TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ARKANSAS GAZETTE JUNE 30, 1918 P. 25
Somewhere in France, May 16, 1918,
Mr. B. F. Lewis,
Peach Orchard, Ark.
Friend o’ mine:
You can imagine my surprise when I was handed your letter and as I perused its contents, I could feel a little touch of homesickness, something I have known but very little of. I hear from Peach Orchard quite often, but hear very little of you, but of course knew you were still living. Well, Ben, we are far over the line now, but Fritz comes over with his gothas every night, but so far has not located us. We are near a small hamlet and I am sitting in an orchard now. We certainly appreciate the efforts you at home are putting forth in our behalf and with such loyal support we cannot fail.
I have just finished reading an Arkansas Gazette and two copies of the Walnut Ridge Blade, so you see Arkansas is well represented here. There are quite a number of Arkansas boys in my company and our first wounded was a chap from Hoxie who worked on the local from Hoxie to Popular Bluff. You do not realize the extent of the “hellish design” of the Germans and if the people back home could only realize it, they would double all the efforts they have ever made.
I was in Paris on Good Friday, the day they dropped the shell in the church and killed all those women and children and it certainly was a pitiful sight as all those unfortunates had gone there to offer prayer for their lost ones. It seems that their one aim is the destruction of anything that they can destroy. They cut down every tree that is in their path. They destroy cemeteries, churches, schools, villages and factories or anything else that they can destroy and hope to destroy the morale of the people, but they will never do that.
You may rest assured we are doing our bit over here and the opportunity certainly has presented itself, but of course I cannot tell you anything but you already have that information as I believe you take the papers which can print more than I can write.
Our recent experiences were well chronicled in the copy of the Gazette which I have just finished reading, only they make too much over it, as we only did what any other persons would have done under the same conditions, but if they want to pat us on the back I guess we will have to stand for it.
You would certainly laugh if you could see my position now. I am lying in the grass with my back turned to the “pale blue” sky, my writing pad on top of a B. of L. F. & E. and a Literary Digest, so with this combination this letter may develop into an article that one, not loose much, by wasting the time to read it. On one side of me a bunch is studying French, very loud. On another side a larger bunch playing ball and ahead a Frenchman hauling wood, and he makes enough noise to scare an American horse to death. To the rear is a real, live “Coo-Coo” singing, so you see one is surrounded with a diversity that is sure to keep him out of the insane asylum.
In the rural districts here all the houses are built of mud and grass and look like stucco, and the roofs are either tile or thatched. The barns are built on the street or road and the house in the rear, with other buildings on the side forming a court yard, which serves as a barn, wagon and stock lot. The roads are all macadam, bordered on either side by one or two rows of trees, and it certainly is a beautiful country. The people are all thrifty and hard working and very economical. It is amusing to see them crowd around and watch us at mess, play ball, etc. They especially marvel at the boys shooting craps, men, women, children and all.
Oh! yes, “F” Company has adopted an orphan boy about 12 or 13 years old, but as yet we have hesitated to acquire a family.
We have been attached to the British ever since our arrival here, in fact, Fritz took a shot at us on the second day we were here, but he didn’t know who he was shelling. I fear you have taken a burden on your hands by inviting me to stay a month with you on my return, for I may take you up, as you know I could pass some very pleasant hours there.
Well, as it is getting dark and the mosquitoes are bothering. I will close by asking you to remember me to (TWO BLANKS WERE IN THE TEXT OF THE LETTER), well, everyone, and answer real soon.
Very truly yours,
Herbert Barron.
NOTES: This letter was written by Herbert E. Barron of Peach Orchard, Clay County to B. F. Lewis, cashier of the People’s Bank of Peach Orchard. Barron was an experienced railroad man when he volunteered for Company F of the American engineers.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Somewhere in France, May 16, 1918,
Mr. B. F. Lewis,
Peach Orchard, Ark.
Friend o’ mine:
You can imagine my surprise when I was handed your letter and as I perused its contents, I could feel a little touch of homesickness, something I have known but very little of. I hear from Peach Orchard quite often, but hear very little of you, but of course knew you were still living. Well, Ben, we are far over the line now, but Fritz comes over with his gothas every night, but so far has not located us. We are near a small hamlet and I am sitting in an orchard now. We certainly appreciate the efforts you at home are putting forth in our behalf and with such loyal support we cannot fail.
I have just finished reading an Arkansas Gazette and two copies of the Walnut Ridge Blade, so you see Arkansas is well represented here. There are quite a number of Arkansas boys in my company and our first wounded was a chap from Hoxie who worked on the local from Hoxie to Popular Bluff. You do not realize the extent of the “hellish design” of the Germans and if the people back home could only realize it, they would double all the efforts they have ever made.
I was in Paris on Good Friday, the day they dropped the shell in the church and killed all those women and children and it certainly was a pitiful sight as all those unfortunates had gone there to offer prayer for their lost ones. It seems that their one aim is the destruction of anything that they can destroy. They cut down every tree that is in their path. They destroy cemeteries, churches, schools, villages and factories or anything else that they can destroy and hope to destroy the morale of the people, but they will never do that.
You may rest assured we are doing our bit over here and the opportunity certainly has presented itself, but of course I cannot tell you anything but you already have that information as I believe you take the papers which can print more than I can write.
Our recent experiences were well chronicled in the copy of the Gazette which I have just finished reading, only they make too much over it, as we only did what any other persons would have done under the same conditions, but if they want to pat us on the back I guess we will have to stand for it.
You would certainly laugh if you could see my position now. I am lying in the grass with my back turned to the “pale blue” sky, my writing pad on top of a B. of L. F. & E. and a Literary Digest, so with this combination this letter may develop into an article that one, not loose much, by wasting the time to read it. On one side of me a bunch is studying French, very loud. On another side a larger bunch playing ball and ahead a Frenchman hauling wood, and he makes enough noise to scare an American horse to death. To the rear is a real, live “Coo-Coo” singing, so you see one is surrounded with a diversity that is sure to keep him out of the insane asylum.
In the rural districts here all the houses are built of mud and grass and look like stucco, and the roofs are either tile or thatched. The barns are built on the street or road and the house in the rear, with other buildings on the side forming a court yard, which serves as a barn, wagon and stock lot. The roads are all macadam, bordered on either side by one or two rows of trees, and it certainly is a beautiful country. The people are all thrifty and hard working and very economical. It is amusing to see them crowd around and watch us at mess, play ball, etc. They especially marvel at the boys shooting craps, men, women, children and all.
Oh! yes, “F” Company has adopted an orphan boy about 12 or 13 years old, but as yet we have hesitated to acquire a family.
We have been attached to the British ever since our arrival here, in fact, Fritz took a shot at us on the second day we were here, but he didn’t know who he was shelling. I fear you have taken a burden on your hands by inviting me to stay a month with you on my return, for I may take you up, as you know I could pass some very pleasant hours there.
Well, as it is getting dark and the mosquitoes are bothering. I will close by asking you to remember me to (TWO BLANKS WERE IN THE TEXT OF THE LETTER), well, everyone, and answer real soon.
Very truly yours,
Herbert Barron.
NOTES: This letter was written by Herbert E. Barron of Peach Orchard, Clay County to B. F. Lewis, cashier of the People’s Bank of Peach Orchard. Barron was an experienced railroad man when he volunteered for Company F of the American engineers.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT