John L. Barkley letter to Cocky - March 29, 1918
Transcript
[Newport News]. March 29, 1918 Dear Cocky. I am still here and dont know when we will go. We had orders once to March the next day at 12 oclock and you know those foreign soldiers from China that knew what was was 85 of them went over the hill and havn't been caught yet and that knocked it all in the head. They sent another betallion in our place. This Regular Army is not like the National. These officers are old wizzardy faced devils and have got wires on them like bulls. These corprals are as good as the National army Lieutenants. We took a hike the other day 24 miles with a 60 pound pack and a 9 pound gun. one has got to be hard
Transcript
[page 2] if he stands this. Several dropped out and were brought in by an ambulance. Two Lieutenants fell out and they only carry 24 pounds. There was a hell of a fire in camp last night done $10,000 worth. I never saw the like of sailors in this town of [Newport News]. I got in a hell of a fight last weak and got a black eye. The other man got a piece of scalp knocked off about the size of a dollar with the but of my gun. Say I am getting to be the damdest boxer you ever saw. Got an envetation to box at the Y.M.C.A. but turned it down on account of that hike. I wasn't going to hike all day and then box when I felt bad. Am learning some scintiffic right and left and upper cut jabs. I had a professional boxer tell me I had the best guard he nearly eve saw.
Transcript
Cocky if the draft crowds you too close you enlist in the Cavilry or Coast Artilery Dont every get caught in the infantry is my advise. You have more trinkets automatics sabers and junk to shine but you dont have to hike with a nine pound gun and and 60 lbs and 120 rounds of amunitions. There is a dam niger playing on the piano. he is taring it to pieces. There is a rumor that we are going to Mexico and whip hell out of Mexico soon if so this regiment will go. I hope they dont for I want to go across and see some of the real stuff. I think I could do my part. Every thing in this Co is the best shot you evr saw and they havn't anything on me and they know it. Well I must close. Answer soon. My mail will follow me any where that has Co. K 4th us inft. As eve John
Details
| Title | John L. Barkley letter to Cocky - March 29, 1918 |
| Creator | Barkley, John Lewis |
| Source | Barkley, John L. Letter to Cocky. 29 March 1918. John Lewis Barkley Collection, 1917-1919. 1996.33. The National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. |
| Description | In this letter dated March 29, 1918, John L. Barkley wrote Cocky concerning a large fire that occurred in camp, a black eye he received from a fight, and the rumor that the company will go to Mexico. |
| Subject LCSH | United States. Army. Infantry Regiment, 4th; United States. Army. Division, 3rd; World War, 1914-1918--War work--Y.M.C.A. |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Site Accession Number | 1996.33 |
| Contributing Institution | National World War I Museum and Memorial |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the National World War I Museum and Memorial: (816) 888-8100. |
| 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 | March 29, 1918 |
| Language | English |