James Kellogg Burnham Hockaday letter to I.O. - July 18, 1918
Transcript
Some Where in France July 18 1918 My Dear I. O. : Received your most welcome letter several days ago. You can’t imagine how happy all the news made me. I have it before me now as I write, way out here somewhere on French soil. I wrote to Father several days ago. I certainly hope you are getting the letters I write; they are not as many as I would like to write but I am absolutely going every minute. The letter which you received from me was not written “over here” but sent from some port where we stopped for a day before starting across. I received Aunt Edith’s letter with yours. Mother’s letter came a few days later with two from Father and one from Aunt Ethel enclosed. I have read them all over several times. I am certainly glad that Mother is feeling so well. Tell her we are all fine anddandy where we are. I was talking with Tipton and also Topping, whom I was tenting with at Mills, just a few minutes ago. The Pinkertons are fine. I see Captain Hugh Pinkerton every once and a while. Congratulations on your successful completion of your Freshman dance? Take a good big "Double Force" at Renwick's for me. That was my favorite dish there.
Transcript
[page 2] I haven’t heard of Wat since I arrived and as things are now I won’t see anyone of my old friends for quite a while. I happened to meet an aviator who said he came over with Wat, but did not know him personally. Keep on with what you are doing; it is the best training you can get. Don’t get worried or worked up about coming over here. your chance is coming only too soon. You should see yours truly in a steel trench helmet with a forty-five on one side of my belt and a cute little trench dagger on the other and a few other things I can’t mention. We were fully equipped and everything they issued us was for purely “business purposes.” That helmet feels kind of heavy at times and at other times like a peanut shell. I really look quite handsome in my gas mask. Things are pretty interesting now, but by the time you get this letter they will be quite interesting indeed. Well it is time to turn in now and I need the sleep, so I shall have to blow out the candle and say “Au Revoir.” Will write you again as soon as possible, much love, Burnie.
Details
| Title | James Kellogg Burnham Hockaday letter to I.O. - July 18, 1918 |
| Creator | Hockaday, James Kellogg Burnham |
| Source | Hockaday, James Kellogg Burnham Letter to I.O. 18 July 1918. James Kellogg Burnham Hockaday Collection, 1917-1924. 1986.213.30. National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. |
| Description | In a letter to his brother I.O. written on July 18, 1918, Hockaday discusses the letters that he has sent and received, mutual friends, and trench equipment. Hockaday served in the 354th Infantry regiment. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918; United States. Army. Infantry regiment, 354th; Military equipment; World War, 1914-1918--Trench warfare |
| Site Accession Number | 1986.213.30 |
| 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 18, 1918 |
| Language | English |