TRANSCRIBED FROM THE HOME NEWS AUGUST 2, 1918 P. 3
June 26, 1918.
My dear uncle Romie and aunt Mettie:
How are both you dear old folks today? I do hope you are both well. Am heartily ashamed of myself for not writing to you before now, but ever since I’ve been in France I have been so very busy, haven’t had time to write very often. I Have been able to write often to my darling mother, God bless her, wanted to let her know just how I was getting along.
Just now I am out of the fun for a few weeks for about two weeks ago I received two wounds, very slight, in the hips nothing serious however, but nevertheless, the Fritz didn’t do their job very well, so consequently, I will be back at them in a short while and harder than ever for now I have a personal affair or score to settle for the same shell that hit me killed my best friend of Marine corps day and so from now on, I have one score in particular. Was wounded while doing duty as sentry on an outpost for we were expecting an attack and the Germans put over an awful fierce barrage and as my friend and I were without protection or cover from the rain of shells and shrapnel we could hardly hope to live through it without being hit, so unfortunately he was killed and I was only hit, but my old trusty rifle, the one that was first issued me, was torn up, torn all to pieces and had it lying by my side at the time too was wonderful.
Than to clap the climax, the Germans were afraid to come over after us even after a day and one half bombardments and then a two hours barrage. They sure had our range exactly for just two days before we had taken that ground away from them. They tried to retake it by shell fire for they had been taught a rather severe lesson by the Yanks and didn’t want to get close to us.
My dear uncle Romie, I really believe you would have enjoyed being there, for after all you have been through you know how it is.
It seems that the spirit gets into a fellow’s blood and he wants to go forward so proud of his country and the cause for which we are fighting. Have you read any accounts of the Marines over here? I think they can’t possibly be beat as soldiers
.
The Huns named us the “Devil Dogs” who never surrender but always fight. Isn’t that upholding the Marine reputation? Our regiment, also the 5th, the only Marines over here at the time, have been cited twice for honors so you see we are doing nicely with our “bit” of war work. I imagine, my dear uncle, lots of times if this war is anything like what you went through. I’ll tell you what, I’ve had some experiences since I’ve been in France.
The hospital here although a new one, is a very nice place. The doctors are the best and the nurses are the best and the kindest ever.
So now I think I must close as it is almost dinner time.
Write me sometime, uncle Romie, for I’d love to hear from you. So now goobye, may God bless both of you and our own loved ones at home.
Your affectionate nephew,
Tom.
NOTES: Written by Tom W. Clayton to his uncle Rev. Jerome Haralson aunt Mettie of Grays, Arkansas. He was in France and had been wounded and in a hospital.
TRANSCRIBED BY LARAE SHURLEY
June 26, 1918.
My dear uncle Romie and aunt Mettie:
How are both you dear old folks today? I do hope you are both well. Am heartily ashamed of myself for not writing to you before now, but ever since I’ve been in France I have been so very busy, haven’t had time to write very often. I Have been able to write often to my darling mother, God bless her, wanted to let her know just how I was getting along.
Just now I am out of the fun for a few weeks for about two weeks ago I received two wounds, very slight, in the hips nothing serious however, but nevertheless, the Fritz didn’t do their job very well, so consequently, I will be back at them in a short while and harder than ever for now I have a personal affair or score to settle for the same shell that hit me killed my best friend of Marine corps day and so from now on, I have one score in particular. Was wounded while doing duty as sentry on an outpost for we were expecting an attack and the Germans put over an awful fierce barrage and as my friend and I were without protection or cover from the rain of shells and shrapnel we could hardly hope to live through it without being hit, so unfortunately he was killed and I was only hit, but my old trusty rifle, the one that was first issued me, was torn up, torn all to pieces and had it lying by my side at the time too was wonderful.
Than to clap the climax, the Germans were afraid to come over after us even after a day and one half bombardments and then a two hours barrage. They sure had our range exactly for just two days before we had taken that ground away from them. They tried to retake it by shell fire for they had been taught a rather severe lesson by the Yanks and didn’t want to get close to us.
My dear uncle Romie, I really believe you would have enjoyed being there, for after all you have been through you know how it is.
It seems that the spirit gets into a fellow’s blood and he wants to go forward so proud of his country and the cause for which we are fighting. Have you read any accounts of the Marines over here? I think they can’t possibly be beat as soldiers
.
The Huns named us the “Devil Dogs” who never surrender but always fight. Isn’t that upholding the Marine reputation? Our regiment, also the 5th, the only Marines over here at the time, have been cited twice for honors so you see we are doing nicely with our “bit” of war work. I imagine, my dear uncle, lots of times if this war is anything like what you went through. I’ll tell you what, I’ve had some experiences since I’ve been in France.
The hospital here although a new one, is a very nice place. The doctors are the best and the nurses are the best and the kindest ever.
So now I think I must close as it is almost dinner time.
Write me sometime, uncle Romie, for I’d love to hear from you. So now goobye, may God bless both of you and our own loved ones at home.
Your affectionate nephew,
Tom.
NOTES: Written by Tom W. Clayton to his uncle Rev. Jerome Haralson aunt Mettie of Grays, Arkansas. He was in France and had been wounded and in a hospital.
TRANSCRIBED BY LARAE SHURLEY