Transcription of William Matteson's daily journal:

Based on military service dates, these entries were made in 1919.

(Loose page, based on dates, this is earliest entry)

Sat feb 1^st         Went to town after work to S. C. home early bot pair of colored goggles

Sun feb 2^nd       Did not go to church today account of work in kitchen had a fried chicken supper

Mon 3^rd            Work hard all day on guard tonight

Tues 4^th            Got letter from Allene today went to Bible and League in evening

Wed 5^th            Hope to hear from my application today Must write to Olive today

Thur 6^th            Got a weeks wood cut today Went to Corrigador tonight Saw the Sarg’t Major get his third

Fri 7^th               Haven’t heard from my application as of yet but live in hopes Went to Y (?) in the evening

Sat. 8^th             Everything done and inspection over by 9:30 that early Am on guard tonight.

Sun 9^th             Went to League and service in the evening.

Mon 10^th          Same old grind

Tues 11^th          Went to see Chas Chaplin in evening

(page missing, based on dates)

First page of journal bound in book:

Tues 28            Got XMass card from Pearl. Mailed just before XMass, on guard tonight.

Wed 29            Wrote a letter to Lester Tanner today in Manila where I spent the greater part of the day.

Thurs 30           I hear that my request for discharge has been approved of, so expect to get the next boat home. I am going to Manila tonight to see a third degree.

Fri 31               Pay day today at 7:30am. Same work in KP. Drew the same Amt. but bet 3.00 for chance on watch and lost it. This is the last time I will be a fool.

Wed 12^th          My discharge application came back disapproved. Am going to renew it at once. Have information that with more evidence that it will go thru.

Thurs 13^th         Will get mail today. Got a letter from Allene. Well I got my papers back and they were refewesed. But I am sending them over again and with the help of the Lieutenant I think I will get discharged. On guard fourth releif.

Fri 14^th             We are preparing for about 45 men from China who are to attend our athletic(?) field meet at McGrady(?) beginning next week. They will chow with us. On account of guard mount I missed a chance of putting on a third Degree.

Sat 15^th            Went downtown in the afternoon and in evening had a chance to visit the Philippino Senator. Also saw 1034 do the 3%

Sun 16             We now have 100(?) men to feed and it’s some work but tomorrow we go to Camp Claudio to work. Francis has his order to repair to the Casual barracks. We are turning in our stuff today.

Mon 17            Margin note: Wrote to mother today

                        We move to Camp Claudio today and fix up a cook tent and get dinner for the bunch.

Tues 18            They are mustering out men at the rate of 5,000 a day. It is very dusty and the wind blows hard.

Wed 19            The dirt here is almost unbareable. Tomorrow will see the last of the Phil. Nat. Guard. Have not heard yet whether I am going home.

Thur 20            Margin note: Wrote home to Allene tonight

                        Same dirt when the wind blows. Went to Manila and saw four men get 1% at Corregidor.

Fri 21               Got my order to get ready to go home at 10:30 so I am happy. Went to McKily(?) in P.M. stay in barrack. Supper and breakfast at Prison mess.

Sat 22              In Cansal(Casual?) barrack at 9A.M. nothing to do but eat dinner and supper and go to show in evening.

Mon 24            I got me a job in the bakery where I can get second class chow. Sea is still smoothe and am not a bit sick. We have about 70 or 80 monkeys on board and you can tell it by the smell. Easy work, so the time passes quickly. Had a letter. Moving picture cine(came?) last night.

Tues 25            Up at 5:30 The sea is beginning to roll some and the natives are getting sick as are also the monkeys. Work to about 10:00 and have the rest of the day off.

Wed 26            Work quite hard this morning but got thru early. Felt somewhat sick last so ate no supper or breakfast.

Thurs 27^th         Got up sick and worked until about 9. and went back to bed ate only little dinner or supper sea very rough feel better tonight

Fri 28               Muster at 9:30 today feeling better but eat little.

Sat Mar 1^st       We sight the Island of Guam at about 9 A.M. and are anchored at 11:30 the place look natural after a year at 5°15°  We are on our way again with slightly altered course.

Sun 2^nd             Have a straight head wind so the ship don’t rock so much.

Mon 3^rd            Smooth sea and light breese we made 216(?) miles up today noon

Tues 4              Same work we have to stand roll call at 10:30 today. I miss my time to read.

Wed_5             Will have boxing tonight. Very interesting boxing matches and a good contribution to crippled soldier

Thur 6              Very smooth sea this morning. This afternoon we have a north wind and long lazy swells which roll the boat some.

Fri 7                 Weather bad during the night but easier today still rough. Movies last night.

Sat 8^th              Fish day. Glad I work in the bakery where I can get something to eat. Saw a good movie tonight.

Sun 9^th             Sea lies rough this morning but got bad again thru evening. We are near the 180° Had boat drill today. I am assigned to boat no 4.

Sun 9^th             Today also the ninth and Sunday we crossed the International Date line last night. Sea rough with heavy northeast wind.

Mon 10^th          Rough sea all day and night. Same work in bakery.

Tues 11^th          We are nearing Honolulu. Think we will make it tomorrow even. Th(is?) morning sea rolling.

Wed 12            We had some rain today and came in sight of land at 5:30 P.M. Will land in the morning.

Thur 13            Well I had to work extra long this morning. I think we docked at 8:30. We have leave until 3:30 so I change cloths and get off at 9:30 and am at the S and S Y who entertain us with a little talk and pictures and ice cream. The Fillipino mission(?) was met at the dock by a delegation of citzins and the Honolulu band who played and sang for them upon their arrival and at their departure. Well we get on and get out at 6:10 P.M. and at 8 P.M. we loose sight of Honolulu and are the last lap home. The Santa Cruz a merchant man pulled out just ahead of us now we are one mile ahead of her.

Fri 14               220 troops get on at Honolulu for home among who are 32 engineers of my reg. Some get their discharge at Honolulu $60 _______ and milage home.

Sat 15^th            Made 291 miles today so we are nearing Frisco fast. Sea smooth.

Sun 16^th           Had a good job this morning which lasted until near noon. 287 miles today. Only five more days.

Mon 17^th          Saint Patrick’s Day and it is getting cold and there are overcoats in evidence. Sea smooth with strong north wind.

Tues 18            We make 289 miles thru a sea of heavy swells- it is very cold and I had to borrow an overcoat to stay under at 10 P.M. last we had to turn back for a disabled mine layer which is being towed to Honolulu after laying still from 6 A.M. until noon we are again moving eastward at about 4 miles an hour. It is said that a destroyer is coming from Frisco to convoy the little boat in and relieve us.

Wed 19            Still very cold and we are still moving slowly feel sick today have drawn another blanket for tonight. Don’t know how far we have advanced account of the (Col. Gro Armstad.)

Thur 20^th          Still standing by while the little boat struggles with the sea. Made 174 miles.

Fri 21th            Spring  the wind is cold and disagreeable. We have to wait for the little boat every hour. 142 miles sea rough heavy swells

Sat 22^nd            Smooth sea we have made 236 miles today. Will get in tomorrow at 8 A.M. early up and 5:00 breakfast (Gods Country.)

Sun 23             They got us up at 1 A.M. so did not get much sleep. We landed at 9 A.M. and the R.C. ladies gave us each a flower and a badge of welcome so we stood around in the cold until 11:45 and sailed to the Fort to be inspected and a good dinner and now we have a good bed, and blankets, hope to get an A.D. suit before we leave here to ware home.

Mon 24            Well we are called for KP at 3 P.M. This means tomorrow also. Sent Draft card to Allene. To Y and to the movies in evening. Slept cold. I got my P.D. suit and overcoat and 3 suits of underwear telephoned to San Mateo but got no answer so wrote card to Olive(?) Went to Y to entertainment. It is much better than the Islands and much more enthusiastic.

Tues 25            Well I had to wheel coal this forenoon but beat it in the P.M. being without orders. I put in for a pass for San Mateo tomorrow. Will be sent east for discharge.

Wed 26            Just back from a walk around the island. Got phone from Alvin and also my pass and left on the 12:30 boat. Got San Mateo at 3:30 and found them late in the evening staid overnight. found Olive was not home

Thur 27            Came back with Alvin and went thru the plant and back to the dock at 9:30  Got home at noon and went on K.P. at 3 P.M.  Reported at the Hospital at 6 P.M. and found that I was too warm to be running around so they kept me and sent to the west side 

Fri 28               Lay in bed and sweat and listned to the foghorn all day  Guess I was sicker than I thot at first

Sat 29              Find myself getting weak  Guess I have some fever

Sun 30             Everybody set their time back one hour. Am feeling better this morning  Spend a very dull Sunday

Mon 31            Blue Monday  Must write to Allene tomorrow if they will let me up. Havnt felt as well today

Tues April 1^st    Felt somewhat restless today but will have to lay in bed all this week.

Wed 2^nd           Still in bed but feeling better don’t know just what is the matter with me.  Will write as soon as I can sit up

Thur 3^rd            I should sit up tomorrow if nothing happens

Fri 4^th               Well I have read nearly all day and have sat up some  Feel tired but better

Sat 5^th              Sent letter to Allene this morning

Sun 6^th             Was up and dressed today.  A lady came and sang a few songs in the morning.  Celebration of the 5^th of April at Persido (Presidio?) today

Mon 7^th            Was out walking for an hour this afternoon  Had my cloths on all afternoon

Tues 8^th            Was out for another hour today and felt much stronger.

Thur 10^th          Went over to east side. And mailed card to San Mateo. And walked back, was very tired it took me about 3 hours.

Fri 11^th             Walked all the afternoon.  Will get out tomorrow in P.M.

Sat 12^th            Here I am again on the east side and got my blankets and am ready for duty I telephoned to Olive and found her home. A week and well so I think I will see her tomorrow.

Sun 13^th           Laid around all day waiting for Olive and did not see her. Went to Y in evening.

Mon 14^th          Went to dentist and Casual office. Learned that I was to be discharged here. Telephoned Alvin Going to see them Wed

Tues 15^th          Signed my papers this morning and saw the dentist who treated my teeth the second time  Also found a cavity that should filled

Wed 16            Passed phisical exam today and turned in my clothes  Will get my finals tomorrow then

Thur 17            Waiting for discharge I met several fellows that I knew and went over with me who are here for discharge

Fri 18               I got hold of my discharge today and am sure it will be signed.  I am off at 4:20

Sat 19              Came to San Mateo last night at 7:30 and found Olive. Went to SF this morning and bought my ticket home for $53.60.  Bot some things downtown Home at 5:30 went to show at San Mateo in evening

Sun 20             Went to Easter Service with Olive and was at home in evening.

Tues 22            The home coming of the 347^th Engs. so I went downtown early and was on board the ferry at 1 P. M. at 1:40 was on my train and on my way home

Wed 23            Did not get a sleeper or chair so rode all night in day coach. We are now nearing the Utah line will have been in Nevada all day. Changed cars at Ogden got a chair car and a berth at night.

Thurs 24           Riding all day across the prairies in mist and fog had lunch at Red-Cross at 4 P.M. was invited to dine at 7:30 with a chance acquaintance. Reached Omaha at 1:25 and was taken to K of C (?) for a bed.

Fri 25^th             On North Western train at 7:45 for St. Paul. Was fed along the line by the Red Cross and arrived at St. Paul at 9:10. Went to the Hotel Sherman for the night had a good bath and slept until 11:30