James Kellogg Burnham Hockaday letter to mother- November 16, 1918
Transcript
11/16/1918 My Dear Mother: Well the war, as far as we know now, is over and the good Lord has been very good to me. We knew of the armistice early in the morning and at the eleventh hour all guns ceased. What a relief now to be able to walk down a road without being on edge and ready to drop in a hole at the whistle of a shell. It all came so suddenly for we hear very little of what actually goes on, that it is hard to realize and I have been unable to come out of a kind of stupor. The next important question is “When are we going home?” I wish I could answer that. This division was going to have the honor of being part of the army of occupation and we were going to Coblenz, but just yesterday orders were changed. I was very sorry for it would have been very interesting to go into Germany. This division is going to move some place pretty soon but I don’t know where. The army of occupation has already been decided upon and I can’t see anything else they can do with us except to ship us back. This is purely conjecture, however, and it will take quite a while for all of us to get back. We might also have to help rebuild some of these French towns and “police up” the battle-fields before leaving. Possibly you have heard of the town of Stenay. This division was the first to enter that town at five minutes before eleven on the eleventh day of the eleventh month. I am in this town now: our headquarters are in a beautiful chateau where the Crownprince lived for two years and a half. The Kaiser also visited here frequently. We eat in the same dining room and with the same china and silverware that the royal family used for so long. The same caretakers of this chateau are here now that were when the prince was here. Strange to say they liked him very well. He was very kind to them and frequently gave them gifts. The people in the town, however, are of a very different opinion. They despised him and the Kaiser. The care-takers say that the chief occupation of the C.P. was to change his suits. He changed suits at least twn times a day, no exaggeration. He never took an active part in the war such as planning campaigns or leading his army. He was merely a figure head, enjoyed riding his horses and automobiles. This chateau was left in tact with its beautiful paintings and priceless furniture, upholstery and tapestries. I am sleeping in a big bed with overhead drapery. I keep thinking something will wake me up from this dream. The civilian population were stripped of everything, however, all stores and live stock and not a cent of remuneration. The Germans are getting out of France as fast as they can now and letting the prisoners loose as they go. The latter are coming through the lines all the time, French, English, Russian, etc. There are not many Americans. You can’t imagine how happy they are.
Transcript
[page (2)] I shall have to close now. Give my love to all. When I get back and sit down in front of the parlor fire on a soft cushion, I’ll weep for joy. I wouldn’t have missed being in this war for anything but oh! how happy we are that all this bloodshed is over and we will no longer see the awful sights of maimed bodies and crying men on the shell torn fields of battle. Much love to all Burnham.
Details
| Title | James Kellogg Burnham Hockaday letter to mother- November 16, 1918 |
| Creator | Hockaday, James Kellogg Burnham |
| Source | Hockaday, James Kellogg Burnham Letter to mother. 16 November 1918. James Kellogg Burnham Hockaday Collection, 1917-1924. 1986.213.41. National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. |
| Description | <p>In a letter to his mother dated November 16, 1918, Hockaday discusses the armistice and speculates about when he will be coming home. Hockaday wishes that he was able to be part of the Army of Occupation, and speculates that he will be helping to rebuild post-war France. At the time the letter was written, Hockaday was stationed in the town of Stenay and living in the Crown Prince's palace.</p> |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918; United States. Army. Infantry regiment, 354th; World War, 1914-1918--Armistices; Prisoners of war; World War, 1914-1918--Reconstruction |
| Site Accession Number | 1986.213.41 |
| 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 16, 1918 |
| Language | English |