Arthur H. Hoffman Letters

Collection

Identifier: A3118

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of two letters written by Arthur H. Hoffman to his sister, Gladys Hoffman (Byrne), while he served in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War in 1898. The letters are arranged chronologically.

Arthur wrote the first letter on October 8, 1898, from Camp Cuba Libre (Jacksonville, Florida). He explains that his unit has been ordered to Cuba as soon as the transports arrive at Savannah, Georgia. He fears that he will never see his family again. Arthur’s health was poor and he describes the Army food. He mentiones that his father tried to get him out of the Army, to no avail.

In Arthur’s second letter, written from Camp Onward (Savannah, Georgia) on November 26, 1898, he explains that the Swift Packing Company provided turkeys. His company enjoyed a complete Thanksgiving dinner, which he describes in detail. Their aunt and grandmother sent him a package of food from home that he received before the holiday. Arthur mentions news of family, a letter from Aunt Katie, and news of mutual friends from home and from his company. He does not mention shipping out to Cuba.

Dates

1898

Creator

Hoffman, Arthur H., 1877-1923 (Author, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, quote from, or reproduce material in this collection, please contact the Archives Reference Desk at archives@mohistory.org. Copyright restrictions may apply. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.

Biographical Sketch

Arthur H. Hoffman was born on October 15, 1877, to Frank and Matilda Hoffman, the oldest of four children. He had three younger sisters: Gladys, Sophia, and Dottie. Arthur served in the U.S. Army, 6th Missouri Infantry, Company C, during the Spanish-American War. Arthur never married, worked as guard at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, and died on December 24, 1923.