Ernest McKeighan letter to Family - September 15, 1918
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[The Highlands letterhead] Camp A.A. HUMPHREYS [Virginia] SUNDAY [September] 15, 1918 My Dear Big and Little Sweethearts Your letters (2) finally reached me and they linked us up and it does not seem so far away now. There is a negro camp-meeting going on right outside my barracks while I am writing. It is surely wild but their singing is beautiful. I believe there can be no set of men get together to sing who can touch the negro when it comes to singing. You need not feel sorry about my not having the new commission as it has been if effect, as I wrote you since July 30th. I find Capt Dick did not have his any more than I did when in [Kansas City] He seems to have just put his leaves on anyway. No, I have nothing to do with the negro troops but
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[page 2] but we are on pins and needles all the time for fear they may assign us to them, which would mean going back over night away but not to the front, as they are not fighting troops. Yes, sweet, your surprise that we will give the troops a few weeks here and then join a division meets my expectations and the stay here is uncertain, I think not over four to five weeks though. Am relieved to know your allotment came. It seems to me that when it runs out I had better add the $50.00, which a Major
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[The Highlands letterhead] [page 3] Capt Beauchamp was in to see me and tell me he saw you two at the station, and he seemed disgusted at the way R.K. acted. I met Capt Thorbourne the other day. He was looking fine. I cannot find any of the returned ones who know anything about Noonan being in a school. They say he is with the Reg
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[page 4] other camps. I have cast around quite a bit for suitable places to live in and think I can get one for you but probably about 10 miles away. Still I think it best to wait a bit yet and see how things are going to jump. The tent thing is all to the mustard, (some place) but I am not in favor of putting you two precious possessions in a tent close to this camp on account of having from 6000 to 10,000 negro
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[The Highlands letterhead] [page 5] bright as any other of her age and will get along all right. I expect she will suffer some this term too is I am left in this county long. Yes, my sweetheart, I did have a pleasant and certainly a profitable time in [Washington] and yesterday I went in to buy some thread and other things I needed, and had another chance. When I got in [Washington] I called Mr Hamilton, Secy of the A.R.Co. up and he told me to use the flat again. I went to the show and when I got in the flat that night, the Pres, Mr Wooley, Vice-Pres Foster, Vice Pres Hill Secy Hamilton, Director Kubleman and Mr Down
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[page 6] were all there waiting and playing cards. (Mr Down
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[The Highlands letterhead] [page 7] matter with Mrs Callahan. You want me to tell you again about it dearie. So here goes. She has $100.00 of our money (which in effect is the case) now she should pay the paving bill of $59.20 and deliver the receipt to you, then when your interest comes due you will owe her $73.00 less $40.80 which is the balance left from the $100.00 and $59.20 the amount of the paving bill, so the sum you would owe Mrs Callahan would be $32.20. However Mr Durham should settle the matter before [October] 10th so you will know what you are to pay. You can depend on me for $50.00 from
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[page 8] the next pay as I will get that much more as a Major. I expect that if most of us would have
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[The Highlands letterhead] [page 9] deferred class. but if he is chosen as a soldier, no power on earth can help it, I think Influence can not be brought to bear after it gets by the local board. If I could do anything I most certainly would as I think one of us is enough under the circumstances. This is some letter. I got the razor strop all right, thanks. There is a little card in this letter for you my baby girl. Notice the newspaper clipping. I expect you feel for the poor girl. Please preserve the receipt from Capt Hedrick. Am sending you a map of Washington. The figure 1 represents the apartment where I stayed. 2 the way to our Camp, and Mt Vernon, Washington
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[page 10] old house, of which you will find discription in pamphlet marked.
Details
| Title | Ernest McKeighan letter to Family - September 15, 1918 |
| Creator | McKeighan, Ernest |
| Source | McKeighan, Ernest. Letter to Family. 15 September 1918. Ernest E. McKeighan Papers. 2005.14. The National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. |
| Description | Ernest McKeighan sent this letter to his wife and daughter from Camp Humpreys, Virginia. In the letter, McKeighan discussed camp activities and a variety of news. McKeighan served as part of Company E, 110th Engineers, 35th Division during World War I. |
| Subject LCSH | United States. Army. Division, 35th; World War, 1914-1918--African Americans |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; United States Army. 110th Engineers; Camp Humphreys (Va.) |
| Site Accession Number | 2005.14 |
| 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 | September 15, 1918 |
| Language | English |