Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1917-11-21
MOTHER GIVES UP
HUSBANDS AND SONS
Brave and Patriotic Letter of
Pennsylvania Woman With
Six Children at Home. Colonel
Richards Gallant Reply.

Here is story that appeared in sew
eral northwestern PennSyIYanla papers
The Venango Herald, Butler Citizen, Erie
Times and others, aud because it posses
SEES real appeal it is produced herewith.
Particular attention is called TO the let
ter that q mother of eight children, VINO
as well as her husband wrote to the
commanding officer of the 112th Regi-
ment Here is the story:
Sought Mo Great Favor.
Camp Hancock, Augusta, Ca, Nov. 3
Amid routine of the army life with drills,
grim work on the field, practice hikes,
and details that sometimes tire mems
brains, one is apt to forget that there is
a sentimental side.
Letters pour into Headquarters, con-
tanning all kinds of requests. Some seek
discharges for boys who entered under
age. some for boys whom mothers claim
are not strong enough TO stand the bat
tie stuff but here is one, written with
a true understanding of patriotism that
reached Colonel Richards desk the other
morning.
1t sought no great favor. 1t was writ
ten in poor, but firm hand, evidently
by woman of little education, but by
a mother who had been schooled i'll all the
branches of patriotic inspiration and had
been given diploma many times over
heart beat little faster for the good old
u. s. A., and for the women back home
God bless en-. who are making the sac
rif1ces.
The letter, which was from Carlisle,
Pa, read:
Colonel Richards:
Dear Sir:-I have two sons and hus-
band in the army. One son, James w G.
is in the field bakery, and James
Edgar is in Company G, 1f2th Regiment,
2Sth Division 56th Brigade. and he would
like to be transferred over in the COM
pany with his brother. Won't you please
transfer him over as l would like them
both to be together as they have always
been together, and | would like them to
stick together. Please do this for me,
and my dear boys; if you do, you will
never be sorry.
MY heart is with my two dear boys and
husband. They volunteered to serve their
country and | am proud-of them and it
almost broke my heart to give them up.
But when the cali for men came, they
went MY husband would not have had
sons and his sons, so ] gave my consent
for him to go. He was past the age when
he could have stayed at home, for ! have
five small children and he could have been
excused, as you know, but l am proud
of him and my Two boys and hope you will
please put my two sons together in the
field bakery. I hope you will recognize
this letter and write me, and let me know
if you will do this favor for me.
Mother of Eight Children
81 am 80 years old and the mother Of
eight children; two I have sent to the
army to fight if necessary for Old Glory,
the dear old flag that my dear old father
fought for and the one / will stand for,
1t is hard to part with our dear men, but
we can be proud of them. / want them TO
do their duty to their. officers and to their
country and to be brave, good men, which
/. their mother, know that they will do
if called to do so. So hope and pray
you will do what ! ask of you, dear sir.
May God bless you and take care Of
you and my husband and boys, and all
the rest of our brave men, is the prayer
of a mother. May Gods mercy watch
over YOU all and bring you all home safe.
An unknown friend, heart broken
mother and wife.
'My husband is cook in Company d, 8th
Infantry, Camp Hancock"
Colonel Richards Reply.
The letter made a great impression on
Colonel Richards, and in reply, he said
Il have your letter and assure you that
TO bring about the transfer OF your son
to the field, bakery as you request. |
James, transferred from the bakery to the
18th Infantry, for I know what kind Of
STUFF boys with a mother such as they
have, are made of.