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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Rear Admiral Henry B. Wilson, Commander, United States Patrol Sqaudrons Operating in European Waters, to Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters

C O P Y .

16th.March 1918.        

Dear Sims,

          Your very cordial letter of 9th. March has just been received and I fully appreciate it and thank you for it.1

          Your letter of 14 January was duly received and given my careful consideration.2 I did not reply for the reason that as you fully informed me of your wishes, you would take it for granted the orders would be carried out without my formally telling you so.

          It appears to me that idle gossip has been carried to you, and that you have been misinformed by some who have desired to stir up trouble.3 Everyone here is busy: working hard in carrying out the Mission given us by you, and fully understanding that you are the directing head and the man responsible for all. We well know and appreciate the difficulties under which you labor and feel that you have been misinformed as regards the spirit of the forces in France.

          Please believe that I fully appreciate your consideration and your great personal kindness to me. Your two letters have made me try all the harder to successfully carry out the great work you have been good enough to entrust to me.

Most sincerely,              

(Signed) H.B.WILSON.

Source Note: TLS, DLC-MSS, William Sims Papers, Box 23. At the top in pencil someone has handwritten: “Duplicate.”

Footnote 1: See: Sims to Wilson, 9 March 1918. For additional details regarding Sims’ letter, see: Sims to William S. Benson, 7 March 1918.

Footnote 3: Sims believed that Wilson did not like him and was working to undermine his authority.