James E. Henschel letter to Mr. and Mrs. Leopold Henschel - July 21, 1918
Transcript
J.E. Henschel Pov. Co. "A" - American Mission M.T.D., Am.E.F. Convois Autos. Par B.C.M. France. July 21st 1918 - Dearest Mother and Dad - The alarm clock went off this morning at six - although we did not have to get up until eight. You see - I intended to take a bath in the river, but had not counted on it being cold and rainy, so instead am writing home. Mother's letter of June 28th from Cruces came yesterday to my great delight. Where do the girls bathe at Cruces? Is there a swimming pool or does the I can't spell it irrigation ditch - still have to be pressed into service? I know that Mother and they must have had a mighty pleasant visit - vacation. (Would say "are having" - only this will not reach home for a month). The school will be over in a couple more of weeks, and I shall be mighty glad to get back to work again - either with the old section or some other outfit. One never knows where one goes from here - The course is fine - but it sort of "riles" one to be away from his unit while big things are going on. I had a letter from Joe (a respectful way to refer to ones' C.O.?) the same day that Mothers' came, and he told me all about the section's work. He is mourning because they took the company mechanic to place
Transcript
him in charge of the Groupe Atilier. This is really an important position - as a Groupe is four companies and the efficient working of these companies depends largely on the efficient working of the repair shops. Joe says he doesn't know whether to weep or be glad the boy has the chance. There is not much doubt in my mind, the surprising thing is that the Groupe did not take him long ago - for he was an inspector at the Peirce-Arrow place before the war and certainly knows his job. Also - his front name is Leo - proving that he could not be other than the finest sort of a fellow. Coburn is still top-sergeant and little Tad still hammers the Underwood and makes out payrolls and clerks generally very well indeed - to his infinite disgusts. You see - Tad believes the government should allow him to pull the string on a 75 - but as yet said gov. has shown no inclinations of this sort. By the way - do you know Seth Herndon's address - or that of Lt. Kenneth Gedney? As I wrote before - I had a letter from Harvey. He was located then at Limoges. I haven't heard yet from Ramsey but would like to very much. There is the slimmest kind of a chance that I might be able to see him sometime - or leave perhaps. (Which would be logical if there were leaves). Did I tell you how much I am enjoying the course here? It certainly is splendid, and will be of great value to all of us - whether we go back to units as drivers or officers. Everything is treated so thoroughly that when one looks over his note-books - it is hard to believe that all that information has been dealt
Transcript
with in one small month - We learn a lot but there is such a lot to learn! There is everything from the formulas to determine the efficiency of a motor part to the manner in which shoes reach the French soldier, or how and when road markers are placed. The school is unlike anything I have ever known. I sincerely hope that Dad's lame arm is O.K. again - and that Mother and the girls - and Berthold and Paul (is he studying in [Kansas City] this coming season?) are all enjoying the same excellent health that I am. With all the love in the world. Ned. Dad - I am enclosing a rather morbid item. This is the only receipt or information we possess of our insurance, and so I have been carrying it around with me some months. Being somewhat at a loss as to what to do with it, and in the extremely improbable event that you might sometime be interested in this matter - I am sending the card - "for your information and guidance" - as they say in my orders - Insurance - $10,000 - made out to Mother - That's about all, I guess.
Details
| Title | James E. Henschel letter to Mr. and Mrs. Leopold Henschel - July 21, 1918 |
| Creator | Henschel, James E. |
| Source | Henschel, James E. Letter to Mr. and Mrs. Leopold Henschel. 21 July 1918. James Edward Henschel Collection, 1917-1919. 1996.51. The National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. |
| Description | In this letter dated July 21, 1918, Henschel wrote his parents and informed them he enjoyed the courses at school. |
| Subject LCSH | American Field Service; Missouri. National Guard; United States. Army. Motor Transport Corps |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; Officers Training School |
| 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 | July 21, 1918 |
| Language | English |