Details
EISENHOWER, Dwight D. Autograph letter signed ("Ike") to Mamie Eisenhower, 31 August 1945. 3 pages, 4to, ruled paper, light, uniform toning from age, WITH ORIGINAL ENVELOPE SIGNED AT CENSOR'S STAMP ("Dwight D. Eisenhower")
IKE AND MAMIE AT LOGGERHEADS: "IT SHOOK ME TO GET YOUR CURT NOTE...AFTER ALL I AM WORKING, AND I SIMPLY CANNOT SEE WHY YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND."
A sharp letter showing the marital strain caused by four years of war and separation. Eisenhower signs his own official "censored" stamp on the envelope of this letter, but there's nothing censored about the content, which shows a hurt and angry Supreme Commander: "I must say it shook me to get your curt note, via Stack, that you'd write when 'written to.' During this whole war, in spite of preoccupations and burdens, I've written two or three notes to each I've received. When the periods come during which I am particularly harassed, sometimes 2 or 3 weeks at a time, it's more difficult to find a chance to stick anything in the mail. After all I am working, and I simply cannot see why you don't understand." Several interruptions intrude during the composition. "This is a hectic letter--there have been at least a dozen different people in my office in the past two hours," Ike explains. But the pauses gave him time to cool off. The remainder of the letter is more diplomatic in tone, but just as remarkable. "There are all sorts of rumors," he says, about his next assignment. But if a new posting gets announced "2 or 3 weeks in advance," he wants Mamie "to jump on one of the 'Queens' & come over for a visit....You could meet many of my friends in a number of places--could see where and how I've lived--see the destroyed cities & something of Germany; in short it would give you something of my war background, concerning which I'll be talking [to] you with complete freedom during the coming years." He closes on a positive note: "Let me have your reactions, but please keep mum to everyone else about the possibility of any change in my assignment. There are lots of possible complications. Loads of love."
IKE AND MAMIE AT LOGGERHEADS: "IT SHOOK ME TO GET YOUR CURT NOTE...AFTER ALL I AM WORKING, AND I SIMPLY CANNOT SEE WHY YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND."
A sharp letter showing the marital strain caused by four years of war and separation. Eisenhower signs his own official "censored" stamp on the envelope of this letter, but there's nothing censored about the content, which shows a hurt and angry Supreme Commander: "I must say it shook me to get your curt note, via Stack, that you'd write when 'written to.' During this whole war, in spite of preoccupations and burdens, I've written two or three notes to each I've received. When the periods come during which I am particularly harassed, sometimes 2 or 3 weeks at a time, it's more difficult to find a chance to stick anything in the mail. After all I am working, and I simply cannot see why you don't understand." Several interruptions intrude during the composition. "This is a hectic letter--there have been at least a dozen different people in my office in the past two hours," Ike explains. But the pauses gave him time to cool off. The remainder of the letter is more diplomatic in tone, but just as remarkable. "There are all sorts of rumors," he says, about his next assignment. But if a new posting gets announced "2 or 3 weeks in advance," he wants Mamie "to jump on one of the 'Queens' & come over for a visit....You could meet many of my friends in a number of places--could see where and how I've lived--see the destroyed cities & something of Germany; in short it would give you something of my war background, concerning which I'll be talking [to] you with complete freedom during the coming years." He closes on a positive note: "Let me have your reactions, but please keep mum to everyone else about the possibility of any change in my assignment. There are lots of possible complications. Loads of love."