TRANSCRIBED FROM THE BOONEVILLE DEMOCRAT APRIL 4, 1918 P 1
Comany “B”16th Inf.
France, Feb 1918.
My Dear Father:
Your most appreciated letter received today and its pleasant contents gladly noted. Am glad to know that you are all well at home and Winnie writes me that she and Alta are in the best of health, and doing nicely with their work.
This organization has had its second experience in holding a sector, along the firing line, and will soon be located in a rest camp some distance away from the front, will also be granted seven day passes to visit a certain town in France, where considerable work has been done for the benefit of troops of the A.E.F. that go on this seven day leave, naturally we are anxiously waiting for the time to come.
The country of France along the firing line, is nothing more than a scene of devastation. Small villages, where once perfect tranquility reigned supreme, is now a scene of shapeless ruins, broad valleys that once produced abundant crops, are now, torn to pieces by artillery, and abandoned trenches. After seeing the many different things of this kind, I can plainly see why the moral of a people long at war gradually goes on the decline, although the French people seem determined to hold to the last and have got confidence in their army and the armies of the other allied nations and when America is once in the game in earnest, working side by side with the other Allied Armies. Then it is my opinion as well as the opinion of others, that his “Satanic Majesty” will repent of the outrages he has committed along the Western Front, and on the high seas. American blood has already been shed and a grim determination can already be seen in the eyes of the troops of the A.E.F. When a hard task is to be done, voices of volunteers can be heard from every direction, and spirit like this, is some day to leave a lasting impression with those they meet in conflict.
It is true we endure hardships: but, what is war, more than one continuous routine of hardships and the American troops are second to none, when it comes to endurance. Its true war is a new game to us, but we have been very apt pupils. The French think it wonderful, that we have learned so rapidly.
I am glad financial conditions are good around there, and in my opinion when the war is over things will be even better than they are now, and if I were you I would not get too much money tied up there you can’t get it when the times comes.
Will try to write regularly.
Love to All. Your Son.
Cpl. Allen P. Calhoun.
Co “B” 16th Inf
A.E.F. France.
NOTES: Allen P. Calhoun was born in Greenwood, Arkansas on November 1, 1893 and died in Bonham, Texas on May 10, 1962. He is buried in the Willow Wild Cemetery in Bonham. His headstone identifies him as as a Texas 2nd Lt. Co. G 365 Inf 89th Div in World War I. The stone identifies hims a recipient of a Purple Heart. His military headstone application identifies him as an Arkansas soldier serving in Co “B” 16 Inf. until July 8, 1918 when he was discharged. On July 9, 1918, he received his commission as 2nd Lt with the Texas troops.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Comany “B”16th Inf.
France, Feb 1918.
My Dear Father:
Your most appreciated letter received today and its pleasant contents gladly noted. Am glad to know that you are all well at home and Winnie writes me that she and Alta are in the best of health, and doing nicely with their work.
This organization has had its second experience in holding a sector, along the firing line, and will soon be located in a rest camp some distance away from the front, will also be granted seven day passes to visit a certain town in France, where considerable work has been done for the benefit of troops of the A.E.F. that go on this seven day leave, naturally we are anxiously waiting for the time to come.
The country of France along the firing line, is nothing more than a scene of devastation. Small villages, where once perfect tranquility reigned supreme, is now a scene of shapeless ruins, broad valleys that once produced abundant crops, are now, torn to pieces by artillery, and abandoned trenches. After seeing the many different things of this kind, I can plainly see why the moral of a people long at war gradually goes on the decline, although the French people seem determined to hold to the last and have got confidence in their army and the armies of the other allied nations and when America is once in the game in earnest, working side by side with the other Allied Armies. Then it is my opinion as well as the opinion of others, that his “Satanic Majesty” will repent of the outrages he has committed along the Western Front, and on the high seas. American blood has already been shed and a grim determination can already be seen in the eyes of the troops of the A.E.F. When a hard task is to be done, voices of volunteers can be heard from every direction, and spirit like this, is some day to leave a lasting impression with those they meet in conflict.
It is true we endure hardships: but, what is war, more than one continuous routine of hardships and the American troops are second to none, when it comes to endurance. Its true war is a new game to us, but we have been very apt pupils. The French think it wonderful, that we have learned so rapidly.
I am glad financial conditions are good around there, and in my opinion when the war is over things will be even better than they are now, and if I were you I would not get too much money tied up there you can’t get it when the times comes.
Will try to write regularly.
Love to All. Your Son.
Cpl. Allen P. Calhoun.
Co “B” 16th Inf
A.E.F. France.
NOTES: Allen P. Calhoun was born in Greenwood, Arkansas on November 1, 1893 and died in Bonham, Texas on May 10, 1962. He is buried in the Willow Wild Cemetery in Bonham. His headstone identifies him as as a Texas 2nd Lt. Co. G 365 Inf 89th Div in World War I. The stone identifies hims a recipient of a Purple Heart. His military headstone application identifies him as an Arkansas soldier serving in Co “B” 16 Inf. until July 8, 1918 when he was discharged. On July 9, 1918, he received his commission as 2nd Lt with the Texas troops.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT