I drop my mother a postcard....Mrs. Hattie P. Griffing, Manhattan, Kansas
October 10, [1918] A.M.
We came in from drill about 10 A.M. on account of rain. Thot I would drop you a line to let you know that I am still well. Mama, could you bake me a good big cake and send it right up?
That would appear to be a Confederate veteran on the back of Ward's post card. World War I saw an important healing of the sectional divide of the Civil War. Enough time had passed for most of the country to have not experienced the horrors and tragedy of that conflict and the nation pulled together in The Great War. Memorial Day became a nationwide observance. Until then the decoration of graves on May 30 had been a Grand Army of the Republic (Union veterans) event.
ReplyDeleteThe designer of Ward's postcard wanted to express some of that sentiment of national unity.
I believe you're right about the old Confederate veteran, David. I hadn't noticed that subtle distinction. -- wg
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