TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SCOTT COUNTY ADVANCE REPORTER FEBRUARY 6, 1919 P. 1
Bandorf, Germany.
Jan. 1st, 1919
Mr. Dear Father and Mother:
I will drop you a few lines to let you know that I am well and doing fine. I hope you are all the same. To-day is our thanksgiving day here the first of 1919. I think I will be home soon likely in four months. I am in the 2nd division and don’t think it will have to stay here much longer. The first and second divisions are the two that done lots in winning this war or that is what every one thinks that know them they was over here in time to see some of the scrap, the ones that come 5 or 6 months ago did not get so much of it. There is many boys that come with our divisions that will never return. I have come awful clost to it several times could see no hopes but made it alright. I knew the boy you sent me the picture of in the paper with the expedition train he was in my division and Battery. I was in 75 feet of him when he lost his arm. He would have known me if you had asked him about Jerry as that is what they called me, in place of Jerome. I am glad it is all over know you all was happy to hear it and that I got thru O. K.
I received the package you sent me and was glad to get it. I had a good Xmas and know you all did. I am in Germany across the River Rhine and have been here more than a month. It is a _____________ the time now. Would like to get back by spring if Dad gets a car to run it. Would like to see the babies. I miss them very much.
Less hope that I will get back in four months. Well there is lots of dutch girls here but I can’t talk to them much. I can not write much about the war but will tell lots when I get there I can tell you more things that will make your eyes bug.
So good luck to all.
Private Jerome Bates
Battery D, 17th F. A.
A.E. F. France, Via N. Y.
NOTES: Jerome E. Bates in March 1899 and died on September 18, 1936. He is buried in the Duncan Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Pfc. serving in the 17th Field Artillery, 2nd Division. He departed Hoboken, NJ on December 13, 1917 onboard the Knington. He departed Brest, France on July 25, 1919 on board the Ryndam. He arrived in Brooklyn, NY on August 4, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS
Bandorf, Germany.
Jan. 1st, 1919
Mr. Dear Father and Mother:
I will drop you a few lines to let you know that I am well and doing fine. I hope you are all the same. To-day is our thanksgiving day here the first of 1919. I think I will be home soon likely in four months. I am in the 2nd division and don’t think it will have to stay here much longer. The first and second divisions are the two that done lots in winning this war or that is what every one thinks that know them they was over here in time to see some of the scrap, the ones that come 5 or 6 months ago did not get so much of it. There is many boys that come with our divisions that will never return. I have come awful clost to it several times could see no hopes but made it alright. I knew the boy you sent me the picture of in the paper with the expedition train he was in my division and Battery. I was in 75 feet of him when he lost his arm. He would have known me if you had asked him about Jerry as that is what they called me, in place of Jerome. I am glad it is all over know you all was happy to hear it and that I got thru O. K.
I received the package you sent me and was glad to get it. I had a good Xmas and know you all did. I am in Germany across the River Rhine and have been here more than a month. It is a _____________ the time now. Would like to get back by spring if Dad gets a car to run it. Would like to see the babies. I miss them very much.
Less hope that I will get back in four months. Well there is lots of dutch girls here but I can’t talk to them much. I can not write much about the war but will tell lots when I get there I can tell you more things that will make your eyes bug.
So good luck to all.
Private Jerome Bates
Battery D, 17th F. A.
A.E. F. France, Via N. Y.
NOTES: Jerome E. Bates in March 1899 and died on September 18, 1936. He is buried in the Duncan Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Pfc. serving in the 17th Field Artillery, 2nd Division. He departed Hoboken, NJ on December 13, 1917 onboard the Knington. He departed Brest, France on July 25, 1919 on board the Ryndam. He arrived in Brooklyn, NY on August 4, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS