Letter, J.S. Patterson Jr. to Samuel Spiggle

Letter, J.S. Patterson Jr. to Samuel Spiggle

World War, 1914-1918

This letter was sent from J.S. Patterson to Samuel Spiggle on October 2, 1919. Both were members of the 80th Infantry Division during the First World War and this piece of correspondence discusses efforts to locate old comrades and their life after the war.

As the letter indicates, veterans felt a need to connect with the individuals the served with after the war had ended. The experiences they shared transcended geographic boundaries and the differences created in ordinary life. Spiggle, or "Spig", was a farmer while Patterson was a government employee. Yet the jokes and experiences referenced in this letter tie them together.

These connections were especially important at the time since very few people understood how the war effected those who experienced it. Veterans relied on each other for support as they returned to civilian life. Organizations such as the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars were formed by veterans to serve in this capacity.

Samuel Spiggle and many of the other residents of Shenandoah County who fought in the First World War joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars Massanutten Post in Edinburg. When he died in 1960 they showed their support by attending the service together. In addition, the majority of his pallbearers were members of his army unit.

J.S. Patterson Jr.

Spiggle Family Collection

Shenandoah County Library

October 2, 1919