James is currently away from fighting and tells his mother it is a miracle he wasn't hit. Promises to wire a note assuring her he is safe once he is far enough away from the artillery. He is glad to have gotten his mother's letter which caught him...
Telegraph to Jim's' mother asking her to cable Herbert Mathews at the Hotel Majestic in Barcelona if she hears where Jim is being held. Says that Delvayo will arrange an exchange repatriation. Tells her not to worry.
Sheean tells Jim's mother that she heard news of him last night. He has been transfered near Mora de Ebro, a quiet area with the American battalion; there is not much fighting.
Convalescent hospitals; War correspondents; Military hospitals; Military medicine; Wounds & injuries;
Sheean writes to Jim's mother that he has been wounded during the Ebro Offensive. He was hit by shrapnel in his thigh and lower back. Sheean assures Mrs. Lardner that Jim's hospital stay is keeping him away from the front lines where the fighting...
Franco's agent in the United States' responds to Mrs. Lardner's letter that presumably asks for help in locating Jim. De Cardenas promises he will do his best to help Mrs. Lardner.
Sheean will forward Mrs. Lardner's cheque to Jim, along with chocolate and books. She commiserates with Mrs. Lardner, as her own son has gone to fight in Spain.
Gordon writes to Ring in order to pass along Jim's posthumous commendation for fighting fascism in Spain. Gordon apologizes for the long wait. He writes that when he was detained and searched at the French concentration camp of St. Cyprien in...
Commendation card awarded posthumously to James Lardner. David Gordon (Lardner24) had a card made for Lardner before the International Brigade left Spain. Gordon was detained at a French concentration camp in February 1939 and in 1948,...
Correspondence; Fascism; Political activity; Political issues; Activists;
Herman apologizes for not writing sooner. Discusses his chances of coming home but believes he is still needed in the fight against Franco. He admits that being away has made him think about his family more than ever. Tells his father he should...
Missing in action; War casualties; Memorabilia; Photographs; Veterans' organizations; Veterans;
Copy of letter. Sheean discusses going through Jim's things after his death, destroying his papers, but keeping passport photos for himself, Walter Kerr, and Mrs. Lardner, for when she is ready. He has also doled about Jim's clothing and food to...
Jim writes to his mother about his time away from the front, in Barcelona. He was able to enjoy all the indulgences city life has to offer: a bath, a clean bed, good food. He assures her that it will be a long time before he sees any action. He...
Trench warfare; Military life; Military tactics; Fascists; Artillery (Weaponry); Bombardment;
Tells his mother that there has not been much action except for digging trenches and "personal refuges" from artillery shells. He recounts one night digging for seven hours on a stony hill, surrounded by the fascist lines. By day break, the...
Military hospitals; Convalescent hospitals; Wounds & injuries;
Jim reports on the progress of his injuries. He has walked into town without a limp and has been enjoying the easy life at his hospital. He believes there is still a piece of shrapnel in his leg. He compares his hospital to "an old people's...
Typewriters; Military occupations; Fascists; Weddings; Employment; Newspaper industry; Travel; Homesickness;
Jim writes to his brother about working with a difficult writer, Marcel Rivet, who has taken Jim's typewriter. He has enclosed a story by Rivet that Jim helped edit in English. He is hoping that if Ring can sell the story, it might encouraged...
Sheean tells Mrs. Lardner that Jim is safe and describes the Spanish countryside. Sheean adds that the fascists are in the south of Spain, far away from Jim. He mentions that he will pass along the $10 she has sent for Jim. Includes the cablegram...
Sheean writes to Mrs. Lardner that he has seen Jim and that he is well. He tells her that there is a good chance Jim will not see any action as the fascists have been pushed in the opposite direction of Jim's location. He thinks that if the...
Newspapers; Wounds & injuries; Military hospitals; Bombardment; Bombers; Air warfare; Convalescent hospitals;
James recounts his being wounded during the Ebro Offensive. He describes his wounds and the bombardment. He is currently in a hospital with nothing to read. He intends to write a newspaper piece about his ordeal and have Walter Kerr of the Herald...
Correspondence; Economic & social conditions; Medical aspects of war; Medical personnel; Military medicine; Food supply;
Herman is sorry to hear that the financial conditions are home are not doing well. He tells his mother that she would love Spain, especially how medical staff are treated. He discusses his health and the food that has been generously sent to...
Jim tells his mother he will be going to Spain for his vacation, but promises to stay out of harm's way. He hopes that his research in Spain will lead to his writing a book. He has started taking Spainish lessons in preparation of his trip and...
