WW1 Era Letter Written by U.S. Artilleryman in the Hospital With Shell Shock.

[Heartfeltzero]

This letter was written by an Ellis Waldo Poage. He was born on December 20th 1891 in Baxter, Iowa. During the war, he would serve with the 147th Field Artillery. At the time of writing this letter, Ellis was in the hospital with shell shock. The letter reads:

“ September 2, 1918

Dear Mother :

I expect you are wondering why I don’t write. Well, we have been on the front for a long time and haven’t had a chance to write. I am in the hospital now and have plenty of time to write.

Don’t worry, I am not very sick, just a little shell shocked and nervous. I slept fine last night and will soon be back to my battery. I am going to go out for a little walk today. I have read about this war over here but now know all I want to know of it first hand.

I expect we will soon be relieved, at least hope so. There are thirty four other boys in this ward with me. We are on another front than we were. The Americans are certainly doing some grand work now and of course our division is doing it’s share.

I haven’t used my mail for a long time but expect some soon.

Well I will have to close for this time with love to all.

Pvt. Ellis W. Poage
Bat. “D” 147 F.A.
A.E.F. “

Ellis would eventually return to combat and would survive the remainder of the war. He would return home not long after. Ellis would live a long life, passing away on March 19th 1973 aged 81. He is buried in the New Tacoma Cemetery in Washington.