TRANSCRIBED FROM THE DEQUEEN BEE DECEMBER 12, 1917 P. 2
Jefferson Barracks, Mo, Sat., 2:05 p.m.
Dear Pal:
I have just received your letters and was indeed glad to hear from you at last. I sure wish I could have been with you on that possum hunt. I know I could have enjoyed it better than sitting here reading, but one of the best enjoyments now is thinking of those by gone days we have spent together. I know we could never have enjoyed life more. Those times pass through my mind like a dream and I awake to find them lost and past forever, but still more real life to be lived than I have ever lived before. Really a new life, a life of which I knew nothing to speak of, and yet a life that, as I became acquainted with, I love as I have never loved before. The more I learn of it the more anxious I am to learn and the more I like it. I am only sorry that I did not enlist some time ago and be with the bunch that is now facing the greatest enemy that freedom has ever known, the Prussian rule. And when my time comes to go (if it comes) in my good careless way, I will say, "Here goes nothing." and meet my privilege as a soldier should, regardless of fate, for it is really a privilege to take part in this war.
Say, how are you enjoying life? I never have had a better time in way over a year. I was invited out to dinner Sunday in St. Louis through the Y.M.C.A. Sure had some time. Wish you could have been with me. I can go to town twice a week, drill three hours per day and in military school 15minutes, the rest of the time is my own.
I have never seen anything I like as well as this. I was made corporal today while I am here.
Tell your mother I sure will appreciate that cake for I haven't seen a cake except Sunday in St. Louis, since I have been here. The grub is good enough, but we sure don't have any dainties. One of my comrades got a box from home yesterday. We sure did have some feast at our barracks last night. I led a big prayer meeting here after preaching Sunday night here at the Y.M.C.A. It sure was some meeting. Over 200 soldiers present and after we sang "Keep the Home Fire Burning," there was not a man in uniform with dry eyes, and I wish you could have heard the sentence-prayers that lasted nearly 20 minutes. The Y.M.C.A. secretary got up after service and announced that "Private Henderson and his bunch would have prayer meeting here Tuesday night." Sure was some life, wasn't it but from now on it will be Corporal Henderson, until I leave here.
Hey, I am getting to be a regular bachelor. I have quit having anything to do with the girls, although there are dozens here every night and I have met most of them, but have something else to think of so don't have much to do with them.
Well I must close. Answer soon.
Yours as ever,
G. W. Henderson
NOTES: This letter was written by George W. Henderson to his friend Bill.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Jefferson Barracks, Mo, Sat., 2:05 p.m.
Dear Pal:
I have just received your letters and was indeed glad to hear from you at last. I sure wish I could have been with you on that possum hunt. I know I could have enjoyed it better than sitting here reading, but one of the best enjoyments now is thinking of those by gone days we have spent together. I know we could never have enjoyed life more. Those times pass through my mind like a dream and I awake to find them lost and past forever, but still more real life to be lived than I have ever lived before. Really a new life, a life of which I knew nothing to speak of, and yet a life that, as I became acquainted with, I love as I have never loved before. The more I learn of it the more anxious I am to learn and the more I like it. I am only sorry that I did not enlist some time ago and be with the bunch that is now facing the greatest enemy that freedom has ever known, the Prussian rule. And when my time comes to go (if it comes) in my good careless way, I will say, "Here goes nothing." and meet my privilege as a soldier should, regardless of fate, for it is really a privilege to take part in this war.
Say, how are you enjoying life? I never have had a better time in way over a year. I was invited out to dinner Sunday in St. Louis through the Y.M.C.A. Sure had some time. Wish you could have been with me. I can go to town twice a week, drill three hours per day and in military school 15minutes, the rest of the time is my own.
I have never seen anything I like as well as this. I was made corporal today while I am here.
Tell your mother I sure will appreciate that cake for I haven't seen a cake except Sunday in St. Louis, since I have been here. The grub is good enough, but we sure don't have any dainties. One of my comrades got a box from home yesterday. We sure did have some feast at our barracks last night. I led a big prayer meeting here after preaching Sunday night here at the Y.M.C.A. It sure was some meeting. Over 200 soldiers present and after we sang "Keep the Home Fire Burning," there was not a man in uniform with dry eyes, and I wish you could have heard the sentence-prayers that lasted nearly 20 minutes. The Y.M.C.A. secretary got up after service and announced that "Private Henderson and his bunch would have prayer meeting here Tuesday night." Sure was some life, wasn't it but from now on it will be Corporal Henderson, until I leave here.
Hey, I am getting to be a regular bachelor. I have quit having anything to do with the girls, although there are dozens here every night and I have met most of them, but have something else to think of so don't have much to do with them.
Well I must close. Answer soon.
Yours as ever,
G. W. Henderson
NOTES: This letter was written by George W. Henderson to his friend Bill.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD