TRANSCRIBED FROM THE POCAHONTAS STAR HERALD MARCH 7, 1919 P. 1
A.E.F. France, Jan 26, 1919
Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Davis,
Ravenden Springs, Ark.
Dear Parents and All:
As I have a little time now, I'll write you all, as that is the dearest time I can spend, writing or reading letters from home folks.
Mother, I received the box you sent me for Christmas, but it got here too late for a Christmas present, as it arrived January 21. It certainly was highly appreciated, for it was the best candy and gum I had since I landed in France.
I surely am glad so many of the home boys are getting back. I guess you all are looking for me home most any day, and it seems to me that we boys have done our part. I was inside front trenches several time, and went over the top three times and came out without a scratch. Thats pretty good isn't it? It certainly gets next to a fellow to see his soldier friends falling dead all around him, and looking for your time to come most any time. But its glorious that the war is over and I believe I will be home some time in April. That will be a wonderful time to me.
Mother, I wish you knew how the people live over here. It sure don't suit me. It is nothing compared with the States. Some of the boys are marrying them French girls, but when I think of marrying, my mind runs back to a dear little girl in old Arkansas.
I want you all to take good care of yourselves and don't forget your lonely boy in France. Of course I know you won't but sometimes a soldier feels that he is forgotten.
I have had several letters from Lelia and Mollie lately. It makes me feel good when I get a letter. I guess the weather there is rather cold now. This has been a warm winter over here, but lots of rain. No doubt some folks think we boys are having a good time, but if wading mud and sleeping on a straw bed with not much cover these cold nights is a good time, we sure are having it. Believe me, I will be one of the happiest boys that ever lived when I get back to my dear old home again. Then all we boys will have to do, is to take care of you and father, and we sure will make a good job of it.
I was glad to hear Lee had gotten home. I would certainly love to see Trixie. Gee! how I'll ride when I get home.
I received the Star Herald, and enjoyed it. Give my best wishes to the editor and all my friends. I am, as ever, your loving boy,
Pvt. James E. Davis,
Co. E. 138 Inf.
NOTES: This letter was written by James Edward Davis to his parents William and Mary Davis. He was born on May 7, 1896 in Ravenden Springs, Arkansas and died in Killeen, Texas on July 18, 1988. He is buried in the Killeen Memorial Park in Killeen. His military headstone identifies him as a Private serving in the US Army during World War I. He departed New York, NY on August 24, 1918 onboard the Cedric. He was serving as a Private in the Camp Pike Automatic Replacement Draft Co #7 Infantry. He departed St. Nazaire, France on April 16, 1919 onboard the Aeolus. He was serving as a Private in Co. E 138th Infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
A.E.F. France, Jan 26, 1919
Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Davis,
Ravenden Springs, Ark.
Dear Parents and All:
As I have a little time now, I'll write you all, as that is the dearest time I can spend, writing or reading letters from home folks.
Mother, I received the box you sent me for Christmas, but it got here too late for a Christmas present, as it arrived January 21. It certainly was highly appreciated, for it was the best candy and gum I had since I landed in France.
I surely am glad so many of the home boys are getting back. I guess you all are looking for me home most any day, and it seems to me that we boys have done our part. I was inside front trenches several time, and went over the top three times and came out without a scratch. Thats pretty good isn't it? It certainly gets next to a fellow to see his soldier friends falling dead all around him, and looking for your time to come most any time. But its glorious that the war is over and I believe I will be home some time in April. That will be a wonderful time to me.
Mother, I wish you knew how the people live over here. It sure don't suit me. It is nothing compared with the States. Some of the boys are marrying them French girls, but when I think of marrying, my mind runs back to a dear little girl in old Arkansas.
I want you all to take good care of yourselves and don't forget your lonely boy in France. Of course I know you won't but sometimes a soldier feels that he is forgotten.
I have had several letters from Lelia and Mollie lately. It makes me feel good when I get a letter. I guess the weather there is rather cold now. This has been a warm winter over here, but lots of rain. No doubt some folks think we boys are having a good time, but if wading mud and sleeping on a straw bed with not much cover these cold nights is a good time, we sure are having it. Believe me, I will be one of the happiest boys that ever lived when I get back to my dear old home again. Then all we boys will have to do, is to take care of you and father, and we sure will make a good job of it.
I was glad to hear Lee had gotten home. I would certainly love to see Trixie. Gee! how I'll ride when I get home.
I received the Star Herald, and enjoyed it. Give my best wishes to the editor and all my friends. I am, as ever, your loving boy,
Pvt. James E. Davis,
Co. E. 138 Inf.
NOTES: This letter was written by James Edward Davis to his parents William and Mary Davis. He was born on May 7, 1896 in Ravenden Springs, Arkansas and died in Killeen, Texas on July 18, 1988. He is buried in the Killeen Memorial Park in Killeen. His military headstone identifies him as a Private serving in the US Army during World War I. He departed New York, NY on August 24, 1918 onboard the Cedric. He was serving as a Private in the Camp Pike Automatic Replacement Draft Co #7 Infantry. He departed St. Nazaire, France on April 16, 1919 onboard the Aeolus. He was serving as a Private in Co. E 138th Infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD