Pvt. John D. Rudech
Company C, 31st Infantry Regiment
A.E.F., Siberia
Introduction
The 31st Infantry Regiment was formed in The Philippine Islands in August 1916 from cadre of the 8th, 113, 15th and 27th Infantry Regiments. The 1st battalion was formed at Regan Barracks, the 2nd at Camp McGrath and the 3rd at Fort William McKinley. It bears the distinction of being the first organization created under expansion of the US Army under the National Defense Act of 1916.On Aug. 13, 1918, the 31st sailed from Manila to Siberia. Its mission was to prevent Allied war material left on Vladivostock’s docks from being looted. Arriving in Siberia on Aug. 21, the regiment was broken into various detachments and used to guard the Trans-Siberian railway, as well as 130 kilometers of a branch line leading to the Suchan mines.
For the next two years, the 31st and its sister, the 27th Infantry Regiment, fought off bands of Red revolutionaries and White counter revolutionaries that were plundering the Siberian countryside and trying to gain control of the Trans-Siberian Railroad. They also dissuaded their 40,000 Japanese “allies” from taking control of Russian territory.
The regiment suffered its first battle casualties on August 29, 1918, in action near Ugtolnaya. During the Siberian deployment, 30 soldiers of the 3st Infantry were killed (including one officer) and some 60 troops were wounded in action. In addition, a large number of troops lost limbs due to frostbite. For its service in Siberia, the 31st Regiment became known as “the Polar Bear regiment,” adopting a silver polar bear as its insignia. In April 1920, the regiment returned to Fort McKinley. There is much information on the internet concerning this little-known area of action.
The letters, dug out of a box of post cards found at a Sacramento flea market, are addressed to Mrs. H. J. Smith, 2930 J St., Sacramento, Private Rudech’s sister. It appears from the letters that Rudech’s family was involved in the local ice business, an irony concerning where he would be assigned. Readers can gain little insight into Private Rudech’s duties but can read between the lines as he becomes increasingly unhappy about the political situation that is keeping him from home. The letters start about three months after arriving in Vladivostok. In the final available letter Pvt. Rudech still has another year of service in Siberia.
Siberia
October 29, 1918
Dear Sister
I am still located at the same place. Conditions remain about the same, except the weather which is getting pretty crimpy. I expect in a few days that they will issue us some warmer outfits. The caps that we will get look something similar to what those English sportsmen wear. They are very warm and comfortable. Before long, we will have enough wearing apparel on us to look like a brand new Christmas tree. But we won’t kick, for we will sure need all we get. For this weather sure has some kick to it. But we should worry, we are all prepared for it. How do you like my writing material. Some fancy stuff. What do you say. But it is just like sand paper to write on. It is made in Japan. I was over in town yesterday, which was Sunday, and took in the sights, and finally wound up at the YMCA, as usual. Before our trip across the bay, which takes us about fifteen or twenty minutes, to cross. We get across on a little flat bottom boat called a sand pan, propelled by Chino or Chinaman with a sort of a paddle which he operates from the rear of the boat. Which is surprising is the speed he can make. We always stop at the YMCA and get our glass of tea, everything is served in glasses. Now I mean tea, for I have been strictly decent ever since I left. I have tasted only one drink of booze. And that was some of this Vodka, just to see what it tasted like, and believe me it sure is some high powered stuff. When we go to town we have our tea and cakes. We have some pretty nice chickens, who serve the tea and cake at the YMCA. All the above statement is true, no fooling.
Brother Jack
Pvt. John D. Rudech
Co. C, 31st Infantry, AEF Siberia
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Siberia
Nov. 26, 1918
Dear Sister
I suppose this letter will reach you about Christmas so I might as well begin saying my Merry Merry Christmas, which I sincerely hope you and family will have. I wrote a letter to Ma yesterday and I would have written you this one if I had the required time. But what is the difference, a day or two. Especially over here. This letter I am writing today might beat the one I wrote yesterday. I really haven’t much news at the present time, outside of the fact the weather is getting colder, and quite frequent snow storms occur. The last storm was about five days ago and the snow still lays on the ground, in about the same depth as when it stopped. So you can imagine how the atmospheric conditions are. There is ice everywhere. The fellows go ice skating when they get a chance. It’s great sport. Our present location is in a very hilly and rugged country so when we go on expeditions of any kind, you can imagine how the walking is over ice and snow on the ground. It is some different from walking on Sac’s level and flat street streets. But I am enjoying it at that. Perfectly content considering the general circumstances. Of course, I would not care to stay here over three or four winters. The conditions here in Russia are still in a mixed up affair. Not really serious but sufficiently so to keep us here for some time yet. The war in general is practically over. We know that. So there is hardly any possibility of anything big pulled off, from all indications. How is Herb? Tell him I would write him a letter too but I have told you about everything I know at the present time, so write and let me know what the interesting news is. I am feeling fine and full of pep.
From your brother Jack
c/o Depot Quartermaster,
San Francisco, Calif.
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Siberia
Dec. 29, 1918
Dear Sister
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A few days ago I received a couple of letters from you. One dated Nov. 9 and other dated Nov. 15. Both arrived at the same time. And I surely was glad to hear from you. The mail from home has been few and far between. But it seems as if everyone took the notion to write to me at the same time for I sure got a bunch in the last batch, something like eight or ten. And that has been about a week ago. And today has been my first real chance to answer any of them. I know real well I won’t be able to answer all of them today for that requires time. So yours is the first one I undertook to answer. And I am almost sure I will be able to write this one without being disturbed. For this is Saturday afternoon and as a rule, we have that much time pretty much to ourself. You mentioned in your letter about that box of good eats that you and Pa fixed up for me. Well I received it Thanksgiving morning. And I sure well cleaned up on it. And I sure appreciated it and want to thank you for it very, very much. I am glad to hear that you and Herb and the rest of the folks are well and escaped that epidemic. It never has reached here that I know of. I have heard of some cases in Japan, which is not very far away. Only about an eighteen hour run. You said something about Ma being worried about me going in swimming in the bay. Well, she need not worry now, or for some time to come, for that said bay and every one of them are well frozen up and thick enough to hold up a railroad train. And that is one reason for me writing in pencil – for my ink is all frozen up. But I probably will be able to thaw it out so I can address the envelope. Evidently you have been inquiring as to how many letters I have been writing. (Some nosey, huh?) Well I received them, post cards, and also them silk handkerchiefs from Ma. Which was very nice and really too much finery for this man’s game I am in. And I also received some newspapers from you. Which news I sure read even down to the advertisements. As to leaving here, I haven’t the least idea. There isn’t any indication of it yet. We will probably be here for some time yet. Our Christmas feed was fine, everything from soup to nuts. We had turkey, chicken, pork, mashed potatoes, two or three kinds of vegetables, two kinds of cake, two kinds of pie, plum pudding and coffee with cigars and cigarettes on the side., The only thing we lacked was wine, which I kind of missed, especially for Christmas.
(Pages now written on YMCA letterhead)
You will have to pass it to me for I have been on the water wagon ever since I left. Not because I have to, for I sure can get it and plenty of it and powerful stuff at that. But none for me. No fooling. And after our feed, we entertained about one hundred and fifty of the children of the neighborhood where we are located. We had a Christmas tree and gave them a feed which they never had in their life. For they sure did dig into it. And it makes a fellow feel good when he sees anyone enjoying a feed when they appreciate it. And after they got enough eating, they gathered around the Christmas tree and entertained us with singing. And before they left, we gave each one a pair of mittens and a big bag of candy. Most of the kids were chaperoned by their school teachers. Some chickens among these school marms over here. Well that entertainment was put on and paid for by us fellows in “Co. C” alone. I also received a letter from Herb and was sure glad to hear from him. He states that Dehn was considering to put up some kind of respectable living place. That will be great if he does, for it sure will increase the business. You can tell him the ice business would not be a very profitable business over here. For you can go right out of your backdoor and cut any size cake you want, from one pound up to many tons. I was very sorry to hear that Bert McDowell died. He was a good fellow. I surely sympathize with Herb for the long hours he has to put in, for that is a grind day in and day out. But I guess Sherman was right when he said “War is Hell.” If they keep on passing and making nationwide restrictions, like they have, I don’t know but what a fellow is just as well off over here from I can see. At least the civilians over here can eat and drink what they want. Well they said war is hell. But I think the biggest part of hell comes after the war is over, from all indications. Tell Fritz Stussey I received his greeting. And I wish to extend him mine. And also Fred Polk if you ever see him. Well I will close and state that I am feeling fine and in the best of health. With love to you and Herb,
Your Brother Jack
Pvt. John D. Rudech
Co. C, 31st Infantry, AEF Siberia
Via San Francisco, Calif.
PS: A little change in the address.
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Siberia
February 2, 1919
Dear Sister:
I received a letter about a week ago and sure was pleased to hear from you. I would have answered it sooner, if I had the necessary time. You have complimented me for laying off the booze. Well I am still on the wagon. Bur I sure long for a taste of good old Yankee booze. They have booze here, what they call vodka. But from what action it has on the other fellows, I don’t care for some. It sure is fire water, high powered stuff. No fooling. You have asked me if I am bothered with the chilblains. I am at times, but not any worse then I was at home. But see what I wear on the feet and then they get cold at times. I wear two pair of heavy wool socks, a pair of heavy field shoes and a pair of overshoes; sometimes in place of the field shoes I wear a pair of heavy arctic socks, also the two pair of heavy woolens with a pair of Indian moccasins. So you see this is a very tropical climate. The tide in the bay went out six weeks ago and froze on the way out and hasn’t returned yet. The ink freezes in the bottle indoors at times. So we have to thaw it out when we wish to write a letter. Some country. They have plenty of room for scenery here, but somehow or another forgot the scenery and left nothing but the room. We had another blizzard a little over a week ago. They are sure fine, you had ought to go through one for it sure is worthwhile. It makes a fellow appreciate God’s country when he is in it. It’s kind of hard to write this side of the sheet so if you can’t make it out don’t blame me. I was very sorry to hear Aunt Mary passed away. But it is the unavoidable. Uncle Tom must feel bad. I received a card from Aunt Sarah and a card and letter from Herb’s father so I wrote them both a letter last week. I was sorry to hear that Mr. Beaver lost one of his eyes by an operation. But he claims he feels much better since it has been done. So that is a whole lot.
(end missing)
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Siberia
Feb. 23, 1919
Dear Sister
Rec’d your letter of January thirteen and was mighty glad to hear from you, and to know that all of you are well; and also received some newspapers you sent me which I enjoyed very much. It sure seems good to read the news from home, even if it’s a little stale. For even at that, it’s got it on this local news. We get a paper from Japan about three times a week. It’s called The Japan Advertiser. Its fairly good, considering . We sure get a variety of newspapers from nearly every important center in the U.S. Different fellows get their paper from their home town, so we swap with each other. So if there is any important news pertaining to us, especially some that has been proposed, we know by the time we receive the news here in a newspaper, the proposition is already in effect. Some consolation anyway. In my last letter two I mentioned that we expect to move towards home next month. Well I am not so certain as to where we may go. It looks as if we might move next month, either farther in, or towards home. But it looks now as we might do the former. But I hope not, for I think it’s about due time to leave this neck of the woods. For as far as I can see, this affair over here is none of our business. You have asked me if the chillblains bother me. It’s surprising they haven’t bothered me as much as they did home. I guess this life is making me tuff. Well what I have seen already, and went through is enough to make anybody tuff, not only in physique, but also in manners and expression. You asked about the cake you sent me; it was in fairly good shape when it arrived here and sure tasted good. That was too bad about Bessie Flint. That flu stuff must be hell. And the Horrell’s are sure having their share also. We have been pretty lucky in our company so far. If I remember right I mentioned in the last letter to you about us being in quarantine, for measles and mumps; well they lifted that ban a couple of days ago. Which was surely greeted with cheers. One of the fellows just brought me news that he had read in today’s paper. By God it sure looks like we are going to be the goats in this affair. I thought I came into this Army because we were in war with Germany. They have been defeated. Now what has this situation got to do with us. It sure is “hell” when a man has got to give up his own business to make some for somebody else. “Ah, what’s the use.” A man will be a regular tramp when he gets released from this affair. Well, so far as my health is concerned, I am feeling fine. Hoping you and Herb and family are in the best of health.
Love, Your Brother Jack
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Siberia
March 16, 1919
Dear Sister
A few words to let you know that I am still here and enjoying myself. I haven’t much to talk about although this whole layout over here is a comedy as far as I can see. It is about due time to be leaving this neck of the woods. Believe me that phrase is surely appropriate for this occasion. All the fellows are getting thoroughly disgusted and quiet a bunch of them are doing something and going to the guard house. Now I don’t know who gets punished in this kind of deal. For us fellows, who try to do right, have to do double duty, that is, do our own and do theirs too. But, it’s a good world if you don’t weaken. For the last month, when we had nothing else to do, we have ben cutting ice off the ponds and storing it away, who for I don’t know. It is fairly good ice, and frozen about three feet deep. We have filled most of the storehouses around our locality as far as I can see. But they will find more for us. No fooling. I guess the ice game will follow me wherever I go. But at that I would rather do that then most of the other monotonous stuff we have to do. I sent you an issue of our regimental paper about a week ago. I hope you will enjoy it. It contained quit a bit of bull in it. The weather here is fairly good considering snow storms occur quite frequently. But not very heavy. Of course it is cold. But I don’t mind that. For I think this would be a very unhealthy country if it would be otherwise. How is Herb?. Tell him that I can furnish all the ice he needs this summer and also enough to furnish all the ice companies in California if need be. Well here’s love to you and Herb.
Your brother Jack
PS: I haven’t received a letter from you for about a month.
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Siberia
Feb. 15, 1919
Dear Sister
A few lines to let you know that everything is OK with me, outside of the fact that we are confined at the present time, and for some time to come, due to the quarantine, for mumps and measles. My bunky and about fifteen in the same platoon as I have gone to the hospital in the last three weeks for mumps. And I don’t know how many more have gone from the Company. But it is not serious. I haven’t mentioned anything to Ma about it. So, if I were you I wouldn’t mention it either. It looks as if we might get away soon from here, in about one more month. It seems as if they have come to some conclusion with the Bolsheviks where they have agreed to be decent. Well I hope it is so, for I sure have seen all of this country that I care to see. I received a letter from Ma and Pa yesterday and they say Matt is home. I suppose there is quite a (few) fellows returning. Well, I hope our turn will be very soon. For I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t . The weather is real good now. It’s beginning to feel like spring. How is Herb feeling. Did he get that kink out of his back yet? Is he still working it alone; if he is he sure deserves a medal of some kind. I am feeling fine and dandy as far as all is concerned. I am writing this letter by candle so if you can’t make out some of it, you will know what the reason is. So here is hoping that you and Herb are in the best of health.
Your brother Jack
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Siberia
April 19, 1919
Dear Sister
It has been some time since I last heard from you. So, even though my time is limited I thought I would write you a few lines to let you know that I am still in existence, and in good health, even if I am not in the best temperament. This letter will have to be short and sweet. It is getting so, that we can’t write what we want. So I am not going to bull you and tell you how nice things are here. The weather is getting a little better and warmer, but we had considerable snow lately and it’s that wet kind that melts within a short time after it falls. How is Herb and the business getting along. It’s a cinch I am going into another year of this game. When we get away from here is another mystery to us. For there isn’t any indication of us leaving for sometime. If I can be given a good sound reason about our staying, doing the U.S. any good, I am willing to stick it out until hell freezes over. But not the way things are. We, you or no one else knows what good the U.S. will derive over our force staying in this land of filth and disease. Where the pigs, goats, dogs and in fact the whole barnyard menagerie, promenade in the kitchen or any other part of the home with the family. So I think it is about due time for the peace conference to cut out that League of Nations stuff. Which will be a detriment to our independence. And make some kind of peace and get us out of this land.
So here’s love to you and Herb,
Your Brother Jack
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