TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ROGERS DEMOCRAT FEBRUARY 27, 1919 P. 1
Courgains, France. Jan. 19, ‘19
Dear Sis:
Just a line to let you know that I am still on the wrong side of the pond and am getting along fine. I got mother’s letter written Dec. 19 so this is for all.
We are hoping to sail the 30th but it may be much later, but I am hoping that is will not be many weeks.
We are near LeMans now; left Quardyhre last Wednesday in box cars; arrived in this little town Friday. We hope to be deloused and get some new clothes in a few days. I have only one suit of underwear now, some sneak swiped the other one. I gave the one I have a good boiling before leaving Q. and felt pretty thin while I was doing it and believe me I kept an eye on that underwear while it was drying. I think it would have been the death of any fellow caught trying to steal it.
This is a great country; at least 100 years behind the times, and when a fellow says the girls over here are better looking than the girls in America you may know he has bad eye sight. (MISSING TEXT) ing by the light of a candle. I have bookoo straw for a bunk. How does a fellow feel to sleep on a real bed? I have forgotten; but what I have is much better than a pile of boards or a ditch where I have slept.
I could go on all evening but guess you are tired of these scratches so will close with love to all.
L. Bland
I saw an old man dressing a hog yesterday and instead of scalding it as we do he piled straw around it, set the straw on fire and singed the hair out. Two more old men were sawing lumber like they did 1,000 years ago. You know how they look in the picture. The log is placed on a scaffold, one man stands upon the log, one beneath and there they work away with all the patience of Job, and too slow to catch bad cold.
It is about bedtime, but feet are cold and I must read my shirt. Goodnight.
NOTES: This letter was written by Loyd Bland to his sister Mrs. S.M. Ray of Larue, Arkansas. He was born on September 2, 1893 in Larue, Arkansas and died on February 21, 1975. He is buried in the Bland Cemetery in Rogers, Arkansas. He enlisted on May 17, 1918 and was discharged on April 18, 1919. He departed New York, NY on August 18, 1918 onboard the Armagh. He was listed as a Pvt. serving in Camp Pike July Automatic Replacement Draft Co. #12 Infantry. He departed Brest, France on March 11, 1919 onboard the Huntington. He was listed as a Pvt. serving in Co. A 134th Machine Gun Battalion. He later became the postmaster at Larue.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON
Courgains, France. Jan. 19, ‘19
Dear Sis:
Just a line to let you know that I am still on the wrong side of the pond and am getting along fine. I got mother’s letter written Dec. 19 so this is for all.
We are hoping to sail the 30th but it may be much later, but I am hoping that is will not be many weeks.
We are near LeMans now; left Quardyhre last Wednesday in box cars; arrived in this little town Friday. We hope to be deloused and get some new clothes in a few days. I have only one suit of underwear now, some sneak swiped the other one. I gave the one I have a good boiling before leaving Q. and felt pretty thin while I was doing it and believe me I kept an eye on that underwear while it was drying. I think it would have been the death of any fellow caught trying to steal it.
This is a great country; at least 100 years behind the times, and when a fellow says the girls over here are better looking than the girls in America you may know he has bad eye sight. (MISSING TEXT) ing by the light of a candle. I have bookoo straw for a bunk. How does a fellow feel to sleep on a real bed? I have forgotten; but what I have is much better than a pile of boards or a ditch where I have slept.
I could go on all evening but guess you are tired of these scratches so will close with love to all.
L. Bland
I saw an old man dressing a hog yesterday and instead of scalding it as we do he piled straw around it, set the straw on fire and singed the hair out. Two more old men were sawing lumber like they did 1,000 years ago. You know how they look in the picture. The log is placed on a scaffold, one man stands upon the log, one beneath and there they work away with all the patience of Job, and too slow to catch bad cold.
It is about bedtime, but feet are cold and I must read my shirt. Goodnight.
NOTES: This letter was written by Loyd Bland to his sister Mrs. S.M. Ray of Larue, Arkansas. He was born on September 2, 1893 in Larue, Arkansas and died on February 21, 1975. He is buried in the Bland Cemetery in Rogers, Arkansas. He enlisted on May 17, 1918 and was discharged on April 18, 1919. He departed New York, NY on August 18, 1918 onboard the Armagh. He was listed as a Pvt. serving in Camp Pike July Automatic Replacement Draft Co. #12 Infantry. He departed Brest, France on March 11, 1919 onboard the Huntington. He was listed as a Pvt. serving in Co. A 134th Machine Gun Battalion. He later became the postmaster at Larue.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON