all well and making out very nicely. Work seems to agree with us all. I can hardly imagine that college has opened and that I would be able to go back. It certainly could be great if all the old gang could get together again. When we all get back we’ll have to have a grand old reunion. That’s fine news about Pete. Tell him to let me know his address. Dud surely did a mighty fine thing. I know that I would never have done it if I had been in his position. If everybody has his spirit we sure would have a mighty fine army. I guess I’ll stop rambling now Pro. Give my best regards to everyone. So long
Yours in the Bonds
Pi—an
P.S. to U.S. Army Hospital #6. EGB.
Censored. JE Dunlap [?]
1st Lieut
MOMC [?]
Elmer G. Bracher to Earl Reed Silvers, December 6, 1917
Dec. 6, 1917
Dear Sil,
Congratulations! I’m mighty glad that the baby is a future Delt, I sure do hope that Eda is up and well. By the time you get this I guess the baby will be almost two months old. The length of time reminds me that I must apologize for not writing sooner. I sure am sorry but, to tell the truth I have neglected my correspondence entirely for the last three weeks or a month and haven’t written a single letter. I have reformed however and I am working hard now to get caught up with it. You say you wanted the names of all the men to send them the weekly letter. All the men in our unit seem to be getting them so I won’t bother to give you their names. You might send one to Lunker Janeway and to Johnny Morrison tho [sic]. Lunker’s address is Base Section [?] 101, (A.P.O 101) A.E.F. while Johnny’s is 1st Lt. J.D. Morrison D.O.R.E. [?], 26th Division A.E.F (A.P.O. 709), I know that they surely would like to hear the news from college. We had a pretty successful football team didn’t we? I certainly was mighty glad to hear when we won. It was too bad that we lost to Syracuse. Offer my congratulations to and to Thug [?] for the fine team they turned out, when you see them. It must have been great to watch them play and practice and I sure do wish that I could have seen them. I hope I have better luck next year, [though], of course there’s no telling. How is the House getting along. I suppose it has the same old trouble collecting dues and paying bills. How is Duke making as head? I understand that after the fellows had obtained four men that they stopped rushing and let the Chi Phis get some good men that we should have had. I guess it’s the same ol story of self—satisfaction isn’t it. The chapter sure will die of dry rot [?] if someone doesn’t put some pep unto it. Why don’t you try and stir them up? Say, Pro, what is the matter with “the Voice” has she become engaged and not allowed to write or did she cut her hand off. I have written four or five letters to her and only received one from her. That one was received shortly after I landed. I’m going to write one more and then give it up as a hopeless job. This great living on twenty eight dollars a month Sil. Live very nicely for the first two weeks but, after that oh my! Its worse than college used to be. Everybody is about broke at the same time so it is even hard to borrow money so you can see how eagerly we look forward to pay day. When the second came out, I decided to be extravagant, so I subscribed for a bond, so that takes five dollars a month away, otherwise I would be getting thirty three a month and probably wouldn’t be broke so soon. What are you doing now Pro? Are you still assistant to or have to you gone up a pay higher? Have you written any books or stories lately? If you have send [sic] them to me, can you? I sure would like to read them. It sure is hard to write Pro, and not put in something that might be objectionable to the censor. I sure wish I could write more interestingly, but, guess I can’t. Don’t mind this paper. It’s all I have at present. Give my best regards to every one and I sure do wish you a most Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Yours in the Bonds,
Pi—an
P.S. I sent home a ring which they will send to you, I hope. It is supposedly made from a German shell with a German button in it. I think it is true. EGB.
OK.
Lt. L.S. Vacey [?]
Elmer G. Bracher to Edith I. Terrill, February 2, 1918
AMERICAN YMCA
ON ACTIVE SERVICE
WITH THE
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
Feb 2 1918
Dear Eda:
Received your letter and surely was mighty glad to hear from you. It certainly did contain startling news, but, I sort of expected something along that line. , didn’t I? Well, such is life. I don’t dare write now to congratulate them, but, you express my heartiest congratulations and best wishes for me, won’t you? Say, it must be awful to have a jealous husband. You know I won’t say anything about the engagement, but, you’ll let me know ahead of time when the wedding is coming off. It takes quite a time for anything to reach here and then get back again. If I received an announcement of the wedding I don’t think I would have time to send anything in time for it. So don’t forget to let me know ahead. How does like teaching? It’s just like her to have spent her salary in advance. Remember how you used to do it? I sure am glad the baby is getting on so well. I certainly would like to see him. I think [you’re] right in keeping Sil at home. Don’t let him go off. He is doing his bit in providing for you and the baby. Speaking of finances [though], I think we get paid in a day or so. Have signed the pay—roll and will appreciate being paid. I’m pretty well fixed now [though]? Have a Liberty Bond and a rather flourishing (that is for me) bank account. Thanks very much, Eda for writing. Best to Sil & the Baby.
As ever
Pi—an
OK
HR Crabbe [?]
1st Lt FA
Elmer G. Bracher to Earl Reed Silvers, February 21, 1918
AMERICAN YMCA
ON ACTIVE SERVICE
WITH THE
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
Feb 21 1918
Dear Sil:
Received your letter the other day and I sure was glad to hear from you. I certainly had looked for it for a long time but, I suppose you are pretty busy and don’t have much time to write. I have been receiving the letters from college but, they aren’t near as good as personal ones. Received #10 yesterday and saw the notice about the ring. I sure wish you wouldn’t make public the things I write you or send you. I just sent it to you as a memento. The thing is not of much value and I guess that there is millions of them in France, so you see it isn’t any thing to make a fuss about. That sure is funny about Mil isn’t it? I sent her one of those rings, too. Don’t know what she thought or rather it started a scrap or not. Gee, it must be hell to be in love. I sure would like to see the Voice to see how she acts. I’ll bet two bits she won’t live the . Far be it from me to knock, but, I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if my opinion of the affair, didn’t coincides with your’s. That’s great news about the basketball team. Hope they keep it up. Had a letter from Mike and he told me about it too. I won’t believe anybody knows much about . The poor boob writes about once a month. Last time I heard from him, he was waiting around for an appointment to an Ensign school. He was rather optimistic about it, and I sure hope he gets it. Have you heard about Joe? I don’t know if I have told you or not. Anyway he has been isolated for the past five weeks with scarlet fever. The poor cuss had quite time with it and isn’t on duty yet. He is out of the isolation tent [though] and in one of the . That helps a bit, [though], for the time passed very slowly for him in the tents. His eyes are bothering him now and so is his heart, but, I think they will come around all right. He is pretty lucky to have no more serious complications than he has, for he had a pretty severe attack. That’s pretty fine, your having the offer of that commission and it’s rather hard luck you aren’t in a position to accept it. It’s just as well [though] that you stay at home. I’ve been leading the same life as usual. Haven’t seen any excitement yet, but, there’s a chance for [they’re] sending operating teams to the front. I sure hope I’ll be able to get there. We may be doing our bit here, but, I’ll be out of luck if this is as far as I ever go. Write when you have time Sil, for it is certainly good to hear from you
In the Bonds
Pi—an
Elmer G. Bracher to Earl Reed Silvers, April 15, 1918
AMERICAN YMCA
ON ACTIVE SERVICE
WITH THE
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
Bracher
April 15 1918
Dear Sil:
Do you know I haven’t heard from you in a deuce of a while? I thought I would drop you a line to see if you would answer it to let me know whether you’re still alive or not. I’ve been receiving the College letters regularly as have all of the other fellows here. They are mighty good to read, but, I’d much rather hear from you personally. I certainly have heard some surprising news lately. Shrimp White’s and ’s engagements and the Louse’s [?] marriage, they certainly are things I never did expect to hear at least not for some time to come. How are Eda and the baby? I sure hope they are well and that you have nothing to worry about. I’ve been put on a new job lately. Have charge of a new kitchen & mess hall which we have just started. It isn’t finished yet but, when it is it’s going to be the best in the hospital. I have to order the stores and draw them, make out the menu and see that the work around the kitchen and hall is done right. With the exception of one cook all the work is done by convalescent patients, and I generally have quite a job to find them and to do the work. Have three good men who are detailed permanently and that helps a lot. The worst part of it is that you generally get some good men broken in and then they are sent back to duty again. — Have to start all over again then. We still lead the staid respectable life as of yore. Go to bed at a quarter to ten or before and go to at six in the morning. “Oh it’s nice to get up in the morning,” Sil “but its nicer to stay in bed.” I sure do hate to get up in the morning. Joe has been pretty sick lately so today he went off on a seven day forlough for a rest. I guess he’ll be all right when he comes back at least I hope so for he has had quite a time of it. Well Sil, if you should think to write, I’d be mighty glad to hear from you.
In the Bonds
Pi—an
P.S. Excuse the pencil. When I started to write with my pen, I found it was dry and I had no ink handy. EGB.
Capt M.C. Peary [?]
U.S. Army
Elmer G. Bracher to Earl Reed Silvers, September 16, 1918
P.S. Sil, this letter isn't written for publication so for Pete's sake dont think that this is. EGB
9-16-18
Dear Sil;
Received your letter yesterday and it surely was as unexpected as it was welcome. I had indede thought you had forgotten all about me, and had given up all hope of hearing from you. I have been receiving the college letter right along and of course receive all the college news thru it, but, it isn’t near as good as hearing from you directly. Things are going along here about the same as usual. Of course the hospital is growing larger and expanding all the while. Instead of one hospital now it has become a hospital center. will be the center of the group, but, there will be quite a few other units forming the component parts of the center. I believe that each unit is to have twenty five hundred beds and the center as a whole is planned for thirty or fourty thousand. (I don’t know whether that will be passed by the censor or not). At present I am at a new Convalescent Camp which has started up about two miles from [Base Hospital 8] For the moment we only have three hundred beds, but, it is planned for five thousand. I have charge of the and Medical storehouse and am acting as supply man in general. Am practically my own boss and take my orders from the [Commanding Officer] of the camp. He is a first Lieutenant in the Med. Corps and surely is a fine fellow. One doesn’t mind working for such a man as he is and it is more of a pleasure than work. At present we are living in tents and the storeroom is a room in an old French house which is on the grounds of the Camp. There is an open fireplace in the room and it surely makes it mighty cosy and comfortable in the evening when we have a fire agoing. The evenings are generally pretty cool now so I usually camp by the fire and read or write or work as the spirit moves me. Sil, I don’t believe you will receive many letters from the fellows in this unit, for there really isn’t a thing of interest to write about. It seems to us all that we should be up at the front doing something worth while, instead of being stuck away back here. We’re just plain out of luck as it is. I’m enclosing a little poem which is mighty applicable to the whole bunch here. With the changing of a few words it would fit us to a T. I might be able to give you a bit of news about some of the fellows so I’ll try. has been promoted to a sergeant and to a corporal. and started back for the states, a couple of days ago, with a of patients, so I expect that you may see them shortly. has charge of the mess in one of the kitchens. was promoted to a sergeant. The rest of the fellows are plugging along and doing their bit, I hope. Saw about a month ago but haven’t seen or heard from him since. The Lunker is still sticking to his old job. Have heard from , who is stationed at Paris, several times. The last time he wrote he mentioned of seeing there. He was going up to the front to do night bombing. He is a lucky devil. I sure wish that I were in his boots. I surely would give my last sous to have been in aviation. Have also heard from several times. He seems to like France pretty well, but is anxious to get up to where one can see and do something. Had one letter from since he landed. He was just going up then and I haven’t heard from since so I don’t know what has happened to him. Just had a letter from Del over here. It was his first trip across and he landed too far away to make our town. Hope he has better luck next time. was able to come and see us on his first trip across and it sure was fine to see him. Guess that is about all the news that I know of the fellows over here, Sil. It probably is stale news at that, so if it bores you, just skip it. Just [thought] of it. passed [through][Base Hospital 8] on his way to the States. He said war was worse than what said it was. So the Voice has announced her engagement. Since I have been dropped from her correspondence list, I don’t dare write to congratulate her. I wish you would convey to them both my heartiest congratulations and well wishes, Sil. I sure wish them the best luck in the world and privately I think that they will need it. You surely have quite a kid, there in Mike. I’m mighty glad that you sent that picture of him. I only wish that I could see him in action. Start early Sil and train him in the right way. When he grows up and wants to play football I imagine you will hear an awful yowl from Eda. Gosh, I was kicking a football around tonight for the first time in many moons and it surely did feel good to have the old pigskin in my hands again. Just at present it looks pretty black for my ever playing again. You surely are out of luck with [your] car, aren’t you? How do you blame it on smoking? I think that I agree with you about rather smoking than hear people talk. I sure hope the deafness passes away altogether. I think I have just about written myself out Sil, so it is about time to knock off. I had a hunch [?] that I would be able to write quite a lot of bull when I started so that is the reason why I used a pencil. I never would have finished it with a pen. I tell you this is just about the longest letter that I have written since I have been over here. Give my best to Eda and Mike and all the rest and for Pete’s sake live up to what you said you were going to do in regards to writing. But, never expect such a long letter in answer again. Be good.
As ever
In the Bonds
Pi—an
O.K
[?]
Elmer G. Bracher to Earl Reed Silvers, September 29, 1918
Bracher
9-29-18
Dear Sil:
Just received your letter dated Aug 28. tonight and it certainly was very welcome. You know I answered your last letter with pencil and that sort of started me in to write altogether that way. Have written several others, and I find that it is so much easier that I think that I shall continue it. My Lord is everybody getting married now adays. The old world certainly will seem strange with everybody married and grown up. You know, Sil, I don’t think that I have changed a bit since I left. Haven’t any more sense than I did have and I guess I am as much of a kid as I ever was. My Lord I’m twenty five now, and I sure never am able to realize it. Such is life, without a wife. I suppose if I had a wife I damn [?] soon find out how old I was and also how to be serious. I guess that will be a long time to come. How does the Voice like her new job. From the way you wrote it must be a rather important position and highly remunerative. Wouldn’t be a bit surprised if it would be able to keep her in hairpins [?]. Poor Voice we too surely have rather panned [?] her, haven’t we. What does it matter to us anyway, if she is happy. That is about the most important thing for her at present. How are and ? I sure would like to see them for they are a couple of peaches. Give them my best regards the next time you see them. I’m glad that Mike likes his duck. But, then look who the duck is named after why shouldn’t he like it? He sure must be quite a youngster by now. How are Eda and your mother. Certainly hope that they are well. By theis time they must be playing football, aren’t they? Give my best regards and well wishes for a successful season, to Sandy. Another bunch of fellows went back to the States tonight with a convoy of “nut” patients. I may surprise you sometime by dropping in when you least expect me. was the only fellow from college to go this time. He’ll probably surprise you by appearing unexpectedly upon the scene [?]. Haven’t seen Joe lately so I don’t know how he is. Haven’t any news Sil, so I’ll have to close.
In The Bonds
Pi—an
O.K.
LC [?]
Capt. M.C. [?]
Elmer G. Bracher to Earl Reed Silvers, October 17, 1918
10-17-18
Dear Sil:
Have a care as to how you address me next time. I might become sore and report you for familiarity, mais je n’ai sais pas. But, joking aside, Sil, I meant to answer your letter before this but, haven’t had the time or the [?]. Been busy as the deuce lately. Just received about six hundred additional patients and have had to do some tall hustling to get [accommodations] for them. To make matters worse it has been raining for about the last two weeks and the roads are something awful around the camp. Generally get stuck two or three times a day and either have to get another truck to pull mine out or else dig it out. Was mighty lucky today, only was stuck once. [They’re] building a good rock road now and when that is finished it sure will help a lot. There’s no telling when it will be finished [though], that is where the comes in. So is going to a training school. I sure am glad to hear it and the lucky beggar surely will make good. Wasn’t he a nut about that Ford. It surely was like him to sell it that way. Should have [thought] that he would have given you first chance at it for the one hundred [though]. Next time you write to Shrimp White tell him that he owes me a letter. The poor boob wrote to me once and I answered him, but haven’t heard a pup out of him since. Bawl him out for me. That is fine news about Pete. He always will make good at anything he tries. Had a letter from Bruce MacWhig [?] the other day. He thought I was with and passed right [through] our town and never knew we were there. That is what I call pretty stupid. He is up near the front and seeing something, the lucky . Gosh, Sil, many is the time that I have cussed myself for joining this outfit and being marooned way back here. Doesn’t do any good [though] and I’m almost reconciled to my fate. Also heard from Van Ludlow today. He is still in Paris but, says it is becoming rather tiresome. He is pulling strings for a commission or at least to get to a training school. Says it looks pretty prosperous for him. The old college must be quite changed nowadays. Received the last college letter which explained about the army training school. Sure must seem strange to see everybody in uniform. You certainly must have had quite a job finding rooms for them all. How are the Delts making out? Have we any freshmen pledged yet. Don’t the fraternities have a rather hard time to make both ends meet. Give my best regards to all the brothers. Also to Mike and Eda and the rest. No more news so I’ll have to close.
Always in the Bonds
Pian
Elmer G. Bracher to Earl Reed Silvers, November 3, 1918
11-3-18
Dear Sil;
Received your letter dated Oct 4th on the 31st and certainly was glad to hear from you. By the way have you received any of my letters since I started working again? You surely must have your hands full with college work now. Don Stork is back from the States now and he said that he visited [New Brunswick] but, didn’t see a soul whom he knew. The old place certainly must seem strange. You say that there are 42 men in the Delt house? Where the deuce are they all sleeping? Is the Madam still helping house? If she is she certainly must have her hands full. Remember me to her the next time you see her. That is news about and being Delts. I didn’t know that they were in college, even. What the deuce has become of all the fellows, Sil, that were there when we were? I know about Hank and Del and Bub and but, of the rest I don’t know a thing. Where are and and . What is doing? Is he married to Mary or drafted or what? I imagine that is just like the old “Louse” isn’t he? Things are looking mighty promising for the war to be over soon aren’t they? With Turkey out of it and Austria is on her last legs it certainly looks as if the won’t be able to hold out much longer. It looks to me as if the war will be over by Christmas. But, if the Huns decide to fight to the bitter end it will last at least a year longer. They would be mighty foolish [though] if they did that so altogether the prospects are rather prosperous. So Mike is a year old. Does he walk yet, or don’t babies walk at that age? By the time I see him he [sic] I guess he will be a pretty big youngster. Have you all been free from the ? It certainly must be pretty bad in the States. There’s quite a lot of it over here too. How has Eda been? By the way, Sil, Eda must be quite a cook now, isn’t she? Remember how she used to fuss around when you were first married? I’ll bet she is mighty business like about it now. Has anything happened to the football team? I heard that we trimmed Ursinus 67—0 or something like that. Is Sandy still on the job? Sil, do you know Shrimp White’s address? I had a letter from him a couple of weeks ago and I lost it and his address with it. If you know it I sure wish you would let me have it. Meet a fellow at the hospital who knows him very well and he would like to have it also. Going to do a little work now so I’ll have to quit.
In the Bonds
Pi—an
Earl Reed Silvers to Elmer G. Bracher, November 15, 1918
November 15, 1918
Sergeant Elmer G. Bracher,
Base Hospital #8
Am. E.F.
Dear Pian:—
How in the world do you expect me to know that you are a sergeant unless you tell me? In one of your letters you gave notice of the promotion of everyone else except yourself, and although I imagined that your great ability would not go long unrewarded. I did not dare start addressing you as sergeant until the definite word did come. I am mighty glad to hear that you have been promoted.
Practically every one else in your gang has come back to the U.S. except you and we are rooting very much for your return shortly. It sure will be good to see you again.
This is only a short letter to fill in until I have time to write a longer one. Captain blew in from the South yesterday and spent the afternoon talking over old times. He is going to write to you just as soon as he goes back, so he says. His address is 48th Infantry, Camp Sevier, S.C.
Take good care of yourself and try to be among the first of the soldiers to return to this country.
Good luck to you and all good wishes.
Cordially,
Elmer G. Bracher to Earl Reed Silvers, November 29, 1918
Convalescent Camp,
Hospital Center,Savenay.
November 29, 1918.
Dear Sil:
What the devil is the matter with you anyhow? You started off writing like a house a—fire and kerplunk you stopped. Is it because you [haven’t] received any mail from me? You threatened to stop writing if you [didn’t] hear [from me] but, if that is the reason it [isn’t] my fault. I have answered every letter that I have received from you, so what more can a man do? Anyway I’m giving you this last chance. Don’t think I’ll write again until I hear from you. Steve White just came back from the States the other day and said that he had been down to the college and that he had seen you. He also said that we had trimmed Penn State and that we had a darn good team. You know I sure would like to see a good game of football again. Guess that I’d pretty nearly go crazy to see the old team play again. If this reaches you while Sandy is around give him my best regards. How is MIKE getting along? You all haven’t been hit with the “FLU” have you? [I sure] hope that you [haven’t] for I know that it is pretty bad. There has been a deuce of a lot of cases of it over here and quite a lot of it in Rahway. Do you know Elmer Hansen? He used to hang around with and the Bachelor bunch. Just found out the other day that he is in the hospital with a machine gun bullet in his leg. He is he first Rahway boy that has been at the hospital and it was rather nice to see him even if I [didn’t] know him very well. Gosh I pretty nearly forgot to tell you that I had seen old Delamater. Harry Janeway called up and said that he was in port so I took a trip down to see him. First time I had seen him for pretty nearly a year and a half but, he was the same old Del. [Don’t] think that he has changed a bit. He was on a freight ship and thought that his next trip would be to Belfast, Ireland and that he would return to St. Nazaire so I may see him again in a couple of weeks. I sure hope so for it certainly was fine to see him again. The peeper had another sick spell lately. Think that it was the diptheria that he had this time. He is over now and on a seven day leave in Paris. His dad is at Paris doing Red Cross work so that is how he obtained his pass. It sure is pretty nice for him [isn’t] it? Wish that I was in his [boots] for the time being. He also was promoted awhile ago. Is a sergeant now. Guess that that is all the news that I know about the fellows. The rest of the Rutgers Bunch are all in good health and crabbing about the same as usual. Let me have Shrimp White’s address, will you Sil? Had a letter from him awhile ago and then lost it. Lost his address along with the letter and as I would like to answer it I wish that you would sent it to me. What has ever become of Pete Ainsworth and Bub and Eddie and the rest of the gang. I know that they are over here but that is all that I do know about them. Heard from Ronald Acken a while ago. He was in a hospital with a slight dose of mustard gas. he was just about to be discharged then so I guess that he is all right. Must close now and try to write a couple of other letters. Give my best regards to Eda and the rest of the family.
In the Bonds
Pi—an
Elmer G. Bracher to Earl Reed Silvers, December 3, 1918
Convalescent Camp,
Hospital Center, Savenay.
December 3, 1918.
Dear Sil;
Just received your letter dated November 2nd. the other day and as usual was very glad to hear from you. Had written to you on the twenty—ninth, giving you a bawling out for having stopped writing, but I guess that I’ll have to take it all back. [Wasn’t] that hard luck about Jill Jackson? He had all the chances in the world of connecting with a contagious disease during the months that he was over here and then to go home and catch the ‘flu’. It certainly was too bad. It was news about and “kicking in”. So is in England with a hole in his leg. All I can say is that he is lucky that it [wasn’t] some where else. What ever became of ? Did he ever come across or is he still in the States? Before I forget it, Sil, I want to tell you that I received the college letter of November 6th in the same mail as your letter. The college letter was might interesting and contained a whole lot of news. What are they going to do about the college now that the war is over? Is it still to be a war college or will it go back to the old regime? Guess that I [can’t] ask you any more questions, Sil, and as I [haven’t] any news I think that this note had better come to a close.
In the Bonds
Pi—an
Elmer G. Bracher to Earl Reed Silvers, December 14, 1918
Bracher
Convalescent Camp,
Hospital Center, Savenay.
December 14, 1918.
Dear Sil;
Received your short note the other day and was [certainly] glad to hear from you. I suspect that this will be somewhat similar to yours for unless a happy line of bull strikes me, I [haven’t] anything particular to say. I might make a few appropriate and forceful remarks about the weather, but if I start in [cussing] about it the whole letter will be nothing but a line of swearing. Let it suffice that it has done nothing but rain for the last two weeks or more and that everything is [a sea] of mud. How are Eda and Mike? You [didn’t] mention them so I take it that they are both in good health. You’ll have a Christmas tree for Mike, [won’t] you? I’ll bet that he will be tickled to death with it and the presents which he will receive. Christmas sure will be here before one realizes it. I’ve been trying for the last month or so to buy something to send home and [haven’t] succeeded so I think that I [won’t] send anything. Thanks for the wish that I will be among the first home. The way it looks now, we’ll be here for quite some time. There is really no telling [though] at present. We may sail in a month and then we may not sail for six months. It surely would be pleasant to be in the States again. I’m glad that you sent me Shrimp Whites address, for I had lost it and I owed him a letter. He is mighty sore that he [wasn’t] able to come across, [isn’t] he? Guess that he is just as well off [though]. He might have been killed or have lost an arm or leg and then he sure would have been out of luck. It [isn’t] so here where I am now, Sil. One of [the greatest] benefits is that I [don’t] have to stand any formations. Get up when I please in the mornings and turn in when I please in the evenings. Generally arise at eight or eight—thirty or nine, and you know how well that suits me. One little piece of news that I know is that Joe has been sent home as unfit for further duty. Had an attack of diptheria a while ago and it affected his heart. As a result he received a [Surgeon’s Certificate of Disability] You will probably see him before this letter reaches you and learn all about it. He will probably give you a great line about how he fought the glorious battle of Savenay and how he is just recovering from a bad case of shell—shock. Had more bull than I thought that I would have so I think that I had better knock off now. Hope that you all have a most Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
In the Bonds,
Pi—an
Elmer G. Bracher to Earl Reed Silvers, January 3, 1919
Jan. 3, 1919
Dear Sil:
How the deuce are you all and why don’t you write once in a while? Of course I have received the college letter, but, I sure would like to hear from you personally. How is Eda and the baby? I sure would like to see the little fellow. I’ll bet you are having a fine time with him keeping you awake at nights. Do you have to get up and walk the floor with him? Say, what the deuce has become of Mil? It certainly is some long time since I have heard a word about her. Sil, that weekly letter from the college sure is a good thing. We all sure are glad to keep in touch with the old place and I hope you keep on getting it out. Received the which you sent and that was highly appreciated. But, of all the nerves for Pete’s sakes what the deuce did you ever publish that letter I wrote? I sure never would have written if I had ever thought you would publish it. I sure will wallop you for doing it when I get back. I don’t believe that there is any chance of sending any souvenirs of the war back as you asked for in one of the letters. In the first place I’m not in a postion to get any at present, and again, I don’t know whether it would be permitted or not. I have acquired a few things and hope to get more later. What is doing at home Sil? Where is Dud? What is Father Pete doing, and Bub? I could ask a thousand questions, but I guess it would be too boring for you to answer them. All the Rutgers bunch are well and working hard. A lot of them have been in the hospital mostly with severe colds. Joe and Doc Johnson have been in twice with very bad colds. I have been pretty lucky and have managed to keep out. Joe is still on night duty in the wards. [Believe] me every available man is working like the deuce, for we have an awful amount of work to do. You know Sil, I think that it would have taken an awful inducement to get me to enlist if I had known how much work I would have had to have done. But, now that I’m in I don’t mind it so much for I’m used to it now. Believe me, I sure do sleep soundly after working all day and it sure is mighty hard to get up at quarter to six in the morning. We get very good food [though], and that helps a lot. We haven’t had hardly any snow, but, the weather sure has been cold. The French people say it is the coldest winter they have had for years and I sure do believe them. Wish I had more news, but, as I haven’t I’ll have to close. Don’t forget to write. Give my best regards to people I know.
Yours in the Bonds,
Pi—an
O.K.
[?]
Elmer G. Bracher to Earl Reed Silvers, January 14, 1919
Convalescent Camp,
Hospital Center, Savenay.
January 14, 1919.
Dear Sil:
Received your letter of December 20 last night and it was the first in a devil of a while. [Don’t] know what has happened to your mail but it sure has gone astray some where. I may receive the letter that I have missed in a month or so. The mail system over here is pretty much balled up and we appreciate any that we do receive. I’ll forgive you seeing as you have written and that [isn’t] your fault that I [didn’t] get them. You sure told me a lot of news. I [didn’t] know what had become of hardly any of the old gang. Yes the certainly [was in] hard luck and I sure did feel sorry for them. You want to know why none of the fellows [don’t] you? [I’ve] told them that you wished to hear from the but can hardly blame them for not writing. Hells bells [don’t] you know by this time that there is nothing of interest to write about here. I thought that I had impressed that upon your mind. If we had been up where there was something going on it would have been different. But down here where we have to get drunk for a little excitement it is a different matter. I think that is the reason why none of the fellows have written. Did I tell you that I had received the receipt for the payment of the Quarterly? I [don’t] know whom to thank for it but it was very kind of the ones who are responsible for it. Have a little bit of news for you is at this center as a patient. He is at which is a nut hospital. I [haven’t] seen him but I understand that he is suffering from Shell—shock. Will try to see him in a day or so. [Don’t] think that there will be any more of us going home with patients. Expect to be home for good in a short time so [don’t] be surprised if I should blow in on you some time in the near future. We know nothing definite for no one ever has any definite in the army, but things look very promising. Hard luck that the son had the “Flu” and sure am glad to hear that he has suffered no damage from it. It is half past one now and I’m getting sleepy as the devil so I think that I’ll have to close this letter. Hope that I see you soon.
In the Bonds
Pian