Lot 161
Patton, George S (1885-1945) American general and tank commander, known as "Old Blood and Guts"; considered one of the greatest military leaders in history. Autograph Letter Signed "George S. Patton Jr." on Hôtel Continental stationery, 4pp, 7"x5¼", Paris, France, 1917 June 20. Fine; pp 3 and 4 are written horizontally as one page. To "Dear Papa," less than two and a half months after the United States entered World War I. Patton, who had served as acting aide to Gen. John J. Pershing in 1916, during the Mexican expedition, was taken to France with Pershing as commander of his headquarters troops. In November 1917, Patton was detailed to the newly-established Tank Corps of the U.S. Army and assigned the task of organizing and training the 1st Tank Brigade. In mid-September 1918, he led his unit in the St. Mihiel drive and, in late September, was wounded at the opening of the Meuse-Argonne offensive. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Distinguished Service Medal.
In part: "We are getting well settled now….Today I called on Genl. Gerard who is in charge of all the autos in France. He sent me to the big depot at Paris where I investigated the methods of accounting for cars. They use a very simple card index system. I got copies of it and will try to adapt it to our needs….I talked Auto French for two hours with an expert…I can do quite well…can talk on any subject with ease….Even yet I can't believe that we are actually at war it all seems unreal and distant. There are a good many cripples but few of them when you think what a war it really is. We have adopted the Sam Brown or English belt….It is very comfortable and good looking. Gen. Pershing is making a wonderful impression. He is such a splendid looking soldier and so much on the job….The talk of food shortage is all talk we have fine food and plenty of it and in fact it costs less than in Washington…." He adds a paragraph giving instructions about breeding his horses and closes, "I am very well and doing fine give my love to all. Your devoted son. George S. Patton Jr."
Estimated Value $6,000 - 8,000.
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