W.L. Taylor letter to Dr. Henry Milton Whelpley - December 1, 1918

Transcript

Office of the Camp Supply Officer Labor Branch Camp Beauregard, [Louisiana] December 1, 1918 Dr. [Henry Milton] Whelpley, St. Louis, [Missouri] Dear Dr. Whelpley: - - While I am sitting in my tent at Camp Beauregard, this evening, my thoughts begin to wander to both things of the past and things of the future, to friends that I have left and to those I expect to make. It is useless for me to say to you that, on such occasions, my thoughts linger longest with yourself and my dear friends of Meyer Brothers Drug Co., as it has been a real pleasure during my time of service to think of the many kindnesses you, friends, have rendered me and the many nice letters you have written me during my service. I will not say that I am sorry I did not have over sea experience because , had my country needed me worse over sea than in the United States, I would have been sent. Like any good soldier, I was always ready to go where duty called. As my commanding officer explained to me, men of efficiency are needed as badly in the U.S.A. as in the A.E.F. My experience in the army has not been startling. It has been the regular routine, as I have had charge of all the labor in camp, unloading and taking care of supplies, such as clothing and subsistence for the boys in the service. On September 19, I received one of the greatest honors to be conferred by our government, a commission as second lieutenant in the Quartermaster’s Corps, assigning me to Camp Beauregard. I can but feel that the experience I had with the house of Meyer fitted and qualified me for this promotion and I feel deeply indebted to you and every other member of the greatest institution in the world for my promotion. As an armistice has been signed, signifying that the real action is over, I expect soon to return to civil life and it will be a great pleasure to return to St. Louis and again look into the faces of those that I cherish as my very best friends. I also might state that I fully expect to be associated with Meyer Bothers Drug Company, in the Sales Force, when I return, as it is impossible to consider any other business connection after one has had experience with the biggest house in the world. Hoping to have the pleasure of seeing you soon, I am, Yours very respectfully, [W. S. Taylor] 2nd Lieut Q.M.C.