Kentucky - Letters from Home
In November of 1918, Bert Hodges was enrolled in the Field Artillery Central Officers Training School at Camp Zachary Taylor. Bert had been accepted in the 10th Training Battery, and was due to graduate from the six week course on December 11, 1918. When the armistice was signed on November 11, 1918, Bert was excited to hear the news.
Bert, and his brother David, were from Antrim, New Hampshire, and both had enlisted in the army. David was with AEF, 86th Division, and was in France when the war ended. On November 18, 1918, Bert wrote a letter to his brother, expressing his excitement about the great news. Unfortunately, David never got the letter because he had died from disease before it reached him. The following is the transcript of Bert's letter to David.
(Postmark - November 21, 1918, 3:30 pm)
Louisville, Ky, Taylor Branch
To: David H. Hodges A.E. F.
86th Division
France
From: B. T. Hodges
10th Tr. Btry
F.A.C.O.T.S.
Camp Zachary Taylor, Ky
11/18/18
I expect the excitement we are having here over peace is nothing compared to what you are witnessing over in France. I envy you and all the more because I'm almost sure now that I'll never get across. No more commissions in the regular army are being given at this school. The best we can do is get a commission in the reserve with the possibility of seeing a little active service. This morning we have had a morning off so that all those who wish to resign immediately may. However our battery has only three weeks more until graduation, so practically all are going to stick it out. Half of these too want active duty on finishing too, but I don't care particularly for it during demobilization. I want to finish and then get out and earn a little bit to start school again with .
If I thought I'd ever get a chance to go across I'd be willing to sign up right away for active duty, but such chances I figure aren't more than one in a hundred.
You're letter was certainly interesting as anything you may write about will be. The day after I received it, I got one you had written mother also. I sent mine on to her. Here's hoping that the time is not many months off now when you can tell us all of your experience without fear of censors cutting it out.
This course in Field Artillery has certainly been interesting. Actually I was getting in love with the work but now that peace has come the big incentive for the army life has gone and I only want to get back to my premedic work.
I was rather planning to send you a snapshot of myself with this letter but just heard that George was just getting over an attack of “flu”. So I tucked the last one of three I had had with his letter. I'll try to have one to send you before long.
Mother wrote that Mike graduated Wed. from Harvard Radio. I expect that means that he will get on the water before long and as he enlisted for four years, I expect peace does not affect him greatly.
I am hoping to get home and spend the winter in the woods lumbering or doing something like that. As I said it's only four weeks till graduation if we are successful. Next week we go to the range, live in tents and have actual target practice with our Brit and Amer. 3” field pieces.
Must close now with the best of wishes.
As ever
Bert
Bert did graduate as a 1st Lieutenant from the Field Artillery School on December 11, 1918 . His letter to his brother David finally made it back to Camp Zachary Taylor on March 25, 1919, which was then forwarded to him in Antrim, NH. where he returned after being discharged from the army.