TRANSCRIBED FROM THE POINSETT MODERN NEWS AUGUST 23, 1918 P. 1
Editor Modern News:
While it is not natural to hunt for advertising I presume that I am just a human being after all and consequently like the spot-light once in a while; hence I take the liberty of writing you at this time. Really I have read the many letters you have published from the other boys and I was just thinking that perhaps I owed it to you and my many other feiends at home, to write a little letter, telling where I am, what I am doing and my every day life which is a little different than the life you and I were useed to before the Germans started to tell us what to do.
First, I am Sergeant in the above Company which is composed of ineffectives; by ineffectives, I mean “cast-offs” of the Artillery, Infantry, etc. These men have been rejected for various reasons: some of them are sound physically but under developed, others are in need of a minor operation and still other are illiterates and are neither able to read nor write. These men are to attend school and to be developed physically so that they soon shall be able to get into active service. I presume this type of man makes up the Companies which are the more difficult to handle of any, therefore I am kept busy from early earley morning till taps.
While I of course would prefer to be in a regular organization, a fighting unit, I do not mind my present work, in fact, I would rather be in the Army than any place in the world while the war is going on. Of course, no one gets their choosing in the Army but is placed just where he happens to be needed at that time. It is probable that I shall be called for overseas service in the near future, and I hope it shall be soon. There is no real excitement over here.
NOTES: This letter was written by Sgt. Alvin J. Bryant from Camp Jackson, SC. He was serving with the 1st Co., 4th Development Bn., 156th Depot Brigade. He was born on November 22, 1889 in Orange City, Alabama and died on February 2, 1949. He is buried in the Willis Cemetery in Greenfield, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a PFC serving in the 9th Co., 3rd Training Bn., 156 Depot Brigade. He enlisted on September 18, 1917 and was discharged on February 14, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS
Editor Modern News:
While it is not natural to hunt for advertising I presume that I am just a human being after all and consequently like the spot-light once in a while; hence I take the liberty of writing you at this time. Really I have read the many letters you have published from the other boys and I was just thinking that perhaps I owed it to you and my many other feiends at home, to write a little letter, telling where I am, what I am doing and my every day life which is a little different than the life you and I were useed to before the Germans started to tell us what to do.
First, I am Sergeant in the above Company which is composed of ineffectives; by ineffectives, I mean “cast-offs” of the Artillery, Infantry, etc. These men have been rejected for various reasons: some of them are sound physically but under developed, others are in need of a minor operation and still other are illiterates and are neither able to read nor write. These men are to attend school and to be developed physically so that they soon shall be able to get into active service. I presume this type of man makes up the Companies which are the more difficult to handle of any, therefore I am kept busy from early earley morning till taps.
While I of course would prefer to be in a regular organization, a fighting unit, I do not mind my present work, in fact, I would rather be in the Army than any place in the world while the war is going on. Of course, no one gets their choosing in the Army but is placed just where he happens to be needed at that time. It is probable that I shall be called for overseas service in the near future, and I hope it shall be soon. There is no real excitement over here.
NOTES: This letter was written by Sgt. Alvin J. Bryant from Camp Jackson, SC. He was serving with the 1st Co., 4th Development Bn., 156th Depot Brigade. He was born on November 22, 1889 in Orange City, Alabama and died on February 2, 1949. He is buried in the Willis Cemetery in Greenfield, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a PFC serving in the 9th Co., 3rd Training Bn., 156 Depot Brigade. He enlisted on September 18, 1917 and was discharged on February 14, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS