6 October 1943

Graeff, Leonard Eugene, 1920-2016

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff

One letter from Leonard Eugene Graeff to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff dated October 6, 1943. Leonard agrees to send the box mentioned in letter GLC09611.102 back to Susan. He mentions having to keep everything in his sea bag which is full. He asks Susan to send him a box of peanuts which can be found at the Planters peanut store on "third street near the market." He mentions the changes in weather and his experience learning to man a life boat and the associated commands which he enjoyed. Leonard expects to graduate November 6th and expects to return home on a nine day leave…

GLC09611.105

22 April 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He flew his fortieth mission! The entire crew feels like "free men again with a great pressure removed." It will still take some time to go home as they will stop in Oahu first. His joy was spoiled when he had a letter returned from a friend marked "missing." He was flying in Italy and wrote to his friend's Commanding Officer to see if it was a mistake, and he hopes it was. He's glad his ashtrays made it to his father, and thanks him for the canned treats. He enclosed a clipping from American Magazine [not included]. He says to tell Barry he might've found a way…

GLC09620.175

27 April 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He's been traveling around and taking it easy. He visited with Jack Naylor and went to Barry Marks' old outfit. Barry left the week before, probably by boat. He writes that his parents should hear from him soon. He still hasn't gotten over the feeling of completing forty missions and is working on his sun tan. The weather is very hot and he has been taking salt pills and drinking a lot of water. He warns his parents that he will eat them out of house and home.

GLC09620.177

30 April 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He received a number of packages and thanks his parents for the film and canned treats. He sends a "million thanks for the bay rum" which he almost threw out as it was concealed in a mouldy bread loaf. Oahu is overcrowded and he and his crew are stuck in the Mariana Islands. He's "as red as a lobster" because he's been lounging in the sun getting the "so-called forty-mission tan." He went to an officer's house and believes some "strange enlisted men" stole $170 out of his wallet. He's not too upset because he used most of his luck to complete forty missions.…

GLC09620.178

11 May 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." It was "swell to talk to them the other day." It's great to be living like a human being and they had a "mighty wet party" and he thanks his father for treating the crew. He and the crew are at the rest camp devouring fresh food, milk, and relaxing. All is well with him, and he hopes to see his parents in early June.

GLC09620.180

15 May 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone, Beatrice Stone, and Bunny Marks.

Addressed to "Dad, Bee, + Bunny." A friend of his brought a big stack of mail from the Mariana Islands and he was surprised to find they heard about his fortieth mission indirectly. He wrote about ten letters at the same time, so hopefully his parents will receive their letter shortly. He thanks Bunny for her sweet letter. All goes well, and he's gaining weight with every meal. Milk is a real treat after a year of only water and GI coffee. He should be home in about ten days if all goes well. Most of them are sent to the mainland by boat rather than plane.

GLC09620.181

February 9, 1863

Wright, Sereno A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother and Elmira

Lately they have been living good. The rations are more than enough. The cook house was recently inspected. The Colonel got sick and was taken to the hospital.

GLC02751.22

1937-1963

Various

Header Record

Title: [World War II letters of Leonard Eugene Graeff of Harrisburg Pennsylvania] [Decimalized .001-.602]

672 items, primarily letters from and to Leonard Eugene Graeff. Many of the letters are between him and his parents Raymond James Graeff and Susan Prowell Graeff. The items date from 1937 to 1963 with the bulk of the material from 1942-1945. The letters contain day to day details of Leonards life and time in the service and traning. He attended Great Lakes Training Center in Illinois and was stationed in Hawaii after training. Most of the letters disscuss news from home. Of note Leonard also recieved letters from some friends who were also in the military and from their families keeping him…

GLC09611

February 27, 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Health is "first rate," and leg is well. Weather is nice right now, and hopes this letter finds her well. Sent her two letters, each with $20 in them. Will send some more money by express soon. Does not need more than $5, and if he does, he will ask for some from her. Would have sent all the money by express, but did not learn until today that he could send any of it by express. Is now acting as commissary sergeant. Has to go to the brigade headquarters and draw rations for the company, then has to cook them. "Keeps me very busy." Received a letter from her this morning. Every day rebels…

GLC09273.30

February 28, 1864

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother and sister

Writes that he is having trouble with his lungs but is in comfortable winter quarters. Believes that contrary to newspaper reports, Longstreet's forces will attack in Georgia not Knoxville. Akins his like of soldiering to a cat's love for hot soap and writes that the rebel forces shoot carelessly. Names the battles he's participated which include Pea Ridge, Perryville, Stone River, and Mission Ridge. Gives an account of men in his company that were killed or wounded in Stone River, Chickamauga, and Mission Ridge. Tells his siblings that he will teach them how to make a soldier's holiday…

GLC06728.065

24 April 1864

Munsell, Otis D., fl. 1860-1890

Autograph letter signed

Title: to "Mary Dear and Robert"

One letter from Otis D. Munsell to Mary E. Day Munsell and Robert dated April 24, 1864.

GLC03523.17.14

circa. early summer 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Expresses concern that Estelle is losing weight, and reassures her that he has attempted to stay away from anything dangerous and that he has every intention of returning. Registers surprise at the fact that his Southern compatriots had never tasted Chinese chow mein before, and instructs them on how to eat it when presented with this food at dinner. Describes a lecture that the company had received on dealing with chemical agents, protection against them, use of gas etc.

GLC09120.047

February 7, 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Received their letter the night before last, but did not get a letter from mother as usual. Understands that this is likely due to her straining her eyes too much. Wishes her eyes were better, "but I suppose there is no use in wishing for that." Was ordered on Saturday to pack up and prepare to march to the front the next day at daylight, which caused a great stir around camp. During the winter, one cannot possibly carry all they own, so a lot of decisions have to be made about what to throw away and what to keep. "We generally throw away more than… we save." Ate breakfast the next day, but…

GLC09355.045

7 January 1862

Eveleth, George M., 1837-1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emma Ellen Bullard Eveleth

One letter from George M. Eveleth to Emma Ellen Bullard Eveleth dated January 7, 1862.

GLC03857.03