(22) Letter: Jack Bentley to Cornelia Bentley, January 12, 1919.

January 12th Dearest Mother, It has now been some time since I have written to thee and there has been little of unusual interest to send. I am inclosing a clipping that expresses my feelings intirely. There is going to be an unholy mess if we are ordered to Russia & it isn't a nice rumor to have as a bed fellow. Still I will go if I have to. That "have to" ia a wonderful stimulent in this old game of life & I am beginning to feel that life is a sort of trial or something. I need human sympathy

someone who understands and apreciates what it means to have to fight ones battles alone and to stand on ones own feet squarely and without any help at all - its trying and hard. And I am homesick tonight not because I am here but because I don't see myself getting home for at least four months and maybe not then, and its all the fault of that old nut of a Colonel in 313th that transfered me - he didn't know me from the side of shoe leather and if he had of known I had served

with them all through it would have been much different. Don't mind this letter [was?] but did I feel blue tonight and its no use camoufloging this is without doubt the most dreary place in the world today. Drill all day today. Tomorrow a manuver - breakfast 530 A.M Well better times will come I speck today. I may wear the 6 months service stripe that everone so proudly displays it is a gold V on the left sleeve. Wounds go on the right

Give my regards to Robert and Granville and Clarence. I would like to know just how the horses are the colts, whether the barracks has fallen down yet how much hay there will be to see if Robert is plowing for corn and whether the cows are doing well how many you are milking and lots more. Hoping thee won't feel as badly after reading this as I do having written it. I remain Thine Jack