TRANSCRIBED FROM THE VAN BUREN COUNTY DEMOCRAT OCTOBER 18, 1918 P. 2
Ft. Screven, Ga., Sept. 15th.
Dear Folks:
Reached my new destination Saturday feeling good. Sixty-two of us left A. & M. College Friday, the 13th, for Savannah. The trip was pleasant for me, as it afforded an opportunity to see some of the country from which our fathers came. We crossed several rivers. the most important being the Tombigbee, Alabama and Savannah.
At several places, our train was met by the Red Cross ladies who gave us candy, cold drinks and cigarettes. Just before leaving the A. & M. College the Red Cross gave us apples, pears and postcards. We gave rousing cheers for them and they all had a good word of cheer for us.
You never rode a troop train, so you would not know what it is even were I to try to tell you. We were under strict orders not to leave our coach and to do so would constitute desertion from the army, so we kept our seats unless unloaded to buy coffee. We had our own eats with us, composed of sandwiches, pork and beans, jelly and bread–a very good meal for a hungry man.
There are eight of us in one tent and we are all anxious to go down to the beach, not more than 150 yards from us. We cannot see the ocean, however, as it is hidden by the fort. We are under quarantine and cannot leave here for fourteen days.
Do not know what my duty will be here, as I have never been assigned to a permanent company. The coast artillery affords good chances for a man who has algebra and geometry, both of which I have had, but it has been so long that I am “rusty” as the school boys say. But it will come back to me when I get to work.
Arkansas is well represented here. I have not met any from our home, but I have not got to see many of the boys. Possibly I will find one when I get to see around. Do not know what the chances are to get to go across from here, but on account of my feet it is possible I will be kept on this side for coast duty.
Lovingly your son,
Elmer Couch
Ft. Screven, Ga., Quarantine Camp.
NOTES: Henry Elmer Couch was born on June 14, 1891 in Archey Valley, Arkansas and died in 1918. He is buried in the Bluffton Cemetery in Yell County, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as serving in Co. C 75 USCA Corps.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD
Ft. Screven, Ga., Sept. 15th.
Dear Folks:
Reached my new destination Saturday feeling good. Sixty-two of us left A. & M. College Friday, the 13th, for Savannah. The trip was pleasant for me, as it afforded an opportunity to see some of the country from which our fathers came. We crossed several rivers. the most important being the Tombigbee, Alabama and Savannah.
At several places, our train was met by the Red Cross ladies who gave us candy, cold drinks and cigarettes. Just before leaving the A. & M. College the Red Cross gave us apples, pears and postcards. We gave rousing cheers for them and they all had a good word of cheer for us.
You never rode a troop train, so you would not know what it is even were I to try to tell you. We were under strict orders not to leave our coach and to do so would constitute desertion from the army, so we kept our seats unless unloaded to buy coffee. We had our own eats with us, composed of sandwiches, pork and beans, jelly and bread–a very good meal for a hungry man.
There are eight of us in one tent and we are all anxious to go down to the beach, not more than 150 yards from us. We cannot see the ocean, however, as it is hidden by the fort. We are under quarantine and cannot leave here for fourteen days.
Do not know what my duty will be here, as I have never been assigned to a permanent company. The coast artillery affords good chances for a man who has algebra and geometry, both of which I have had, but it has been so long that I am “rusty” as the school boys say. But it will come back to me when I get to work.
Arkansas is well represented here. I have not met any from our home, but I have not got to see many of the boys. Possibly I will find one when I get to see around. Do not know what the chances are to get to go across from here, but on account of my feet it is possible I will be kept on this side for coast duty.
Lovingly your son,
Elmer Couch
Ft. Screven, Ga., Quarantine Camp.
NOTES: Henry Elmer Couch was born on June 14, 1891 in Archey Valley, Arkansas and died in 1918. He is buried in the Bluffton Cemetery in Yell County, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as serving in Co. C 75 USCA Corps.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD