TRANSCRIBED FROM THE HELENA WORLD FEBRUARY 11, 1918 P. 5
In France, Jan. 14, 1918.
Mr. W. P. Cunningham.
Dear Friend:
Just received your much welcome letter today. You don't know how it makes a fellow feel when he gets mail away up here so close to No Man's Land. You ought to see us when we get mail: all stand around and wait for their names to be called off, and often you see a fellow, if his name is not called, turn around with a great big tear in his eye and look as though he never had a friend in the world. But next time he may be the lucky fellow.
We have been having a tough time of it for about three weeks; big snow on the ground, about two feet where we are. Everything frozen up tight, but still we plug away as though nothing ever happened and put the stuff up to the boys at the front. No eight-hour law, or 16-hour law either. Can't tie up when you like over here. But nobody grumbles; just go put your steel hat on and gas mask over your shoulders and go right on up there as though there was nothing there. I have got 26 men with me, and they would jump into the fire if I told them to. They are a fine bunch of boys, but I would not put them any place that I would not go.
We are still with the British army, and a fine bunch, too. They never grumble and you never hear one of them brag of what he can do or what he has done. They sure are stickers.
Well, W. P., I can't tell you what is going on up here, but will tell you a little about my trip to Paris. I was one of the first American soldiers to get a leave from active field service. I left the front on the sixth of January and went to the great city of Paris for seven days, and the time that I had those seven days seems like a dread tonight while I am sitting here writing this letter. It was so short but it was a great relief to get away. You would not know that there was a war going on over here when you get into the great city. Seems like you are in a dream-land. Can hear no guns or aeroplanes coming over. They treat you fine. Have got a big Y.M.C.A, there for the boys on leave, and it sure is fine. They have got a big car that they take the boys out in and show them around the city and the American ladies have got a club also, and they look out for the boys on leave. The French people sure treat you nice. I met a fine family: they sure showed me a nice time. Just think of an old rounder going out for dinner in a great big touring car and having a six or seven course dinner! But anyway you ought to have seen me put it on, and then go to the Casino de Paris and see Gaby Deslys and Harry -Pilcer put on their great stunt and hearing the great Murray-Pilcer's American Sharbo Band. The show was half English and the rest French; part I understood and part I did not, but nevertheless I had a nice little partner with me that saveyed the lingo and explained it all to me. And after the show we went out for a nice quiet little supper and plenty of fine, sparkling wine flowing. But the last night was the grandest of them all a farewell party and then down to the station in the big car and on my way back to the front. It was hard to leave but the best of friends must part for the great cause that we are fighting for. So here I am, back up where the great guns are roaring and aeroplanes are buzzing around, and doing my bit, which we all must do and it wont be long then until all the boys will be back in the good old U.S.A.
Give all the boys my best regards and hope to see them soon.
From your friend,
W. A. CARR.
NOTES: William Albert Carr was born on September 16, 1885 in Centralia, Illinois and died on February 19, 1985. He served as a First Lieut. in the 12th Engineers. He enlisted on June 8, 1917 and was discharged on June 13, 1919. He departed Marseille, France on April 6, 1919 onboard the Pannonia. He was serving as a First Lieut. Engineers with the 68th Co. Transportation Corp, 1st Railway Division 13th Grand Division.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
In France, Jan. 14, 1918.
Mr. W. P. Cunningham.
Dear Friend:
Just received your much welcome letter today. You don't know how it makes a fellow feel when he gets mail away up here so close to No Man's Land. You ought to see us when we get mail: all stand around and wait for their names to be called off, and often you see a fellow, if his name is not called, turn around with a great big tear in his eye and look as though he never had a friend in the world. But next time he may be the lucky fellow.
We have been having a tough time of it for about three weeks; big snow on the ground, about two feet where we are. Everything frozen up tight, but still we plug away as though nothing ever happened and put the stuff up to the boys at the front. No eight-hour law, or 16-hour law either. Can't tie up when you like over here. But nobody grumbles; just go put your steel hat on and gas mask over your shoulders and go right on up there as though there was nothing there. I have got 26 men with me, and they would jump into the fire if I told them to. They are a fine bunch of boys, but I would not put them any place that I would not go.
We are still with the British army, and a fine bunch, too. They never grumble and you never hear one of them brag of what he can do or what he has done. They sure are stickers.
Well, W. P., I can't tell you what is going on up here, but will tell you a little about my trip to Paris. I was one of the first American soldiers to get a leave from active field service. I left the front on the sixth of January and went to the great city of Paris for seven days, and the time that I had those seven days seems like a dread tonight while I am sitting here writing this letter. It was so short but it was a great relief to get away. You would not know that there was a war going on over here when you get into the great city. Seems like you are in a dream-land. Can hear no guns or aeroplanes coming over. They treat you fine. Have got a big Y.M.C.A, there for the boys on leave, and it sure is fine. They have got a big car that they take the boys out in and show them around the city and the American ladies have got a club also, and they look out for the boys on leave. The French people sure treat you nice. I met a fine family: they sure showed me a nice time. Just think of an old rounder going out for dinner in a great big touring car and having a six or seven course dinner! But anyway you ought to have seen me put it on, and then go to the Casino de Paris and see Gaby Deslys and Harry -Pilcer put on their great stunt and hearing the great Murray-Pilcer's American Sharbo Band. The show was half English and the rest French; part I understood and part I did not, but nevertheless I had a nice little partner with me that saveyed the lingo and explained it all to me. And after the show we went out for a nice quiet little supper and plenty of fine, sparkling wine flowing. But the last night was the grandest of them all a farewell party and then down to the station in the big car and on my way back to the front. It was hard to leave but the best of friends must part for the great cause that we are fighting for. So here I am, back up where the great guns are roaring and aeroplanes are buzzing around, and doing my bit, which we all must do and it wont be long then until all the boys will be back in the good old U.S.A.
Give all the boys my best regards and hope to see them soon.
From your friend,
W. A. CARR.
NOTES: William Albert Carr was born on September 16, 1885 in Centralia, Illinois and died on February 19, 1985. He served as a First Lieut. in the 12th Engineers. He enlisted on June 8, 1917 and was discharged on June 13, 1919. He departed Marseille, France on April 6, 1919 onboard the Pannonia. He was serving as a First Lieut. Engineers with the 68th Co. Transportation Corp, 1st Railway Division 13th Grand Division.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD