Correspondence from Harold C. Roberts to Faith N. Roberts 14 August, 1928

Correspondence from Harold C. Roberts to Faith N. Roberts 14 August, 1928

Summary: Six page letter sent from Ocotal explaining the Coco River patrol in more detail. Includes hand drawn schematic of the boats the Marines built for the expedition, which they hoped will be easier to carry around the many rapids on the river. Roberts discussed his thoughts on the upcoming election and how future Marine deployments would be affected. In a second letter from 25 August Roberts wired his wife money for an insurance policy on himself.

Transcription:

"14 August 1928
Ocotal, Nic.

 My darling:

                I expected to be able to give you more news of the boat expedition by now but can’t give you much. As far as I know at present there are only two officers going, Captain Peter Geyer and myself. The first boat is about half completed now and it will be a good three weeks before we can leave. WE have many navy carpenters here building them and they look something like this: [hand drawn boat]

                All the men going are to be volunteers who have had experience in handling boats and swimmers

                This morning the Col. had a plane, small combat plane, come up from Managua to take me over a reconnaissance of the river. We started from here at a quarter of nine and returned at ten of eleven. We went clear down the river below Quinali. That is, over the worst of the river, for from there on, it is pretty clear sailing as it becomes pretty deep and wide from there on. But, from here to Quinali are thirty-two rapids. Of course, they are short, shallow rapids but will be hard work passing as we will all have to hopw out over the side and walk along guiding and holding back our boats for the river is never over 4 feet deep in the rapids. It promises to be great sport and quite an adventure and naturally am all excited. Capt. Geyer arrived here yesterday from Apali and is a fine chap and we should have lots of fun. The Colonel is all enthused over the expedition and is giving us everything we ask for so we should be pretty well equipped.

                Ocotal is quite a change over Pueblo Nuevo There are a lot of officers here and all a fine lot, do considerable drinking and have as good a time as possible. Haven’t done much drinking for some time so I’m pretty much out of practice so have been taking it a bit slow and am feeling fine. Never been healthier.

                There is no definite dope as yet as to what will happen down here. Personally I think Sandino’s outfit is on its last legs and he has been catching hell the last few days. He was bombed out in Honduras, returned here and was soon found by the planes and badly bombed and shot up on three successive days. Of course, no one knows for sure, but all agree that shortly there must be some dope circulated and all expect that it will be, as is now rumored, that immediately after elections the majority of us will be pulled out of Nicaragua and the rest will be put down along the railroad and [?] in no other places excepting the capitals of the provinces and they are all fairly large. Lord, sweetie, I know that the elections and November seem to be ages off but it just can’t be helped. We have to stay down here and I certainly would not want to have you down here now, living alone in Managua while I am up here in the hills as most of the wives are. You would be much happier at home and so would I.

                There is one thing I will do and that is this. After we start on this “yachting” expedition, wherever we are up at I will send you a cable and it will probably be from the east coast. That’s a promise.

                My sweetie, I have your letter here and they do mean so much and help so much. I could not begin to tell  you just how much for my baby, I love you so much and you mean everything in the world to me and all I have in the world. Naturally when a new officer comes into a port all hands are glad to see a new one for the O. D. roster so of course they put me on as soon as possible, and that is tonight. O. D. duty here doesn’t mean much here and only amounts to an inspection or two during the night and no one minds it much.

                I’m glad you liked the old stirrups. They are interesting but I can’t say how old. I have no idea. I got them when I was on that patrol out of here/ (Ocotal) up to Ocono and Sta. Maria. Sta. Maria is an old town and all the people have left it. They are neither with the bandits or afraid of them and while rummaging around the old houses there, I found them on a shelf with a lot of other junk, mostly useless. However, Bill F’s story is good enough for me. I can’t improve much on it.

                The puppy looks fine and should be a good pet for David and I think no boy should be without a dog. It will teach him lots. However I can quite picture you following him with the mop.

                It is too bad that you put off getting Lorna’s present so long. The candle sticks sound fine but don’t be too tight sweetie. we are not paupers yet. I can barely picture myself with a married sister. It doesn’t seem possible. I hope she is happy. Funny, my cable to her and your present cost within a few cents of being just the same.

                The pictures are a bit under exposed but I am delighted to get them and see David in a new position and I eat up the news of him in the letters. He must be heaps of fun now besides the work and care. I certainly am crazy to see him. But doesn’t he need a hair cut or don’t you cut babies hair. And don’t be too sure that he can’t be punished. I’m almost certain that you can’t raise a boy without the rod on remains. And I don’t blame you for raving over him if he is half as fine and wonderful as you say.

                That is too bad about the [?] turning out to be a flop. Your father seemed to be so wrapped up in it and so enthusiastic over it’s possibilities when I was there last. Hope he doesn’t take it too hard. There are lots of other [?].

                I am glad you sent for the trunks. The keys should arrive before the trunks. I wish now that I were as sure of the contents of my trunk in Leon. Lord only knows how it is! Hope everything hasn’t mildewed.

                The news of Harrison going with the Duffy players is a surprise. He hasn’t written in ages or else I haven’t been getting them. Wonder if that is the best bet or if he is figuring ahead counting on the legitimate players ultimately getting. The pickings in the movies when the talking pictures are universal. I think it would be a fine idea for you to go to Seattle to see him. Not only would it be great for him but it would [letter ends]."

Harold C. Roberts

Correspondence from Harold C. Roberts to Faith N. Roberts 14 August, 1928, Folder 23, COLL 2678, Archives Branch, Marine Corps History Division, Quantico, VA.

14 August, 1928

Jessica Carson

text

Ocotal, Nicaragua