John Hodge Bollin papers, 1918-1920.

ArchivalResource

Bollin, John Hodge. John Hodge Bollin papers, 1918-1920.

John Hodge Bollin papers, 1918-1920.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/727669079

Letters, 1918-1920, from U.S. Army officer chiefly written to his parents and brother in Columbia, S.C., describing training, travel, hospitalization, camp life in the trenches, details of combat duty and surviving gas attacks, enrollment at the Infantry Weapons School - Third Corps School (Nevers, France), off-duty activities and other news in the United States, Great Britain, and France during and after World War I. Description of his ocean voyage to England; arrival in Great Britain, commenting on the beauty of the English countryside, and the enthusiastic welcome from the British people, "I never saw or heard such a welcome as we got. The people lined the street for miles and miles cheering," and although noting the marked lack of younger men, he did remark on the youth of the population, "there are millions of kids. I never saw so many children in my life" (15 August 1918). Letters from France describe his impressions of battle on the front lines, his hospitalization first mentioned in a letter of 1 Oct. 1918 [due to pneumonia]; in a subsequent letter, Bollin anticipates the fall of Turkey, and expresses admiration for the perseverance of the French people during the war, Despite the trenches, gun emplacements, and destroyed homes, Bollin observed "one would never think that the Hun was so close or that he had swept over this part of the country... these people go about their work just as usual. They work like the devil too but all are cheerful and seem to know that in the end the Allies will win" (3 Oct. 1918). Letter, 26 Dec. 1918, expresses regret at missing Christmas at home and remaining overseas after the war's end, and reporting that he had yet to receive his pay for Nov., although other men in his company had waited far longer for payment, and warning that he would not be returning to the U.S. with war souvenirs, "I have not gathered together any junk as most Americans do for it is too much trouble to take it around so don't expect a bunch of junk when I get back. Most Americans are crazy over gathering up stuff. They say you know that Germany fought for conquest of the world. England fought for freedom of the sea. France fought for Alsace & Lorraine and America fought for souvenirs."; and letter, 19 Jan. 1919, responding to news of his father's death in South Carolina. Letter, 3 Feb.1919, anticipating re potential political career for Gen. John J. Pershing, and scoffing at prohibition of alcohol in the United States: "I sure hope Gen. Pershing runs for the big place in Washington. I have seen in the papers where some people want him to run. I know of just about 2,000,000 votes he would get." The same letter bespeaks his lack of enthusiasm for Prohibition: "I see by the papers that since they have put booze out of the States that they now expect to stop tobacco, cussing and gambling. I wish them luck on the last three. They will have a sweet chance when this bunch from over here get back."

75 items.

University of South Carolina, System Library Service, University Libraries