TRANSCRIBED FROM THE COLUMBIA BANNER OCTOBER 23, 1918, P. 3
Somewhere in France
Sept. 13, 1918
Mrs. V. R. Beasley,
Dear Mamma:
How are you getting along by this time? I hope you are all well I am myself.
I am still fattening, I guess I am about as big as any of your boys. I weight 165, and you know I was not that heavy when I left home. Still like the army fine. We are still drilling. Can’t tell when I’ll go to the front, have been here at this place a week tomorrow. I am in the Pioneers company now, and we are in a small town, the name of it is, well I had better not tell the name, for they might clip it out, anyway it is a pretty nice place. The people are nice and treat us nice, so we are having a good time.
I guess everything is dull back home around home. I would like pretty well to be back at home, but I have not finished my task over here yet. But when I do get it finished I’ll come home and enjoy life with you again.
I like France fine, but don’t like the weather very much. It is pretty cold over here, the nights are real cold but the days are very pleasant when it is not raining. It has rained a little every day since we arrived here, but we have had a very fine day today. I’m learning to talk French a little but it is pretty hard.
Well I guess the boys are getting ready to pick cotton. I haven’t seen any cotton or corn since I left the States. These people don’t raise anything much expect wheal and grapes. I think they live on bread and grape wine. They sell wine at every store and at their homes, but I don’t indulge in any of their drinks.
Mamma I sent you a cablegram when I landed, did you get it alright? But I’m sure you did.
We left Camp Pike a month ago the 9th, and have been going ever since but still I don’t feel any farther from home than when at Pike.
I had better close for this time and write more soon. You all write real often, have not had a letter since I left Camp Pike. My address at present is, Headquarters Co., 102 U. S. Inf. American E. F. France.
Love to all.
Your son.
GEO. G. BEASLEY
NOTES: George Gaylon Beasley was born on August 25, 1895, Magnolia, Arkansas, Columbia County and died on July 4, 1966. He is buried in the Columbia Cemetery at Waldo, Columbia County. His military headstone identifies him as a Pvt. Co. A 317 Inf. 80 Div. World War I. He was described as being of medium height with light blue eyes and black hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Somewhere in France
Sept. 13, 1918
Mrs. V. R. Beasley,
Dear Mamma:
How are you getting along by this time? I hope you are all well I am myself.
I am still fattening, I guess I am about as big as any of your boys. I weight 165, and you know I was not that heavy when I left home. Still like the army fine. We are still drilling. Can’t tell when I’ll go to the front, have been here at this place a week tomorrow. I am in the Pioneers company now, and we are in a small town, the name of it is, well I had better not tell the name, for they might clip it out, anyway it is a pretty nice place. The people are nice and treat us nice, so we are having a good time.
I guess everything is dull back home around home. I would like pretty well to be back at home, but I have not finished my task over here yet. But when I do get it finished I’ll come home and enjoy life with you again.
I like France fine, but don’t like the weather very much. It is pretty cold over here, the nights are real cold but the days are very pleasant when it is not raining. It has rained a little every day since we arrived here, but we have had a very fine day today. I’m learning to talk French a little but it is pretty hard.
Well I guess the boys are getting ready to pick cotton. I haven’t seen any cotton or corn since I left the States. These people don’t raise anything much expect wheal and grapes. I think they live on bread and grape wine. They sell wine at every store and at their homes, but I don’t indulge in any of their drinks.
Mamma I sent you a cablegram when I landed, did you get it alright? But I’m sure you did.
We left Camp Pike a month ago the 9th, and have been going ever since but still I don’t feel any farther from home than when at Pike.
I had better close for this time and write more soon. You all write real often, have not had a letter since I left Camp Pike. My address at present is, Headquarters Co., 102 U. S. Inf. American E. F. France.
Love to all.
Your son.
GEO. G. BEASLEY
NOTES: George Gaylon Beasley was born on August 25, 1895, Magnolia, Arkansas, Columbia County and died on July 4, 1966. He is buried in the Columbia Cemetery at Waldo, Columbia County. His military headstone identifies him as a Pvt. Co. A 317 Inf. 80 Div. World War I. He was described as being of medium height with light blue eyes and black hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT