James E. Henschel letter to Folks - August 12, 1919
Transcript
Camp Merritt, New Jersey. August 12th, 1919 Dearest Folks in the World: Everybody's happy. My boys are all glad, I'm glad - the whole camp is cheerful. I think that even the few left on the other side must be glad too, for they know that it can't be long until they are all back again. Motor Transport Company 831, meaning my crew of lusty safe blowers and myself, landed at Hoboken from the good ship Imperator on August 10th. I sent a telegram to you all, courtesy of the Salvation Army (whom I am more and more convinced know just just what to give away.) as soon as I landed, and until now have not had time to write. Say, but it certainly is a grand feeling. It is almost beyond realization to think that we are actually here. This morning, I transferred out all of the men who do not go to Camp Dodge, Iowa, and tomorrow take all of the rest and start west. Have not had time to do a thing but hammer this over worked typewriter, and you can see by the way that this letter looks that my fingers are just about worn out. There is not any one else in the company who can play a tune on this sort of an instrument, so I guess it's just up to me. The first sgt. is a pretty fair one finger artist, but that's too slow work these days, when reports are required on the run. We had a wonderful passage - much like going over, except for the lights and passenger on deck. To be sure, they had to put a great deal many officers and welfare workers on the boat, so second loots were rather far down in the hold - but no one cared for that. There was dancing and movies every night. I didn't dance, but went on deck and enjoyed the cool night air. It was wonderful - more so perhaps, because every
Transcript
minute was one minute nearer to home. Them Imperator is such a large boat that there is no rolling whatsoever; not a seasick person the whole way across. More like a fair sized city than a boat. As I said before, we leave, probably tomorrow for Camp Dodge. From there, after the men are discharged, I have to go back to Washington to be released. That is because I am a Motor Transport Officer and have been responsible for automobile transportation. If it is possible, I am going to try to get around making the trip, some way or another, but there is not much chance. If I have to return to Washington, I shall first apply for a fifteen day leave. If it is not granted - why I'm just going to go to Washington, via Kansas City. It's a belle vie. And I'm tired. I'm usually tired when I write home, am I not? Off to the hay. I'll write again at longer the first chance. Ned -
Details
| Title | James E. Henschel letter to Folks - August 12, 1919 |
| Creator | Henschel, James E. |
| Source | Henschel, James E. Letter to Folks. 12 August 1919. James Edward Henschel Collection, 1917-1919. 1996.51. The National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. |
| Description | In this letter dated August 12, 1919, Henschel wrote his family about his excitement to be back in the United States. Henschel noted that a telegram was sent courtesy of the Salvation Army informing them of his safe arrival. Henschel also mentioned that he may have to return to Washington, D.C. to be released after traveling to Camp Dodge, Iowa to discharge the soldiers. |
| Subject LCSH | American Field Service; Missouri. National Guard; United States. Army. Motor Transport Corps; World War, 1914-1918--War work--Salvation Army |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; Imperator |
| Site Accession Number | 1996.51 |
| 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 | August 12, 1919 |
| Language | English |