TRANSCRIBED FROM THE HOME NEWS DECEMBER 13, 1918 P. 5
U. S. S. Louisiana.
November 31, 1918
Dearest Alice:
Have been waiting and longing for a letter from you for some time, but seems as though I’m going to be disappointed in spite of all, so I decided to drop you a few lines while I have a few leisure moments.
Well how are you and the family ere this and how have you been since I last heard from you?
At this writing I am well as could be expected and trust this will find you and family the same.
How did you enjoy the holiday (Thanksgiving)--fine I I suppose. Hope you had a better time than myself. There was a liberty party Wednesday to be continued until Sunday (today) but as there is only 15 per cent of the crew allowed to go on such an occasion I was one of the unfortunate ones to be left behind. We had a big programme planned to pull off on the quarter deck but as it rained all day here we did not get to have any of it but we were not forgotten on the eats. We had a very nice dinner.
This was one Thanksgiving that every one should be unusual thankful that the world is at peace once more after a long and bloody struggle with an unmerciful enemy. Thank God he is conquered at last and for it the world owes “Uncle Sam” a debt of gratitude.
I suppose there was quite a bit of celebration throughout the counry when the message was flashed around that peace was declared. We were nine days from this coast on our way from France when we got the message. We did not go through any ceremony whatever.
Since we were in Philadelphia this ship was converted into a first class super-battle Cruiser and was convoying ships (troop) through the war zone to protect them against enemy raiders that were coming out.
Beileve me we were sure seeing the real sea service then. On our first cruise we were out 27 days from port but were forced to head in for Halifax, N. S. for coal. We were held up four days by a storm or we could have made it in O. K.
On coming out of Halifax we were attacked by three submarines at once, but owing to our rapid firing we stood them off alright.
We have been in port here now more than a week from a 25 day cruise at sea but did not have any trouble at all. I have been kept quite busy since we came to anchor repairing and cleaning up in general for another run some place.
Was in Yorktown all afternoon taking in the sights of the city. It is the same little berg as when I saw it last. This is the first time I’ve been on land since I jumped ship in Halifax in October.
I don’t know or have the least idea when I will get another furlough. There has been no furloughs since they were stopped about 4 months ago, but I guess it won’t be long before we will be going regular again.
I sure would like to be there for Christmas to take dinner with you. Lucy says she had a letter from Alfred saying he was coming by to see them when he returned from France.
Well, Alice, I am getting so sleeping I can hardly keep awake, so if you will pardon my hurry, I will close for this time, promising to write more next time. Hoping to hear from you real soon.
With much love and good wishes, I am as always.
Your loving bud.
CHARLES.
NOTES: This letter was written by Charles Clark to his sister, Mrs. Jas. J. Stoker of Jelks, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY GABBY RUSHING
U. S. S. Louisiana.
November 31, 1918
Dearest Alice:
Have been waiting and longing for a letter from you for some time, but seems as though I’m going to be disappointed in spite of all, so I decided to drop you a few lines while I have a few leisure moments.
Well how are you and the family ere this and how have you been since I last heard from you?
At this writing I am well as could be expected and trust this will find you and family the same.
How did you enjoy the holiday (Thanksgiving)--fine I I suppose. Hope you had a better time than myself. There was a liberty party Wednesday to be continued until Sunday (today) but as there is only 15 per cent of the crew allowed to go on such an occasion I was one of the unfortunate ones to be left behind. We had a big programme planned to pull off on the quarter deck but as it rained all day here we did not get to have any of it but we were not forgotten on the eats. We had a very nice dinner.
This was one Thanksgiving that every one should be unusual thankful that the world is at peace once more after a long and bloody struggle with an unmerciful enemy. Thank God he is conquered at last and for it the world owes “Uncle Sam” a debt of gratitude.
I suppose there was quite a bit of celebration throughout the counry when the message was flashed around that peace was declared. We were nine days from this coast on our way from France when we got the message. We did not go through any ceremony whatever.
Since we were in Philadelphia this ship was converted into a first class super-battle Cruiser and was convoying ships (troop) through the war zone to protect them against enemy raiders that were coming out.
Beileve me we were sure seeing the real sea service then. On our first cruise we were out 27 days from port but were forced to head in for Halifax, N. S. for coal. We were held up four days by a storm or we could have made it in O. K.
On coming out of Halifax we were attacked by three submarines at once, but owing to our rapid firing we stood them off alright.
We have been in port here now more than a week from a 25 day cruise at sea but did not have any trouble at all. I have been kept quite busy since we came to anchor repairing and cleaning up in general for another run some place.
Was in Yorktown all afternoon taking in the sights of the city. It is the same little berg as when I saw it last. This is the first time I’ve been on land since I jumped ship in Halifax in October.
I don’t know or have the least idea when I will get another furlough. There has been no furloughs since they were stopped about 4 months ago, but I guess it won’t be long before we will be going regular again.
I sure would like to be there for Christmas to take dinner with you. Lucy says she had a letter from Alfred saying he was coming by to see them when he returned from France.
Well, Alice, I am getting so sleeping I can hardly keep awake, so if you will pardon my hurry, I will close for this time, promising to write more next time. Hoping to hear from you real soon.
With much love and good wishes, I am as always.
Your loving bud.
CHARLES.
NOTES: This letter was written by Charles Clark to his sister, Mrs. Jas. J. Stoker of Jelks, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY GABBY RUSHING