1917

Joan Chamberlinn

May 19, 1917

Dearest Joan,

I hope London is treating you well and your studies are going smoothly. We all miss you over here in Fort Worth. I'm afraid that I have some bitter news. Just yesterday, President Wilson issued a draft. The United States has called for a declaration of war against Germany and all men between the ages of twenty-one and thirty are expected to serve. As I am twenty-two as of February, I need to conform to the conscription. Congress passed a $250 million arms appropriations bill just this past winter, and everyone I know has suspected circumstances such as these. I wish that I could write to you with better news, but please do not worry about me. I will not be attending my third year of university this coming fall, but I promise to earn the money to support you in our future life together. I know how close you and my sister are, so I must tell you that dear little Alice is gaining strength. The doctor expects her to be liberated from her pneumonia by Christmastime. Hopefully the war will be over by then and we can hold a small reunion. I miss you very dearly. Please stay safe and take care of yourself.

All my love,

Anthony Harvey