Description:

Dwight Eisenhower
[Algiers, French Algeria], August 5, [1943]
Dwight Eisenhower War-Dated ALS: "War may do lots of things to me, including sending me back to you an old and broken husk of a man"
ALS

A 3pp autograph letter signed by future 34th U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969), then in his World War II role as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force of the North Africa Theater of Operations, signed by him as "Ike" at the middle of the third page. August 5, [1943]. [Headquarters in Algiers, French Algeria.] Inscribed with over 420 words in his hand on three sheets of blue-lined paper. Flattened transmittal folds and a few extra wrinkles. A former collector's pencil inscription on the first page at upper right. Else near fine. 8" x 10.5."

Eisenhower wrote this letter to his beloved wife Mamie Eisenhower (1896-1979), who was back home in the United States. The couple did not see each other for three years but frequently corresponded. This time, Eisenhower was writing Mamie from Algiers, French Algeria. Eisenhower had been dispatched there to assist in Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa. Later, as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in North Africa, Eisenhower would oversee cease fire agreements with Vichy France, and advance planning of Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily. Eisenhower's headquarters between November 1942 until December 1943 were located on the second floor of the Hôtel Saint-George (now Hôtel El-Djazaïr) in Algiers.

While Ike's letter goes through the motions of informing his wife about his whereabouts, he also spends a few moments indulging in the luxury of self-reflection: admitting the scope of his wartime anxieties; expressing shock about how death also affects the home front; commenting on the mutability of time; confessing his longing for her.

Eisenhower wrote in part, with unchanged spelling and punctuation:

"My darling

Often I have the feeling, when I pick up my pen to write to you, that I should ask, 'When did I last send you a letter?' Days telescope together, or stretch to infinity, depending upon the types of problems and work in which I am principally concerned at the time. Today I feel that I landed only yesterday at Gibraltar, but yesterday I felt that I could not remember the time when I was not in North Africa! War may do lots of things to me, including sending me back to you an old and broken husk of a man. But it cannot change the love I have for you nor the longing I constantly feel to see you again - now! So dont forget me.

We try to keep up with the considerable correspondence that has been flowing in on us for some months. Most of it regards ill people (often cripples or people in hospitals) that are doing their bit in this war, and who are really seeking, though unconsciously, a pat on the back. All these I like to answer, and the burden is getting too much for Butch + Lee. I'd like to get hold of a good sensible War Captain, who could take over the job. So many of the letters are from school children (selling war bonds + stamps) and from women's organizations - (collectors of blood plasma etc) that a woman would do a good job for me. But they are hard to find! - There are 15 officers here, and I think I'll have Everett or Beedel [sic] make a search to see if one could be spared for the purpose.

Today I wrote to Mrs. Hurd. Art's death shocked me terribly and I have a definite sense of loss. Here one just [sic] to expect it - but somehow one seems to think of things at home as everlasting. And when I have to realize that sickness and death overtakes us no matter where we are, I get to thinking of you and my blood turns cold. You really dont know how much you mean to me! -

Well dear - John's vacation is finished, and you're alone again. But I know you two had a fine time together, and that you spent most of the nights talking!!! How I would have like an hour with you - I couldn't ask for more in all this turmoil but I'd give a lot for that.

Please take care of yourself -

Always your Ike."

Eisenhower's letter is peppered with references to his family members, old friends, and wartime staff, including:

- "John," likely a reference to Dwight and Mamie's only surviving son, John Eisenhower (1922-2013)

- "Art [Hurd]" was an old friend of Eisenhower's from Abilene, Kansas. His death was reported to Ike by a mutual friend, Frances Curry, on July 31, 1943.

- "Butch," referring to Harry C. Butcher (1901-1985), Eisenhower's personal assistant and naval aide

- "Everett," or, Everett Hughes (1885-1957), a career soldier and fellow West Point graduate. Hughes was a close friend and adviser of both Eisenhower and George S. Patton, Jr. In 1943, Hughes was serving as Deputy Theater Commander of the North African Theater of Operations, and also undertook the duties of commander of the Communications Zone.

- "Beedel," likely a misspelling of Walter Bedell Smith (1895-1961), who served as Eisenhower's chief of staff at the Allied Forces Headquarters, and was one of Eisenhower's most trusted administrators.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8" x 10.5"
  • Medium: ALS

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