Harry S. Truman letter to Bess Wallace - March 15, 1919
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[American YMCA letterhead] Le Mans, France March 15, [1919] [misdated 1918] Dearest Bess: At last we are really and truly headed for home. I am ashamed to admit that I haven't written to you for fifteen days but if you are interested in a recital of events since March 6 I'll tell you whats happened and then I hope you'll forgive me. I had two letters from you yesterday and one the day before. It certainly is pleasing to hear you say you are able to be on hand for breakfast, can go to Kansas City and do things as you always have. I've been more worried than you can imagine since you've been sick but I hope the sight of you will cure all my worries forever and if there is no slip, that shouldn't be a far distant event. It seems almost impossible that we're really headed for home and will probably sail before the middle of April. The Divisions ahead of us
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are moving before their schedule. Well to go back to Rosieres - we got the order to entrain on the sixth at Trionville-Narcios some sixteen kilometers from where we were billeted which is the usual arrangement in affairs military. Bar-le-Duc was only six kilometers but for the convenience of some regiments that were more distant we walked sixteen. The 110th ammunition train of which Major Thacher is now a part swiped our trucks and my battery had to walk all the way and carry a full pack half the way. We marched half the distance on the evening of the 5th and stayed all night with Battery B. Got up at 4:45 A.M. and went the balance of the way the next morning in the rain under full pack. Our train consisted of 46 freight cars, French make and two German second and third class passenger coaches for five batteries and the officers. You know all French freight cars are marked Cheveaux 8 Hommes 40 which means that when men are loaded
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[American YMCA letterhead] they must be pretty well squeezed in. There were about 30 to the car. Lt. Col. Gates was in command of the train. (He's been promoted since I last wrote you.) We had a long tiresome ride of two days and nights and were finally unloaded twenty kilometers from our billets although the railroad ran within six of the place where were going. Trucks were supposed to meet us be were late in coming and we started out in full pack on that twenty kilo hike. When the trucks did meet us about 3 kilos from our destination my outfit just kept on marching and whistling and carried their packs the whole way. You can't beat the Irish. If you desert them for the Gorillas when we arrive home I shall certainly be heartbroken because they're not to be mentioned in the same breath. Of course I
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don't want you to desert the home folks but I hope you will let Battery D have a small part of your attention anyway. We are billeted at a large Chateau about fifteen miles from Le Mans. There are five batteries in the place and it is sure crowded. Bat D. drew the top floor. We have to go up and down 88 steps to get to our quarters. It was certainly a dirty place when the Batteries arrived as places usually are when we arrive. But we will leave it clean. The colonel came overland in an automobile. He came out to look things over and gave us particular dickens because things weren't clean. As most squirrel head regular Army Officers he can give you hell for things not done but offers no remedy. You may be sure we are going to be strong for the regulars when we get back. If I can help make 'em work the rest of their lives with a pick and shovel I'm going to do it. I am told that 88% of the Regular Army officers were in the S. O. S. 4% in USA and
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American YMCA letterhead] 4% on the fighting front. Fifteen of them were killed. (I don't know how that happened but I reckon there were no reservists or N. G. officers handy to send out in their places. The reason that such a large percentage were over here instead of just staying in the US is because there is a 10% increase in pay and they all got increased rank. If the army as a livelihood (I can't spell anymore never could) should suddenly cease and the saloons should all close at the same time I actually don't know what would happen to those fellows. They're all too good to do an honest day's work and they don't know how if they were willing. We have inspection after inspection. There's one every day in the week but Sunday and Monday and there would be one on those days but there's nothing left to inspect and we need at least two
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days a week to get ready for the other five. I knocked him dead on a stand up inspection yesterday, but one of my corporals fainted after it was over. I've got to run to catch the train will write tomorrow or next day. I love you Sincerely Harry. Harry S. Truman Capt 129 Fa Amer. E. F.
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[ms torn] Harry S [Truman] Capt 129 F.A American EF Officers Mail [stamp] U.S. Army Postal Service A.P.O 748 5 P M 4 [March] 1919 Miss Bess Wallace 219 Delaware St Independence [Missouri] U.S.A. OK Harry S Truman Capt. 129 F.a. [stamp] A.E.F. Passed As Censored [ms illegible: 1 wd]
Details
| Title | Harry S. Truman letter to Bess Wallace - March 15, 1919 |
| Creator | Truman, Harry S. |
| Source | Truman, Harry S. Letter to Bess Wallace. 15 March 1919. Papers of Harry S. Truman Pertaining to Family, Business and Personal Affairs; Correspondence from Harry S. Truman to Bess Wallace, 1910-1919. HST-FBP_6-22_01. Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, Ind |
| Description | Letter from Harry S. Truman to his future wife, Bess Wallace, telling her that he was headed home and described his trip accross France to get the disembarkation point. Captain Truman was placed in charge of Battery D of the 129th Field Artillery Regiment from July 11, 1918 through the end of the war on November 11, 1918. During his military service Truman frequently wrote to Bess informing her of his experiences. |
| Subject LCSH | Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972; United States. Army. Field Artillery Battalion, 129th; World War, 1914-1918--Military life--United States; United States. Army. Division, 35th; Military discharge; Soldiers--Billeting |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Site Accession Number | HST-FBP_6-22_01 |
| Contributing Institution | Harry S. Truman Library and Museum |
| Rights | Documents in this file are in the public domain. |
| Date Original | March 15, 1919 |
| Language | English |