TRANSCRIBED FROM THE COURIER DEMOCRAT MAY 30, 1918 P. 3
Newport, W. Va., Camp Hill, Col I
May 4, 1918
Mrs. Carrie Davis
Russellville, Ark.
Dear Mother:
I am getting along fine, and have been in training camp for a month. I was sent to Jefferson Barracks, Mo. In St. Louis. I want you all to forgive me for running off to enlist in the army. I wanted to serve my country, and knew that you would say I was too young to go, so I did not ask. I have had my life insured for ten thousand dollars. I hope you have the policy by this time.
Mother, I don’t want you to worry about me. I will be back some day and if not, just think of the “dough” you will get. If I do get killed I know that will be the way God intended for me to go. And too, mother, I really believe that God means for me to go to France to fight for the just cause of America. I believe he will be with us as he was and guided George Washington. I will go to France in about two months.
Good-bye. Be sure to get the address right. I have been in the army, and I can tell the boys a lots when I return. I had it fixed up so you can draw twenty dollars per month of my money.
I will close for this time.
Your son,
Chauncy Davis
NOTES: Davis is an African American soldier.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE
Newport, W. Va., Camp Hill, Col I
May 4, 1918
Mrs. Carrie Davis
Russellville, Ark.
Dear Mother:
I am getting along fine, and have been in training camp for a month. I was sent to Jefferson Barracks, Mo. In St. Louis. I want you all to forgive me for running off to enlist in the army. I wanted to serve my country, and knew that you would say I was too young to go, so I did not ask. I have had my life insured for ten thousand dollars. I hope you have the policy by this time.
Mother, I don’t want you to worry about me. I will be back some day and if not, just think of the “dough” you will get. If I do get killed I know that will be the way God intended for me to go. And too, mother, I really believe that God means for me to go to France to fight for the just cause of America. I believe he will be with us as he was and guided George Washington. I will go to France in about two months.
Good-bye. Be sure to get the address right. I have been in the army, and I can tell the boys a lots when I return. I had it fixed up so you can draw twenty dollars per month of my money.
I will close for this time.
Your son,
Chauncy Davis
NOTES: Davis is an African American soldier.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE