TRANSCRIBED FROM THE DREW COUNTY ADVANCE JANUARY 28, 1919 P. 7
Dear Folks:
Due to the fact that I promised a number of letters to my friends, and finding it quite a task to write so many, because of the amount of work I have to do, will write you all together in one letter. No doubt you are all aware of the collapse of the "Dutchmen," everyone over here rejoiced in the success of the Allies. Right here I want to say it was your Uncle Samuel and his money that turned the trick in our favor. I have seen these poor German prisoners, some of them are an intelligent bunch, and it is a shame that German military power had such a grip on them. The French and American forces have quite a number of the prisoners where I am stationed. Have seen one American guarding as many as fifty. You know they would not desert for anything. Our boys are in the best of spirits. The only thing that discourages them is when there is no chocolate or cigarettes available. The day we arrived here, quite a number of officers and men came aboard and asked for candy. The prices of everything is something terrible. A franc is considered a dollar; when we exchange our money we get about 5 frans and 40 centimes for the dollar. Water is scarce--in fact we have to depend on wine mostly. I would give a dollar for a good drink of Arkansas water today. This place I am stationed is controlled by Americans, all supplies and troops land here. We have our own Railroad docks, in fact everything imaginable. We are all Quartermaster boys, who do this work. In addition we send all troops and supplies to the line. I have seen our boys in all conditions. Eyes out, legs off, arms off, and blind, but regardless of their condition, they are cheerful and cry out for cigarettes and chocolate. I met a Mr. Smith who worked with me in Little Rock for Wells-Fargo Express. He is a Sergeant and was wounded during the St. Michiel drive. One eye shot out, one leg off, 3 fingers missing. He recognized me and the very first thing he wanted was a cigarette. I gave him my last pack, went back to my ship and got him two cartoons and $10 in cash and then we had an hour's chat.
France is a beautiful country, but cannot say as much for some of the cities. This place where I am stationed is about thirty thousand population, but very old "timey." I have seen the country for miles around and even the battle ground, but I can't go into that here, will tell you all about it when I am released from the service. Paris is simply beautiful, and I might add more so than "Little Old New York."
From what I have seen I agree with Sherman that War is Hell. If you had the privileges of seeing what I have seen, you would agree with me. You have read of "No Man's Land." Let me insist it was a Hell of its own. The Northern part of France is literally torn to pieces: thousands of acres of ground completely devastated and not fit for cultivation for years to come. The lower element of the Germans are a dog like bunch. They care nothing for the value of anything, their object is to destroy, but thank the Good Loard, the Yanks arrived at the opportune time and saved the Allies. As one French officer told me "Ah what glorious fighters the Americans are."
The French think the world of Americans. This is not due solely to the fact that we saved them, you know since Lafayette aided us in conquering the British, there has existed a mutual feeling between the two countries. When our first troops arrived here, there was quite a demonstration, but I wish you could have seen the French celebrate the day. Can you imagine these beautiful French girls carrying American soldiers in their arms through the streets of the city, yet that is what some of them did.
The 39th Division from Camp Beauregard is over here, but I have not been able to locate them so far.
Well, mother, I can't say when I will be able to return to the States, but I wish I could be able to eat Christmas dinner with you all. Write me.
Your son,
Lieut. C. C. Clayton.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Dear Folks:
Due to the fact that I promised a number of letters to my friends, and finding it quite a task to write so many, because of the amount of work I have to do, will write you all together in one letter. No doubt you are all aware of the collapse of the "Dutchmen," everyone over here rejoiced in the success of the Allies. Right here I want to say it was your Uncle Samuel and his money that turned the trick in our favor. I have seen these poor German prisoners, some of them are an intelligent bunch, and it is a shame that German military power had such a grip on them. The French and American forces have quite a number of the prisoners where I am stationed. Have seen one American guarding as many as fifty. You know they would not desert for anything. Our boys are in the best of spirits. The only thing that discourages them is when there is no chocolate or cigarettes available. The day we arrived here, quite a number of officers and men came aboard and asked for candy. The prices of everything is something terrible. A franc is considered a dollar; when we exchange our money we get about 5 frans and 40 centimes for the dollar. Water is scarce--in fact we have to depend on wine mostly. I would give a dollar for a good drink of Arkansas water today. This place I am stationed is controlled by Americans, all supplies and troops land here. We have our own Railroad docks, in fact everything imaginable. We are all Quartermaster boys, who do this work. In addition we send all troops and supplies to the line. I have seen our boys in all conditions. Eyes out, legs off, arms off, and blind, but regardless of their condition, they are cheerful and cry out for cigarettes and chocolate. I met a Mr. Smith who worked with me in Little Rock for Wells-Fargo Express. He is a Sergeant and was wounded during the St. Michiel drive. One eye shot out, one leg off, 3 fingers missing. He recognized me and the very first thing he wanted was a cigarette. I gave him my last pack, went back to my ship and got him two cartoons and $10 in cash and then we had an hour's chat.
France is a beautiful country, but cannot say as much for some of the cities. This place where I am stationed is about thirty thousand population, but very old "timey." I have seen the country for miles around and even the battle ground, but I can't go into that here, will tell you all about it when I am released from the service. Paris is simply beautiful, and I might add more so than "Little Old New York."
From what I have seen I agree with Sherman that War is Hell. If you had the privileges of seeing what I have seen, you would agree with me. You have read of "No Man's Land." Let me insist it was a Hell of its own. The Northern part of France is literally torn to pieces: thousands of acres of ground completely devastated and not fit for cultivation for years to come. The lower element of the Germans are a dog like bunch. They care nothing for the value of anything, their object is to destroy, but thank the Good Loard, the Yanks arrived at the opportune time and saved the Allies. As one French officer told me "Ah what glorious fighters the Americans are."
The French think the world of Americans. This is not due solely to the fact that we saved them, you know since Lafayette aided us in conquering the British, there has existed a mutual feeling between the two countries. When our first troops arrived here, there was quite a demonstration, but I wish you could have seen the French celebrate the day. Can you imagine these beautiful French girls carrying American soldiers in their arms through the streets of the city, yet that is what some of them did.
The 39th Division from Camp Beauregard is over here, but I have not been able to locate them so far.
Well, mother, I can't say when I will be able to return to the States, but I wish I could be able to eat Christmas dinner with you all. Write me.
Your son,
Lieut. C. C. Clayton.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD