76 / 230
“MY MOTHER . . . CANNOT UNDERSTANDWHY I’M IN EUROPE!”
112
●
EISENHOWER, DWIGHT D. Autograph Letter Signed, “Ike,” as Supreme Allied
Commander, to his wife Mamie (“My darling”), warning her that accounts in newspapers
are exaggerated, remarking on the progress of their son John in school, discussing mutual
friends and relations, and expressing surprise that he remains healthy. 2
1
/
2
pages, 4to, written
on rectos only of separate sheets; evenly toned, horizontal folds.With the original envelope,
with postal markings and Army examiner’s ink stamp. (TFC)
Np, 17 November [1942: from postmark]
[1,000/1,500]
“
. . . Right now my hqrs is rather badly split up—Bedell is one place—I am at another, with Butch,
Al. Gruenther . . . etc,—while Wayne with another bunch is at still a different point. I’m hoping to
move soon . . . . Seems as if we’re always jumping.
“
. . . [A] newspaper man always has to draw on his imagination freely in order to give his stories
‘color.’ So if you read anything to the effect that I go out charging across the Sahara single handed,
with my eyebrows dripping sweat and blood—just smile! . . .
“
Yesterday I received a letter from Edgar . . . . He told me mainly about my mother, who cannot
understand
why
I’m in Europe! . . .
“
Have a good time; keep yourself in good shape and remember that some day this will be over and I’ll
come home!”
The present letter was written soon after the successful Allied invasion of North Africa during
OperationTorch.