TRANSCRIBED FROM THE HELENA WORLD NOVEMBER 21, 1917 PP. 1, 6
Camp Belvoir, Va.
Friday Eve,
My Dear Mother:
Your nice letter came to me yesterday and I hasten to answer.
Yes, I knew that Henry Wenzel was in France; also Von der Au. I was with Henry the day he enlisted in Memphis with several other boys from Helena.
I have been in the army about six weeks, enlisting in Baltimore, Md. Was in New York this fall when the war fever struck me and didn't hesitate to enlist, realizing the _____ of this war and that our future existence depends on our present efforts. I am very much enthused with the army life so far and have been benefited very much by the drills and camp life. Haven't felt ill a day and have gained several pounds of real muscle. I have been promoted once to a sergeant and have been recommended by the captain of my company for a commission as first lieutenant, which I hope I will succeed in getting, although the competition is very strong and me being so young too has a lot to do with it, especially in this branch of the service. I am one of the youngest of all skilled men, so you see what I am up against. I was stationed at the American University of Engineering for a month, then transferred down here in order to master the military tactics.
We have the most beautiful camp site in the United States I believe. Just thirty miles from Washington, on the Potomac near Mt. Vernon, Washington's old homestead. The Blue Mountains of Virginia form a background to our camp. Everything is up to date in every respect and our food is excellent. In fact, we are the best equipped regiment in the country with the exception of the Aviation Corps.
I went to church last Sunday in Alexandria, Va., a small town near here and had the distinction of sitting in George Washington's old pew, the pew that he and his brothers and sisters, with their mother, used to occupy, and right across the aisle was Robert E. Lee's pew, that he used to occupy. The little church still stands just as it did in the olden days, with its little graveyard in the front. Everything around here is historical and very interesting. Have also been through George's house and have seen his tomb, with his coffin in it.
I haven't any idea when we will sail, but I am sure it won't be long. The First and Second Battalions sailed several days ago and we are being fully equipped just as fast as possible, so I wouldn't be surprised if we eat Christmas dinner in France. I am very anxious to get over where the active fighting is going on, for I realize that is where we are all needed and the quicker we get in action the better. This is no rabbit hunt like we have been used to in former years, but it is going to take the concentrated forces of the Allied power to beat the Germans and the quicker we all realize this the better it will be.
This is certainly going to be one war, and the United States is preparing for four years of it and it will probably last that long, if not longer. It is going to cost the lives of thousands, if not millions, of American boys, but we must win and we will win with the proper aid from home. No one must fail to exert themselves to help the boys in the trenches and they must do it if they expect to enjoy a life of freedom and liberty in the future. No one can do too much to help the Red Cross. This is certainly one wonderful organization and has been doing worlds of good for the boys in khaki. The Y.M.C.A. is worthy of commendation for the great work it has been doing for the boys. It affords a place of recreation, a study hall, a place of amusement and reading rooms for the boys.
All these things help to keep a mind occupied all the time and doesn’t give one a chance to feel homesick or despondent, and it also affords a good meeting place for everyone.
One thing that doesn’t appeal to me much is that we don’t get to go out with the girls much and hardly ever see one. That never was my ideal of living. “You know me, AL.”
I had a long letter from Roy today. He has been drafted but hasn’t been called yet.
About the outfit. I would appreciate it very much if you would send me one, for it is awful cold up here and would come in might handy. But you would have to work fast to get it to me before I sail. Have suffered a lot at night on account of the cold, but that isn’t anything compared with the future suffering. If you do knit me an outfit, make it out of gray material and make it heave as you can. I have ____a bit since you last say me.
Well it is time for the lights to go out so guess I had better be closing for this time. Write to me often and give all my old boys my very best regards,and tell them I will meet them in the performance of our duties in France.
Love to all of you,
Lovingly,
Denver
Co. A 3rd Batl. 20th Engineers,
Camp Belvouir, Va.
_____American University, Washington, D.C.
NOTES: This letter was written by Louis Denver Armstrong to his parents Mr. and Mrs. Lee Armstrong of Helena, Arkansas. Prior to the war he worked at the Helena World. Armstrong was born on January 17, 1896 in Blackton, Arkansas and died on October 8, 1976. He is buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in High Point, NC. He enlisted on October 26, 1917 and was discharged on August 2, 1919. He departed St. Nazaire, France on June 28, 1919 onboard the Marica. He arrived in Brooklyn, NY on July 9, 1919. He was serving as a First Sgt. Casual Detachment Sec. 16.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Camp Belvoir, Va.
Friday Eve,
My Dear Mother:
Your nice letter came to me yesterday and I hasten to answer.
Yes, I knew that Henry Wenzel was in France; also Von der Au. I was with Henry the day he enlisted in Memphis with several other boys from Helena.
I have been in the army about six weeks, enlisting in Baltimore, Md. Was in New York this fall when the war fever struck me and didn't hesitate to enlist, realizing the _____ of this war and that our future existence depends on our present efforts. I am very much enthused with the army life so far and have been benefited very much by the drills and camp life. Haven't felt ill a day and have gained several pounds of real muscle. I have been promoted once to a sergeant and have been recommended by the captain of my company for a commission as first lieutenant, which I hope I will succeed in getting, although the competition is very strong and me being so young too has a lot to do with it, especially in this branch of the service. I am one of the youngest of all skilled men, so you see what I am up against. I was stationed at the American University of Engineering for a month, then transferred down here in order to master the military tactics.
We have the most beautiful camp site in the United States I believe. Just thirty miles from Washington, on the Potomac near Mt. Vernon, Washington's old homestead. The Blue Mountains of Virginia form a background to our camp. Everything is up to date in every respect and our food is excellent. In fact, we are the best equipped regiment in the country with the exception of the Aviation Corps.
I went to church last Sunday in Alexandria, Va., a small town near here and had the distinction of sitting in George Washington's old pew, the pew that he and his brothers and sisters, with their mother, used to occupy, and right across the aisle was Robert E. Lee's pew, that he used to occupy. The little church still stands just as it did in the olden days, with its little graveyard in the front. Everything around here is historical and very interesting. Have also been through George's house and have seen his tomb, with his coffin in it.
I haven't any idea when we will sail, but I am sure it won't be long. The First and Second Battalions sailed several days ago and we are being fully equipped just as fast as possible, so I wouldn't be surprised if we eat Christmas dinner in France. I am very anxious to get over where the active fighting is going on, for I realize that is where we are all needed and the quicker we get in action the better. This is no rabbit hunt like we have been used to in former years, but it is going to take the concentrated forces of the Allied power to beat the Germans and the quicker we all realize this the better it will be.
This is certainly going to be one war, and the United States is preparing for four years of it and it will probably last that long, if not longer. It is going to cost the lives of thousands, if not millions, of American boys, but we must win and we will win with the proper aid from home. No one must fail to exert themselves to help the boys in the trenches and they must do it if they expect to enjoy a life of freedom and liberty in the future. No one can do too much to help the Red Cross. This is certainly one wonderful organization and has been doing worlds of good for the boys in khaki. The Y.M.C.A. is worthy of commendation for the great work it has been doing for the boys. It affords a place of recreation, a study hall, a place of amusement and reading rooms for the boys.
All these things help to keep a mind occupied all the time and doesn’t give one a chance to feel homesick or despondent, and it also affords a good meeting place for everyone.
One thing that doesn’t appeal to me much is that we don’t get to go out with the girls much and hardly ever see one. That never was my ideal of living. “You know me, AL.”
I had a long letter from Roy today. He has been drafted but hasn’t been called yet.
About the outfit. I would appreciate it very much if you would send me one, for it is awful cold up here and would come in might handy. But you would have to work fast to get it to me before I sail. Have suffered a lot at night on account of the cold, but that isn’t anything compared with the future suffering. If you do knit me an outfit, make it out of gray material and make it heave as you can. I have ____a bit since you last say me.
Well it is time for the lights to go out so guess I had better be closing for this time. Write to me often and give all my old boys my very best regards,and tell them I will meet them in the performance of our duties in France.
Love to all of you,
Lovingly,
Denver
Co. A 3rd Batl. 20th Engineers,
Camp Belvouir, Va.
_____American University, Washington, D.C.
NOTES: This letter was written by Louis Denver Armstrong to his parents Mr. and Mrs. Lee Armstrong of Helena, Arkansas. Prior to the war he worked at the Helena World. Armstrong was born on January 17, 1896 in Blackton, Arkansas and died on October 8, 1976. He is buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in High Point, NC. He enlisted on October 26, 1917 and was discharged on August 2, 1919. He departed St. Nazaire, France on June 28, 1919 onboard the Marica. He arrived in Brooklyn, NY on July 9, 1919. He was serving as a First Sgt. Casual Detachment Sec. 16.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD