John L. Barkley letter to Mother - March 23, 1918
Transcript
[Newport News] March 23, 1918 Dear Mother. As this is Saturday I will try and write a few lines. I just received your letter today and you say J.R. has a new Buick roadster. Sum sun in law. Cocky is going to keep on till he will throw a Leaner. How is Knick, Dad and Lela tell knick I see so many nigers down here that I am getting black myself. I put in my card the other day to my people at home saying that I have arived safe in a foreign port. They keep
Transcript
this card here till they receive a cable gram that we have reached there and the government will send it out home. You know that saves lots of time and delay. We were packed up ready to goe someplace when orders came that we would stay here a while longer. I am thinking now we may go to Mexican border for you know any minute we are expecting trouble with Mexico to keep us out of the big spring drive. Say I do not know where I had my liberty bond sent to you Dock or Joe. whoever I sent it to you know they cant sell
Transcript
it till I am ded or I say so. My bond is due now but they are behind on everything, pay and everything else. I have my full pack now and belive me she is sure some pack here is a list of what I carry 1 shelter-half or tent. 1 slicker. 2 suits of heavy underwear. 4 pair of wool socks 5 tent pins 1 tent pole folding 1 economy can 1 meskit 1 knife 1 fork 1 spool 1 aluminum cup 1 government razor 1 tooth brush 1 tooth past 1 shaving brush two pair of shoe strings 2 legin laces. 1 trench mear. and 1 towl 4 handkerchiefs. The heaviest things is cartridge belt with 120 rounds of amunition and gun.
Transcript
now what do you say about weight, is that too much or not one has to be a good man if can carry 27 miles in one day like I done yesterday. I forgot we carry a pick small entrenching tool. The muscles in my legs are getting so hard that they just fell like old Reds back when just to try to shear his foretop. I must close and get ready for supper As ever John.
Details
| Title | John L. Barkley letter to Mother - March 23, 1918 |
| Creator | Barkley, John Lewis |
| Source | Barkley, John L. Letter to Mother. 23 March 1918. John Lewis Barkley Collection, 1917-1919. 1996.33. The National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. |
| Description | In this letter dated March 23, 1918, John L. Barkley wrote his mother, Leona Barkley, about his arrival safely overseas, the possibility of going to the Mexican Border, the location of his Liberty Bond, and the contents of his pack. |
| Subject LCSH | United States. Army. Infantry Regiment, 4th; United States. Army. Division, 3rd; Liberty bonds; World War, 1914-1918--Equipment and supplies |
| 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 23, 1918 |
| Language | English |