TRANSCRIBED FROM ARKANSAS GAZETTE SEPTEMBER 15, 1918 p 36
La Courtreve, France,
August 3, 1918.
Dear Aunt Irma:
During the latter part of May, when the Germans were driving for Paris, our school being very near the front, all means of communication were cut off and we were prepared to evacuate in an hour’s notice. However, they were stopped in time and we finished our course—with only a few raids to disturb us. Immediately after we had finished I was ordered to the front for two weeks instructions and observation and I never had a better time in my life. I was on a quiet sector, but there was enough excitement at least to keep me from getting bored. I passed through the town where Dr. Lowe is stationed, but didn’t know he was there until I returned and read your letter. This eternal training is the worst thing about this war. At present we start at 5 o’clock in the morning and work until 5:40 in the afternoon—however, I am glad to say that it will soon be over as we are now on our way up to the front permanently. This camp we are in, which, by the way, is one of the largest in France—is the last stop. Here we get full equipment before going up to the lines. We leave in a few days now, so by the time you get this letter I will be comfortably situated for the winter in some dugout or somewhere on the line.
The censor has ruled now that we can put the name of the town on our letters provided we are not in the zone of advance. As this is the last chance I will get, I will try to give you some ideas of the places I have been since I landed.
We came across on the Mauretania, a sister ship of the Lusitania, with 200 Red Cross nurses. I could not have planned a more pleasant trip. The sea was wonderful, we had a dance every afternoon and night, and I chose a stateroom which in time of peace would cost over $500. We landed in Liverpool, from there to Southhampton and across the Channel to La ‘Harve we came by train to Limoges. From Limoges I was sent to school. On my way to school, I stopped at Orleans and Paris. From Paris on I cannot mention the towns, as they are in the zone of advance. After being at the front for two weeks I was returned to my regiment, which was then billeted at Nixon. A very small village; you probably won’t find it on a map. The second day I was here I was sent to Bordeaux to bring back a convoy of motor trucks and cars. Now I am at La Courtreve. You see I have seen most of France during the short time I have been over here, and I can truthfully say I would not trade one acre of the worst swamp land in Arkansas for the whole darn country.
If I ever get back (believe me, I will be the greatest advocate of “See American First” you have ever seen.
Lots of love
Virginius.
Lieut. Virginius W. Alexander,
3rd Battalion, 65th Art. C. A. C., A. E. F.
NOTES: Lieutenant Virginius Wilkins Alexander was from Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He is writing to his aunt Mrs. Irma W. Wilkins. He was promoted to Captain before he was discharged. He was born October 13, 1893 and died September 17, 1959, at Santa Clara, California. He is buried at the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California. His military headstone shows him as being from Arkansas and that he was a Captain in the 65th Arty CAC.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
La Courtreve, France,
August 3, 1918.
Dear Aunt Irma:
During the latter part of May, when the Germans were driving for Paris, our school being very near the front, all means of communication were cut off and we were prepared to evacuate in an hour’s notice. However, they were stopped in time and we finished our course—with only a few raids to disturb us. Immediately after we had finished I was ordered to the front for two weeks instructions and observation and I never had a better time in my life. I was on a quiet sector, but there was enough excitement at least to keep me from getting bored. I passed through the town where Dr. Lowe is stationed, but didn’t know he was there until I returned and read your letter. This eternal training is the worst thing about this war. At present we start at 5 o’clock in the morning and work until 5:40 in the afternoon—however, I am glad to say that it will soon be over as we are now on our way up to the front permanently. This camp we are in, which, by the way, is one of the largest in France—is the last stop. Here we get full equipment before going up to the lines. We leave in a few days now, so by the time you get this letter I will be comfortably situated for the winter in some dugout or somewhere on the line.
The censor has ruled now that we can put the name of the town on our letters provided we are not in the zone of advance. As this is the last chance I will get, I will try to give you some ideas of the places I have been since I landed.
We came across on the Mauretania, a sister ship of the Lusitania, with 200 Red Cross nurses. I could not have planned a more pleasant trip. The sea was wonderful, we had a dance every afternoon and night, and I chose a stateroom which in time of peace would cost over $500. We landed in Liverpool, from there to Southhampton and across the Channel to La ‘Harve we came by train to Limoges. From Limoges I was sent to school. On my way to school, I stopped at Orleans and Paris. From Paris on I cannot mention the towns, as they are in the zone of advance. After being at the front for two weeks I was returned to my regiment, which was then billeted at Nixon. A very small village; you probably won’t find it on a map. The second day I was here I was sent to Bordeaux to bring back a convoy of motor trucks and cars. Now I am at La Courtreve. You see I have seen most of France during the short time I have been over here, and I can truthfully say I would not trade one acre of the worst swamp land in Arkansas for the whole darn country.
If I ever get back (believe me, I will be the greatest advocate of “See American First” you have ever seen.
Lots of love
Virginius.
Lieut. Virginius W. Alexander,
3rd Battalion, 65th Art. C. A. C., A. E. F.
NOTES: Lieutenant Virginius Wilkins Alexander was from Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He is writing to his aunt Mrs. Irma W. Wilkins. He was promoted to Captain before he was discharged. He was born October 13, 1893 and died September 17, 1959, at Santa Clara, California. He is buried at the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California. His military headstone shows him as being from Arkansas and that he was a Captain in the 65th Arty CAC.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT