James Robert Davis letter to Mother and Others - January 21, 1919
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Rec [February] 17 Oregon [March] 6 [Dun-sur-Meuse] [January 21, 1919] Dear Mother & Others Kinda cold tonight - but we have had four days of sunshine so we cant kick on a little chilly weather. Now let me tell you about my bed so you wont have to worry any more. I sleep on a canvass cot. On the cot I have my canvas - heavy duck water proof bed-roll & mattress that cost me 22\50 or something like that not francs either - and five O.D. wool blankets. may be Ihave only 4 blankets any way I sleep - warm - sound - comfortable and too much. I generally go to bed about 9 - and get up about 6\30 I’d like it better could Igo to bed at 10\30 but I get tired sitting
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[page 2] around talking and reading old magazines. One thing certain I get plenty of sleep - and plenty to eat - what more could any one want. For light we have one - oil lamp that doesnt give any light and 3 candles - For heat a stove and to night we have two stoves. as it is rather chilly as - I’ve stated before. So dont worry any more as Iam comfortably situated and as happy as usual. I really enjoyed the game more when we we making rather long marches - and eating at uncertain hours - and never sure just where we were going to sleep. I got a nice letter from claud - the same day that your no. 7 came - Ive gotten all
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your letters and now I am looking forward to the coming of 8.9.10 etc. Claud hasnt received any of my letters and Iam inclined to think that you havent received all of the letters Ihave written for I think Ihave written ever two weeks and some times oftener. I wrote Prigmore today but Idont know when I’ll get to send it - we thought for a few days that we were going to move within about 50 miles of him. but the fates changed their mind glad Ethel is making that much money every Sunday but Ihope she doesnt work too hard no use for her to break down at it. Just to get the money. Tell me next time you write what my balance is. Uncle Sam
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owe me about $300 - besides what he sent you - you see Ive only drawn one months pay since we landed. If Ihave good luck Ill be in good shape when I get home - Dont forget to pay Ethel her interest and collect the interest on the Liberty bonds when it is due - So Ethel and Amy - have taken a French kid to raise - well there are plenty of them that need help - The poor little devils do not look much like our American kids. They all wear - boys - especially - an apron over there cloths. That isnt so bad but when you see an old white haired woman and a man coming (walking) into a ruined town to find their home - That cant be found it certainly makes one hate the Hun.
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The English children that we saw were much better dressed than these French children. altho the style of clothes are different from what we see in America. You remember those little tan Jersey suits Bill and Ihad - well the English kids wore cloths cut along that line and one of these big white starched colars - like we used to wear. with a big bow-tie - now there if you can go back about 24 years and picture us - as we dressed then you can see the Englished kids as they looked to me. The hedges of England were mighty pretty and the island was filled of well kept Lanes - but the general atmosphere of the place to me was cold and rather depressing. The women of the countries that Ihave seen arent in it with the
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American Lady - dont know just what the difference is but they lack something guess it is style and pep. One of the boys wants the table so I’ll get ready to stop. So Maria got married. Well Ihope she is happy - and - that they can live long and happyly. If there is any present to be sent to her count me in on it. What have you done - about Billie’s wheel - Iwant him to have that as it will keep to develop him physically and Iam just beginning to realize how very too important a feature of his education his physical training is. Think Ihave written
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enough for tonight so I’ll close give my regards to Mrs Lankford ask her if she got my letter - Hope you all keep well - love to all Jim Lt JR Davis 816 Pioneer Inf.
Details
| Title | James Robert Davis letter to Mother and Others - January 21, 1919 |
| Creator | Davis, James Robert |
| Source | Davis, James Robert. Letter to Mother and Others. 21 January 1919. James Robert Davis Collection, 1918-1919. 1994.41. National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. |
| Description | James Robert Davis wrote this letter to his mother and other relatives from Dun-sur-Meuse, France on January 21, 1919. Davis described his sleeping quarters, compared the way American children dress to French children, and discussed other letters he had received from home. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918--Military life--United States; World War, 1914-1918--Occupied territories; World War, 1914-1918--Social aspects; Liberty bonds |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; 816th Pioneer Infantry |
| Site Accession Number | 1994.41 |
| 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 21, 1919 |
| Language | English |