Harry S. Truman letter to Bess Wallace - November 8, 1917
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Lawton, [Oklahoma November] 8, 1917] Dear Bess: I expected to see you this morning but General Berry was in a bad humor yesterday afternoon and refused to let me off. I was all ready to leave, had my grip packed and Colonel Klemm made a special trip over to division headquarters to get me off for five days. He told the general that he was sending me on regimental business and still there was nothing doing. He's a hard boiled cookie and sure loves to sit on a national guard officer. I think he's going to make artillerymen out of us though if work counts for anything. I'm off him he's no friend of mine but I reckon it's a lot he cares. I have been so down hearted ever since that I couldn't write you until this morning. I sent you a telegram telling you of my bad luck. I didn't even get to buy Miss Nellie a wedding present. I do hope
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she had a grand wedding and that she'll be happy ever after. The Armchair Brigade (which is my help in the canteen) were as disappointed as I was. They cussed the General just as hard as I wanted to. I got up early this morning and took a fifteen mile ride over to observe fire and left the whole shebang to take care of itself. I am officer of the day tonight and have about thirteen prisoners to work. They are boys who have disobeyed orders and minor rule breakers. Two of them are the thieves I put in there. They haven't been tried yet. There is absolutely no truth in the rumor that we are leaving this place. If Col. Klemm finds out who sent that telegram he'll get about 30 days and hard labor. We sent a fellow to the guard house for ten days because he told that the hospital steward had cut a boy's hand off. So it doesn't pay to start bad stories down here. I hope you got my wire before
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noon. I was so disappointed the night before I couldn't write or wire either. The old nut may get in a better humor about Thanksgiving. I hope he does anyway because I'm going to hit him another crack. Please keep on sending me a letter once in while. Every day if you feel like it. I am awful glad that you and Mrs. Mize are backing Mrs. Klemm up. She seemed to be very much wrapped up in the Assn. I will write you later in the day and then perhaps I'll feel better. Yours always Harry
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[ms illegible: torn 2 wds] [ms illegible:3 stamps] 1917 Miss Bess Wallace 219 Delaware St Independence [Missouri]
Details
| Title | Harry S. Truman letter to Bess Wallace - November 8, 1917 |
| Creator | Truman, Harry S. |
| Source | Truman, Harry S. Letter to Bess Wallace. 08 November 1917. Papers of Harry S. Truman Pertaining to Family, Business and Personal Affairs; Correspondence from Harry S. Truman to Bess Wallace, 1910-1919. HST-FBP_4-61_01. Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, |
| Description | Letter from Harry S. Truman to his future wife, Bess Wallace, apologizing for not being able to come home and explaining why he could not leave. Captain Harry S. Truman commanded 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; Military leaves and furloughs; Klemm, Karl; World War, 1914-1918--Military life--United States |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Site Accession Number | HST-FBP_4-61_01 |
| Contributing Institution | Harry S. Truman Library and Museum |
| Rights | Documents in this file are in the public domain. |
| Date Original | November 8, 1917 |
| Language | English |