Judson W. Dennis
Sergeant, Company L, 119th Infantry
American Expeditionary Forces
March 18, 1892 ~ October 17, 1918
“So you all just pray that we little Sammies have a chance and we will do the rest. You need not worry…” Judson Dennis, Camp Merrit NJ circa 1918
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
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