Dear Family

Volume 1! This book follows the service of Wesley Pease Jr. through his service on the Mexican Border in 1916 as part of the 5th Massachusetts National Guard. As a young soldier he would write home virtually every day during his service, including on the train rides from the coast of New England to the desert of Texas and New Mexico. The book also expands on the context of the letters with original research and background history on the Punative Expedition and President Wilson's Federalization of National Guard Troops to the Mexican Border to defend against incursions by Pancho Villa and his followers. The book is richly illustrated with color images of the postcards and postal history items sent during the conflict.