Ernest McKeighan letter to Wife - July 21, 1918
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France July 21 [1918] My Sweetheart Wife, I am still at the school and am writing this Sunday after having worked all day, and I am extremely tired. We of the American Army, are being strenuously trained and it is showing up at the front. just before I started to write this letter I saw a [New York] paper which told of the rough way in which the French and American troops treated the Hun in his own drive, was not ethical. I expect he thinks his perfectly good drive should
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[page 2] not be thusly treated. He does not like the way we fight at all. Yesterday I received your letter of May 23d it was some late reaching me but probably chased me all over the mountains. When it reached me, I was amply repaid for the wait as not only was it about the sweetest and most newsy letter you have sent me, but the one from my little girlie made me glad all over. It seems a
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[page 3] shame that the card announcing my safe arrival here, took such a long time to reach you as I was here on May 9th as I told you before. Yes, sweetheart I did get the letters you sent to Camp
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[page 4] you could pretty nearly dope out about all the news and locations of the outfits. It is nice that you all have Bell Phones, so you can keep in touch. I am glad to know this as should I be sent back for any purpose. I would call you if on the long distance and let you know, That is I could if I were given permission to get off the dock, which I was not when we sailed. That letter you mention written on board ship
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[page 5] was written as we were approaching the harbor and it was a nervious time for all. Those ladies who told you the number of soldiers and crew on the boat, were victims of rumors the same as we are here, also one of your letters intimated that you knew the name of the boat but from your letter I know you were mistaken. Yes! you may be sure we talked of you after you left and there were several far from dry eyes about. All
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[page 6] hard boiled Nooman was in a blue state for a time but we had to get so busy at once that we got over it pretty
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[page 7] much bathing and care. You want to know what we did the evening you left, Well! for one thing we did not go to bed at all we were so busy getting everything ready and cleaning camp, which we left broom clean. We went to the train and within one hour were under way, with no delay or confusion. Am so glad you are in the Eastern Star, it makes me feel far more comfortable. About those drives you speak of and your
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[page 8] wish that you were rich. Don
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[page 9] right and fully expect to hold your dear form in my arms at a not distant date. This holocaust has broadened and strengthened your charicter as I can trace and see in the letters you write and I hope it has done the same for me. It seems to me that we should finish life, should I be spared, much happier than we have been if that be possible. Am enclosing a clipping of
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[page 10] an English paper. I have seen this place, and it is most wonderful. Think I shall write a separate letter to C.L. as it would probably make her feel larger. Oh! sweetheart, I do long to hole you to my heart and kiss you till you called out for mercy. Your loving husband Ernest Thanks for the sweet little poem E. censored EmcKeighan capt of Engrs US.N.G.
Details
| Title | Ernest McKeighan letter to Wife - July 21, 1918 |
| Creator | McKeighan, Ernest |
| Source | McKeighan, Ernest. Letter to Wife. 21 July 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 from France. In the letter, McKeighan mentioned his training school, avoiding lice in the trenches, and other family affairs. 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--Military life--United States; Love-letters |
| 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 | July 21, 1918 |
| Language | English |