ALS, one page both sides, 7.25 x 9.25, dated October 8, 1945. Guthrie writes to his friends at Folkways Records, "Moe [Asch], Marian [Distler], Herb, Harris, Pop and Union Square in general," while serving at Scott Field. In part: "Marjorie says she has dropped in on you a few times. I'm glad. She said that she got a look at the cover for American Document # One. She said she likes it. I thought I would get a two week furlough before I get sent to my next job for the army. Instead I'm getting out on account of so many wives and kids. Some time around December. (Then I can hit you up for work. I'll be a real genuine legal World War Two veteran.) Today I'm in 5 months. Gosh. Don't seem that long ago does it? I've not let my spring run down any since I'm here. I didn't do any professional appearances, but played plenty in the barracks and met a well needed rest. The little vacation has sobered and pepped me up considerable and caused my guitar to play better. I've turned out to date (12) twelve more personal experience ballads taken from the most hottest spots in the war. Two or three I am pretty sure you will like, and several you will back over in the corner to shy away from…What will the number of my ballads be by the time I get back I do not know. The stories are all factual war experiences and I worked from papers and magazines. You may remember the lady Doctor Betty that had eight brothers and sisters all doctors and a deathbed request from their old father, a coal company doctor, 'Don't ever let these coal town people down.' Well, the tale you'll hear soon enough." In fine condition. Two years after beginning his prolific recording career with Moe Asch at Folkways, Guthrie was drafted into the army and sent to Scott Field in Illinois. Deeply lonely, he found solace in writing—both letters to his friends and his soon-to-be wife Marjorie, and new "personal experience ballads taken from the most hottest spots in the war." An extraordinary letter combining his difficult wartime years and his crucial relationship with the recording studio that helped build his career.