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Ole Miss
Graduates
Wed In Jackson
20 January 1918
Once again I am at the front line of the trenches. Fortunately, today
has been a quiet day so I have found the time to write an entry.
Tommy has become quite popular amongst the boys which I
suspect is to do with his grand elocutions. He speaks often of the
enemy as the virus we must purge from this earth. I suppose this is
his idea of patriotism.
Yet it is thanks to God’s will that I find myself alive today and I
cannot decide if this is a blessing or a curse. I am no more deserving
of another sunrise than the countless ‘enemies’ that I have killed. I
have stolen the futures of men and the girls waiting for them at
home. I have devastated the dreams of his very own Lucille who
speaks fondly of her beloved soldier. I have written, with the tip of
my rifle, a compendium of deaths into the history books.
-
Miss Phyllis Whittier
Delta Gamma House,
University of Mississippi
Oxford, MS
Wednesday 5 March 1919
Jackson, Mississippi
Darling Phyllis,
Congratulations are in order – what an achievement to be at Ole
Miss, and a Delta Gamma girl no less. How I love reading of your
college adventures!
Unfortunately, things aren’t looking as bright for me. Since he
returned from the war, Stanley’s behaviour has been erratic and
disturbed. I am struggling to find the passion that bound us when
we were first married. There are days he cannot look me in the eye,
let alone display an affectionate caress. I sent my husband to war,
and received back a stranger.
Last week I took him to the fairgrounds, hoping that the
atmosphere would evoke some sort of lively spirit. I’d almost
succeeded – mind you, I’d fed him no less than a dozen salt water
taffies – when the fireworks display began. With the bang of the
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