James Robert Davis letter to Mother and Others - June 11, 1919
Transcript
[Mars-sur-Allier] France June 11 - 1919. Dear Mother Sisters Brothers nephew & nieces - your letter 22 just came - glad to get such a good newsy one - Believe this is some of the families birthday - tho I am not certain if so good luck to who ever it is. I used to kick about the rain - but thats gone - so I’ll have to complain of the heat and it sure does get hot in this mans country. Worse than Missouri in August - We were ordered from Montierchaume to this place to dig up bodies so far we havent done anything as there is a mix up some place - at the rate we are getting this job done we will be over here until about 1925. I’d like to get home to see everyone but there is no chance - absolutely none - we cant get away before July - and even that is just a guess Part of our regiment is near Verdun
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working on a cemetary - they are trying to bury one thousand bodies a day - so they can get thru but so far they have never reach those figures. saw a grave a few days ago with Chester Vaughn on it. I had to study a long time before Icould think of the names of the Vaughn boys at Carrollton. A nice little party Dr Hall had for his son. suppose Dr Manning will pull one for Frank tho not the same kind. I think when Iget in the states that I’ll try to get sent to Camp Grant so when Iam out Ican go to Chicago and get some cloths. Could go to Funston but Inever could find cloths Iliked in [Kansas City] and Iknow Ican get what I want at Chicago. Your menu sounds good - but Iam thinking I will want lots of vegetables when Iget back altho by that time the season will be too late you know it has been so long since I’ve had what you might call good things to eat that I wont know just what Ido want - Right now Iwant watermelon and radishes. We have good meals dont get the idea that Iam
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not getting enough to eat for Iam getting too much - but you know how it is to want something you cant get Tell Bill not to bust his head - if he can help it but I’d rather he would do that than to be afraid to take a chance. How his ball game coming Sorry Wayne has to hunt a new job tho it wont be hard for him to find a place if he just decides what he wants. Igot a letter from Claud a few days ago he wants me to go in with him again. Thats what I’d like to do but dont know whether Iwill or not. Too early to even try to decide what to do. glad you sent Carrie the cut glass. Turner was mighty nice to me when Iwas down there and Iknow they appreciated get the glass. guess I’ve told you all the news that Iknow of which Ill confess isnt very much - afraid Iwont get the other bar to wear as and order came out a few days after my recommendation went in saying there would be no more promotions. Icall that hard luck dont you -
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what kind of a guy is Maria husband - sure dont care for that German sounding name but if she is satisfied Iam too. It is going to take some of us a long time to like anything that sounds like a foreign name. Sure is hard to write to day so Iam going to stop. I’m getting a little too fat to suit me - guess I’ll have to go to doing hard work when Iget back and reduce. Take good care of yourself - love to all Jim Lt James R Davis 816 Pion Inf. A.P.O 780
Details
| Title | James Robert Davis letter to Mother and Others - June 11, 1919 |
| Creator | Davis, James Robert |
| Source | Davis, James Robert. Letter to Mother and Others. 11 June 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 Mars-sur-Allier, France on June 11, 1919. Davis informed his relatives that he had been ordered to Mars-sur-Allier to help in repatriation and burial efforts. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918--Military life--United States; World War, 1914-1918--Occupied territories; Repatriation; Burial; Cemeteries; United States. Army--Promotions.; Camp Grant (Ill.) |
| 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 | June 11, 1919 |
| Language | English |