Contains three black and white photographic prints. Two photographic prints are of Alfred D. Barksdale in uniform. One photographic print is of Alfred D. Barksdale who is wearing a white jump suit and crossing his arms. "MEXICO" in all capital letters is written below the photograph.

This letter was written shortly after Barksdale's arrival in France. The letter regards the visit of General John J. Pershing to Alfred D. Barksdale's regimental headquarters and other activities.

August 20, 1918

Dearest Fan, I am feeling very fine today – for two reasons. The first is that I am going back to command my company right away. When I got back from school last week I was transferred and assigned as personnel and statistical officer of our regiment. It is a pretty nice job but I didn't join this army to push a pen. Our old Colonel was ordered back to the rear last week and our Lt. Col. Is in command, so I asked him today if I couldn't go back to my company. He said he had already decided to send me back- that I was too good a man to waste in an officer. Maybe I didn't feel fine. The second reason is that no less a personage than Gen. Pershing was here this morning and after looking us over he told our Gen. & Lt. Col. That he wished to congratulate our regiment and brigade. The Lt. Col. Was tickled to death. He is fine and I think he will soon be promoted to Col. The Commander in Chief is wonderful looking – a perfect soldier. Anyone could recognize him from his pictures. I wasn't over 30 feet from him. He did not come into my office. If he had I reckon I would have fainted. Can you imagine how it would feel to command a million and a half men. It nearly gets my angora to command 250. I got your letter among the very first mail I got on this side. I always prize our letters very much but they always make me ashamed of myself. If I was one tenth as good as you think I am, I would be a wonder. You must be having quite a time directing all the war work your family is doing. You can't imagine the way these people work over here. I mean the way the women do manual labor. They drive horses, handle them, plow, cut grain, thresh and do everything about a farm. Last night I went over to the next village to a concert given by our band. There are two very attractive girls over there. In fact I arranged the concert for them chiefly. We sat out in their "jardin" with most wonderful moonlight. The flowers were beautiful too.

Their house is only about 7 kilometers from the front line but they laughed at me when I asked them if they weren't scared. We are between the Vosges and the Jura mountains and the country is beautiful. I wrote Father that I could see the alps but the French girls say that the mountains south of us are the Jura and that the Alps can only be seen in unusually clear weather. I was awfully disappointed not to get a chance to see you and your gang before I left.

I was so close that it seemed a shame. I felt real funny walking the gang-plank that Saturday afternoon with all of you so close and so completely ignorant of my movements. Just after I got aboard, the ferry boat (the 4 o'clock C & O) that Charles and I had crossed on the preceding afternoon passed real close to us. Well I must close and go to work. With lots of love to you and your whole gang, I am, Your loving little brother, Dick

Envelope with "Barksdale, Alfred D. Captain 116th Inf. Croix de Guerre with Palm Citation sent to MIS" printed on it.

Citation Certification is written in French and regards Alfred D. Barksdale's Croix de Guerre with palm.

Translation of the French Citation Certification that regards Alfred D. Barksdale's Croix de Guerre with palm.

Registered mail envelope addressed to Mr. William R. Barksdale from Adjutant General's Office.

Letter regards Alfred D. Barksdale's Croix de Guerre with palm. Includes carbon copy of letter.

Regards Alfred D. Barksdale's Croix de Guerre with palm.