TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SPECTATOR MARCH 28, 1919 P. 1
Philadelphia, Pa.
March 15 the 1919.
My Dear parents and all:
I wonder what you think of my long silence. I hope you wont think it is neglect. I have just been so busy working for Uncle Sam that I haven't found time to write.
Am stationed here in Philadelphia now on duty as military patrol. Eight hundred of us came up from Paris Island and 800 from Quantico, Va., and we are laying a hand on the strikers here in town especially here in the Navy Yards.
I will be on sentry duty at the ammunition place tonight with twelve other marines. Believe me there's nobody going to pass my post without a proper pass, because if one of those fellows would get there and blow it up, I'm pretty sure we would not be here for roll call in the morning, may be still traveling thru the sky somewhere in the U.S.A. I speak of it in a humorous way, but it sure isn't fun when you are on the job out there.
Three of us had a pretty decent scrap with a mob of them the other day down at the dock. They are a bad set and they hate the marines something awful, and would club any of us up if they could get a good chance. They are pretty well scared of us tho. I notice that less than four or five wont tackle a marine. I guess that they know that a marine was equal to that many Germans at Chateau Thierry.
Yesterday was a big day for two young marines who went through Chateau Thierry and Belleau Woods, now called "Wood des Marines." They were decorated by Major General Boswell, U.S.M.C. with the American Distinguished Service Cross yesterday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, for extraordinary bravery displayed.
I will not have time to write more just now, but I will write soon again.
Hoping you are all well, I bid you all goodnight.
With love and regards,
LEO.
NOTES: Leo J. Bachman was born on September 9, 1900 in Altus, Arkansas and died on December 12, 1963 in Dallas, Texas. He is buried in the Cavalry Hill Cemetery and Mausoleum in Dallas. His military headstone identifies him as a Pennsylvania Pvt. US Marine Cops serving in World War I. He enlisted on October 24. 1918 and was discharged in January 1919. He registered for the draft in Sebastian County, Arkansas. He was writing to his parents Joseph and Christine Bachman.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Philadelphia, Pa.
March 15 the 1919.
My Dear parents and all:
I wonder what you think of my long silence. I hope you wont think it is neglect. I have just been so busy working for Uncle Sam that I haven't found time to write.
Am stationed here in Philadelphia now on duty as military patrol. Eight hundred of us came up from Paris Island and 800 from Quantico, Va., and we are laying a hand on the strikers here in town especially here in the Navy Yards.
I will be on sentry duty at the ammunition place tonight with twelve other marines. Believe me there's nobody going to pass my post without a proper pass, because if one of those fellows would get there and blow it up, I'm pretty sure we would not be here for roll call in the morning, may be still traveling thru the sky somewhere in the U.S.A. I speak of it in a humorous way, but it sure isn't fun when you are on the job out there.
Three of us had a pretty decent scrap with a mob of them the other day down at the dock. They are a bad set and they hate the marines something awful, and would club any of us up if they could get a good chance. They are pretty well scared of us tho. I notice that less than four or five wont tackle a marine. I guess that they know that a marine was equal to that many Germans at Chateau Thierry.
Yesterday was a big day for two young marines who went through Chateau Thierry and Belleau Woods, now called "Wood des Marines." They were decorated by Major General Boswell, U.S.M.C. with the American Distinguished Service Cross yesterday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, for extraordinary bravery displayed.
I will not have time to write more just now, but I will write soon again.
Hoping you are all well, I bid you all goodnight.
With love and regards,
LEO.
NOTES: Leo J. Bachman was born on September 9, 1900 in Altus, Arkansas and died on December 12, 1963 in Dallas, Texas. He is buried in the Cavalry Hill Cemetery and Mausoleum in Dallas. His military headstone identifies him as a Pennsylvania Pvt. US Marine Cops serving in World War I. He enlisted on October 24. 1918 and was discharged in January 1919. He registered for the draft in Sebastian County, Arkansas. He was writing to his parents Joseph and Christine Bachman.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD