Author: CC Ballou

Bertha's father was a major general who fought in the Spanish-American War as well as in the Philippines. He later commanded the 92d Division - a black unit - during World War I.

It is three months today since the last shot was fired

To Bertha from C.C. Ballou – February 11, 1919

I enclose some letters to assist you in writing French.

Headquarters 19th Division
 (U.S. ARMY)
Camp Dodge, Iowa

My dear Bertha,

It is three months today since the last shot was fired. What a change I find a little blue at times, but when I think of the fact that you don’t feel that I have done so badly, and that you can love the ugly photograph because it is most like me. I feel more content. I am sorry that I did not make a brilliant success – for your sake and that of the others. Yet perhaps I did about as well as I could with the tools I had to work with. I certainly tried.

I will have completed by Friday the mustering out of the 19th Division if the _____ approve the recommendation I wired today that the H.Q. also be mustered out. Of course I knew that it meant in all probability my own immediate demotion, but I can see no good reason for delaying the muster out the headquarters and as I recommended just as I would had my own head not been concerned.

Where I will go next, I don’t even guess. Perhaps to the Mexican border. I am going to talk tomorrow night to the colored people of Des Moines and to another bunch on Friday night; and to the white folks on Sunday evening. I don’t know what I will say but it will not be much.

Today I received Mamma’s letter. Glad Bowd was not hurt and sorry I did see him again. [Note: George Bowditch Hunter was Reba’s Husband. He would remarry in 1937 and retire from the Army as a Brigadier General in 1943]. I hope he will not forget us and drift entirely away. I have been trying to catch up on my letter writing since I arrived here and have the docket pretty well cleared. The letters from France will soon fall off. None have arrived since I got here.

It is a beautiful day, warm and sunshiny. There are now two good roads to Des Moines, one of brick and one of cement. I have not been in town except as I passed through coming here. The rooms here are kept fearfully hot and dry as a bone. I don’t enjoy it at all. There is very little grippe here now. Colonel Newman is here, in command of the _____ Brigade. If I stay long, I will have to get one some reading matter for evenings.

I am getting lots of dinner invitations, much to my regret

To Bertha from CC Ballou –

Headquarters
Camp Dodge, Iowa
Commanding General’s Office

February 14, 1919

My dear “Specks,”

This is the anniversary of the advent of my test beloved valentine, and I am sorry not to have contributed something _____ a celebration of the event as well as for Sally’s birthday. But I did not have much thought while home for anything except hanging about the place and visiting with you all. Also when _____ so much in Paris as I did it as a sort of general contribution to the family that would have to, in a way, represent me in the way of gifts for the winter’s “occasions.” I have written to Mamma regarding another matter, but it may be some time before it materializes. I want you, however, to _____ a frame for the photo you are to have and tell Mamma it is to be at my expense, so you will have to regard the photo, framed, as sort of birthday remembrance. I am well up to date. It has turned colder and there is a strong north wind and dull clouds. Better weather as predicted for tomorrow.

I am getting lots of dinner invitations, much to my regret, my evenings are, ______, very lonely, as I am entirely alone every night and afternoon when not in my office.

I have just written Madame Briger that we would _____ this the “_____,” sometime, I guess that is French for “crest,” or “_____.” Have appointed “_____” Newman Executive Office, and will be glad to have him at my elbow. It will assure me of good judgment and thoroughness in carrying out my wishes.

Give me love to Mamma, Lenn, and Sally, and let me hear how things are going, when you have to write. I completed the _____ out of the 19th _____ today. _____ I _____ as it’s commander, and announced in orders that it has ceased to exist.

Your loving dad.

It is too bad that your painting is not in a better place in the exhibition

To Bertha from C.C. Ballou – February 25, 1919

[Note: Bertha is 29 years old, and currently studying at the Corcoran in Washington, DC]

Headquarters
Camp Doge, Iowa

My dear Specks,

It turned cold last night, the mercury dropping to zero or lower, but it cleared up and though cold, is not unpleasant. No news yet as to what is to become of me.

Yesterday, a lady came to interview me about your painting and also about the pictures I brought back from France. I don’t know what she will publish, and I don’t suppose it matters very much though I don’t particularly care to get the customs tribe on the _____ of anything brought in without duty. However, I told her what the paintings were, and by whom painted, and gave her the essential facts about your work. At any rate, few people in the East will be likely to read a Sunday article in a Des Moines newspaper, especially matter of a more or less personnel and social character. I don’t hear any more from the various people in France, but I dare I will when they find out that I am landed and located.

The New York Times on 02/25/1919

A week yesterday I talked to the largest audience I ever addressed. It was in the largest church in Des Moines, and not only were all the seats filled, but the aisle in both pit and gallery were jammed full. Colonel and Mrs. Newman said they went early but couldn’t get standing room and had to leave. It was estimated that there were four thousand in the church. I put in quite a bit of time in visiting the Camp  ______ _____ and other places of assembly, in order to remove some of the discontent or the part of men who are in a hurry to be discharged. I am also trying to find men who do not care specially to get out right now, and by holding such, enable me to discharge the discontented.

I sent you a photograph yesterday that may have enough wrinkles to suit you, though it is to my thinking rather flat. The photographer should have instead that there a white map in rear of my head, making a very bad background. It is too bad that your painting is not in a better place in the exhibition, but the fact that it elicited observation and comment in spite of the unfavorable hanging is all the more complimentary.

Love to everybody.

Your loving old dad.

Am looking for cheaper lodging

To Bertha from CC Ballou –

Chicago

May 24, 1919

My dear Bertha,

I enclosed a letter from Mamma’s priest that I think should satisfy people as to the banker painting. His wife wrote that he recognized the photo perfectly.

General Hunt shipped in on out this morning and had luncheon with me. He is looking for a job here in connection with _____. If he ____, it will bring him $35.00 a _____. I am getting along _____ ______. I don’t feel very much _____ …received Mamma’s letter _____ around this morning.

Am looking for cheaper lodging.

Love to all.

Your loving old dad.

CC-Ballou-to-Bertha-24-May-1919-1

The tooth dropped out of my jaw!!

To Bertha from CC Ballou –

Chicago
June 14, 1919

My dear Specks,

Thank you so much for the photo. It is very good. I was sorry not to get home for my birthday, but my letters were on a strike, and the day was spend with dentist!!! My upper bridge _____ of the eye, _____ _____ and on the same ______ tooth to which it was _____ was loose, so that, which the bridge was _____ in two, the tooth dropped out of my jaw!!

Don’t know when I can get home, probably not before the last of the month. Mamma never wrote me what Lenn is doing. The referred to “a ______ _____away,” but did not tell me where he went or what he is doing and earning, or if he’s making a living. I owe her at least two letters but today I am catching up on work that got behind doing my four days with the dentist.

Love to all. Awfully glad _____ the _____.

Your loving _____.