Jessica Bartrom

Periods 1 and 2

October 4th, 1918

President Woodrow Wilson
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20500
Regarding: The Battle of Argonne
Dear President Wilson,
Our men are outnumbered, low on food, low on supplies, and low on motivation to finish this
battle. I have sent a man to get reinforcements for my troops; however, I have yet to see any
help. My fear is that he was caught and is being held prisoner, or he has been killed. My men
have struggled to finish what they have started, but I have faith in them. We still require many
supplies, that I was told would catch up to us.
Death after death has befallen on my loved battalion, and I have lost carrier pigeon after carrier
pigeon, leaving us with one last chance for any type of salvation, which we have named Cher
Ami. After sending him off to head back, he was shot, but he continued to fly. Whether he makes
it home or not is an untold mystery as of now. Nonetheless, the men of the 77th division are
strong, persistent, and courageous. The forest of Argonne seems to be not only a disadvantage,
but also an advantage. We are working our way towards ambushing the Germany lines, and
pushing them back into retreat.
This battle is bringing my men closer together, but also making it harder for them to say goodbye
to the ones honorably killed. The trench warfare is taking its toll on all of our sanity, and day
after agonizing day these men watch their brethren shot or stabbed by the bayonets. My men are
strong, worthy, and they deserve the reinforcements we were promised before marching in to this
battle. My men should not have been sent out in this death trap without the proper requirements.
I am furious! My battalion was not fairly thrown in to this battle. Had we had more of what we
required, I wouldnt have hesitated to agree to send them into this forest. They had to tell too
many brothers goodbye, and at losses such as the ones we have seen, I do not believe it is
acceptable.
I took 500 men into this battle with me, and less than 200 will follow me out. This battle has
been well over a month, and it seems our losses are greater than our gains. I feel I have failed
my men and will never regain their trust. They are better than me, they are better than General
Johnson, in all honesty. They are true heroes in this battle. Even with our low supplies, they have
found way to make do with what we have. Because of the hardships we all struggled with as
children, we know what it is like to do without. This battle is taking more from us than we are
receiving, and my men and I are absolutely exhausted with trying.
I appreciate all the efforts they have given, but without any help, there seems to be no way we
will see the end of this battle. We are currently on the road parallel 276.4. Our artillery is
attacking us because of the lack of communication. For heavens sake, stop it! This is madness!

Jessica Bartrom
Periods 1 and 2

Sincerely,
Major Charles White Whittlesey
Road parallel 276.4