Letter to Philip C. Brooks - n.d.
Transcript
Mr. Phillip C. Brooks, Director Harry S. Truman Library 24 Highway at Delaware Independence, Missouri Dear Mr. Brooks: I have recently been going over some letters of my father John H. Thacher formerly of Kansas City, Missouri, and found rather a large collection of letters written by Mr. Thacher during the First World War. Mr. Thacher was a Captain in the 129th Field Artillery, Battery D and a persoal friend of President Truman’s for many years. I have never quite understood exactly the military relationship but I believe that Mr. Truman took over Battery D on it’s arrival in France. I have found these letters, mostly written to Mr. Thacher’s law partners, of Rozzelle, Vineyard & Thacerh of Kansas City. The letters describe is considerable detail the movements of the Battery from October, 1918 to February 1919. Mr. Thacher gives accounts of fighting in the Voges Mountains, and eight hour German barrage at St. Mihiel, fighting at Charpentry and Baulny. The attitude toward the war, is to me of great interest, so different from the war of today. The attitude toward “Fritz,” and the complete surprise to the troops of the signing of the Armistice. Mr. Thacher gives a most vivid description of the armistice celebrations as witness from the trenches. Although Mr. Truman is actually only mentioned once in the letters, and then concerning an effort by the officers to make some sort of a Christmas celebration for the troops, I believe these letters are very closely concerned with Mr. Truman’s war experiences.
Description
Letter to Philip C. Brooks, the director of the Harry S. Truman Library, most likely from one of Captain John H. Thatcher's children. The author informed Brooks of papers they had from their father during his service and asked if the museum would be interested in possessing them. Before the war, Thacher worked as an attorney with the firm Rozelle, Vineyard, Thacher, and Boys. He served on the Mexican Border and was later drafted into the Federal Army as Captain of the 129th Field Artillery. After Harry S. Truman took command of the 129th Field Artillery, Thacher was appointed adjutant of the 1st Battalion of the 129th Field Artillery , and later assumed command of the 110th Ammunition Train of the 35th Division.
Transcript
As you kbow Battery D always remained a very close unit and I can remember well the annual dinner that was always held at our house in Kanseas. In fact at one time when I was quite young I can remember my father teaching me several of the bugle calls, which I played on a small toy bugle, much to amusement of the Battery D guests. Since that memorable occasion I have had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Truman several times, as he and my father always managed to see something of each other through the years although, much to President Truman’s amusement, for I can remember him joking about it once, my father remained a staunch Republican although he enjoyed tremendously at least one if not two visits with the President at the White Houe. If the above letters are of any interest to youfor the Truman Library I would be delighted to forward them to you for your inspection.
Description
Letter to Philip C. Brooks, the director of the Harry S. Truman Library, most likely from one of Captain John H. Thatcher's children. The author informed Brooks of papers they had from their father during his service and asked if the museum would be interested in possessing them. Before the war, Thacher worked as an attorney with the firm Rozelle, Vineyard, Thacher, and Boys. He served on the Mexican Border and was later drafted into the Federal Army as Captain of the 129th Field Artillery. After Harry S. Truman took command of the 129th Field Artillery, Thacher was appointed adjutant of the 1st Battalion of the 129th Field Artillery , and later assumed command of the 110th Ammunition Train of the 35th Division.
Details
| Title | Letter to Philip C. Brooks - n.d. |
| Creator | Unknown |
| Source | Unknown. Letter to Philip C. Brooks. n.d. John H. Thacher Papers. Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, Independence, Missouri. |
| Description | Letter to Philip C. Brooks, the director of the Harry S. Truman Library, most likely from one of Captain John H. Thatcher's children. The author informed Brooks of papers they had from their father during his service and asked if the museum would be interested in possessing them. Before the war, Thacher worked as an attorney with the firm Rozelle, Vineyard, Thacher, and Boys. He served on the Mexican Border and was later drafted into the Federal Army as Captain of the 129th Field Artillery. After Harry S. Truman took command of the 129th Field Artillery, Thacher was appointed adjutant of the 1st Battalion of the 129th Field Artillery , and later assumed command of the 110th Ammunition Train of the 35th Division. |
| Contributing Institution | Harry S. Truman Library and Museum |
| Rights | Documents in this file are in the public domain. |
| Date Original | June 27, 2018 |
| Language | English |