Harry S. Truman letter to Bess Wallace - December 14, 1917
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[December 14, 1917] Dear Bess: I have had two letters from you in the last two days making two grand days but they were both calling me down for not writing. I admit that I have not written every day but I have written four letters and sent you two pictures since last Sunday a week ago. I intended them to arrive on Sunday Wednesday and Friday. They were all special deliveries too. Mamma failed to get two I sent her at the same time so I suppose the whole works must be hopelessly scrambled or else they are trying to censor them all. I hope they choke if they are. I would write you if I worked night and day which I have been doing. Trying to run a regular business and be a soldier too. They say I have the best canteen on the reservation and every regiment has one. I declared
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a dividend to the Batteries of $3000.00 last week. The regiment appointed a committee to audit me. I came out with flying colors. Even the Colonel couldn't find anything wrong. The sanitary inspector came around and told me I had the cleanest place on the job too. I am looking for Mamma and Mary Saturday and I was hoping to see you too. I've almost had a real case of homesickness since Thanksgiving. I think it would be a real case if I didn't have so many things to look after down here. They don't give me time to worry about my own troubles. I was so glad to see Boxley and Ferson I could have almost hugged them. There is no doubt that I would throw a real fit if you'd come. It seems that General Wright is not in any mood for Christmas holidays for anyone. I met him yesterday. He is a fine looking man and seems to be a very competent one. He said our Brigade was in fine shape
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and I shouldn't wonder if we see foreign service before long. I spent a night in the trenches last week. It was pretty cold but not disagreeable. I went out and observed fire yesterday by the French 75. It is some gun but I think ours has some good points that it hasn't. I had dinner with Mrs. Gates Sunday night along with Father Tiernan and Mr. Lee. It was some dinner. I helped to serve it by setting the table for Mrs. Gates. She's a grand woman. I have found a good hard-working soldier who evidently hasn't any friends or relatives to look after him. His name is Stanley Hackinsky. He is Russian but no Jew. If your mother wants to send him something I am sure he'd be very highly pleased. His address is Battery F 129th F A. I hope Mrs. Bundschu comes. I want to see you so badly I don't know what to do. I am wiring you today too. Yours always Harry
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Special Delivery [ms illegible: stamp] 12-14-[1917] Miss Bess Wallace 219 Delaware St Independence [Missouri]
Details
| Title | Harry S. Truman letter to Bess Wallace - December 14, 1917 |
| Creator | Truman, Harry S. |
| Source | Truman, Harry S. Letter to Bess Wallace. 14 December 1917. Papers of Harry S. Truman Pertaining to Family, Business and Personal Affairs; Correspondence from Harry S. Truman to Bess Wallace, 1910-1919. HST-FBP_4-70_01. Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, |
| Description | Letter from Harry S. Truman to his future wife, Bess Wallace, telling her about military life at camp and the canteen he runs. Captain Harry S. Truman commanded Battery D of the 129th Field Artillery Regiment from July 11, 1918 through the end of the war on November 11, 1918. During his military service Truman frequently wrote to Bess informing her of his experiences. |
| Subject LCSH | Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972; United States. Army. Field Artillery Battalion, 129th; World War, 1914-1918--Military life--United States |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Site Accession Number | HST-FBP_4-70_01 |
| Contributing Institution | Harry S. Truman Library and Museum |
| Rights | Documents in this file are in the public domain. |
| Date Original | December 14, 1917 |
| Language | English |