World War I Collection

[Imprinted: ALASKA ARIZONA CALIFORNIA IDAHO MONTANA NEVADA OREGON UTAH WASHINGTON

STANDARD FORMS BUREAU [centered] 277 PINE STREET [centered] TELEPHONE SUTTER 4560 [centered]

H. L. A. BATES SECRETARY-MANAGER

TRADE MARK STANDARD

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.,]

Dec 19th 1918

My dear old Sned:

We received your letter of Nov. 12th yesterday, so you see what a long time elapsed, and what a Godsend to us your cable was telling us you were well. I think Mother and I would have been in the lunatic asylum had we not received your cable, and had had to wait until now to know that you had passed Nov 11th unhurt.

Dec 20th. Lesley has been discharged and arrived home last Monday. He went to Auburn last night to get a certificate from the School Board and expects to be back tonight. He does not know yet what he will do, but we have understood that male teachers are in demand. While we were at dinner last night, Jos came in unexpectedly. He is through at Nelson, but may go back to the Willows Ranch to go into the hog end of the game. He was tremendously interested as we all were in your letter, which I have had copied and have sent to Nor, Dick, Grandmother Rixon and Henry Culloden, all of whom will be anxious to see it. You certainly have been having your share of fighting and hardships and it was [word crossed out] Divine Providence that stopped the fight before you had to go through the wire. Mother says "the poor dear boy, not having a bath for over two months, and not having taken off his clothes for over a month."

It certainly was tough, and after this anything better will seem like luxury to you. In the last Army & Navy Register which came last night, it gives the names of those receiving the D.S.C. and among them is Col Bearss and Major Lewis for their work

over I would like to see you home. I see that the Govt will release men who wish to return to their colleges, and I suppose "men" includes officers. Did I tell you that I saw in the Army & Navy Register about a month ago, that Colonel Bearsse and Major Lewis were given the D.S.C. for their part in the Marcheville fight, in which you so distiguinshed yourself. Helen arrived at Manila on the 5th inst according to a cable she sent her people. Dicks birthday is next Thursday, and Mother made him a big cake. She was going to ice it, and send candles etc, but had to rush to Los Angeles, so I sent him the cake as it was.

The dear boy is still at Key West, and very much disgusted with the place. Daniels says that one half of all the Navy is to be kept on both the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts beginning next June, and that the fleets are to be equal in every way. I hope that our Dickiewick gets out here. Lesley has gone to Berkeley this pm. to see some Educator on business. He is quite unsettled in mind and would like to go to China. Well Edward dear I have spent my Sunday writing to Dick and Mother and you. The Misses Robinson called this pm, and the George Anderson girls brought Les & me a lemon pie. Lots of love & hugs for you my dear boy from your loving father HLA Bates

[Written sideways in the left margin] Monday Jan 13th Mother telephoned today. Jos doing well. Sitting up in bed.