TRANSCRIBED FROM THE VAN BUREN COUNTY DEMOCRAT NOVEMBER 1, 1918 P. 1
Detention Camp, Camp Mills, Long Island
You ask me to write what I have learned since leaving home and what a soldier’s life really means to a man. I have seen more since leaving home than in all the rest of my life put together. We left Camp Shelby for–none of us boys knew where, nor did we care. Nevertheless, we traveled through Mississippi, Alabama, a part of Georgia, and into Chattanooga, Tenn. Just before entering Chattanooga I saw Lookout Mountain, where the bloodiest battle of the Civil War was fought, and believe me it is some mountain. There is a car line that goes to the top of it. Before leaving Chattanooga we hiked through the streets and when we returned to the station the Red Cross served us with refreshments. Leaving Chattanooga we went to Lynchburg, Va., and here the Red Cross again met us with refreshments. We soldier boys sure appreciate the many things the Red Cross has down for us. Leaving Lynchburg our next stop was made in Washington, D.C. Just before entering the latter city I saw Washington’s monument and the national capital. The top of the monument looked like it almost touched the clouds. Our train did not stop there long. We next found ourselves in Jersey City. Here we left the train, crossing the Hudson and East Rivers on a boat. From the boat we could see New York City and believe me there are some tall buildings in that place. The scenery was most beautiful. In a short time, we landed at Camp Mills, Long Island. The trip was thus far and the one “overthere” will be worth something to me when I return home which I believe will be inside twelve months, for we’ll have the kaiser, and the honor and glory, too.
NOTES: This partial letter was written by Amos Eugene Brown to his brothers in Damascus, Arkansas. He was born on June 1, 1893 in Damascus and died on August 1, 1980. He is buried in the Spires Cemetery in Faulkner County, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as serving in the US Army during World War I. He enlisted on August 5, 1918 and was discharged on July 19, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD
Detention Camp, Camp Mills, Long Island
You ask me to write what I have learned since leaving home and what a soldier’s life really means to a man. I have seen more since leaving home than in all the rest of my life put together. We left Camp Shelby for–none of us boys knew where, nor did we care. Nevertheless, we traveled through Mississippi, Alabama, a part of Georgia, and into Chattanooga, Tenn. Just before entering Chattanooga I saw Lookout Mountain, where the bloodiest battle of the Civil War was fought, and believe me it is some mountain. There is a car line that goes to the top of it. Before leaving Chattanooga we hiked through the streets and when we returned to the station the Red Cross served us with refreshments. Leaving Chattanooga we went to Lynchburg, Va., and here the Red Cross again met us with refreshments. We soldier boys sure appreciate the many things the Red Cross has down for us. Leaving Lynchburg our next stop was made in Washington, D.C. Just before entering the latter city I saw Washington’s monument and the national capital. The top of the monument looked like it almost touched the clouds. Our train did not stop there long. We next found ourselves in Jersey City. Here we left the train, crossing the Hudson and East Rivers on a boat. From the boat we could see New York City and believe me there are some tall buildings in that place. The scenery was most beautiful. In a short time, we landed at Camp Mills, Long Island. The trip was thus far and the one “overthere” will be worth something to me when I return home which I believe will be inside twelve months, for we’ll have the kaiser, and the honor and glory, too.
NOTES: This partial letter was written by Amos Eugene Brown to his brothers in Damascus, Arkansas. He was born on June 1, 1893 in Damascus and died on August 1, 1980. He is buried in the Spires Cemetery in Faulkner County, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as serving in the US Army during World War I. He enlisted on August 5, 1918 and was discharged on July 19, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD