TRANSCRIBED FROM THE LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT JANUARY 9, 1919 P. 7
Masson, France, December 8.
Dear Home Folks:
How are you? I am fine and dandy, I have been with the 81st division since October 22. Up till then, I was in replacement companies and did not stay in any one over two weeks. I landed in England September 5, and in France, the seventh. After that, I did not stay in any place or camp very long. I have been in different parts of France and a good many towns, but none of any importance.
I first went south of Paris, but did not stay long. I have been east and north of Paris quite awhile. I got within sound of the guns in September and stayed until the finish. I went into the front line trenches November 9, and was there when firing ceased. I went over the top the ninth, and got a taste of machine gun and artillery fire. I was lucky, or they did not have my number.
Well, I hope to be home pretty soon, but that means some little time yet. If I have to, I can stay until the last. I have just finished an eleven day march, and I came through fine. My feet were in fine condition, and after a day’s rest. I couldn’t tell that I had done anything. One thing that was peculiar in my case was that I commenced to gain in weight when we left the front.
Will close and go to church.
Pvt. Oliver Coleman.
Co. K., 324th Inf., A.E.F.
NOTES: Private Oliver Hicks Coleman was writing to his father E. A. Coleman and family. He had been in France since September 7, 1918. He was born in Shannon, Texas on September 14, 1890 and died in Conway, Arkansas on January 7, 1958. He is buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Conway. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Pvt. First Class serving in Co. K 324th Infantry during World War 1. He enlisted on May 27, 1918 and was discharged on June 28, 1919.
TRANSCRIBE BY LARAE SHURLEY
Masson, France, December 8.
Dear Home Folks:
How are you? I am fine and dandy, I have been with the 81st division since October 22. Up till then, I was in replacement companies and did not stay in any one over two weeks. I landed in England September 5, and in France, the seventh. After that, I did not stay in any place or camp very long. I have been in different parts of France and a good many towns, but none of any importance.
I first went south of Paris, but did not stay long. I have been east and north of Paris quite awhile. I got within sound of the guns in September and stayed until the finish. I went into the front line trenches November 9, and was there when firing ceased. I went over the top the ninth, and got a taste of machine gun and artillery fire. I was lucky, or they did not have my number.
Well, I hope to be home pretty soon, but that means some little time yet. If I have to, I can stay until the last. I have just finished an eleven day march, and I came through fine. My feet were in fine condition, and after a day’s rest. I couldn’t tell that I had done anything. One thing that was peculiar in my case was that I commenced to gain in weight when we left the front.
Will close and go to church.
Pvt. Oliver Coleman.
Co. K., 324th Inf., A.E.F.
NOTES: Private Oliver Hicks Coleman was writing to his father E. A. Coleman and family. He had been in France since September 7, 1918. He was born in Shannon, Texas on September 14, 1890 and died in Conway, Arkansas on January 7, 1958. He is buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Conway. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Pvt. First Class serving in Co. K 324th Infantry during World War 1. He enlisted on May 27, 1918 and was discharged on June 28, 1919.
TRANSCRIBE BY LARAE SHURLEY