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Note: Tombstone reads: Charles W. Fisher, Private 1st Class, Co G 313th Infantry, Born Oct 12, 1895, Killed in action in France, Nov 5, 1918. Body brought back from France by William Fisher. Obituary: Private Charles Fisher Word was received by Mr. and Mrs. William H. Fisher of 2117 E. Chase St yesterday, that their son, Private Charles Fisher of Company G, Three hundred thirteenth Infantry, was killed in action on November 5. The day before Fisher fell, he wrote a letter home telling his family to send him his Christmas box, he was very anxious to get some candy. He was 22 years old and before he was drafted was employed by A. Hoen & Co. ___________________________________________________________ Camp Meade May 30, 1918 Dear Mother and Father Just a few lines to let you all know that I got down here and so far I can say that I like it. We get good eating and plenty of it. Thursday for dinner we had mashed potatoes, ham, corn, tomatoes and lettuse (sic) and peaches for dessert and I want to say that I can eat down here and there are lots of nice fellows here and everybody seems happy and a large crowd left here this morning for other camps and Dave up the street was with them. I got my first shot to day but it didn't hurt me much and it's not half as bad as some fellows make it. We can walk around a good bit an have plenty of time off half a day Wensday (sic) all day Saturday and Sunday and you ought to see the boys run at Mess call an (sic) this is surley (sic) some big place. We can play cards and other games until 945 at night and tell (BROTHER) Will if he comes down Sunday he can bring me a piller (sic) along as we have not got any here. Also a few cents if you have it to spare as we can buy ice cream, near beer or most any thing but real beer but I don't miss it much an I think I feel better with out it an please don't worry about me as I am getting along alright so far. In a few days we will all have our suits an everything but I don't know just what I will be put in when we get out of here in about two weeks hoping to find you all well and happy and not worrying as I will always take good care of myself. I am going to say good bye for the time being. With Love to all Charles W Fisher Co G. Barrak G 27 313 Inf. Camp Meade, Md Post Card Postmark: May 31, 1918 Mr. William Fisher 1119 N. Patterson Park Ave Balto Md Dear Brother This is a good life if you don't weaking and so far I have not. We are getting plenty of good eats and having a good time. Come down to see me Sunday if you can. From Charlie Barrick G. 27 Co. G 313 Inf Camp Meade Camp Meade June 11, 1918 Dear Mother We are now out of this barrack and can now go where we want to when we are off. We have moving pictures and plenty of other places to go to have a good time and they told us that half of us would be giving passes this week and I expect to get one but I won't know for sure until about Friday. Some will be giving a pass from 10 oclock Saturday until 10 oclock Saturday night and some from 10 oclock Saturday until 11 oclock Sunday night but if I don't get a pass come Sunday early as I was glad that you and Maggie came down last week and tell Maggie to bring Helen and Jennie with her if I don't get up but I think I will be giving a short pass anyway. Tell pop he can get them leggins (sic) if he has the money to spare and I think size 2 will be alright. Tell Will to get then to get them as he knows what kind to get. I hope pop is making out good and feeling well. Tell him not to drink all of the beer as I think I could stand a cold bottel (sic) when I come home. I have got all three shots and am feeling good and hope you all are feeling the same. With love to all From Charlie Co G 313 Infantry Camp Meade Camp Meade June 23, 1918 Dear Mother Mrs. Lewis and some of the girls were down today and everyone was glad to see me. Mrs. Lewis brought me a nice lemon pie, some homemade biscuits, a cake and some fruit and the girls each gave me a box of candy I guess about four pounds in all. I will be eating candy some this week and I would like to send you all a piece of this pie. We had a very good time but the wind was blowing some. We had a very good dinner today baked chicken, mashed potatoes, lima beans, slice oranges, tomatoes and lettuce and two blocks of ice cream. Some meal I will say, and I was blowing when I got up from the table the fellow who missed this meal was out of luck good and strange I guess when Will woke up this morning he had the army talk off his brain or he better had. I hope pop and Leo are feeling much better then when I was home. I am eating a piece of pie now and wish you had some. It was sure cold down here last night but I had two good blankets to keep me warm. If every day was Saturday or Sunday I guess I would get fat as a hog. I am certainly please with this wrist watch you bought me as the kind they sell down here are not wroth a cent as they break most every day. Maggie ought to be glad she didn't come down today as I said it was so the wind. Tell pop about this dinner we had today and asked him if he got this kind of meal when he was in the army but I guess not. I hope I get a long pass this week if I get any but of course I will take a short one if I can get it. Hoping to find you all well and happy. With love to all From Charlie Co. G 313 Infantry Camp Meade Somewhere in France August 29, 1918 Dear Sister I received your letter today and I was more than please (sic) to hear from you and I guess you have received a few from me. I am very glad to hear that Ma and Pop and everybody is well. You say little Leo is wearing pants. Well I would surley (sic) like to see him and all the children as I know they all miss me. It takes a long time for a letter to get here but I think it will be much better as we are told that we will receive mail in about three weeks. Anyway as far as sending candy and cigarettes to me don't think you could very well do it but I would like to get some good candy as it is very hard to get over here. I have send you a very pretty silk apron and Ma a pillar top about one week ago and I hope you received them in good shape as I would like to send both Ma and you a few things and I know that you will be please when you get them. Well speaking of conditions they are better now than when we first came over and I wish all of you could come over here as everything is difference (sic) than at home. Well as I have said in other letters that I wrote home I don't think it will be long before I will be coming back to join you all. Well I will say goodbye. With love to all From Charlie Private Charles Fisher Co. G 313 Infantry A.P.O. 771 American Exp. Forces P.S. The above is my correct address. Somewhere in France September 7, 1918 Dear Mother I received the letter from Maggie and was glad to hear that everyone at home is well as I am feeling fine and dandy. You say it is very hot in Balto. It is pretty warm here during the day but we sleep with two or three blankets on at night as it always gets cold at night over here. You speak about getting letters from me well I write pretty often as I know that you all are very glad to hear from me. I have wrote a few letters to Mrs. Lewis but so far I have not received any answer but expect to get one soon and I bet they are worrying about Milton going away but its nothing to worry about when you think about how many boys are over here. All the boys seem happy and we have a pretty good time but everybody thinks of home and expects to be back soon. I have send a very pretty pillar top for you and a silk apron for Maggie and I hope you both get them in good shape. Tell pop I wish they had some baggatell tables over here as it has been a pretty long time since I have played a game. You say it seems like a year that I have been away. Well cheer up and be glad that your son is going to fight for uncel (sic) sam if it lastes (sic) long but I don't think it will. I hope this letter fines all the children, Willie and everybody at home well and happy. Well I guess you I will say goodbye for a short time. With love to all at home From Charlie Private Charles Fisher Co. G 313 Infantry A.P.O. 771 American Exp. Forces Somewhere in France Dear Mother and Father I hope you got my card and letter but I am waiting for a letter from you and hope to get one soon as I would like to know how everything is at home. We left the town where we were at and after riding for three days and four nights in side door pullmans we hit a little town in the hills and the people seen to be glad that we came. After riding throught (sic) a large part of France I find it to be a beautiful country. The most they riase (sic) is wheat and grapes as this is a great place for wine as they don't drink much water over here. I had a few glasses but don't like it much as it is pretty sour and would rather have a nice cold glass of our beer. There is a coupel (sic) of stores in this burg but everything is dear. A small box of sardines cost 30 cents each and everything costs more than at home. Well that trip in box cars was about the worse yet as the cars over here are much smaller than ours and there were about forty in each one and it was pretty hard to get any sleep at night and everyone was pretty played out when we got here. But I am feeling fine and wish you all were over here to see this beautiful country. And they have the best looking cows I have ever seen. The women and the boys do all the farming and they surley (sic) do work hard and do most anything so the men can go to the front and fight the huns. And don't think it will be long before the war is over. I have seen a few german soldiers and they seem to be glad they are out of it as they are giving them hell every day. They look like they don't get much to eat but we have plenty only it is a little hard to get at times. One good thing where we are at now is that we have plenty of water to wash and keep clean. I have not seen a wooden house over here yet. Everything is stone and the place were (sic) we are at now was builed (sic) in 1738 and most all of the houses are pretty old and small. And this country is worth seeing but I would not like to live here long for there is no place like the good old states. And when I get back I think I'll stay for a long time. And I think we will be back soon but would like to march in berlin with the boys and the old stars and stripes but I guess the huns will get enough befor (sic) than (sic). Well when you write let me know how all are and if Pop is making out good and feeling good and how Maggie and Willie and all the children are. And I hope Leo is feeling good and tell Mr. Lowry I will write to him pretty soon and give them my best regards. And tell Willie to tell Bellman to drink one on me. Well it is getting dark now so I will say goodbye. With love to all from Charlie Private Charles Fisher Co. G 313 Infantry American E. F. Via New York P.S. Be sure to address the letter like this. Somewhere in France September 21, 1918 Dear Father After moving about a good bit we are now at the front and it is nothing to worry about here. I am very glad to hear that you are feeling good as I am feeling fine and dandy. About now I think this war is a lot difference (sic) than the one you fought in and I don't think it will be very long before this war is over and I will have seen a lot of things we can talk about when I get back home. I am very glad to hear that you are still working at the same place and hope you still like it there. The trenchs (sic) here are very muddy and full of rats but things could be much worse than they are here. Anyway everybody over here seems pretty happy and while I miss you very much, I am hoping to get back very soon and we will have a very good time. I have heard that Balto is going to be dry until after the war. Well I guess Bellman don't think much of it. The next time you go up there give all the men my best regards and tell Bellman I am going to put that ball on the flagpole for him before very long. Maggie send me little Leo picture and I am very glad to hear that he and all the rest of the children are feeling good and I know that they all miss me but I don't want you or Ma or anyone to worry about me as everything is going fine. The only thing I am worry about is sending money home to Ma but I can have that fixed soon. Hoping to hear from you soon again. With love to all at home From your loving son, Charlie P.S. I will have my picture taken and send a coupel (sic) home. Somewhere in France Sunday, October 20, 1918 Dear Mother and Father I take great pleasure in writing home this morning to let you know I am very glad to hear that you and Pop and all at home are feeling well and getting along so nice and I guess Pop is very glad since he got an increase in his pension. Maggie said Pop thought you got lost when you went to market but I know how it is when you take the children with you. The day is very nasty as it is raining but I am sitting in a former german dugout by the fire writing this letter and taking things easy at present. Well I sent my slip to Maggie for my Christmas box and while I don't think we will be home for Christmas, I am pretty sure the war will be over before then as the huns are on the run and want peace very bad. Well I hear Willie still goes fishing and comes home with a bunch of wet lines. Tell him I will show him how to catch fish when I get back to the good old U.S.A. and I am sure that won't be very long. And I am glad to hear that Pop wants to show me a good time. Well we will all have a good time together. Well I want to tell you all that I have been in the battel (sic) of Montfaucon and came out safe and sound and we are now on a different sector of the front where everything is going along fine and its no need to worry as it is very good here as we can have a fire and keep warm. Well you say they are going to stop making beer in December. I guess Frank Bellman don't like it much but I guess it will be much better for a lot of men at that. We have been getting plenty of smoking tobacco and cigarettes but not much chocolate as I would like to have. That is why I want Maggie to send it to me in that Christmas box. Maggie said Leo and all the children are getting along nice. Well I know they miss their uncel (sic) Charlie and I surley (sic) do miss all of you. I am very glad to hear that Lee is doing much better as I know it makes you all feel better. Don't worry about me having money as I have plenty to spend and I am going to try and send some home for I will be abel (sic) to use a few dollars when I get back home. So cheer up and don't worry about me as everything is ok so I will close now. With love to all at home From Charlie Private Charles Fisher A.P.O. 771 U. S. Army P.S. Use the old address on all the letters you write and I have been getting your letters all right now. Post card with postmark October 21, 1918 Soldiers Mail Mrs. Eliza Fisher 2117 E. Chase St. Baltimore, Maryland U.S.A. Dear Mother We are still at the front. Everything is going good and I am feeling pretty good and I received some letters from home and was very glad to hear that you and Pop are feeling good. Paper is hard to get here but as soon ass I can I will write a few letters and tell you a little more. Don't worry as everything is ok. With love to all at home, From Charlie Private Charles Fisher U.S. Army October 27, 1918 Dear Mother and Sister I received your letter of October 1st and I was more than glad to hear that you are all well and that you and Ma got the pillar (sic) top and apron and I am please to hear that you both like them. And if I can get back to a town where I can buy anything I will send Ma and you some very pretty things. I would have send more but I wasn't sure you would get them. Well Sis we have been out of luck as far as getting much from the Y.M.C.A. so far and you would not believe how all of us boys feel when we get a bar of chocolate or some cakes or most anything sweet to eat. I guess that's because we don't get much sweet stuff as we did at home or at camp. And that's why I ask you to send me all chocolates in my Christmas box. And you can take it from me I am going to have one grand feast on candy when I received that most welcome box from the dear old U.S.A. And you can take it from me if I get back home safe and sound as I expect to soon I bet when I go up town I have some candy when I come home. Well Ma we have been at the big drive at Montfancon and on the front for 42 days now and outside of having a cold I have been feeling good and taking it all in all. We have had some pretty tough times while we have been on the front all of which goes with a soldiers life as Pop can tell you for I know he had some hard times during the Civil War. And we will have something to talk about when I get back home with you all. I have been getting your letters pretty regular of late and I hope you have been getting mine as I love to hear from home and I know you like to hear from me. I was very glad to hear that Pop got a increas (sic) in his pension and that he is feeling good of late. And also that Ma is feeling fine and getting on her feet. I got that money order in the letter and if I can buy anything I will surley (sic) enjoy it. But speaking of money instead of getting it I would like to send some home as we don't get a chance to spend it over here now that we are fighting the huns and I guess you read with much joy the way we are driving them back. And it won't be long befor (sic) we have them back in germany and then we will go right on to berlin. But I think they are going to quit befor (sic) very long at lease (sic) the way things look now. Well I guess all the children are getting nice and big as Willie said Helen and William are going to school now and I guess Jennie will go soon. And I am glad that Leo is getting so nice and I would love to see them. I hope this letter finds you all well and happy. So I will close now as the mail is going out soon. With love to all at home From your loving son Charlie Private Charles Fisher A.P.O. 771 U.S. Army P.S. When you write use the old address with the A.P.O. 771 on. Dear Mother and Father While I have a little spare time I thought I would sit down and write a few lines home for I know that you all are glad to hear from me. You all are asking me to get a permit from my captain so you can send me something over and I am sorry to say that I can't get one. But there are a few little things I am sure you can send and I know you will be very glad to do it. I wish you would send me a pretty good fountain pen and about three good writing pencils. They will go in a very little box and I am sure I will get them. And when you send a letter you may put a few sticks of chewing gum in them as a lot of the boys are getting it that way. But as I have said before don't worry about sending money as we have very little chance to buy anything. There is two months pay due us and we expect to get payed (sic) off soon. And I am going to try and send some home for when I get back I will want a few dollars. Sherman said war is hell and he rode a horse. I wonder what he would said if he had to tour France on hob-nails. The other night we hiked about 18 miles and I was pretty tired when we got to our stopping place. We passed through a large town that I have wanted to see and it is pretty well torn up as most all of the towns in this section are. I guess Tom Schreck and some of the other boys from around our way will be over soon. I bet Mrs. Lewis is worrying about Milton but I don't think he will ever get in this fight liked I have. And once more I want to say we have had some battel (sic) on this front but there is a brighter day coming soon and all of the boys are talking about what they are going to do when they get back to the good old U.S.A. Speaking about eating our…….. (next page missing) November 4, 1918 Dear Brother I take pleasure in writing you these few lines to let you know that everything is going along fine at presant (sic). I am feeling fine and I hope that you, Ida and all the children are the same. I miss that big boy of yours is going to be quite a fighter since he is going to school. Well Bill, Maggie writes and tells me you are going down fishing most every week but don't catch any fish. Oh well the fresh air does a fellow good anyway. How about it if I had the time and your lines and some bait I bet I could catch more pike in a day than you have caught this fall at Sues Creek for there seems to be plenty of pike in these rivers over here. Every stream of water over two feet wide they call a river. I haven't seen a body of water as big as Sues Creek since we landed. Well Bill we have been getting plenty of eats and smoking tobacco and cigarettes since we have been at the front. And the only thing I would like to get more of is candy and I am very sorry that they won't let any of you send it across, but oh boy just wait until I received that Christmas box from home. I am going to have one grand feast of candy before I get back. And speaking about booze I haven't drank any for two months, but I think I could drink a coupel (sic) of cold ones. Turkey and Austria are now out of the war and it won't take very long to give the huns a dam (sic) good beating. Well Bill the next time you see Harry Clark give him my best regards and tell him I would be glad to hear from him. I hope this letter finds you all well and happy. With love to all at home From Buck Pvt Charles Fisher U.S. Army Balto Md November 13, 1918 U.S.A. Dear Brother I am taking pleasure in writing to you to let you know that we have been getting your mail and I am so glad that you write often as I love to get mail from you. Charlie, I was up to the Hippodrome and I seen (sic) a picture call (sic) Why America Will Win and it was great when the show was going on. My thoughts was on you but now the war is over and I am waiting to hear from you as I have readed (sic) in the paper that the 313 Infantry has been doing some hard fight (sic) and I hope and pray that you are not hurt and that you will soon be back with us. Charlie, we have send (sic) your box me and Ma and if I could have got another why Willie and Pop would have send (sic) you it. We all want to send you some money but by the time you would get it you may be on your way home which I hope you will so if we don't send it why when you come home I bet you get what you want. Ma and Pop are both well and Pop said all he want is to see his boy come back as he went away. As I was saying about the box, why I went up town and got it and got what I wanted to put in it and come home, pack it and took it right back. Now you know I was glad to send you that little cracker box as I call it. Hope you enjoy what little in it Charlie. I bake some punkin (sic) pies. How would you like to have one and they were fine. Willie said some pies if you were down at camp you I bet you would got one to because I know you like pie don't you. I guess I have told you that Tom Scherch is very sick. He is at base hospital for about 6 weeks and if it wasn't for the sickness that we had here, I think he would be over here. But we have been lucky as none of us are sick. Talk about a boy why Leo is one. He is so bad in everythink (sic). Talk about a kid eat he never get eought (sic). Getting fat to (sic). And please don't forget your pictures. We are waiting for them. I guess this is all I will write now so we all send our love and the Best wishes for getting home soon. Sister Maggie Balto Md Nov. 25th, 1918 U.S.A. Dear Brother We received three letters today and we were more than glad to get them. Charlie, Jennie was 5 years old Friday which was the 22 of Nov and I Bake a chocolate cake and got some apples and Bannas (sic) and candy. Ma make (sic) some lennada and got 50¢ ice cream. It was some party. It was just me and Ma and the three kids. We were eating the cake and cream when Ma said I wish poor Charlie had some of this. When she said that I could not eat any more I was thinking of you and how you could eat ice cream. Charlie, Pop send (sic) you his love. Said all he want (sic) is to see his Boy come home safe as he is doing good and still working at camp and he is (sic) got it good. The man down there is good to him. They give him 2.50 every week, some time more, and his week pay he give Ma $22.00 every week. Don't you think that is good for a man 75 years old. And he told Ma the 4 of Dec. I give you 120 dollar. Put it away until Charlie come home. And he got a lots put away from before he got liberty bonds and pay cash for them. Charlie, you must had it pretty tough time scine (sic) you been away but now the war is over. Take good care of your sefl (sic) until you get home and then you will see how good you have it. Charlie don't forget your picture. When Ma seen (sic) the mail man you ought to see her the way she run and said thank God its mail from my Boy. So we would love to get mail with a picture in it but I must say you do write some good letters and it make us all so glad to think you are well. And take things good as you do. All of the children are well. And talk about a kid why Leo he just think he is boss, Charlie. Helen and Jennie said Uncle Charlie won't buy us no Charlie Chaplie this Christmas. They are always talking about thire (sic) Uncle Charlie. They day the war was over why they were running around singing the war is over and tomorrow my Uncle Charlie is coming home. Mr. Lowry is look for mail from you. Well Charlie I close my letter hoping we will soon meet as I have had some sad hours about you. But thank God he has took (sic) care of you througth (sic) all of your hard ship. With Love from sister Maggie Balto Md Dec 1, 1918 U.S.A. Dear Brother I am taking great pleasure in writing to you to let you know that we are all well and hope you are well and rid of that cold you said you had. And I want you to take good care of your self and never let a cold run on, Charlie. Pop seen (sic) Harry Clark up at the Bellmont Saturday and he said he would love to see you and that he will be glad when you come home. He was speaking of what good company you were and how he like (sic) you and said he would like to write to you but Pop did not know how to address the letter. So if he see him this week why I will write your address on paper so Pop can give it to him. Charlie, we have made that little box up and put in it 3 peniles (sic) 1 pen 2 package of gun (sic) and hope you will get it. Pop and Ma are both well and since the war is over why it seem (sic) like they can't wait until you get home. And I feel the same way and I bet they won't have to tell you but once to pack up and I bet you will do some packing up. How bout it. Well Charlie I don't think you will be home Christmas and hope you will enjoy yoursefl (sic). But take it for me we will have Christmas for a week when you come home and if I could send candy why I would be sending some every week for I know you like candy. But the war is over. They may let things like that be send (sic) and if they do why we will keep you in what you want. Charlie I am going to ask you to do one thing if you can and that is to have your picture taken and send a few home. We have been getting your mail and it is some good news to hear that you are well and feeling fine. And the way you have been fighting why we are proud of you and the Maryland boys. And oh boy when you come home and where the boat land won't it be some cheering. And don't forget I be there when all of that going on. Well all of he children are well and Helen is doing pretty good in school. And for my sefl (sic) why I am feeling fine. Also Lee is well and still working up the country and think it will be work all winter and I hope so because its pay good and he could not make much in the city. Well Charlie I will close with Love from all at home and be a good Boy and hurry up and come home as we are all waiting. Sister Maggie War Department Office of the General Superintendent U.S. Army Transport Service Hoboken, N.J., January 30, 1919 From: Chief, Effects Bureau, Port of Embarkation, Hoboken, N.J. To: Mrs. Eliza Fisher, 2117 E. Chase St., Baltimore, Md. Subject: Effects of Private Charles W. Fisher, Co. G, 313th Inf. My dear Mrs. Fisher: Your letter of January 1st, addressed to the War Department, was referred to this office for attention. We regret to inform you that the effects of your son, the late Charles W. Fisher, have not been received. Our deepest feeling goes out to you at this time of your great sorrow. Please be assured that everything possible will be done to locate the belongings of your son, which we know to mean everything. We are to-day communicating with the authorities in France, and just s soon as the effects are received you will be notified. Sincerely yours, JOHN A. NELSON, Major, Q. M. Corps. By: A. L. JONAS 1st Lieut., Q. M. Corps. S-PUO-H mv/cr May 10, 1919 My Dear Mrs. Fisher I write you in answer to my sister's letter in witch (isc) you wanted to know how long your son lived aft
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