Ernest McKeighan letter to Sweethearts - May 12, 1918
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[Y.M.C.A. letterhead] France May 12 [1918] Sweethearts Mine I have covered lots of ground since I last wrote you, in fact have spent all of that time on a train or on a march, and am now even further down, slightly, than the place we, you & I, had agreed would probably go. This will give you some slight idea of where I am and make it more interesting to follow developments, and I hope cause you to worry less when you read of the big shows, as the English call them, elsewhere. Arly is back on the job with D and I have resumed my former place in the Battalion. The whole outfit are rather close together and
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[page 2] as we were at the last station where we were about fourteen miles from the line and where we could hear the roar of battle rather too plainly for entire comfort. Am billeted as comfortably as could be expected in a small village, with a couple of old folks, who have lost three or four nephews in the muss Arly and in fact all these when preceeded us, except he of the medel did not get near the battle line while here but were in school, and are now closer to the line than at any time while here. Am writing this while sitting on a high hill overlooking the village, where I can get a view of miles of the prettiest scenery one could desire and where the birds are singing as though war were unknown within a thousand miles. One cannot even hear the big guns here. Arly was pleased very much at the condition he found the Co in when he returned and they have tried to hand E back to me but I refused, not wanting it after once
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[Y.M.C.A. letterhead] [page 3] having it and having had it taken from me. J has not made good and think M will be raised and placed in command. Gee! I should surely like to see a paper printed in English. We get one once in a while and you should see it pass from hand to hand until it is so threadbare it can no longer be read after which we live in hopes of another falling into our hands sometimes Have seen no news for over a week but understand there is rather a Hot show going on before Paris though I hear no one doubting the ability to hole the Hun off. It seems strange to meet men who have been in all the hot fights for the last two and a half years and not get a scratch or at the most a wound or two. It seems impossible to live through the rain of shells
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[page 4] the Bosch lets fall, but some of them seem to get by with it for years. Was associated, at the last place, with an Officer who has been in all of the worst fights in this war and he is as good as ever, though he is carrying a slug of Hun lead the size of a marble in one of his lungs and it seems to matter nothing in his young life I will surely be glad when this is over and I can come home to you my dears. It seems like a year allready and won
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[Y.M.C.A. letterhead] [page 5] Great Scott! I can think of more things to write which would not get by and I have to watch myself very closely for fear I shall transcend the proper form. There is one thing I can allways think of and which does not convey hints to the enemy though and that is that I love you so much, sweetheart wife and the more I love you, the more I hate the Hun who makes it nessessary that we be parted, even for a day I suppose several of your letters are chasing me around France and will catch up with me sometime but it makes one mighty lonesome to be cut off from them. have had but the two which you mailed to Camp M. Am mailing this care Hubert as I am not sure where you are at this time. Give
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[page 6] my most respectful regards to your parents and Hubert. Must close and write a little to C.L. With all the love of my being Your husband Ernest Dear little daughter Your old Daddy is thinking of you
Details
| Title | Ernest McKeighan letter to Sweethearts - May 12, 1918 |
| Creator | McKeighan, Ernest |
| Source | McKeighan, Ernest. Letter to Sweethearts. 12 May 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 France. McKeighan mentioned that his unit was now stationed in a village in France and described the French country. McKeighan served as part of Company E, 110th Engineers, 35th Division during World War I. |
| Subject LCSH | United States. Army. Division, 35th; Love-letters; World War, 1914-1918--Censorship |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; United States Army. 110th Engineers |
| 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 | May 12, 1918 |
| Language | English |