TRANSCRIBED FROM THE FAYETTEVILLE DAILY DEMOCRAT OCTOBER 25, 1918 P. 1
Hon John N. Tillman M. C.,
Washington, D. C.
My dear Judge Tillman:
I can not tell you with what pride I read of Fred’s recent citation for bravery in action. From the brief notice in the Paris paper, I could not tell whether his wounds were fatal or not, I sincerely trust that he was not mortally wounded-primarily for you and his mother’s sake, but again for the sake of the service and for his country, neither of which can spare soldiers of his stamp.
In all the citations that I have read whether English, French or American, I have not read of a more unselfishly heroic act than that of your boy-our boy for all Arkansas must share the honor with you of having so notable a son.
If Fred never has another opportunity of showing his mettle, he has already placed his name very high on the honor roll of his country.
I am sure, my dear Judge, that I voice the sentiment of every officer and man of the entire American Expeditionary Force when I tell you that we are proud of your son.
I have met many Arkansas men in France and so far I have failed to meet a one of them who is not doing his whole duty-and every one of them know of Fred’s heroic deeds and feel great pride in his distinguished citation.
I was not far from you when you were in France, and had I known that you were in France, I should have made a desperate effort to have seen you-if only for an hour.
My regiment was in the front line not far from the scene of Fred’s great adventure. We were in two terrible engagements-in which our losses were heavy-but in both instances we reached our objectives on time.
Just now I am no longer with my regiment, but in command of one of the large rest camps at one of the ports of entry, I think, however that I shall soon be relieved from this duty and be assigned to combat troops once more.
With my kindest regards to you and to Mrs. Tilman, I am
Yours very sincerely,
Carroll Armistead.
NOTES: This letter was written by Colonel Carrol Armistead of Fayetteville, Arkansas. He is writing from France to Congressman John Tillman about the Congressman’s son, Fred. (A letter from Fred can be viewed in the Searcy County letters.) Armistead died on August 3, 1936 and is buried in the Fayetteville National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas colonel in the U. S. Army.
TRANSCRIBED BY CHLOE SMITH
Hon John N. Tillman M. C.,
Washington, D. C.
My dear Judge Tillman:
I can not tell you with what pride I read of Fred’s recent citation for bravery in action. From the brief notice in the Paris paper, I could not tell whether his wounds were fatal or not, I sincerely trust that he was not mortally wounded-primarily for you and his mother’s sake, but again for the sake of the service and for his country, neither of which can spare soldiers of his stamp.
In all the citations that I have read whether English, French or American, I have not read of a more unselfishly heroic act than that of your boy-our boy for all Arkansas must share the honor with you of having so notable a son.
If Fred never has another opportunity of showing his mettle, he has already placed his name very high on the honor roll of his country.
I am sure, my dear Judge, that I voice the sentiment of every officer and man of the entire American Expeditionary Force when I tell you that we are proud of your son.
I have met many Arkansas men in France and so far I have failed to meet a one of them who is not doing his whole duty-and every one of them know of Fred’s heroic deeds and feel great pride in his distinguished citation.
I was not far from you when you were in France, and had I known that you were in France, I should have made a desperate effort to have seen you-if only for an hour.
My regiment was in the front line not far from the scene of Fred’s great adventure. We were in two terrible engagements-in which our losses were heavy-but in both instances we reached our objectives on time.
Just now I am no longer with my regiment, but in command of one of the large rest camps at one of the ports of entry, I think, however that I shall soon be relieved from this duty and be assigned to combat troops once more.
With my kindest regards to you and to Mrs. Tilman, I am
Yours very sincerely,
Carroll Armistead.
NOTES: This letter was written by Colonel Carrol Armistead of Fayetteville, Arkansas. He is writing from France to Congressman John Tillman about the Congressman’s son, Fred. (A letter from Fred can be viewed in the Searcy County letters.) Armistead died on August 3, 1936 and is buried in the Fayetteville National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas colonel in the U. S. Army.
TRANSCRIBED BY CHLOE SMITH