Hampton B. Ball letter to home - April 9, 1919
Transcript
Cadillac - sur - Garonne April 9, 1919. Dear Home, I am still waiting for a letter from you. I have heard from you only once in almost seven weeks. It is not what you write that amounts to so much but in this country with out a letter every few days one is lost. I dont care if it is nothing but a card. It would make me feel better if I got it.
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We have been here almost a year now and one fellow just got his first letter yesterday. I dont know whether they ever wrote to him or whether they are lost but any way I would hate to be in his shoes. We are waiting now for our boats to come in; then we pull out from here. We are on the sailing list for this month and from the present rumors will leave France about from 20th to 25th. That we put us out of the service by May 15th
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We do not have to do any parading after we reach the states. I may have to go to [ms illegible: 1 wd] before I come home but I will get there just the same. If you do not here from me now for some time just guess that I am on the ocean. I will send a telegram as soon as possible after reaching that side. Do not stop writing because you can never tell what is going to happen. I will get your letters some time. There is one thing that I have not told you of before about two or three
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weeks ago I was called before the Col. with about thirty more of the Regt. and each of us was given a citation for [ms illegible: 1 wd] in the last drive. It was not a medal but it ranks next. I [ms illegible: 1 wd] got a D.S.C. but did not. I am with some very nice French people in this town. They are about the best I have found in this country so far. The man at the house is a stock and feed dealer. I have some pictures of Uncle Sam's horses and when I showed
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them to him he nearly fell over. There are very few big horses in this country that are worth much. I met them thru playing with their two little kids in the street. They have a little boy (7) and a girl (5) who I had been playing with for about two weeks before I met them. I have had tea and cakes with them several nights now. They do not speak any English but I know enough French to get along with them. Fan it would be very nice if you would write them
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a little letter in French. The little girl is named Magadeleine and the boy is Bertrand. Their address is Madame R. Lassenne. Route de Braune Cadillac - sur - Garonne Gironde, France. I was in Bordeaux again a few days ago and saw most of what I did not see before. It is certainly a great old city and I wish it was possible for each of you to see it. I am still teaching school and I suppose I will until the outfit leaves France.
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I must close for this time but I am holding this letter until the mail comes to day. If I hear from you I will write more. Hamp. [censor signature]
Details
| Title | Hampton B. Ball letter to home - April 9, 1919 |
| Creator | Ball, Hampton B. |
| Source | Ball, Hampton B. Letter to home. 9 April 1919. Ball, Hampton B., Papers, 1918-1919. C3935. The State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia, MO. |
| Description | In this April 9, 1919 letter to his home in Troy Missouri, Hampton B. Ball discussed the mail service, French natives, and seeing American horses in France. Ball served in the 82nd Division, 326th Infantry during World War I. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918; United States. Army. Division, 82nd |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Site Accession Number | C3935 |
| Contributing Institution | The State Historical Society of Missouri |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the State Historical Society of Missouri: 1020 Lowry Street, Columbia, Missouri, 65201-7298. (573) 882-7083. |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. |
| Date Original | April 9, 1919 |
| Language | English |