TRANSCRIBED FROM THE PINE BLUFF DAILY GRAPHIC JANUARY 29, 1919 P. 5
American Expeditionary Forces.
Nov. 26, 1918.
Dear mother:
By what I read in the Stars and Stripes we can now write anything home, so I’m going to try and ‘bust’ myself.
Our first time on the front was at Chateau-Thierry just after the drive stopped. We were there about five or six days and then came back for a few days’ rest. There was nothing very exiting happened there except the first night.
The gas guard woke us up about every half hour giving the gas alarm but later we all found out it was best to give the alarm only when we smelled gas.
We were sent to help start the St. Mihiel drive after resting a few days. That was also very easy and then we didn’t know what war was until in the Argonne drive. We stayed on the front about 45 days and we lost quite a few men. When the drive started our position was right around Esne.
We were shifted around and kept advancing and when relieved we were around Milly. And that is not far from Dem Sur Meuse. We were going to move into a real hot place when we were relieved and the next day we were told that the armistice was signed.
We were sent on our way to Germany, so here we are in Hytngen. I think we are going to Coblenx.
The people are sure showing their appreciation for what the Americans have done for them.
They are most all giving rooms for some of us. It’s quite unusual to be sleeping between sheets and on springs.
It is pretty hard to tell just when we will be back but I don’t see how it can be long.
By what I hear we will have to be out of Germany after the peace terms are signed.
Will close for this time, hoping you are all well and happy,
Your Son.
NOTES: This letter was written by J. W. Bishop, Jr. to his mother. Bishop was serving with the army of occupation in Germany.
TRANSCRIBED BY LARAE SHURLEY
American Expeditionary Forces.
Nov. 26, 1918.
Dear mother:
By what I read in the Stars and Stripes we can now write anything home, so I’m going to try and ‘bust’ myself.
Our first time on the front was at Chateau-Thierry just after the drive stopped. We were there about five or six days and then came back for a few days’ rest. There was nothing very exiting happened there except the first night.
The gas guard woke us up about every half hour giving the gas alarm but later we all found out it was best to give the alarm only when we smelled gas.
We were sent to help start the St. Mihiel drive after resting a few days. That was also very easy and then we didn’t know what war was until in the Argonne drive. We stayed on the front about 45 days and we lost quite a few men. When the drive started our position was right around Esne.
We were shifted around and kept advancing and when relieved we were around Milly. And that is not far from Dem Sur Meuse. We were going to move into a real hot place when we were relieved and the next day we were told that the armistice was signed.
We were sent on our way to Germany, so here we are in Hytngen. I think we are going to Coblenx.
The people are sure showing their appreciation for what the Americans have done for them.
They are most all giving rooms for some of us. It’s quite unusual to be sleeping between sheets and on springs.
It is pretty hard to tell just when we will be back but I don’t see how it can be long.
By what I hear we will have to be out of Germany after the peace terms are signed.
Will close for this time, hoping you are all well and happy,
Your Son.
NOTES: This letter was written by J. W. Bishop, Jr. to his mother. Bishop was serving with the army of occupation in Germany.
TRANSCRIBED BY LARAE SHURLEY