Samuel Henighary letter to Dr. Henry Milton Whelpley - October 4, 1918
Transcript
Camp Funston Kansas [October] 4 – 1918 Professor [Henry Milton] Whelpley, Editor Meyer Brothers Druggist Dear Professor:- Your letter of September 27 received and very much appreciated as it certainly reminded me that I still held the honorable Ph.G. degree although in the U.S. service. The very letter head “Meyer Brothers Druggist” the best pharmaceutical journal out, brought me back to the old college days also to the drug store ideas such as working 12 to 14 hours per day, jerk Aqua Carbinates, sell a box of face powder to a girl that needs it, fill a prescription once in six months, and if lucky enough get paid once in a great while. How different the days are spent. Every man must get up at the first note of reveille which is 5:45 in Summer 6:15 – Winter time and quickly get into proper uniform then assemble outside and step into proper rank, after which, we are put through rigid physical exercise lasting about 30 minutes After reveille, every bed must be made up, equipment arranged neatly, and a general police up around and inside of barracks, we then wash for breakfast. Upon return from breakfast the equipment is arranged for drill, leaving at 7.30 and returning at 12.00. Dinner is served
Transcript
[page 2] at 12:15 after which, a short rest is allowed before the afternoon drill commences. Following the afternoon drill there is a short intermission before the ceremony of retreat which is held at 6.00 pm everyday rain or shine. During the intermission we must all bathe, shine, change uniform, shine shoes and prepare for general inspection. After retreat we are through for the day, supper is served at 6.15. Taps which is just call for every men back to barracks is sounded at 10.00 pm., second call at 10:15 all lights are turned out and last call at 10.30 after that no man does talk or smoke, as the penalty is serious, and so a perfect day ends in the world’s best army. Doctor is pretty hard for a soldier to settle down and compose a suitable letter for publication, on our minds are constantly being filled up with war ideas “Kill – Kill – and Kill some more, but will never the less endeavor to do my very best. Upon entering the service by that I mean just as soon, as a men gets into the U.S. uniform he is given a serial number and from that time on every man is alike the Ph.G. degree is not better than any other, nor is a druggist any better than a baker or a cook, we are all messed up into one great army every body treated alike in every respect.
Transcript
Have been in service 2 months and have had everything from K.P. (meaning kitchen police an organization to which every soldier must belong before he becomes a soldier) to guard duty walking past 6 hours on and 6 off during the 24 hours. Last week I was out to rifle range about 10 miles from no-where and the life out there is every thing that general Sherman claimed war to be, and then some, the experience is what counts, I would not sell my experience at these for $100 nor would I take $500 to go through it again if I possibly could get out of it. The Army life is great if you don’t weaken under it. Am now up for a transfer to the Medical Corp, and will describe my routine there from the medical stand point when I get there. Two other boys in my Co. are druggists but they did not graduate from the St. Louis College of [Pharmacy] Three cheers for the good old college and faculty, for it turns out druggist and good ones With best of wishes to all Ph.G. I remain, yours truly Samuel Henigberg 9th Co. 164th Depot Brigade Camp Funston [Kansas] Will appreciate a line accordingly Doctor.
Details
| Title | Samuel Henighary letter to Dr. Henry Milton Whelpley - October 4, 1918 |
| Creator | Henighary, Samuel |
| Source | Henighary, Samuel. Letter to Dr. Henry Milton Whelpley. 04 October 1918. Dr. Henry Milton Whelpley Collection, 1826-1929. A1737. Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, Missouri. |
| Description | Samuel Henighary sent this letter to Dr. Henry Milton Whelpley. Dr. Whelpley was the dean of the St. Louis College of Pharmacy and editor of the Meyer Brothers Druggist magazine. Henighary compared and contrasted his life before and after joining the Army. He also described his life in the camp. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918; Camp Funston (Kan.); United States. Army. Depot Brigade, 164th |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Site Accession Number | A1737 |
| Contributing Institution | Missouri History Museum |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond those allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the Missouri History Museum: 314-746-4510 |
| 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. Contact the Missouri History Museum's Permissions Office at 314-746-4511 to obtain written consent. |
| Date Original | October 4, 1918 |
| Language | English |