Archives & Manuscripts #14 - International League of Antiquarian ...

25 (World War I) Private Emil Straka. Archive of World War I Letters. Illinois, Texas, France, Luxembourg:
1917-1919. $1200
A collection of 132 letters and 49 postcards sent from Private Emil Straka to his sweetheart Lillian Rose and to his family during his time serving
with the United States Army during World War I, along with a few assorted keepsakes. The letters relate the experience of an American enlisted
man from the onset of services to the end of the war and his doubts about returning to civilian life. All letters are very good with modest toning
and small tears from opening.
Emil Straka, who often refers to himself as “Dan” throughout the letters, was minimally educated before enlisting, and some of the following
passages have been edited for the sake of clarity. He began active duty on September of 1917 in Camp Grant, Illinois where he underwent his basic
training; “this is some place for all you see is barracks and soldiers.” He transitioned into the army like most young men with moods fluctuating
from patriotic to homesick. “Feeling a little unpleasant…we were awoke in the morning by the bugle and had to dress.” He stayed at Camp Grant
the remainder of the year eventually being sent to Camp Logan, Texas in January of 1918. “This is the first time the people in Texas seen snow for
20 years and believe me I am glad it came for it is fine.”
As his overseas duty with the American Expeditionary Forces approached he became more aware of the danger he was potentially becoming
involved in; “I think I will never be there again for if I do my part in war I may never see you if I get shot.” By June of 1918 Straka had made his
way to a small town in France. “I am in good health and like it out here but it is not like the states but we are making the best of it.” The American
forces played an integral part in defending Paris and ultimately forcing the Germans to retreat. “I am near the Germans now and I think I will
soon get my turn at them and when I do I will sure show them what U.S. or Uncle Sam’s boys can do.”
Most of the letters are sent to his sweetheart Lillian Rose in Cicero, Illinois. “Somewhere in France: Did you get my letters and post card, let me
know for I am feeling that you must have another fellow and you don’t care for Danny anymore.” The struggles of the American soldiers came
from the unknown and the waiting that was involved near the end of the war. “We are now in good drilling and I will sure get the Germans so fast
as they can come and if they do not come we will come out and get them.” Time was passed in a myriad of different ways be it hiking, going into
towns, or watching the last remnants of fighting; “I was watching a couple of airplanes having a little battle in the air just a second ago and they
sure did some shooting. I sure like to watch them.”
By May of 1919, after returning to France from a short stint in Luxembourg, he finally received orders to head home. The long wait had
apparently planted some doubt in his sweetheart’s mind about his intentions; “Dear you think all we have to do is to take care of the French dolls
but you are not right. We do not have time to think in the army. That’s how much I know about the dolls in France.” He closes his last letter with,
“well sweetie I will be on the water in a couple of days now and will be back home about the 25 of May…Well Lilly this is the last letter I write to
you and next time I answer a letter it will be face to face.”
Accompanying the letter are a few keepsakes and souvenirs: a sepia toned photograph, measuring 2½" x 4", of various soldiers standing by a
wagon; a red, white, and blue National Army ribbon; an original photograph post card of Straka sent from the Panama Canal Zone (presumably
following the war); and two later stapled pamphlets: Constitutions and By-Laws:Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and Past Commander’s
Night West Suburban Post 1485 Veterans of Foreign Wars, both dated in 1929.
An extensive assemblage personally chronicling the American viewpoint of the last two years of World War I. [BTC #385270]