James Kellogg Burnham Hockaday letter to I.O. - November 10, 1918
Transcript
Somewhere in France. Nov. 10, 1918. My Dear I.O.: I certainly want to congratulate you on your commission. You don’t know how proud I am of you. I hope you get a letter from you telling me just what you are doing. Mother writes me that you are instructing at some institute. What are the chances of your being assigned to some regiment? Well, I have been through another little scrap since I last wrote you. Believe me, the old 89th is certainly making a name for itself. We went right through those Dutchmen and took all of our objectives right on schedule time and pushed on forward after that. It seems almost as if these poor Germans were ready to throw up the sponge, but we are no thinking of that until they are down on their knees begging for peace. They are holding their lines by thousands of machine guns and almost no infantry. You want to study up on capturing or wiping out machine gun nests. Their machine gunners have orders to hold to the last and the majority of them are good soldiers for they are found dead with their fingers on the trigger. I am trying to get back in the line again. This staff job is very nice and you have an opportunity to meet all of the higher authorities and it is very important especially during an engagement. Nevertheless the thing that I object to is that you are not a leader among the men and I want to get back to my old platoon again where I can be a real commander. I have been trying to get back for some time
Transcript
but I don’t know whether they will let me now or not. I have enjoyed this job of liaison officer very much, however, and have had many interesting experiences. you get an idea of the workings of a whole division and even of an army corp. Believe me it is getting pretty chilly now. We had a heavy frost last night. I have plenty of clothes and blankets, all I can handle to keep warm. Tell Mother that it is impossible for me to take care of anything more. Every one has certainly been mighty nice about sending me things. Anything she has left over for me, she had better send to you, for I simply cannot take care of anything more. Everything they have sent me, however, has come in mighty handy. Send me some news when you get a chance. I imagine you are pretty busy now. I am anxious to get back to try that new Buick out with you. Possibly by the time you get this letter we may be making arrangements to go back. Give my love to Mother, Father and Junior and much love to you, old man, and many congratulations. I am sending this by way of K.C. as I forgot your address. So long for the present. Burnie.
Details
| Title | James Kellogg Burnham Hockaday letter to I.O. - November 10, 1918 |
| Creator | Hockaday, James Kellogg Burnham |
| Source | Hockaday, James Kellogg Burnham Letter to I.O. 10 November 1918. James Kellogg Burnham Hockaday Collection, 1917-1924. 1986.213.40. National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. |
| Description | In a letter to his brother I.O. dated November 10, 1918, Hockaday discusses weakening German morale, German machine gun nests, and his job as a liaison officer. Hockaday served in the 354th Infantry Regiment. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918; United States. Army. Infantry regiment, 354th; United States. Army. Division, 89th |
| Site Accession Number | 1986.213.40 |
| 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 10, 1918 |
| Language | English |