Hampton B. Ball letter to home - December 29, 1918
Transcript
[December] 29, [1918] Dear Home, Xmas is four days past and it will never be forgotten. My company was selected from the regiment to parade before Pres. [Woodrow] Wilson. We left here early in the morning on Trucks and rode about 30 kilos (about 10 miles). There was one company out of each regiment of six divisions along with signal men, red cross machines guns, tanks and aireoplanes making in all about 10000 men. The president was introduced by [General John J. Pershing] and after a short speech by him we passed in review. It was not much of a
Transcript
review because the mud was knee deep in places. We got by tho and did as well as any of the others so it was alright any way. They took movies of the whole thing so perhaps you will see it. My company was the second company of the 82nd division to pass the stand. We got back here about 3 o'clock just about all in. This Xmas was different to any I have ever spent but I lived thru it. I hope I never have to spend another in this country. Last Friday I was pinched to take part in a track most at the 82nd Division. It was to run the half mile but it was so cold and the ground was frozen so did not run any thing but the short dashes. I took part in a tug-of-war tho and won from one regiment but lost to the next. I got to see several good boxing bouts during the afternoon and then walked back (home?) It is still raining here but my stay will be short I hope) so I should worry. I am about rid of my friends, the cooties, and now enjoy life mostly good. We still have a few potatoes left but we will not be able to buy any more when these are gone. I don't know, what we will do next to pass time away.
Transcript
I have not gotten a letter from you yet I got one from Jo this week which is the only one I have gotten from any one written since [November] 6. I just heard some more. Good dope about leaving for home. I hope it is time so will close at that. Love to all Hamp. P.S. I belong to 82nd Division. [censor signature]
Details
| Title | Hampton B. Ball letter to home - December 29, 1918 |
| Creator | Ball, Hampton B. |
| Source | Ball, Hampton B. Letter to home. 29 December 1918. Ball, Hampton B., Papers, 1918-1919. C3935. The State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia, MO. |
| Description | In this December 29, 1918 letter to his home in Troy Missouri, Hampton B. Ball described parading before President Woodrow Wilson and being reviewed by General John Pershing. Ball served in the 82nd Division, 326th Infantry Regiment during World War I. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918; Pershing, John J. (John Joseph), 1860-1948; Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924; United States. Army. Infantry Regiment, 326th; 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 | December 29, 1918 |
| Language | English |