![EISENHOWER, Dwight D. (1890-1969), President. Autograph letter signed ("Ike"), as Supreme Allied Commander, to Mamie Eisenhower, n. p. [London], 10 June [1944]. 3 pages, 4to, ruled paper.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2005/NYR/2005_NYR_01587_0228_000(112556).jpg?w=1)
PROPERTY OF A COLLECTOR
EISENHOWER, Dwight D. (1890-1969), President. Autograph letter signed ("Ike"), as Supreme Allied Commander, to Mamie Eisenhower, n. p. [London], 10 June [1944]. 3 pages, 4to, ruled paper.
Details
EISENHOWER, Dwight D. (1890-1969), President. Autograph letter signed ("Ike"), as Supreme Allied Commander, to Mamie Eisenhower, n. p. [London], 10 June [1944]. 3 pages, 4to, ruled paper.
FOUR DAYS AFTER THE D-DAY LANDINGS, EISENHOWER SHOWS THE EMOTIONAL TOLL: "CONTINUED STRAIN INDUCES A CERTAIN DEPRESSED FEELING THAT ONE MUST GUARD AGAINST CONSTANTLY"
A long, revealing letter to Mamie talking about his periodic bouts of depression and mentioning famous characters as diverse as George Patton and Vivian Leigh. "I've had some of the busiest days of my life during the past few weeks," he reports, though it has amused him how the press seemed to give him non-stop front-page coverage when things were quiet in his headquarters, the seemed to ignore him when "I'm working night and day." With the Normandy invasions at a critical point, things were heating up again. "This week I took quite an interesting and somewhat exciting trip. It's one of those things I cannot tell you now - but will make good conversation when I come home!!!"
"I wish you were in England," he exclaims. He'd take a week and show her around England. "Golly - what good it would do me! Continued strain induces a certain depressed feeling that one must guard against constantly - particularly in all official contacts. Optimism, calm assurance, confidence - the seniors must display these at all times, no matter what the prospects. So the temptation constantly grows to indulge oneself in grouchy moods when enclosed in the 4 walls of his own house. That's a dangerous habit - and that is where Butch [Harry Butcher, Ike's personal aide] is of such great help." Butcher never took offense "at any short-tempered remarks of mine," and he often broke into comic routines that left Ike in stitches. "His latest topic of conversation is naval affairs, he and I pretend he is a great expert & entertain all visitors (tonight George Patton) with his learned discourses on sea strategy. He has a marvelously sunny disposition." Ike got visits from professional entertainers too, and he tells Mamie that "Beatrice Lilley and Miss Leigh (Scarlett O'Hara)" had been over for dinner. "I did not like Miss Leigh, but thought Miss Lilley (1 son dead in the war, 1 still in service I'm told) quite a person."
FOUR DAYS AFTER THE D-DAY LANDINGS, EISENHOWER SHOWS THE EMOTIONAL TOLL: "CONTINUED STRAIN INDUCES A CERTAIN DEPRESSED FEELING THAT ONE MUST GUARD AGAINST CONSTANTLY"
A long, revealing letter to Mamie talking about his periodic bouts of depression and mentioning famous characters as diverse as George Patton and Vivian Leigh. "I've had some of the busiest days of my life during the past few weeks," he reports, though it has amused him how the press seemed to give him non-stop front-page coverage when things were quiet in his headquarters, the seemed to ignore him when "I'm working night and day." With the Normandy invasions at a critical point, things were heating up again. "This week I took quite an interesting and somewhat exciting trip. It's one of those things I cannot tell you now - but will make good conversation when I come home!!!"
"I wish you were in England," he exclaims. He'd take a week and show her around England. "Golly - what good it would do me! Continued strain induces a certain depressed feeling that one must guard against constantly - particularly in all official contacts. Optimism, calm assurance, confidence - the seniors must display these at all times, no matter what the prospects. So the temptation constantly grows to indulge oneself in grouchy moods when enclosed in the 4 walls of his own house. That's a dangerous habit - and that is where Butch [Harry Butcher, Ike's personal aide] is of such great help." Butcher never took offense "at any short-tempered remarks of mine," and he often broke into comic routines that left Ike in stitches. "His latest topic of conversation is naval affairs, he and I pretend he is a great expert & entertain all visitors (tonight George Patton) with his learned discourses on sea strategy. He has a marvelously sunny disposition." Ike got visits from professional entertainers too, and he tells Mamie that "Beatrice Lilley and Miss Leigh (Scarlett O'Hara)" had been over for dinner. "I did not like Miss Leigh, but thought Miss Lilley (1 son dead in the war, 1 still in service I'm told) quite a person."