James Kellogg Burnham Hockaday letter to mother - October 5, 1918
Transcript
Somewhere in France, Oct. 5th., 1918. My Dearest Mother:- I can’t understand why my letters are not coming through more regularly to you. I am writing you every chance I get. Several of the men have told me that their families have not heard from them for quite awhile. Captain Pinkerton says his family have not heard from him since he has been over. If you see them tell them that he is all O.K. He is in command of a battalion now, which is back here in reserve for awhile. This is Hugh Pinkerton. Paul is also well. I am mighty glad Lieutenant Barnett saw you. I have received a good letter from him since he has returned to the States. I am no more where he told you I was. We went straight forward from there twelve miles. I am quite a ways north of where you told me Scarritt Jones is located. The information I.O. got from Dr. Finney, as to my location, is entirely wrong. I don’t know where I shall be when this letter reaches you. Evidently you have received no mail since I have been in action. Possibly a submarine made a lucky strike. I have gotten quite a few letter lately, and you don’t know how happy they have made me. They all came just at the right time. I have received one from Marg. Yeomans, and one from Dor. Scarritt, which I shall try to answer soon. I wrote Francis Fennelly the other day, and told her when she saw you to tell you I was O.K. I am delighted to hear about Simpson, Ed. Keith and A.D. Junior must have enjoyed Culver. There is nothing like the military life. Mrs. Mitchell I am sure had a wonderful time. I wrote you in my last letter that the Colonel had been relieved from command of his regiment. I sure would like to try out that new Buick. I have been going in these little motorcycle side-cars and on horse back mostly of late. At night we can use no lights whatever, and I have smashed three motorcycle cars so far. Was thrown about twenty feet each time, but no serious injuries yet. This is certainly a great game Mother Dear, a fellow has to show the best he has in him, and believe me every man over here is doing it. You can’t be too proud back there of our wonderful army over here. I was out on patrol last night with my detachment of twenty men. We had not been out long until we ran into three enemy machine guns. They opened up on us, but all of my men held his position and returned the fire with bullets from the machine guns whizzing all around us. We only lost one man, but accounted for four Dutchmen, and silenced the guns. A night patrol is the most
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[page 2] sporty kind of fighting in this war, in my opinion. Mother Dear don’t worry about my heavy clothing. I have had it on for sometime. I don’t need a thing. Am trying to find a way to send back three-fourths of what I have now. I received the address book sometime ago, and will certainly make use of it the first chance I get. I have not seen anyone from home yet, and from the looks of things, do not believe I will for sometime to come. Give my love to Father, I.O. and Junior. I wrote Aunt Jessie a letter a few days ago. Much love to you Mother Dear. I would not be at all surprised if we would have a fine time next Summer. Much love, Burnie.
Details
| Title | James Kellogg Burnham Hockaday letter to mother - October 5, 1918 |
| Creator | Hockaday, James Kellogg Burnham |
| Source | Hockaday, James Kellogg Burnham Letter to mother. 5 October 1918. James Kellogg Burnham Hockaday Collection. 1986.213.37. National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. |
| Description | <p>In a letter written to his mother dated October 5, 1918, Hockaday discusses the mail service, riding on motorcycles, and running into enemy machine gun fire while on patrol.</p> |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918; United States. Army. Infantry regiment, 354th; Military motorcycles |
| Site Accession Number | 1986.213.37 |
| 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 | October 5, 1918 |
| Language | English |