John L. Barkley letter to Cocky - March 12, 1918
Transcript
[Newport] News March 12, 1918. Dear Cocky: I am still at this Burg and don't know when I will leave, but I think it will be soon. We have no drill ground but one of the d- target ranges you ever saw I shoot every day all day and believe me I am some shot. The first ten shots the lieutenant asked me if I had any kind of a record at Funston I told him I was the best in the Co. I fired a few more shots and hit every one he said you report back here tomorrow and I will give you a fiew pointers as an enstructor. I now sit by the target and tell the boys how to shoot and how to fix sights and etc. It sure is raining down here. it rains every day. There is a fleet of 43 battle ships here today more than usual. There must bee something stiring in the harbor someplace. There was a sub-marine saw about 100 miles out of the bay the other day. The other day a transport came in and 1100 [New Zealanders] stopped off for exercise they were on their way to the trenches. You know they are part of the English possession. I have my full pack now and am ready to leave any time they say the word.
Transcript
[page 2] Got a letter from "Sister" yesterday giving me worlds of advice. Why dont Lela ever write to me. I think tonight after I am off I will goe down to the beach and get my self an oyster, there is scads of them here. I saw a niger yesterday after the tide went out trying to get a crab in a tin can. you know they are like a crawfish and they sure can jump. When this niger rakes him in the can the old crab jumped at the niger suddnly and he looked like a wild man, got right on away from that crab. There were 4000 negros shipped form here the other day. I herd one say as he walked the gang plank, niger we are gest goin to get drownded for thad John D. Rockefeller and I don't want to do it a toll. well I must close. Answer soon as you can and if I am gone my letter will follow me. Answer soon. John L Barkley. Tell Lela I got a letter from Mary Howard
Details
| Title | John L. Barkley letter to Cocky - March 12, 1918 |
| Creator | Barkley, John Lewis |
| Source | Barkley, John L. Letter to Cocky. 12 March 1918. John Lewis Barkley Collection, 1917-1919. 1996.33. The National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. |
| Description | In a letter dated March 12, 1918, John L. Barkley wrote Cocky concerning the target range, his new task as a shooting instructor, the sighting of a submarine, a visit by New Zealanders on their way to Europe, and the movement of African American troops overseas. |
| Subject LCSH | United States. Army. Infantry Regiment, 4th; United States. Army. Division, 3rd; World War, 1914-1918--African Americans |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| 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 | March 12, 1918 |
| Language | English |