John L. Barkley letter to Dock - April 9, 1919
Transcript
April 9 1919 My dear brother Dock. Just today I received your letter. Such good advice yes such good advice about talking so much about the war after I return and so on, - You know. Now that was studied out before you ever knew anything about what was ever comming off. Now you must know I am amongest some people here in this mans army that Jim Hollor is a christaion besides them. Now I have been in the secret service of this mans army since I landed in Europe and it has made a crook out of me studying peoples faces. At the front I was used as an observer and a trained scout, obtaining all information of the enemy that was possible
Transcript
[page 2] I always used my head and was not always asleep I took a four months corse studying patroling trench tricks Spy tricks? snipping and also had my eye open for men in our army. It is the highest branch of service in the army. I was not supposed to fight just watch manuvering of the enemy but when a dutchman struck his hed up I snatched the first rifle I found and got myself a square head. How do you know so much about Sister Atkins. Now don't think for a minute that I am not well enformed at the earliest date of everything that happens at home and surroundings even to the most slightest thing that happens at home all about my dogs and "E.T.C."
Transcript
[page 3] John does not gamble or drink but very little I may get on a Barkley jag once a month and clean out some dutchman or some soldier I have no fancy for. I save my money and take a pass to see some place of intrest. I hope I can get out of this mans army before my ambition get so low as a bottle of snops or the guard house. You know when one is in the army it takes all of the domestic [ms illegible: 1 wd] and future prospects out of him. Now if you want to you might get me discharge you and dad might put your heds together tell them just who I am and I think you might get one out on agriculture grounds. Not as I am homesick for I am not must close and go to supper. Answer. Cpl John Barkley.
Details
| Title | John L. Barkley letter to Dock - April 9, 1919 |
| Creator | Barkley, John Lewis |
| Source | Barkley, John L. Letter to Dock. 9 April 1919. John Lewis Barkley Collection, 1917-1919. 1996.33. The National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. |
| Description | In this letter dated April 9, 1919, John L. Barkley wrote his brother Dock concerning his position as an observer and scout, taking a course about patrolling, spying, and snipping, and a possible discharge on agricultural grounds. |
| Subject LCSH | United States. Army. Infantry Regiment, 4th; United States. Army. Division, 3rd; Snipers; Military discharge |
| 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 | April 9, 1919 |
| Language | English |