James E. Henschel letter to Leopold H. Henschel - November 24, 1918
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November 24th/1918 - Dear old Dad - Not so very old - but old means dear - and it isn't at all wrong to say it twice. A long time ago - I make my own a bit of verse that I've never forgotten. Don't know what it's a part of nor who wrote it (sounds like Longfellow) but I like to remember it when thinking of my father. It seems to
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fit so well. "Who through long days of labour - And nights devoid of ease - Still heard in his soul the music Of wonderful melodies." Don't you know Dad - it's because you've seemed like that, that there is some special significance and deeper meaning to a "Father's Letter"? And that it is one of the many reason that my Dad is so much more to be honoured than any other Dad,
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has made his hand a good hand to clasp - always? If in the years to come I can hear the song and "keep the vision" as my Dad - why there is nothing better or higher to which I could aspire. Your letter of September 4th was delivered last night. It has been sent by mistake over quite a bit of France - and thus was delayed quite a bit. I
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can not understand how it is that you have not received acknowledgement of your other letters. The money order came during the school at Meaux and I acknowledged them in at least two letters - one during the course and one after my return to my old company. In the same way, I wrote two letters to you, expressly thanking you for the copies of recommendations. Needless to say I found both
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the money and the recommendations highly valuable. Getting a commission is not at all easy from the ranks, and accepting one in France about the expensive thing I know of. Everything costs so much - just the belt alone sixty francs - that is certainly was fine to have something when the orders finally came through. I have three Liberty Bonds, of $50.00 each which will
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be delivered to you after the final payment (last of January, I believe). The other $50.00 I hope to remit as soon as possible from my pay, which should help to "square up" accounts a little. About the insurance - If you will send the number on that card that I sent home to me and also to the War Risk Insurance office at Washington, we might
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find out something about it. I took a memorandum of the number when sending the card home but it is with my other property - no knows where. Give my address as at the time application (Company "B") - application made at Soissons for $10,000 in January and February (?) 1917. So far as I know, and I have asked quite a number of persons - no one
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in the Reserve has ever received any other acknowledgement - save that post-card. I am glad that you like my letter so well - that of June 8th. I don't remember exactly which letter it was now - there was so much going on at that time. Not all of it was so pleasant as tings are now - in a way. Yet - do you know. I felt hap-
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pier than than I have been here - and a lot more contented, for our work, while mighty hard for many months was decidedly active. We fellows can say with a good deal of pride that the "old Reserve" certainly played a good sized part in everything that happened. Starting out with the Crown Prince offensive shortly after the Missouri
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outfit landed - the Aisne drive - Chemin des Dames - Cambrai offensive of the British - then winter (enough said; my feet were wet for months). And then came real work - the five big German pushes - and we played right along - up and down - Cambrai was nothing compared to these! Montdidier - Chateau Thierry - Belleau Woods - Roye - Cheviny Farm (the first place I went to after landing!) and long past!
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Then with the British month of Amiens - Bus - and finally here. The Reserve kept moving on, though, and at the last news we have, were running into Belgium. It certainly has been a mighty full eighteen months - an eighteen months we'll never forget! Isn't is queer? Six months ago - I would have laughed at the suggestion - but how I would like to be back with that dear - abused -
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neglected - overworked Reserve! It was only after being sent to Decize - and so - looking from a distance, could see the situation more accurately - that I really appreciated the amount of work the Reserve Mallet really accomplished the by-gone year. Even now it is working night and day, as many of the old Peirce-Arrow camions as will run. The prospects of my
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remaining in France for quite some time are altogether too brilliant for great joy. This school will keep running for at least one more year and is prepared for longer existence if necessary. This according to "dope" from general headquarters. In so much as the orders read for at least another year, with an additional time proviso - we are all by this
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time quite reconciled to prolonging our visit - or perhaps I should say - resigned to it. However - it's only fair that if some one has to be here that it be such services as motor transport and supply. The front-lines and artillery should of course have the first choice of boats homeward. I had to arrest four soldier's the other night
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two negros and two whites. It was rather funny afterwards. Was so angry I couldn't say a word - but believe me - I certainly paraded those boys up the street. When we reached a certain dark corner - the blacks became threatening - pretty well drunk - and while I was taking care of them - the whites ran. Being alone - couldn't catch
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them. The next morning I released the two negros - partly because I had been so very "mad" and partly because they belonged in a nearby town. The C.O. visited the Post - and since then I've been awaiting a "cussing" from the Colonel - for releasing them. It's a great life. Heard some very cheerful news. Four officers have
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been picked to make an inspection tour of the M.T.C. at the front - and my name was on the list! Pretty lucky - eh? This just arrived - so I do not know the details, but am expecting to go tomorrow. Harvey and Ramsey have both written me and R- has telegraphed since my latest home. It seems that H- has had appendi-
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citis and is recovering rapidly from the operation. Ramsey's letter speaks for itself. I envy him his experiences! Am enclosing the letter - R's telegram was to effect that was on leave at Aix and wished me to join him. I had hoped that I might get away, or at least get a day or two to see Harvey - but I'm all out of luck
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that way - (Too valuable, I suppose - Modest young chap!) Floyd (Speed) Duncan wished me to join him at Nice. He suffered the double misfortune of an airplane accident and death of his father. Poor boy! He had two weeks sick leave. This letter is rapidly becoming too long and longer. I want to thank
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you again with all my heart for the money orders; I certainly needed them badly. When you receive this it will be near Xmas. Of course my thoughts will be home then. A very Merry Xmas - and it should be even though the family is pretty well scattered - because it will be a peaceful season throughout the world. My love, as always, Dad. Ned.
Details
| Title | James E. Henschel letter to Leopold H. Henschel - November 24, 1918 |
| Creator | Henschel, James E. |
| Source | Henschel, James E. Letter to Leopold H. Henschel. 24 November 1918. James Edward Henschel Collection, 1917-1919. 1996.51. The National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. |
| Description | In this letter dated November 24, 1918, Henschel wrote his father thanking him for the money order and the recommendations he had requested. Henschel also discussed the purchase of Liberty Bonds and Insurance and the hoped to see his brothers while overseas. |
| Subject LCSH | American Field Service; Missouri. National Guard; United States. Army. Motor Transport Corps; Military commissions; Liberty bonds.; Military inspections |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; Aisne Drive; Chemin des Dames; Cambrai |
| 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 | November 24, 1918 |
| Language | English |