DIY History | Transcribe | World War I Diaries and Letters | Robert Morriss Browning correspondence to Karl S. Hoffman, 1915-1917 | 1917-11-26 Bob Browning to Karl Hoffman Page 1

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Robert Morriss Browning correspondence to Karl S. Hoffman, 1915-1917

1917-11-26 Bob Browning to Karl Hoffman Page 1

Monday, Nov. 26
Dear Karl -
Your enthusiasm for the Service doesn't seem to be overpowering just now but you'll change your mind before long.  There is a reason for it all if you just look for it.  Discipline is absolutely necessary in order to "get the most men there first."  Of course a man of your temperament and capacity doesn't enjoy being under a corporal but everybody in the Service has to take orders from somebody.  Your officers, whether they are Reserve Corps men from the Training Camps, Regulars, West Pointers, or whatever have had just the same discipline - altho a bit more severe - as you are getting.
The thing to do is not to hit him or talk back but do the thing with the best face you can.  I am sure that if you can get interested in the Big job we're all up against that you'll be wearing chevrons in a month or two and will be going into the fourth O.T.C. after your own commission. You can have one if you want it, you know.  It's just a question of wanting it hard enough.
Captain Brown and I are pretty good friends. You know he and I worked together some in the Young People's Union at Iowa City.  He had a class of Boys at the Baptist Mission across the tracks.
Neil Adamson told me a bit about the Iowa Banquet in Des Moines but didn't mention Margie.  I think he'll wait till after the war for the orange blossoms but of course you never can tell.
Gwendolyn was asking about you in one of her recent letters, and the last time I wrote to Meg, yesterday, I told her your address.  I'll tell Gwenny when I write again. Your letter came since I wrote her last.  Letters from girls like those two help a fellow to get interested in ruining a few Bosches.  Think of them.  Think of the Belgian Women - raped publicly. Then think how glad you are you're six feet high and are learning to handle a bayonet.

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Monday, Nov. 26 Dear Karl - Your enthusiasm for the Service doesn't seem to be overpowering just now but you'll change your mind before long. There is a reason for it all if you just look for it. Discipline is absolutely necessary in order to "get the most men there first." Of course a man of your temperament and capacity doesn't enjoy being under a corporal but everybody in the Service has to take orders from somebody. Your officers, whether they are Reserve Corps men from the Training Camps, Regulars, West Pointers, or whatever have had just the same discipline - altho a bit more severe - as you are getting. The thing to do is not to hit him or talk back but do the thing with the best face you can. I am sure that if you can get interested in the Big job we're all up against that you'll be wearing chevrons in a month or two and will be going into the fourth O.T.C. after your own commission. You can have one if you want it, you know. It's just a question of wanting it hard enough. Captain Brown and I are pretty good friends. You know he and I worked together some in the Young People's Union at Iowa City. He had a class of Boys at the Baptist Mission across the tracks. Neil Adamson told me a bit about the Iowa Banquet in Des Moines but didn't mention Margie. I think he'll wait till after the war for the orange blossoms but of course you never can tell. Gwendolyn was asking about you in one of her recent letters, and the last time I wrote to Meg, yesterday, I told her your address. I'll tell Gwenny when I write again. Your letter came since I wrote her last. Letters from girls like those two help a fellow to get interested in ruining a few Bosches. Think of them. Think of the Belgian Women - raped publicly. Then think how glad you are you're six feet high and are learning to handle a bayonet.