[Letter] 1942 December 8 [to] Prof
Dublin Core
Title
[Letter] 1942 December 8 [to] Prof
Subject
Boston (Mass.)
Description
Raisch is happy to hear from Stoughton and writes that he is enjoying army life. He talks of the hospitality of the people of Boston and tells of changes in race and class barriers that he has seen. Also says that he will soon be a father.
Creator
Raisch, Henry
Source
Wagner College Archive, Horrmann Library
Date
12/8/1942
Contributor
Wagner College, Staten Island, NY
Is Part Of
A complete index to the letters in this collection can be found here: http://library.wagner.edu/wagnerarchive/StoughtonPDF/Correspondence index.pdf
Format
application/pdf
Language
eng
Type
text
Identifier
Raisch2
Document Item Type Metadata
Text
UNITED STATES ARMY
Dec. 8, 1942
Dear Prof.
It was indeed a pleasure to receive your letter. When one is away from home those choice bits of gossip about familiar people and places carry with them added zest. They seem to liven a way of living that seems remote even after a mere four weeks in the army. Please don't misunderstand and think for an instant that I dislike the army on the contrary it is a life I am seriously thinking of adopting permanently.
Irv and I are room-mates, we are living in a three room suite with two other chaps. Irv is inclined to be very quiet but for a more considerate, even-tempered and gentlemanly person you could search for without finding his equal.
If the writinig in this letter is not quite legible please credit it to the typhoid and tetanus shots that we had this afternoon.
[Page 2]
Give my regards to the members of your personal family as well as your college family at least those few members that may remember me.
There is really lots to tell about the people of Boston and my fellow classmates. I can't help saying that the people of Boston have been exceedly kind in their recpeiton of service men. They are constantly sending to the detachment invitations to dances, dinners and socials. Last Sunday coming from church a woman invited three of us to eat dinner in a private home in Winchester. They supply transportation both ways. I am only sorry I was unable to accept due to a previous appointment.
Then too another incident I can't help mentioning is the race and class barriers that are bridged in a detachment such as ours. Let me illustrate: a few nights ago I played bridge with an Upstate New Yorker, a chap from Georgia and a colored boy from Washington. I was greatly surprised that the game took place
[Page 3]
and even more so when I walked to the dorm with the boy from Georgia who said "That shore was a mahty fine nigger."
When I get wound up, I'm worse than a woman but then this new life offers such a variety of new experiences that I can't help relating them.
The greatest news of the day, however, is the fact that in the near future I hope to be a father. Edith is well and I am proud of her for the courage she is showing in facing this great task, especially since I am unable to be at her side.
My most cordial greetings to all.
Yours
Henry Raisch
P.S. If you still have the address of Dr. Bartlett I would greatly appreciate you sending same.
P.S. A list of Wagner Alumni of recent years especially those in service might prove a worthy undertaking altho I appreciate the vastness of such a job; especially with the constant change of addresses.
Dec. 8, 1942
Dear Prof.
It was indeed a pleasure to receive your letter. When one is away from home those choice bits of gossip about familiar people and places carry with them added zest. They seem to liven a way of living that seems remote even after a mere four weeks in the army. Please don't misunderstand and think for an instant that I dislike the army on the contrary it is a life I am seriously thinking of adopting permanently.
Irv and I are room-mates, we are living in a three room suite with two other chaps. Irv is inclined to be very quiet but for a more considerate, even-tempered and gentlemanly person you could search for without finding his equal.
If the writinig in this letter is not quite legible please credit it to the typhoid and tetanus shots that we had this afternoon.
[Page 2]
Give my regards to the members of your personal family as well as your college family at least those few members that may remember me.
There is really lots to tell about the people of Boston and my fellow classmates. I can't help saying that the people of Boston have been exceedly kind in their recpeiton of service men. They are constantly sending to the detachment invitations to dances, dinners and socials. Last Sunday coming from church a woman invited three of us to eat dinner in a private home in Winchester. They supply transportation both ways. I am only sorry I was unable to accept due to a previous appointment.
Then too another incident I can't help mentioning is the race and class barriers that are bridged in a detachment such as ours. Let me illustrate: a few nights ago I played bridge with an Upstate New Yorker, a chap from Georgia and a colored boy from Washington. I was greatly surprised that the game took place
[Page 3]
and even more so when I walked to the dorm with the boy from Georgia who said "That shore was a mahty fine nigger."
When I get wound up, I'm worse than a woman but then this new life offers such a variety of new experiences that I can't help relating them.
The greatest news of the day, however, is the fact that in the near future I hope to be a father. Edith is well and I am proud of her for the courage she is showing in facing this great task, especially since I am unable to be at her side.
My most cordial greetings to all.
Yours
Henry Raisch
P.S. If you still have the address of Dr. Bartlett I would greatly appreciate you sending same.
P.S. A list of Wagner Alumni of recent years especially those in service might prove a worthy undertaking altho I appreciate the vastness of such a job; especially with the constant change of addresses.
Original Format
http://library.wagner.edu/wagnerarchive/StoughtonPDF/Raisch2.pdf
Date Digital
2014
Citation
Raisch, Henry, “[Letter] 1942 December 8 [to] Prof,” Wagner College Archives and Special Collections, accessed April 25, 2024, https://wagnercollections.omeka.net/items/show/16351.