Harry S. Truman letter to Bess Wallace - May 5, 1918
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[YMCA letterhead] May 5, 1918 Dear Bess: I wrote you this morning and got another letter this afternoon dated April 6 in which you said you had my last letters from New York. I sent you an Easter package from New York too. I hope you got it. I am glad you got into communication with George Arrowsmith's fiancée. We are not supposed to talk much about our comrades but since you know if George is in the same room with me along with three other first Lieuts of 129th F.A. We are a very congenial bunch and everyone is sure happy today because Jack got a letter from his lady love in St. Louis. Walter got one
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from his in Kansas City. Pat got one from his in Red Lodge Montana and George & I got one from Independence. I have been slighted today because each of the others got two. I think my one though was worth more than all the rest put together. You've no idea how high I jumped when I got it. That's getting mail mighty quickly from 6 of April to 5 of May. I told you this morning that I dreamed I was at a show with you and your letter came wishing I was at one with you instead of your going to a W.W. club meeting. I am writing every time I get a chance but it looks as if school days are so buy I can't do much writing during the week but I hope to make it up on Sunday and
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any off days we get. I hope you have better luck calling mamma up next time. I had a letter from her Friday along with your three dated Mar 26, 27, 28 and it nearly made me homesick. She doesn't write very often but she sure does write well when she does. We work so hard during the week we don't have time to think of anything but work. Sundays are sure dull though if we don't get letters to read. Be sure and write and keep writing and I'll do the same. We sure appreciate letters and more letters from home. France is France and a grand place for Frenchmen. I don't blame them for fighting for it and I'm for helping them but give me America Missouri and Jackson County for mine with the finest girl in the world of the county seat. French girls are pretty and chic but they cannot hold a candle to American girls. Every man in this room agrees with me too. It's raining today for a change after starting out with a grand sunrise and a fine morning. We've seen the sun about four days since we've been in France. The weather doesn't bother us much but I'll bet a Frenchman would suffocate if he got into a heated room. They're never warm from September till June. They thrive on it though. Be sure and write to me much and often for I can always put in another week happily if I get at least one letter. The more the better. I'm sure crazy to see you. Yours always Harry 129 FA USA A.E.F. France Via New York
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Harry S. Truman 1st Lt 129 Fa Amer. E.F. [stamp] American YMCA [ms illegible: stamp] Miss Bess Wallace 219 Delaware St Independence [Missouri] USA Ok Harry S. Truman 1st Lt 129 F.a. [stamp] A.E.F. PASSED AS CENSORED 408
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From Harry S. Truman 1st. Lt. 129 F.a. Amer. E.F. Officers Mail [ms illegible: stamp] Miss Bess Wallace 219 Delaware St Independence [Missouri] U.S.A Ok Harry S. Truman 1st. Lt. 129 F.a. [stamp] A.E.F. PASSED AS CENSORED 408
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[YMCA letterhead] May 5, 1918 Dear Bess: I wrote you this morning and got another letter this afternoon dated April 6 in which you said you had my last letters from New York. I sent you an Easter package from New York too. I hope you got it. I am glad you got into communication with George Arrowsmith's fiancée. We are not supposed to talk much about our comrades but since you know if George is in the same room with me along with three other first Lieuts of 129th F.A. We are a very congenial bunch and everyone is sure happy today because Jack got a letter from his lady love in St. Louis. Walter got one
Transcript
from his in Kansas City. Pat got one from his in Red Lodge Montana and George & I got one from Independence. I have been slighted today because each of the others got two. I think my one though was worth more than all the rest put together. You've no idea how high I jumped when I got it. That's getting mail mighty quickly from 6 of April to 5 of May. I told you this morning that I dreamed I was at a show with you and your letter came wishing I was at one with you instead of your going to a W.W. club meeting. I am writing every time I get a chance but it looks as if school days are so buy I can't do much writing during the week but I hope to make it up on Sunday and
Transcript
any off days we get. I hope you have better luck calling mamma up next time. I had a letter from her Friday along with your three dated Mar 26, 27, 28 and it nearly made me homesick. She doesn't write very often but she sure does write well when she does. We work so hard during the week we don't have time to think of anything but work. Sundays are sure dull though if we don't get letters to read. Be sure and write and keep writing and I'll do the same. We sure appreciate letters and more letters from home. France is France and a grand place for Frenchmen. I don't blame them for fighting for it and I'm for helping them but give me America Missouri and Jackson County for mine with the finest girl in the world of the county seat. French girls are pretty and chic but they cannot hold a candle to American girls. Every man in this room agrees with me too. It's raining today for a change after starting out with a grand sunrise and a fine morning. We've seen the sun about four days since we've been in France. The weather doesn't bother us much but I'll bet a Frenchman would suffocate if he got into a heated room. They're never warm from September till June. They thrive on it though. Be sure and write to me much and often for I can always put in another week happily if I get at least one letter. The more the better. I'm sure crazy to see you. Yours always Harry 129 FA USA A.E.F. France Via New York
Transcript
Harry S. Truman 1st Lt 129 Fa Amer. E.F. [stamp] American YMCA [ms illegible: stamp] Miss Bess Wallace 219 Delaware St Independence [Missouri] USA Ok Harry S. Truman 1st Lt 129 F.a. [stamp] A.E.F. PASSED AS CENSORED 408
Details
| Title | Harry S. Truman letter to Bess Wallace - May 5, 1918 |
| Creator | Truman, Harry S. |
| Source | Truman, Harry S. Letter to Bess Wallace. 05 May 1918. Papers of Harry S. Truman Pertaining to Family, Business and Personal Affairs; Correspondence from Harry S. Truman to Bess Wallace, 1910-1919. HST-FBP_5-36_01. Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, Indep |
| Description | Letter from Harry S. Truman to his future wife, Bess Wallace, telling her he finally received her letters. 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; Love-letters |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; Homesickness |
| Site Accession Number | HST-FBP_5-36_01 |
| Contributing Institution | Harry S. Truman Library and Museum |
| Rights | Documents in this file are in the public domain. |
| Date Original | May 5, 1918 |
| Language | English |