TRANSCRIBED FROM ARKANSAS GAZETTE OCT 13, 1918 p 23
My Own Dearest Mother:
I do not know when this or other letters will reach you, but will write every time I have an opportunity. You will have to overlook anything in means of writing, as our writing facilities are very limited.
My first impression of France was very misleading, in fact since I last wrote you I have seen most all of France and I must admit it is the most beautiful country I have ever seen. Everything is so picturesque. As I said in my last letter, there are no frame buildings; all are made of stone and cement, and some of the most beautiful homes I have ever seen are the chateaus of the better class of people. When we are in town for any length of time the officers are quartered in the homes of the French people, and even the smaller homes are like a palace inside. The beds are about four stories high, and when you bury up in one of them you never want to get up. I know these people must have lived well in peace time. The people in this section are a very high class and are so polite they cannot do enough for you. They are very demonstrative and tip their hats to you every time they meet you. They will shake hands with you ever time they see you, and take you in their homes to have a glass of wine, and if you want to make one mad, refuse to drink wine, or perhaps I should say her wine, as all the men are at the front and the woman seem to command the homes. They seem capable, too, and so energetic.
One thing that strikes me as great is the horses and cattle, which are the finest I have ever seen; they have the Belgian horses, and they are beautiful.
It seems hard to write to you and not say what I would like to say, but I am placed on my honor not to give any information, as an officer censors his own mail. I would like to write you where I am and where I have been and some of the interesting places I have seen, but that would necessitate my giving the names of places, which is forbidden. Some day, I hope it will not be long, I hope to see you and tell you the interesting things I have seen.
NOTES: This partial letter was written to his mother, Mrs. Dollie V. Brown of Conway, Arkansas. First Lieutenant George Russell Brown was born December 29, 1895 at Enola, Arkansas. His draft card lists him as medium height and slender build with gray eyes and brown hair. He volunteered for the first and only Student Citizen Training Camp at Fort Roots. He served in the 153 rd Infantry. He died December 8, 1980, at Little Rock.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
My Own Dearest Mother:
I do not know when this or other letters will reach you, but will write every time I have an opportunity. You will have to overlook anything in means of writing, as our writing facilities are very limited.
My first impression of France was very misleading, in fact since I last wrote you I have seen most all of France and I must admit it is the most beautiful country I have ever seen. Everything is so picturesque. As I said in my last letter, there are no frame buildings; all are made of stone and cement, and some of the most beautiful homes I have ever seen are the chateaus of the better class of people. When we are in town for any length of time the officers are quartered in the homes of the French people, and even the smaller homes are like a palace inside. The beds are about four stories high, and when you bury up in one of them you never want to get up. I know these people must have lived well in peace time. The people in this section are a very high class and are so polite they cannot do enough for you. They are very demonstrative and tip their hats to you every time they meet you. They will shake hands with you ever time they see you, and take you in their homes to have a glass of wine, and if you want to make one mad, refuse to drink wine, or perhaps I should say her wine, as all the men are at the front and the woman seem to command the homes. They seem capable, too, and so energetic.
One thing that strikes me as great is the horses and cattle, which are the finest I have ever seen; they have the Belgian horses, and they are beautiful.
It seems hard to write to you and not say what I would like to say, but I am placed on my honor not to give any information, as an officer censors his own mail. I would like to write you where I am and where I have been and some of the interesting places I have seen, but that would necessitate my giving the names of places, which is forbidden. Some day, I hope it will not be long, I hope to see you and tell you the interesting things I have seen.
NOTES: This partial letter was written to his mother, Mrs. Dollie V. Brown of Conway, Arkansas. First Lieutenant George Russell Brown was born December 29, 1895 at Enola, Arkansas. His draft card lists him as medium height and slender build with gray eyes and brown hair. He volunteered for the first and only Student Citizen Training Camp at Fort Roots. He served in the 153 rd Infantry. He died December 8, 1980, at Little Rock.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT