John L. Barkley letter to Brother - January 23, 1919
Transcript
Coblenz Germany [January] 23, 1919. My dear brother. I am now some what under the weather with the grip and am feeling Quiet bum. This old Dutch woman is trying to break it up by getting me drunk on Snops that is the strongest of whiskey, moon shine is very mild besides snops. There is not much sickness among the soldiers in Germany here for the German people are so clean and have such good houses. I am sleeping in a big feather bed in a nice warm well furnished room.
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[page 2] It has not been cold in Germany yet but this morning it seems to be a little chilly. This part of Germany is the best part. I mean the ritchest. all along the Rhine is very rich in vineyards and the people has pleanty. old Bill took all the gold to Holland with him. He need not think he can get away with any of that stuff. If he knew what was in store for him he would keep under cover. I hear Lew Goliday is comming back to Holden. The people should not let him land there. He would never have married Lora Ball if it had not been for
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This war. He is nothing more than the worst of slackers. The boys that gets supersticious gass and gets Sham shell-shocked. we call them kind of fellows shell-dodgers. I never got gassed or shell shocked or never showed any cool foot any way shape or form but believe me them Dutch all feared my flank more than any other peoples. They all new there was some one doeing damag it is a thousand wounders that I had been killed 1000 times. I never let any american soldier kick or abuse any prisoner I dont care what he had done if he give up he was not abused by anybody when I was around
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[page 4] I have smashed the but of my automatic in many of an Americans face for slapping or kicking a German prisoner. I have helped many of a wounded German when if it had not been for me they would have got a bayonette run threw them. I think this is why providance let me by with what I did. There was 48 men of this division decorated for bravery. Non of them was very heighly honored just for bravery and not for any thing else.
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[page 5] My medal has to be an act of congress, to get the kind that I am getting, and it will take Quite a while for it to go to the states and be passed on and sent back here. It is called a "Congressional Medal of honor the king John Paul Jones received. There is a wad of money comes with it I think and am sure. keep your eyes skined in the Star you may see something of it. Did you ever think you would ever know any one of this kind mutch less being you brother. What will Lew G. say.
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[page 6] I don't know when I will be at home, I am not in such a hurry as some of these homesick big-mouthed fools that is always whinning to go home some of them, I tell, may get weaned some day. How is Peach, did she sure enough like to crohe. I was at Verdun when she was sick fighting like hell in one barage and then another. I must close and go to dinner. Answer Soon I get all of your letters as ever happy John Barkley Co K. 4th inft
Details
| Title | John L. Barkley letter to Brother - January 23, 1919 |
| Creator | Barkley, John Lewis |
| Source | Barkley, John L. Letter to Brother. 23 January 1919. John Lewis Barkley Collection, 1917-1919. 1996.33. The National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. |
| Description | In this letter dated January 23, 1919, John L. Barkley wrote his brother concerning Germany, treatment of prisoners of war, soldiers being decorated for bravery, and receiving the Medal of Honor. |
| Subject LCSH | United States. Army. Infantry Regiment, 4th; United States. Army. Division, 3rd; Medal of Honor; World War, 1914-1918--Medals; World War, 1914-1918--Prisoners |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; Army of Occupation |
| 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 | January 23, 1919 |
| Language | English |