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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, to Sara Hitchcock Shepley

[Extract]

[London], August 8, 1917

My dear Sarah:

     . . . . However, this war cannot last always, though I am afraid it will not be over very soon. I do not see how it can be finished in less than a year — likely a year from this. autumn

     Neither I nor, Anne, nor anybody in America, can complain of their sacrifice as compared with those of the people on this side. Nearly everybody you meet has lost members of their families or close relatives, some families nearly all of them.

     All the people in my forces are well. No vessels have been lost and there have been no casualties (I rap on wood), and all hands and enthusiastic and happy.

     As for me, I have never been in better health, tho I do not get enough exercise. The trouble has been that I have not had a sufficient staff— only two officers — but I now have five, and will soon have six, not counting a large office force. . .

Your affectionate brother

Will     

Source Note: ALS, DLC-MSS, William Sims Papers, Box 9. Sara Hitchcock Shepley was the older sister of Sims’ wife, Anne Hitchcock Sims.

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