Ward A-13
Camp Forrest, Tennessee
A Letter Written to "Dearest Sweet," Begun on August 15 and Finished on Sunday, August 16, 1942
Honey, I was sure glad to get your letter this afternoon. I was reading a new "Colliers" I bought yesterday and when I got your letter I layed my magazine aside, read your letter over carefully twice, then came in and parked on my bed where I lay thinking about you from 1 p.m. until 4:30 or supper time.
Since then I've still been thinking about you though I had the supper, a fair show at the Red Cross, and a jam session with another Lt., next bed, thrown in.
Emma, I honestly believe with all my heart that "I do love you and miss you as much as you do me." I love and miss you so much that it really hurts with things as they are now.
I'm in the blinkin hospital and now am headin for another one where I may be for quite a little while but I hope not. Then I've rather played dum or ignored that you were trying to tell me that you wanted to come down to see me, Honey. I'm sorry if I didn't realize how much you really wanted to. I had the money but I guess I've gone turned tight-wad. It's the only way I'll ever get my bills payed and have enough money at one time to do something worth while that will mean lots of happiness for both of us, Honey.
I'd love to have you come and see me, Darling, though you could only see me about 4 hrs. a day and be right in Tullahoma. I'm suppose to move this week or I'd say please come this weekend. Now I'll be further away but, Darling, I'll never let a few more miles make any difference.
If I've slacked up on writing or something that might lead you to think I've started to lose interest or something, Honey, I didn't mean to. I never will lose interest or be interested in anyone else. I worship you too much to do that so, Darling, whenever you want something or want me to do something that you think that I haven't thought of, just nock my ears down and tell me about it. You don't know how much I'd love to put a stop to your worries, wondering, pesky headaches, restless nights and replace them with love, peace, happiness and rest.
Maybe I've made a mountain out of your little question, Honey. It's a compliment and expresses how much you love me but I want to erase any little thought that I don't love you more than ever or trust you and miss you. And you can trust me, Honey, always.
Want part of my bed, eh? Darling, you're certainly welcome and I'd love it. Honey, you got my imagination goin, got me day dreaming. I think, though I am in the hospital, you'd find me quite alive, not a roughian though, just a might good bed pardner. Your head on my arm, I mean, you in my arms, the headaches kissed away, all worries overshadowed, maybe two sleepy people after too many Bourbons. Ha! Ain't had so much lovin in twenty years.
What have I been doing? Who me? I'll tell you later.
Sure you could go to the Theater, in p.js. If you were here in the hospital, but not too sick, or you could go as my guest, dress as you like (almost) but I'd always be on hand as your body guard.
Please tell me all about the weekend, Honey. How you liked "Suspicion," etc. Why don't Una, your folks and you just bring that picnic basket and come down tomorrow. Boy! Oh! Boy!
I sure hope Beachie makes it O.K. I'd miss him like the dickens when I hit Mt. Gilead again.
It's bedtime, Honey, so sweet dreams. God Bless you and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
9:00 a.m. Sunday
Good morning, Honey. Or are you ever going to get up? Going to let a show and a few beers keep you in bed all day?I'm really feeling pretty good this morning myself. Got up at 6:45, shaved, went over to the mess hall for breakfast then came back and raided the kitchen for a third cup of coffee. Since, I've been talking, travel talk as usual, cowponies, rodeos, mountains, just livin those four years in the west all over again.
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| Jim, sitting on the right, spent "a lots" of time in the Snowy Range west of Laramie, Wyoming. Here he's pictured with three friends. Photo taken around 1940-1941. |
Honey, I'm backing you all the way when it comes to your entries at the fair and I'm bettin on you, just as you were last year when I was (illegible) woolies.
I'll dream with you any day, any place - in a field of cotton, among the mountain pines, or floatin down the river. Who said anything about a moon?
Don't say a dish or two of popcorn, just say a dish pan full and I'll be right there. Maybe I better bring a couple beers. Emma, I love you too no matter what happens and if anything happens I will let you know. I have everytime so far.
I'm really feeling pretty good, Honey, most of the time I'm running around deviling the other patients or putting myself at their mercy as their "goat."
Friday I had a pass from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. so I got in uniform, grabbed a taxi and hit for Tullahoma. By three o'clock I had two beers (Blue Ribbon), had payed my life Insurance, done some shopping, and gone to the show - to see "Tuttles of Tahiti" which was just fair. From 5:00 to 7:30 I drank beer, coffee, and ate a steak at the Jackson with some old 129th boys.
All told I have five beers, got as tired as I ever was, had a fair time and missed you a lots. The greatest thing about the whole afternoon was the pleasure I got out of being able to walk as much as I wanted to without any sing of a pain or soreness, the right leg felt just the same as the left for a change. At 8 p,m, I was back here where I talked at 90 per for an hour, then hit the hay for the best nights sleep I've had for six weeks.
(Won't you have a glass of apple juice with me, Honey? If I could just age it about two months, Ha!)
Yesterday morning I got up feeling fine went to physio-therapy as usual then settled back to the old reading game with a new "Colliers" and "American Magazine." about 1 p.m. your letter came, Oh! Boy! Lucky me.
I don't know just what day this week that they will put me aboard the train for that blinkin old "peach State" but I'm going to be rather busy getting my baggage packed, clearing the station financial statement, and signing out. I rather hate to leave Camp Forrest but maybe I can come back if I can't get assigned to some northern post after I get out of Lawson.
I'll promise to leave those "Peaches" absolutely alone, Honey, mushy or not. I did before and it wasn't a hard job.
The old sun is shining bright but it isn't hot yet, just wait until this afternoon.
If you'll please hurry, Honey, maybe I can get an answer to this letter before I leave Camp Forrest. I'll write as soon as I get to Lawson and I'll try to call you just before I leave here and give you all the latest dope.
As usual, I didn't know I was writing so much so please excuse me. My trouble is that I take a whole page to say what you can say in three or four lines and make it sound just as if you were in my arms and talking to me.
Boy how I miss that mischevious little smile when your eyes make me turn flip-flops inside.
How about it, do you still have those nice long fingernails that my knees and shins are so allergic to?
If you'll just have me alone, Honey, till I get this old buggy headed home or parked in the middle of the road I'll take care of that kissing business too. How I love you, Darling.
I must hurry to get this in the mail. So until a little later May God bless you and keep you safe for me.
A sweet and tender hug and kiss.
I remain as always
only yours, lovingly
Jim
p.s Why were the Deon Quins all girls?
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