TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SPECTATOR OCTOBER 18, 1918 P. 1
Dear Mother:
Will write you a few lines this afternoon. For I guess it will be the last letter from this side as we are getting our clothes now to go over all seem to be in good spirits except a few. Those that have wives seem to be a little blue but the rest of us are all anxious for the time to come.
We have all had a very good time for the last few months, in fact the best time of our lives. Without a question of doubt, we couldn’t expect it to be like it has been for the last two months. I have had the best time of my life. If all of army life were like what it has been lately I would never be anything but a soldier.
I am anxious to get into real service now and am ready to get and do my bit. 155th Infantry left here last week, also 156th, but I heard that 156th came back to camp somewhere in New Jersey and 155 was thought to be with them. They got about 600 miles out at sea and something got wrong with the rudder so they came back for repairs.
Mother, I don’t want you to do any undue worrying about me, or Robby either, for if anything happens remember, you will be notified and don’t believe anything you hear until you get a message from Washington.
It’s true that we might not come back, but remember that you are doing your bit when you give two boys to the cause and it is no more than thousands of other mothers are doing all over the U.S.
I know it’s hard r for you mothers to see us go than it is for us to go but remember mother, that we are only doing what we should; and if it wasn’t for leaving you alone I sure would insist on Arthur’s joining and going over. I wish he and Robert were with me now. I know they would enjoy it. After we get over there I am going to try to get transferred to the infantry to get to be in the fighting.
This sure is some camp.
Have seen several of the Ozark boys that I know and several of the Mulberry boys that are in the artillery or ammunition trains. We are hoping we will all get to go over together. We are expecting a big time on our way and for several months after we get there.
The world has just begun to wake up to what it means to us to win this war but we are going to with it if it does take some time to.
I will say good-bye for this time mother, to tell them all “Hello” for me and give my love and best wishes to all.
Please don’t worry over us one bit for if we get back we will have something to be proud of and if we don’t you can say you gave two boys to the cause of Liberty. If I had my way about it I would to-day be at the front.
With love and best wishes to all,
Your Loving Son,
Dudley.
NOTES: The author of this letter is simply referred to as Dudley.
TRANSCRIBED BY ADIN TYGART
Dear Mother:
Will write you a few lines this afternoon. For I guess it will be the last letter from this side as we are getting our clothes now to go over all seem to be in good spirits except a few. Those that have wives seem to be a little blue but the rest of us are all anxious for the time to come.
We have all had a very good time for the last few months, in fact the best time of our lives. Without a question of doubt, we couldn’t expect it to be like it has been for the last two months. I have had the best time of my life. If all of army life were like what it has been lately I would never be anything but a soldier.
I am anxious to get into real service now and am ready to get and do my bit. 155th Infantry left here last week, also 156th, but I heard that 156th came back to camp somewhere in New Jersey and 155 was thought to be with them. They got about 600 miles out at sea and something got wrong with the rudder so they came back for repairs.
Mother, I don’t want you to do any undue worrying about me, or Robby either, for if anything happens remember, you will be notified and don’t believe anything you hear until you get a message from Washington.
It’s true that we might not come back, but remember that you are doing your bit when you give two boys to the cause and it is no more than thousands of other mothers are doing all over the U.S.
I know it’s hard r for you mothers to see us go than it is for us to go but remember mother, that we are only doing what we should; and if it wasn’t for leaving you alone I sure would insist on Arthur’s joining and going over. I wish he and Robert were with me now. I know they would enjoy it. After we get over there I am going to try to get transferred to the infantry to get to be in the fighting.
This sure is some camp.
Have seen several of the Ozark boys that I know and several of the Mulberry boys that are in the artillery or ammunition trains. We are hoping we will all get to go over together. We are expecting a big time on our way and for several months after we get there.
The world has just begun to wake up to what it means to us to win this war but we are going to with it if it does take some time to.
I will say good-bye for this time mother, to tell them all “Hello” for me and give my love and best wishes to all.
Please don’t worry over us one bit for if we get back we will have something to be proud of and if we don’t you can say you gave two boys to the cause of Liberty. If I had my way about it I would to-day be at the front.
With love and best wishes to all,
Your Loving Son,
Dudley.
NOTES: The author of this letter is simply referred to as Dudley.
TRANSCRIBED BY ADIN TYGART