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LETTERS HOME
Judson W. Dennis; Sergeant, Company L, 119th Infantry,
American Expeditionary Forces
March 18, 1892 ~ October 17, 1918
Judson W. Dennis was a 24 year old farm boy from Model, Tennessee in Stewart
County. He was an unmarried farmer and raised tobacco on land he shared
with his brother, Tom. From his letters home, we know that he owned a mare,
Old Annie, of which he was very fond. We also know he had many friends and
was very fond of his brother Tom and wife Minnie's two little girls, Hazel
and Helen.
Judson corresponded with his mother Minnie Dunlap Murphy of Granite City, IL
and his brother, Thomas Milton Dennis of Tip Top, TN from the time of his
departure from Tennessee in Sept. 1917 for Camp Sevier in Greenville, S.C.
until days before his death in France in 1918. Following, in
chronicological order are those letters, transcribed by his great-niece, Jan
Dennis Philpot. Because of the materials with which he sometimes had to
write, as well as creases in the paper, it is sometime difficult to make out
all he is saying. In these few cases, a ? appears where this is unclear.
Following his letters is a transcription of the telegraph informing Tom of
his brother's death, as well as a letter from a soldier friend of Jud's who
was with him at his death.
Greenville, South Carolina September 1917
Dear Bro. and Family-
How are you all by now? I'm fine and like it here just fine. This is
a fine place and we have forty thousand soldiers here now so you can imagine
what a place this is. They are carrying on the greatest work here I ever
saw. This will be the largest camp in the world when they get it finished.
We are no more 2nd Tennessee Infantry, but have been changed to Co. A 1st
Training Batallion 55 Depot Brigade. This means we may be called out to go
to France now just any day. I don't believe that we will be here until
Christmas now. We moved yesterday from where we first went to camp. I like
here just fine. We never get lonesome here. Always something to go to.
Have fine Y.M.C.A.s all over the camp, moving picture shows, meetings,
schools of all kinds. We can take any course we want to take here in any books.
How is Hazel, Helen and Minnie getting along? Tell them hello for me.
We have taken our vacination the other day. Made some awfully sick. I am
very near well of my vaccination.
They killed a soldier boy here yesterday. I saw him. He was killed
because he would not obey orders. Eight soldiers shot him. It seems bad
but he would not obey orders and refused to work.
We have never got our money yet. The Major said we would get it Monday.
Well tell all hello for me.
Yours Sincerely,
Corp. Judson W. Dennis
Co. A 1st Training Batallion
55 Depot Brigade Camp Sevier
Greenville, S. C.
Sunday, April 28, 1918 6 p.m. Camp Sevier Greenville, S.C.
Dear Mother-
Will write you a word. I'm well and all (?0 St.?) well. We are
almost ready to sail for that country unknown to us soldier boys. We went
in quarantine at 12:00 last night. I don't know just how many days we will
be in quarantine. You know all troops are quarantined before leaving for
overseas. We are willing and ready to sail for we feel it is our duty and a
debt we owe to our country to be loyal sons and true to our red, white and
blue that shall wave forever. We feel that we are going to be cared for and
someday return back to our own native land of the free.
The girls of Greenville gave the soldier boys a farewell reception at
all the dance halls in Greenville last night. They sure did treat us so
nice. We shall never forget them for the ladies and girls of Greenville
have certainly treated us good during our stay in camp.
Well we have been busy all day. Stamping and checking up all our
things. I wrote Tom today and I sent him a pair of shoes the other day. I
didn't say anything in his letter about me sending them. Tell him when he
writes to tell me if he got them or not.
How is Albert? Hope he is well by now. Well I will not write much
this time. I will write you again soon. I'm going to give you a few
letters to use for signs when we are leaving places and etc.
(this will mean)
ab=we are leaving camp.
ac.=we are leaving (port for overseas)
Your son,
Corp. Judson Dennis
Don't answer until you hear from me again. I will drop you a card when to
write. Now I don't want you to be uneasy or worry about me for we are going
to make it all right. Your son.
Sunday, April 28, 1918 Camp Sevier Greenville, S.C.
Dear Bro.-
I received your letter a few days past. Was indeed glad to hear from
you and to hear Minnie was improving. I do hope she will get in good
health. Well, the time has come for us to bid our friends and loved ones
goodbye for a while. We will sail in a few days for that country unknown to
us soldier boys. We went in quarantine last night at 12:00 so you know what
that means. We are ready for the fray. Waiting and longing for the time to
come for us to see sunny France. We want to see the front and go over the
top and take those barbarious Huns the most cruelest in this world. Oh my
God, how can a man stand back and know how those cruel things are treating
the poor women and little children.
The girls and good ladies of Greenville gave the soldier boys a
reception at all the dancing halls in Greenville last night for the farewell
goodbyes. They certainly have been nice and good to us during our stay here
in camp and we shall never, never forget them.
Well, Tom in regard to my things. I don't know yet what to say about
my mare. I would like to keep her if I could but I will tell you later what
to do with her. And about you borrowing my money, you can get it. You just
give me your note and put it on deposit at the bank. I would not ask you to
give me your note but just to show you would owe me in case either of us
should die. So I will send in this a check for $100 you said you could use
now, though if you don't need it now and can wait until I get my money from
the company, I will let you have it all. But if you need it just go ahead
and get it. I think we will get our pay about next Wednesday. Someone was
telling me today my bonds will be due in July. I can get face value on them
just as soon as we get them. I have been thinking I will take two more
bonds. We will not need any money when we get over there.
Well, I will have to close. I will write you again soon. Tell Hazel
and Helen I will write to them. Give my best regards to all.
Your Brother,
Corp. Judson W. Dennis
Address Unknown (so don't write until you hear from me again)
Monday May 6, 1918
Dear Mother,
How are you all by now? I'm just fine and all o.k. Well Mother, we leave
camp tomorrow (May 7) for New York, N.Y. We will spend a few days there.
Our captain told us yesterday that the ship on which we sail will land us
safely in France. Now Mother, I don't want you to be uneasy about your
soldier boy. We will not be gone long. I think we will go through safely
and someday return to our Land of the Free. We will be gone about two years
I think. But we are going to win the victory though we are not a mob. Nor
are we murderers. We are a band of peace makers and we are going to right
the wrong.
How is Minnie and the kids? I wish I could have heard from you all
once more before I crossed the waters but I guess the next time I will get
to hear from you I will be somewhere in France. We have certainly been
having a big time in camp for the past few days. Mothers and sweethearts
and friends have been coming to bid their sons and sweethearts and friends
their farewell goodbyes. The most saddest sight I never saw in my life as
has been here this week. Oh! They should not grieve about their
sweethearts or sons so. They ought to be proud that they have a son or
sweetheart to uphold Old Glory, the red, white and blue. I will stand and
die by her.
Well, Mother, tell all my friends I'm now ready to sail for a foreign
country and that we are going to win the victory before we return. Give
them my best regards. I will write you as soon as we get to New York. You
need not write until we settle in France.
The captain said that we would stay long enough for them to show us
the big City of New York and then we will go from there to Hobo, New Jersey
where we will embark for France. We have a long, long voyage before us, but
I hope we will have a pleasant voyage.
I'm your son-
Corp. Dennis
Camp Merritt, New Jersey
Dear Bro. and Family-
We arrived here all o.k. We certainly did have one more nice time on our
trip to New York City and the wonderful sights we saw. I could never begin
to tell you. Tom, listen: don't spend another year in the south. Come to
the Northern States. They are the garden spot of the world. Don't take my
word for it, but come and see for yourself. Listen, if you will come
through the states I came through, over the route I came to New York City,
and you have seen the country and if you don't say you like the North 100%:
better than the South then I will pay your expenses to New York City and
back. I came though eight different states. I will tell you dome of the
beautiful cities I come through. We come through Richmond, Virginia,
crossed the Potomac River at Washington D. C., stayed there two hours. Then
on to Baltimore, Maryland-Willmington, Del., Philadelphia, Penn., Jersey
City, N. J., a city noted for its beauty, crossed the Chesapeake Bay. Also
the Hudson Bay. The sights I saw on the two bays, Tom, I would not take a
thousand dollars for what I saw. We crossed UNDER the Hudson River twice,
went under the river. Come through Brooklyn, New York to Hoboken, New
Jersey. Camp Merritt. This is a magnificent camp. A place of pleasure and
rest before embarking to go abroad. We do not do a thing while we are here
but rest and have a big time. The girls from New York City have a
magnificent building, a Y.W.C.A. here where they give us a big reception.
They sport the diamonds too, believe me, and just as common as an old shoe.
They are the friendliest people I ever met. We have a pass to New York City
tonight. We are expecting a grand time. Wish you, Minnie, and the kids
could be with me. Tom, tomorrow. May 10, 1918. The day we have been
looking forward to.
You may use my money if you need it. Tobacco money and all. I
decided I would take what money I have here with me. I will let you know
later about my mare.
You need not answer until you hear from me again. You know where we
will be.
Give all my best regards. Write to me when I get to France for I will
be anxious to hear from folks at home. So you all just pray that we little
Sammies have a chance and we will do the rest. You need not worry.
So goodbye to you all. Kiss the little kids for me for I love them as
well as I do my own life.
Your Brother,
Corp. J. Dennis
Sunday, June 2, 1918 Somewhere in France
My dear Mother-
The ship on which we sailed landed us safely over the sea and we had a very
pleasant voyage. We are getting along just fine. I don't want you to be
uneasy about me. I want you write me every week for I will want to hear
from you so bad. Tell me how everyone is getting along. Give them my best
regards. Hope Minnie is well by now. Mother we have seen wonderful sights
since we left camp. I can tell you all lots of things when I come back.
How is Tom? I will write to him soon. Do not ask me anything about
the war for I can't tell you anything about it. My address will be: Co. L
119th Inf. (via New York); American Expeditionary Forces; France
Mother, give my friends my address and tell them to write to me. I
will be so glad to hear from them. Well, as I haven't very much to write,
will write you again soon. Tell Orban to write me. Answer soon.
Your son,
Corp. Dennis J. W.
Mother, send me all the mail that has come for me since I left. Be sure and
send it to me.
June 21, 1918 Somewhere in France
Dear Mother:
How are you all by now? I'm getting along fine and having a good time. I'm
anxious to hear from you. Write me all the news when you write.
How is Minnie, Tom and the kids getting along? Mother, tell me all the
boys who have had to go to the army since I left from around home. Has
Leslie and Joe M. had to go yet? Well, Mother, I can't write much this
time. Write to me every week. And tell the others to write. Give them my
address: Co. L 119th Inf.; American Expeditionary Forces; Forcis, France
How is my mare getting along? I think I will have Tom to sell her for
me this summer. Well write me at once.
Your son,
J.W.D.
July 15, 1918 Somewhere in France
Dear Mother,
I rec'd your letter yesterday that was mailed June 17, 1918. Was the first
time I have heard from you since we arrived in France. I have written you
all several times. I can't see why you can't hear from me. I'm getting
along just fine and I don't want you to be uneasy about me when you can't
hear from me. I was in the hospital nearly a month.
How is Minnie and Tom getting along? And the kids? I wish I could see
them. How is Albert, Shep and Mae getting along? Tell Ab I have seen the
highest part of this old world. Mother, I have been through several
different countries since I saw you all last but I wish I could just tell
you where all I have been and what all I have seen, but you know I'm not
allowed to tell now.
I want you to write me just as soon as you get this and tell me all the
news and tell the rest to write me. I have written to several different
onecs since I have been here and haven't read but two letters. I hope you
have got my letters by now.
Give all my address and tell them I said please write to me. Tell
Orban (?) to write me. I have written him two times since I have been here.
My address- Co. L 119th Inf.; American Expeditionary Forces; France. Give
all my best and tell them to write me.
Your son,
Corp. J.W.D.
August 14, 1918 Somewhere in France
My dear brother and family,
How are you all by now? I rec'd your letter a few days ago. I was on the
front when I got your letter. I'm now back in rest camp. I'm getting along
just fine and enjoying life all o.k. How is Minnie getting along now? How
she is in good health now. The last letter I had from Mama she said that
Minnie was sick then. How is my little Hazel and little Helen? I would give
anything I have if only I could see them. I sure want you to have their
pictures made and send me one just as soon as you get them. I have written
you one since I have been over here. Don't guess you ever got it for I have
written several letters and haven't had any answers from them for our mail
sending and getting mail was bad when we first got here.
I wish I could here from you all for you have no idea how lonesome we
get when we can't hear from the folks at home. I will write you all ever
chance I have and I want you all to write to me often.
Tom, have you got my tobacco sold yet? Write me what it brought when
you write, and listen Tom- how is old Annie looking now or have you sold her
yet? Listen I don't know how long it will be before I come back (may never)
and I want you to take my business for me. You sell old Annie for me- take
the money and use it. Also my tobacco money. But listen, you may get more
for Annie by selling her on time, though you do as you think best. You know
what I mean. Do as though they were yours- and it will be all right with
me. I don't know exactly how much money I have in the bank, but you can use
all I have there. My bonds are payed up now and I want you to see if they
have been sent in yet or not. I think I had them sent to Mama. Deposit
them in the Bank for me and see just how much I have on deposit there and I
will mail you a check for the amount.
How is Mama and the rest getting along? Tell here I will write her in a
few days. Also tell Pearl I'm going to write him. I have so many to write
to. It takes me a long time to get to all. I feel so sorry for Pearl and
Uncle Bud. God's will, not ours, be done. They have my sympathy. Well, I
will have to go. Write me as soon as you get this and tell me all the news.
You can write as much as you wish for your mail is not censored. Give my
love to all. Give my best regards to Jumbo and family. Tell him I'm going
to write him one of these days.
Ans. at once. I'm your Bro. Cpl. J.W.D.
Well Tom, I have been through several different countries since I was there
and hope to go through ever country in this old world before ever I return
back home- I have seen some wonderful sights through Ireland, England,
Canada, France, Belgium, and Italy. I can tell you some wonderful things
when I return.
August 17, 1918 France
My dear Mother-
How are you all by now? I'm well and getting along just fine. I have been
on the front and just come back to the rest camp for rest. I haven't heard
from you all in nearly three weeks. I'm real anxious to hear from you all-
when you don't hear from me when you think you ought to don't be uneasy
about me. I will write you ever chance I have. I would like to hear from
you all ever week- I got twelve letters while I was at the front. You can't
have any idea how glad we chaps are when we get a letter from the land of
the free.
Have you all ever sold my tobacco yet? How does old Annie look now or
has Tom sold her yet? And have you ever rec'd my bonds yet? If you haven't
I guess you will get them in a short time. I wrote Tom to deposit them in
the bank when they came. I want him to get my business together for me and
get it in to money for me and I told him he may use it if he needs it, and
just keep the amount together for I will need it if I ever return, and if I
never return, you and him will get it, and listen. My next pay day I think
I will send $100 home and you can add it to my account.
Well I will not have time to write much this time. I will write you
again soon. I have some more letters to write. Listen, when you write you
may write what you wish to and as much as you want to. Some seem to think
you all could not write but so much, but that is a mistake. Your mail is
not censored. Our mail is censored. So tell me all the news when you
write, and tell the folks around to think of me once and awhile by writing
me a few lines. Just a word or two from them will be highly appreciated.
Tell them we little chaps get awful lonesome "over here" and a good word or
two would cheer us so much. Of course the little French girls are very
pretty and show us a real nice time, but we can't forget the girls at home.
How is little Hazel and Helen? How I wish I could see them. Tom said
he was going to have their pictures made and send me one. Don't let him
forget it.
How is Minnie? I hope she is in good health by now. Tell my friends I
have many souveneirs collected to bring back home and I will bring them some
too.
Give my best regards to all.
Your son,
Cpl. J.W.D.
September 6, 1918
My dearest Mother-
How are you and the family getting along? I was surprised to hear of you
living in Granite City. But I hope you are enjoying it. I have just gotten
back from the front and am getting along all o.k. I hope you all are
getting along all right by now. Mother, I guess I have received all your
letters. I have rec'd a goot many. I will not have time to write much this
time as we are moving. I will write you again next week so don't be uneasy
about me. Give my love to all. Tell Ethel and George to write me. Kiss
the kids for me.
I'm your son.
Sgt. Judson W. Dennis
Co. L
Mother, I have been promoted to a sergeant.
October 4, 1918 France
Dear Brother-
I have written you several times and can't hear from you. I have rec'd only
one letter from you since I have been in France and that has been two months
ago. Why don't you write me? You do not know how anxious I am to hear from
you, Minnie and the kids. I would very near give my life could I only see
the dear little Hazel and Helen.
Well I guess you are reading now about the great drive just made on the
Western Front. It will prove the greatest historical event ever pulled off
in this world's wide war. It will mark the turning point of the war- we
remember we were the first little American lads to ever plant our feet in
the great Hindenburg Line that I'm sure you have read so much about. It is
the strongest line on the front. We went over the top and fought like
tigers and put those Huns on the run and captured them by thousands. I
don't think it will be long now until we Sammies will be coming home with a
victory won. How is every thing at home now? I wish you would write me a
long letter and tell me all the news. I'm sending you a souveneir in this
letter that I took from a German I captured myself. It is some kind of
their money. Show it to the friends and tell them where you got it.
Tom, have you ever disposed of my tobacco yet and how is Old Annie? Or
have you sold her yet or not?
Write and tell me all. Well, I will have to go, so write me at once
and tell me all the news. Give my best regards to all my friends and tell
them I'm doing my bit in this great war. Listen- give J. H. Smith my
kindest regards and tell him I will write him sometime and tell him all
about this European country and how a soldier kid lives in France. I like
France much better than I do the country Belgium.
Ans. soon. Your loving brother, Sgt. Judson W. Dennis
WESTERN UNION TELEGRAM
Received at
55-NQX--32 GOVT.
WASHINGTON DC 556-PM NOV 19TH 1918
MR THOMAS M DENNIS
MODEL ROUTE DOVER TENNESSEE
DEEPLY REGRET TO INFORM YOU THAT SERGEANT JUDSON W DENNIS INFANTRY IS
OFFICIALLY REPORTED AS KILLED IN ACTION OCTOBER SEVENTEENTH
HARRIS THE ADJT. GENERAL 623PM
January 19, 1919 Beaumont, France
Dear Mr. Dennis;
I received you letter lately and will try to give you the information you're
wanting.
Judson was killed October 17 while we were driving the Germans for all
we could. He was struck by two machine gun bullets and they scarcely left a
mark. He lived but a very few minutes and just passed away with a sigh. He
was taken up by our army chaplain and carried back and buried. He now lies
on a grassy slope overlooking the (?Selz?, Seone?) River, and Mr. Dennis you
ask me about taking him home. I think it would be impossible to do this and
it would cost you an enormous sum of money for he is over 200 miles from the
coast and if it was me I would never attempt it. About what money he had
will be with his final statement and his liberty bonds are paid up and are
in the Federal Reserve Bank in New York and are all o.k.
Mr. Dennis I'm sorry that we have lost so many of our brave boys and
you have my greatest sympathy. I know you must be grieved but you should be
proud of the reputation your brother made for he was as brave and true as
any man that has faced a German and was leading his men who loved him as a
father when he met his death. And he leaves a reputation behind him that
will always be remembered by his comrades. I hope to pay him a glorious
tribute when I reach Stewart County. Perhaps you don't remember me, but I
remember you and your two sweet little girls. I wish I had time to write
you a long letter but hope to see you all when I get back and that is not
long I think. Give my love to all of Stewart Countians.
Yours Truely,
Sgt. ? P. Andrews? (paper worn through from repeated foldings)
In the ten to twenty years following Jud's death, Tom wrote many letters
pleading for the return of his brother's body. It was not to be and
eventually the efforts ceased. In 1994, the above correspondence surfaced
once again. Due to the concern of Judson's great-great-neice, Heather
Grubb, her mother and Jud's great neice, Jan Dennis Philpot began the
process of trying to have a memorial marker in Jud's name placed in the
National Cemetery at Dover, TN. Through the help of Judy Bagsby, a federal
employee, paperwork was completed successfully, and in 1995, almost exactly
seventy-seven years to the day of Jud's death, a white marble marker was
erected bearing his name.
Read the essay Pride Won - Patriot Lost on Judson by Jan Dennis Philpot |
