Printed and Manuscript Americana

South Bend, Indiana, August 4, 1970. Three sheets, each measuring 8 x 5 in. (203 x 127 mm). Autograph letter in pencil, signed by Charles H. Kuhl to Dr. Joseph H. Melant of West Seneca, New York: "I am sorry I am so late answering your letter. I have been on vacation. Also thank you for your letter and your Photo copy. I will sure include them in my collection. Now I will try to answer to the best of my memory. It was in Aug. of 1943. It was in Sicily. I would say about the middle. I think it was in the 82nd field Hosp Tent. I thought I had lost my nerves and I was just shot. I was sitting in the tent when it happened. Waiting to be admitted. When Gen. Patton and his guard walked in. I don't remember for sure but I would say there were about 25 or 30 soldiers in there. After the incident I was admitted and that is when they found out I had malaria. Later I was flown back to Africa to recuperate. Then I was brought back to Palermo, Sicily for the Gen. to apologize. As far as Gen. Patton and my feeling is. He was a very rough and tough Gen. I will say he got what he went after no matter what. Some times I think they need some one like him in Vet,nam (sic). Personally I don't like him as a man but still don't have any hard feelings against him. I hope this answers most of what you wanted to know..." With original mail envelope. Sheets creased from when folded; scattered smudging and soiling.

Decades after the infamous Patton slapping incident, victim Private Charles H. Kuhl recalls the episode and gives his impressions of the General. The August 3 ,1943 incident was the first of two episodes that occurred during that month where General Patton physically assaulted soldiers for what he perceived as their cowardice (they were actually variously suffering from malaria, PTSD, and exhaustion). While the first incident against Kuhl resulted in little immediate reaction from Army or hospital officials, the second, against Private Paul G. Bennett, seven days later, incurred mounting backlash. It was during the latter incident that Patton not only physically reprimanded the young solider, but also drew his pistol on him. Upon receiving news of the event from medical staff, General Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered an informal investigation into the allegations. Ultimately, as he could ill afford to lose Patton's leadership, Eisenhower chose not to open a formal investigation, but sharply rebuked him in a letter, writing that "if there is a very considerable element of truth in the allegations accompanying this letter, I must so seriously question your good judgment and your self-discipline as to raise serious doubts in my mind as to your future usefulness." Eisenhower then ordered Patton to personally apologize to each soldier, which he did, with Bennett on August 21, and Kuhl on August 23.

Over the weeks that followed, whispers of the incidents circulated throughout the army and eventually came to the attention of the press. Eisenhower was at first successful in burying the story on the grounds that it could be detrimental to the war effort. However, by November, news of the assaults broke in the press, which caused an uproar amongst the public and in Congress, many of whom called for Patton's firing. While Patton ultimately was allowed to keep his job, he was passed over to lead the invasion of Normandy, in June 1944.