Judson W. Dennis
Sergeant, Company L, 119th Infantry
American Expeditionary Forces
March 18, 1892 ~ October 17, 1918
“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…” Judson Dennis, France 14 Aug. 1918
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.
Pride Won, Patriot Lost – Biography of Judson Dennis
Sept. 1917 Letter from Judson in Greenville S.C. to his brother Thomas Milton Dennis in Tip Top Tennessee,
28 Apr. 1918 Letter from Judson to his mother Minnie Dunkap Murphey in Granite City IL
28 Apr. 1918 Letter from Judson to his brother Thomas Milton Dennis in Tip Top Tennessee 28 Apr. 1918
6 May 1918 Letter from Judson to his mother
ca 1918 from Judson in Camp Merrit NJ to his brother
2 June 1918 Letter from Judson in France to his mother
21 June 1918 Letter from Judson in France to his mother
14 Aug. 1918 Letter from Judson in France to his brother
17 Aug. 1918 Letter from Judson in France to his mother
6 Sept. 1918 Letter from Judson in France to his mother
4 Oct. 1918 Letter from Judson in France to his brother
19 Nov.1918 Telegram from Army re Judson’s death
19 Jan. 1919 Letter from Sgt. P. Andrews in France to Thomas Milton Dennis re the death of Judson