Bennett Champ Clark letter to Champ Clark - April 13, 1918
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Lawton, [Oklahoma], April 13, 1918 Dear Little Things: I arrived here to find that my brigade had already gone to New York to embark for France. I move tomorrow at 4 p.m. with the last rection of the 137th Infantry. I'll catch my outfit at New York. We should arrive at Camp Mills near New York sometime Wednesday evening. I don't know how long we will be there possibly only a few hours but probably for some weeks or ten days. Of course I want you darlings to come over to see me before I go and you had better make arrangements to come as soon as possible because I don't know how long I would be there. Of course you musn't let
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on that I told you because I am not supposed to tell about it but you can find out all about it, Dad, by going to see the Secretary of War or the Acting Secretary and telling him that you believe our division is moving because you haven't heard anything from me for some days and that you want to know how long we are going to be there so you can come to see me. And also make him give you a pass or letter to the commanding General of Camp Mills or whatever else is needed to gain full access to the camp. Then you can come over to New York and I can come over to see you and you can come over to see me. Dad, you will have to frame
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up some excuse to the House for being away a couple or three days and of course you musn't tell what the real reason is. You can leave appointments for several days or you can just ask for a lease on important business and the House will be glad to give it to you. Now, dear Little Things, the time has come for me to go and we've all got to keep a stiff upper lip. The only thing I hate about going is my knowledge that you are both going to worry yourselves sick all the time that I'm gone. I am just so sure that nothing is going to happen to me as I am that I am sitting here writing this letter but
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I am dreadfully afraid that you will both make yourselves sick worrying about it. Of course it will be months before we get into the fighting. We all have to go to school for three months more when we get over there before we even begin the battle training. So theres really nothing for you to worry about but I know how you are going to feel and it worries me dreadfully. I am writing Genevieve and hope that she and Jim and Champie can come too. Now, Little Things, we've got to show everybody that we're the real stuff, and much as I hate to leave you its got to be done and I'd be ashamed
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to hold my head up and you'd be ashamed to have me if I weren't in there with a fighting outfit. And I want you both to know that I'm not in the least afraid to go and that I go gladly and cheerfully and willingly and that the only terrors in the whole business for me is the way I know you two and Genevieve are going to feel until I get back. My friends and clients presented me with the finest gold watch money even buy with a beautiful inscription expressing their appreciation of my efforts in their behalf. I want to give it to you all to keep for me
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until I get back. By the way, Dad, my friend General Donnelly is in trouble. It seems they have him up for having some liquor in his tent. I don't know whether he did or not but expect he did. But he is a fine soldier in every respect and the Missouri boys would be very much disheartened to have him rolled. I wish you would help him in any way you can. Now, Darlings, I'll wire you along the road if I can. We go to Camp Mills, Mineola, New York. It is on Long Island just astride New York. And we should arrive sometime Wednesday afternoon or night
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I will be with the last section of the 137th Infantry. And I want to see you all. With lots and lots of love, Your devoted son, Bennett
Details
| Title | Bennett Champ Clark letter to Champ Clark - April 13, 1918 |
| Creator | Clark, Bennett Champ |
| Source | Clark, Bennett Champ. Letter to Champ Clark. 13 April 1918. Clark, Champ (1850-1921) and Bennett Champ (1890-1954), Papers, 1853-1973. C0666. The State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia, MO. |
| Description | In this April 13, 1918 letter to his parents, Bennett Clark discussed his upcoming embarkation for France with the 137th Infantry. Champ Clark, a long-time resident of Bowling Green, Missouri, was a politician in the Democratic Party. He served as a representative of Missouri from 1893 to 1895 and from 1897 to 1921. From 1911 to 1919 he served as the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Bennett Clark served as a Colonel during World War I and was Missouri State Senator from 1933 to 1945. |
| Subject LCSH | Clark, Champ, 1850-1921; Clark, Bennett Champ, 1890-1954; Missouri. National Guard; World War, 1914-1918--Political aspects--United States; United States. Army. Infantry regiment, 137th; Camp Albert L. Mills (N.Y.) |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Site Accession Number | C0666 |
| 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 13, 1918 |
| Language | English |