TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT OCTOBER 21, 1918, P. 6
In France, Aug. 31, 1918
Dear Father:
I have not been able to write you for a week for we have been on the move continually, and as I have run across a wayside Y. M. C. A. and am writing you while my horses are resting. I wish I could tell you lots, because many interesting things are happening around me, things directly bearing on the termination of this war.
Things are happening fast around here and soon the Hun is to have the worst licking that God ever permitted man or devil to have. Once in a while I will see a paper and see how things are going over the whole front, but usually any knowledge is limited to what is actually happening around me; rest assured I am now in the midst of things where world history is being made for generations to come, and I am learning now that thousands have experienced for years; bullets, bombs, gas, four days without any sleep, hunger, mud, rain, and all other hell going with war. But thank God I am permitted to be in it and do my share toward ridding the world of Hun hell.
How I hate the very name German! Used to I respected their genius, but now my respect has turned to intense hatred. I’ve seen too much of the hell wrought by them—hell that only devils could originate. God! At some of the ruin in their wake. I’ve seen palatial homes absolutely ruined and things to awful to describe on paper. Can God wonder that I hate such people? Once I doubted such statements, now I’ve seen and believe; but a day of retribution is coming, and what a price they must pay for all the wrong they have done the world.
Father, this may be the last letter I write you. I am going—but I believe I’m coming safe. If not I hope I can do my share before they get me. You should not grieve if I fall to return. I’m happy I’m going; be proud you have a son who is able to represent you in this struggle and give him up gladly, if necessary. A kind of religious crusade is among the troops over here and we cannot be stopped.
God what fighters the Americans are—I wish you and everyone back home could see it. You would gladly buy bonds and everything else to further the ends of justice. How happy I am you are in America and are spared the sights and desolation this land is experiencing. My outlook on life has changed a great deal since I left the U S—I now see a different light.
This may be a long time reaching you x x x I must go now. At first opportunity I’ll write again and then can tell you all.
You son,
Ira C. Hopper
NOTES: Written by Lieut. Ira C. Hopper to his father at Caddo Gap.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON
In France, Aug. 31, 1918
Dear Father:
I have not been able to write you for a week for we have been on the move continually, and as I have run across a wayside Y. M. C. A. and am writing you while my horses are resting. I wish I could tell you lots, because many interesting things are happening around me, things directly bearing on the termination of this war.
Things are happening fast around here and soon the Hun is to have the worst licking that God ever permitted man or devil to have. Once in a while I will see a paper and see how things are going over the whole front, but usually any knowledge is limited to what is actually happening around me; rest assured I am now in the midst of things where world history is being made for generations to come, and I am learning now that thousands have experienced for years; bullets, bombs, gas, four days without any sleep, hunger, mud, rain, and all other hell going with war. But thank God I am permitted to be in it and do my share toward ridding the world of Hun hell.
How I hate the very name German! Used to I respected their genius, but now my respect has turned to intense hatred. I’ve seen too much of the hell wrought by them—hell that only devils could originate. God! At some of the ruin in their wake. I’ve seen palatial homes absolutely ruined and things to awful to describe on paper. Can God wonder that I hate such people? Once I doubted such statements, now I’ve seen and believe; but a day of retribution is coming, and what a price they must pay for all the wrong they have done the world.
Father, this may be the last letter I write you. I am going—but I believe I’m coming safe. If not I hope I can do my share before they get me. You should not grieve if I fall to return. I’m happy I’m going; be proud you have a son who is able to represent you in this struggle and give him up gladly, if necessary. A kind of religious crusade is among the troops over here and we cannot be stopped.
God what fighters the Americans are—I wish you and everyone back home could see it. You would gladly buy bonds and everything else to further the ends of justice. How happy I am you are in America and are spared the sights and desolation this land is experiencing. My outlook on life has changed a great deal since I left the U S—I now see a different light.
This may be a long time reaching you x x x I must go now. At first opportunity I’ll write again and then can tell you all.
You son,
Ira C. Hopper
NOTES: Written by Lieut. Ira C. Hopper to his father at Caddo Gap.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON