Robert Kirk Brady letter to Folks - May 7, 1918
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[May 7, 1918] "At Sea" Dear Folks:- Well I am fast traveling to that land of shot and shell. have seen nothing but water for days - sea has been rough last two days and I have felt the effects slightly - several of the boys have had their turn of "sea sickness" - we have had a fine trip so far and I hope it continues - you will have to do most of the writing from now on 0 I will not have much time and besides I can not give only general news - expect we will get some work out from now on - don't forget to send the "news" to me - guess you got my trunk O.K. - I couldn't take but one so I sent that one home with some stuff that I couldn't use. the boys say some people cross this ocean for pleasure. but they want only one more time to cross and that is the return. you get no sympathy in your sea - sickness - everybody makes you a visit
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in [MS illegible: 1 wd] [s]tateroom and has a laugh. I have never been sick at my stomach but my head has been dizzy several times - I have no desire to smoke - guess it wont be long till we will get to see Farris - he is at the port of debarkation wherever that is - we know not hwere we are going - but just on our way to "somewhere." I mailed a card at port of embarkment to you notifying you of my safe arrival. My address will be Lieut. R. K. Brady co "G" 140th Inf. By New York. American Expeditionary Forces. some address I claim - sure tells you just where I am - Ha! Ha! as I hav eseveral more days on teh water I will write this letter on the installment plan. [MS illegible] nite. I am still on my feet. you ought to see me eat. I sure do lots of it. we have "tea" on hte boat at 4 p.m. can you imagine me drinking tea - Already getting on to some ofthe English customs. am getting awfully tired of the water - want
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to plant my foot on some good solid ground. we sure are going to have some studying to do "over here" - will not have much time to see the sights - well the best thing to do is to dive in and get this thing over with. your realization comes to you when you are as near as I am. you think what is ahead of you and how much of it. no doubt soon we will know just what war really is. it is nearly a year since I enlisted - does not seem that long - time has rolled fast and I hope it continues too. of course no one knows how long this war will run. I am ready to go into action. I will be back some of these days. Only "The One above" knows my fate. I have enough faith in Him that he will return me home safely and a better man. do not worry about me - I am getting the best of care - Uncle Sam takes good care of his boys - blue days will come as well as hardships but it is all in life. You will be proud of me - even if it is for me to die in battle it is the noblest way - the defense of my folks and country. I feel proud of you folks - you
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[page 3] have stood the separation fine - you both are brave - you are broken to see me part but remember I will be back - do not worry it only weakens you and shortens your life - if such a thing should happen that the war continues for years I want you to send Allen the same way as I have done - I hope he wont have to go but I want him to step out and not be pulled out - it is worth lots to take this trip. I have seen sights wort hthe while already. I am glad I am taking the trip - I hear Bob Bates has to go - I sure hope so and that he has t odo his part even if he does have to be made, Uncle Sam should have no place in his house for such as him. not blood enough to be willing to defend his own home and country - I never want a Brady to have his mark- and I dont think they ever will - Tillman has had quite a time with sea sickness. he is better now - I can hardly realize Ruth graduates. I would like to give hre some thing but she will have to wait awhile - shcool time is drawing to a close - I can hardly realize it is May. time has sure
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[page 4] passed quick with me. I have not time to write all the kinfolks. Tell all of them hello, give my best to Uncle Bill and Aunt Mag. Will try to write them later. got a letter from Cousin Mary at Mills - sure was a nice one and tell her I sure enjoyed it. will write her when I get settled. I owe a couple of bills there yet - the pictures and Billie. will try to get to them soon - while I think of it dont forget my Woodmen insurance and also the Aetna in July. My Liberty Bond will finish in July. $250 00 with interest. have never missed it - get a 10% increase for foreign service. have about all my equipment now so I ought to save some money - hereto-fore it has been for equipment - then I paid off those old debts so I haven't done so bad after all. pay day is past due guess it will come soon after we land. how about the school teachers for next year? I was about to forget one other custom I had learned. at 7 every morn coffee and cakes are served to us in bed. we get up just in time to eat breakfast at 830 0 have 4 hrs of officers school a day on the boat - sure have to do some good old studying - I guess we will have 24 hrs and "Hurry up" "over here" -
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don't know much news to write - that is I can tell. I am feeling fine - will write you as often as I can - if nothing more than to say I am well 0 do not wait for answers but write as often as you want to. remember if I want or need anything I will write and ask you for it. That is a rule that nothing can be sent a soldier without him asking for it. the post office there knows the rules - I hope all of you are as well as I am - give all my friends my best and address if any one wants it. Give the children my love and that I would like to write each one a letter if I had the time. maybe I can later on - Will close - will drop you a line after I land - of course I can not tell you where I am. Goodbye, Lots of love to all, Your loving son Kirk. Lieut. R.K. Brady, Co "G" 140th Inf. American Expeditionary Forces. By New York.
Details
| Title | Robert Kirk Brady letter to Folks - May 7, 1918 |
| Creator | Brady, Robert Kirk |
| Source | Brady, Robert Kirk. Letter to Folks. 7 May 1918. Brady, Robert Kirk, Letters, 1917-1919. C0077. The State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia, MO. |
| Description | In this May 7, 1918, letter to his folks in Richmond, Missouri, Robert Kirk Brady wrote while at sea concerning his bout of seasickness. Brady, a native of Ray County, Missouri, served in the 140th Infantry Regiment during World War I. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918; Liberty bonds |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Site Accession Number | C0077 |
| Contributing Institution | The State Historical Society of Missouri |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the State Historical Society of Missouri: 1020 Lowry Street, Columbia, Missouri, 65201-7298. (573) 882-7083. |
| 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 | May 7, 1918 |
| Language | English |