Thursday

Sept. 28, 1944

My dearest wife:

Well honey we are out in the field again. We are all lined up ready to go, only one thing they changed our leaving time. We won’t be going tomorrow like planned. Now we are scheduled to leave on Saturday. This is one of the most miserable nights I have ever spent out in the field. Besides being lonesome and in love with my wife, it has been raining ever since we got here, and I really mean raining. Not many of the boys have their tents pitched because the ground was too wet. Some of them are boys are climbing in trucks and wherever they can find a place that is the least bit dry. As for myself, I haven’t found a place yet unless I sleep in the cab. Incidentally that is where I am now writing to you. I had an awful time until I found a place and paper to write. This paper was the only thing I could find at the moment, but I guess it will do. I am using a flashlight for light. I am wet now and I guess I couldn’t get much wetter. I hope it stops soon so I can get dried off a little. I hate wet clothes, especially when its cold. We had fun tonight trying to eat our stew before it was washed out by the rain. I don’t know who won the rain or me. Anyway I couldn’t eat much of it because I don’t care very much for it. I guess that is enough about the bivouac.

I really feel sorry for you honey, no kidding. You must be awfully busy at home. I can’t see how you can do all that work with a baby and carrying another. Doesn’t your mother help you any with the laundry or with the baby. You probably do the washing and ironing for the whole family. Take it a little easy honey you don’t get any credit for it and it isn’t doing you a bit of good. Maybe I am sticking my neck out, but my interests are strictly in you. I’d hate to see anything happen to you if it wasn’t necessary. I’d never forget it. You see Maggie I worry about you, and if I wouldn’t who would. I am very much in love with you and my family. I don’t want you working so hard and that is an order. Take it or leave it. Try putting some of that work on someone else. Don’t git me wrong now honey, you see that I am in love with you. My heart and soul is with you because I left it there when I left.

Is the baby’s cold any better? I do miss him so. I still would like to be with him to see him grow up. Before you know it he will be a little man, and no daddy around to help bring him up his way. I won’t be able to do anything with the children when I get out. They won’t know me at all and will treat me like a stranger. They will probably be spoiled some what because of all the people telling them what to do. It isn’t right having children without a father no matter what you say. I will miss the most important part of their life. When they start to walk and when they say their first word until they start talking your ear off. That is one of the most important things about bringing up your children. You are in hell no matter how you look at it. I am not bitching or complaining just stating the fact that they should have a father. Maybe I have the wrong ideas about life. What do you think? I only hope and pray that our little girl will be only as good or half as good a baby as the boy of yours. He was a very good baby to my estimation. I never did see one as good as he, any place. No wonder take a good look at his mother. The most beautiful girl in the world, and built so solid and sturdy, you have no flaws whatsoever in your appearance and looks. Take it from me and hundreds of others that say you or your picture. I have had many remarks about you, and good ones.

I want to tell you again that your cake really did taste good. In fact I ate most of it myself before anyone else had a chance. I think I ask you before – Did you bake it? Anyway I’ll take another anytime. I could use those films on these maneuvers. I’d like to show you a picture of our big trucks.

You just gave me a good idea on a name for that chicken honey. But on the second thought I think it is a rooster because I heard it crow this morning. You are very lucky.

From the news I heard the other night the war news does seem pretty black. I really think things are getting tough, although I’m not very much up on the subject being I was kept so busy and also out in the field all this week. I heard someone say last night that the radio said it wouldn’t be over until 1947. They also said, “We will be seeing the Golden Gate in 48. But who knows the answer yet? There must be another war bond drive starting. The civilian one is slowing up very much too. They think it is almost over. I was very surprised by the attitude the people had when I was home. We think differently of it here. Its not only me that saw the difference it is all the boys that go home on furlough. They (civilian) should keep in there pitching.

I took the hint about the stamp situation you are in, but I am in know position to get any for you out here. Couldn’t you buy a stack of them and send me a bill. I haven’t checked up on that Toledo deal yet, but I believe it would take too long. I could be at your place sooner.

Please, Maggie try to keep up the swell letter you have been writing to me. I really appreciate them. And if you would only know how much better I feel when I hear from you every day you would see why I want you to keep it up. I think I have been doing a pretty good job too. I almost thought I would miss tonight, but it worries me so I got to it.

Maggie, you have been on my mind so much lately. I don’t know why, maybe you have an answer. I never loved you as much as I do now. It just grows and grows all of the time. No matter how angry I seem to get, I can’t seem to stop loving you for one minute, it just gets worse every day. I love you my dearest wife, Maggie, love you with all my heart and soul. Tell me again that you love me. It sounds so good from you.

I think I will close for tonight sweetheart. Remember, I love you.

Give all the children a kiss for me. [edited for content]

Goodnight my sweet.

All my love,

Preston.