TRANSCRIBED FROM THE COURIER DEMOCRAT SEPTEMER 12, 1918 P. 7
France, August 16, 1918.
Dear Father and All:
The Germans are running so fast we can't catch them--that's why I have been so long about writing this time. We haven't done any fighting since we were relieved up at the big doings the 22nd of July, but have been holding quiet sectors where there is no fighting and very little artillery. It's more like border guard than anything else, especially while business is so good on other parts of the front.
I suppose you watch the papers and no doubt are better posted on what happens than some of us over here, but at times we know quite well what is happening--and are aware of the fact that plenty is happening.
I haven't had a letter from home in about three weeks, but many thanks for the Russellville paper, which comes almost every week. I find much interesting news in the C-D.
I have been given an automatic rifle squad with two new guns and 40 clips. Each clip will hold 18 rounds of ammunition, so I think we will have a chance to give Fritz his money's worth if we go into real action again. I have a nice, agreeable bunch of fellows--almost what you would call an international squad: One Irishman, one Russian Pollack, one Dane, one Italian, one American-born German (and a true American, too) and three Americans. You would imagine with a mixture of that kind a fellow would have war all the time, but they get along fine.
There is an order that each regiment send back to the States each month, three non-commissioned officers and eight first-class privates. I, being one of the last non-coms. made, could hardly hope to get in on this within one year, and I believe that by that time they will be sending them them back much faster than they are sending them over here now.
I am getting more pay now than before. You may use your own judgment about investing what I send home, as I will not need it until I return.
With best wishes to all,
Sincerely, your son,
CPL. JILES W. COOPER,
L. Co., 16th Inft. Am. E.F.
NOTES: Jiles William Cooper was born in Russellville, Arkansas on March 28, 1888 and died on September 1, 1959. He is buried in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Texarkana, Texas. His military headstone identifies him as a Texas Sgt. serving in Co. L, 16th Infantry, 1st Division. He enlisted on September 22, 1917 and was discharged on September 27, 1919. He departed from Hoboken, NJ on December 15, 1917 onboard the Leviathan. He was a private serving in Co. G, 163rd Infantry. He departed Brest, France on August 23, 1919 onboard Marcia. He arrived in Brooklyn, NY on September 2, 1919. He was serving as a Sgt. in Co. L, 16th Infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
France, August 16, 1918.
Dear Father and All:
The Germans are running so fast we can't catch them--that's why I have been so long about writing this time. We haven't done any fighting since we were relieved up at the big doings the 22nd of July, but have been holding quiet sectors where there is no fighting and very little artillery. It's more like border guard than anything else, especially while business is so good on other parts of the front.
I suppose you watch the papers and no doubt are better posted on what happens than some of us over here, but at times we know quite well what is happening--and are aware of the fact that plenty is happening.
I haven't had a letter from home in about three weeks, but many thanks for the Russellville paper, which comes almost every week. I find much interesting news in the C-D.
I have been given an automatic rifle squad with two new guns and 40 clips. Each clip will hold 18 rounds of ammunition, so I think we will have a chance to give Fritz his money's worth if we go into real action again. I have a nice, agreeable bunch of fellows--almost what you would call an international squad: One Irishman, one Russian Pollack, one Dane, one Italian, one American-born German (and a true American, too) and three Americans. You would imagine with a mixture of that kind a fellow would have war all the time, but they get along fine.
There is an order that each regiment send back to the States each month, three non-commissioned officers and eight first-class privates. I, being one of the last non-coms. made, could hardly hope to get in on this within one year, and I believe that by that time they will be sending them them back much faster than they are sending them over here now.
I am getting more pay now than before. You may use your own judgment about investing what I send home, as I will not need it until I return.
With best wishes to all,
Sincerely, your son,
CPL. JILES W. COOPER,
L. Co., 16th Inft. Am. E.F.
NOTES: Jiles William Cooper was born in Russellville, Arkansas on March 28, 1888 and died on September 1, 1959. He is buried in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Texarkana, Texas. His military headstone identifies him as a Texas Sgt. serving in Co. L, 16th Infantry, 1st Division. He enlisted on September 22, 1917 and was discharged on September 27, 1919. He departed from Hoboken, NJ on December 15, 1917 onboard the Leviathan. He was a private serving in Co. G, 163rd Infantry. He departed Brest, France on August 23, 1919 onboard Marcia. He arrived in Brooklyn, NY on September 2, 1919. He was serving as a Sgt. in Co. L, 16th Infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD