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WWI Sept 1918 Letter from Major of 14th ENGINEER Regt. in France GREAT CONTENT
$ 10.55
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Description
World War I soldier's letter, 2 pgs., approx. 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", written inFrance
, and dated
Sept. 24, 1918
, from Major Robert G. Henderson, 14th Engineer Regiment, to his sister-in-law, Mabel, married to his brother, Harry P. Henderson.
Includes an envelope from this correspondence, but not belonging with this letter, for the purpose of confirming the identity of the writer of this letter.
The 14th Engineer Regiment was recruited in New England, mostly from railroad men, and arrived in France in the fall of 1917. They did important work repairing railroads, building railroads and bridges, often under gun and artillery fire.
Robert G. Henderson was born in Salem, Mass. in 1889; graduated from Harvard Univ. in 1910 and went to work for the Boston & Albany Railroad in the office of the Superintendent in 1911; Served 2 years as Capt. and Major in the 14th Engineers (Railway) in France in WWI; After the war, he continued to work for the Boston & Albany Railroad.
Great content
, writing of "touring" France on troop trains for the past two months, and getting to see much of the country, though it will be a much nicer country after the war; He writes of the Regiment now being designated the 14th Engineers, Light Railway, and details their duties, which include burying dead horses!
Includes:
"Dear Mabel,
Your letters of July 8, 23, Aug. 12 and 16th arrived two days ago (damn the mail service). However, as we have been touring France on troop trains...for two months, there is some excuse. I always wanted to see a lot more of France, but it will be a much nicer country apres la guerre than now. As a long suffering private on one march remarked: 'No more promenading avec packs apres la guerre fini'.
Just now we are billeted in a town that is so small as to escape Fritz's attention to date, saying which, we knock on wood. I am more or less working with a Captain Dudley, a 1902 man and a mining engineer who knows Harry very well. The regiment is now known as the 14th Engrs (Light Railway), so naturally we repair roads, bury dead horses, build railroads, bridges, move from town to town and then back again. In fact we do what we are told and when we have any kind of a job at all, are happy. It sure does take army life to teach one what the absolute bare essentials are. I'll have to admit though, that I'd pretty sure sell my soul for a dish full of Burlington asparagus..."
Fine.
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