TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ROGERS DEMOCRAT DECEMBER 6, 1917 P. 1
Nov. 1st
“Somewhere in France,”
I have just got back from ten days in the trenches, and so far as I am concerned, the horrors of war mean MUD. During these ten days I was at all times knee deep in mud and water and it was either misting, raining or snowing all the time. I was literally plastered with mud from head to foot and no chance to clean up until I came out; I have just finished the scouring-up process and am feeling fine; am lying on my bunk writing by the light of a stubby candle.
The other day I subscribed for $250 Liberty Bonds. I will have to pay $25 per month for ten months. My regiment, the 16th, subscribed for more bonds than any other regiment in the division, and my company for more than any company in the regiment. Every man in Co. “A” took from $150 to $250.
Our division was reviewed by President Poincaire, and I got a glimpse of him when the command “Eyes right” was given.
I go to church once in a while to a little church near here; of course it is Catholic, and is very old, dating back to the 17th century.
You can get an idea of the “eats” from this breakfast menu: Coffee, bacon, oatmeal, potatoes, hot cakes and syrup.”
NOTES: This partial letter was written by William Minter Batjer to his father William F. Dunbar Batjer of Rogers, Arkansas. Batjer was born on August 16, 1897 in Abilene, Texas and died on June 17, 1918. He was killed in combat at Cantigny. He is buried in the Somme American Cemetery and Memorial in Bony, France.
TRANSCRIBED JACQUE HOWARD
Nov. 1st
“Somewhere in France,”
I have just got back from ten days in the trenches, and so far as I am concerned, the horrors of war mean MUD. During these ten days I was at all times knee deep in mud and water and it was either misting, raining or snowing all the time. I was literally plastered with mud from head to foot and no chance to clean up until I came out; I have just finished the scouring-up process and am feeling fine; am lying on my bunk writing by the light of a stubby candle.
The other day I subscribed for $250 Liberty Bonds. I will have to pay $25 per month for ten months. My regiment, the 16th, subscribed for more bonds than any other regiment in the division, and my company for more than any company in the regiment. Every man in Co. “A” took from $150 to $250.
Our division was reviewed by President Poincaire, and I got a glimpse of him when the command “Eyes right” was given.
I go to church once in a while to a little church near here; of course it is Catholic, and is very old, dating back to the 17th century.
You can get an idea of the “eats” from this breakfast menu: Coffee, bacon, oatmeal, potatoes, hot cakes and syrup.”
NOTES: This partial letter was written by William Minter Batjer to his father William F. Dunbar Batjer of Rogers, Arkansas. Batjer was born on August 16, 1897 in Abilene, Texas and died on June 17, 1918. He was killed in combat at Cantigny. He is buried in the Somme American Cemetery and Memorial in Bony, France.
TRANSCRIBED JACQUE HOWARD