TRANSCRIBED FROM THE NASHVILLE NEWS AUGUST 14, 1918 P. 1
I received your two letters yesterday, also the birthday greeting (altho somewhat late it starts another year of my life in another world.) The mail is just as important as the bayonet to us, because the spirit that the news from home puts into us fellows makes that thrust at the Boche throats go so much deeper and fertilize the precious soil of France rich with their sins, which the Devil will pay a premium for.
My battalion is now billeted in a small war beaten village in a certain part of France. It can here be plainly seen what a horrible thing war is and what it would mean to be under the Kaiser’s rule, which can never come to be.
There are several Belgium refugees in the village; in fact the greater part of its population are people driven from their homes by the Germans’ crime and cruelty. Most of them are old people and children, whose sons and brothers have already staked their lives for their loved ones’ safety.
Our position now being in the so-called safety zone, but the heavy barrages, put on at dawn each morning, can be heard very plainly. That is, through fun, I would say ‘close enough.’ Our boys are giving ‘em hell is the way the lads from around Chicago stock yards have put it, and a better phrase, for such a statement could not be found.
The reports are that the Sammies will not listen to the pitiful cry of ‘Kamerad! Kamerad!’ that the Dutch are so fond of uttering, but up and at ‘em all the time. Tis reported that in the last drive along the Marne, where the fighting is hottest at the present, that dough-boys were meeting the bloody Dutch hand to hand with bayonets and grenades, instead of holding their positions and waiting till they could see the color their eyes were.
Gen. Pershing is a speech to one of the regiments of our division states that we will either be in heaven hell or home by Christmas. That means more war, most of the battles to take place below. The above sounds good to some, but it means lots of mean days for the fellows who are already over here and trained to the high degree required to face the coming victory.
We see lots of aircraft; that is patrols of sky-pilots who search for hostile machines day and night.
During my movements in both England and France I could look back and see what a wonderful country I was a son of; also thought of how much truth there was in the railroad advertisement, ‘See America First.’ Will have to say that I like France much better than England, and so do all the men.
You stated that a large percentage of the Camp Pike boys have moved east and are making ready to cross over. Don’t leave Howard county out. I certainly hope it will fall my way to see some of the boys and friends I love so well there. I suppose “Dick” Tinny, Jess Tollett and all the tribe will be over soon. Chances are I will get to see them after we get into action, because our duties as engineers call us everywhere at all times.
You say my friends ask about me often; that is fine. What else could a soldier wish for? Better to know about me now than later; you know a dead soldier is of no use to anyone. But just tell them that I won’t forget any of them and that each day is thinking day of good things I’ve left behind.
Certainly sorry to hear of Jim’s sudden illness and hope he has fully recovered by now; and he thinks I am lucky to get to come over here. I am and am proud that I am selected to go through the hardships of war for my country and my people. Things the army has done for me and others are many. God Pity the Germans when we all get over.
I would like to know how the election came out; is Barney Jacques still fishing on Sunday, etc. Papa, that is the kind of news that I like. Then the Kaiser’s little soldier kraut-eaters will bother me nix.
I will try my hand at writing for the News soon. That is, write something to them all—everybody that I have sold the famous Tanlac, jar rubbers, onion sets, etc. Those were the bonnie days.
I suppose you will see by this letter that I remember well the days of two years ago. I have been away one year this month. Just think what can happen to a fellow in a year. Thus it was; St. Louis, Funston, New York, Atlantic, England, English Channel, land now ‘tis France.
Do write me often, and will try to let you hear of me as much as possible.
Remember me in good wishes to everybody from Mineral Springs to Centre Point, then from Doyle to County Line.
Love Mother and the two sisters lots for me, and always I think of them the way a son and brother should. Love to you.
Your son,
Leon
NOTES: Beauchamp is a member of the 314th Engineers and is writing to his father, W. A. Beauchamp of Nashville, Arkansas from France. Beauchamp died in 1964 and is buried in the Nashville Cemetery in Nashville, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON