TRANSCRIBED FROM THE COLUMBIA BANNER JAMUARY 15, 1919 P. 2
Chateauvillian France
Nov. 25, 1918.
Dear Cousin:
Received your kind letter yesterday. You can’t imagine how glad I was to hear from you. I will admit that I haven’t treated you right by not writing to you. But Ruth I haven’t had time to write papa and the kids as often as I wanted to. I have been on the go the most of the time since I left Camp Jackson.
Was glad to hear that you were all well. This leaves me just fine and dandy never felt any better in my life. I weighed 190 lbs. about three weeks ago.
Well I can’t say that I am enjoying life as well as I would like, but guess that I am doing very well under the circumstances. One thing I am thankful for, I haven’t been sick a day since I left the states.
Guess you knew that this is a very cold country where we are now. Though it is so cold because it is so high above sea level.
Guess you would like to know something about my trip over here, but I can’t tell very much though will try to give you an outline of a part of my trip.
We landed in Liverpool, England, August 20. Took a train from there direct across England to South Hampton. Came across the English Channel to Lahaun, France. Of course we spent a day or two in all these places I have named. Well we left Lahan in cattle cars for three days and nights ride. When we came to our stopping place lo and behold we had come almost straight across France to the Swiss border in the foot hills of the Alps mountains in a village named Pierfontaine. We were quarterd in the peoples houses. Stayed in Pierfontaine a little over two months, then moved to a French training camp near a little village by the name of Valdahon. Only stayed in that place four weeks. We arrived in this town the day that the armistice was signed. Judging from all out side appearance I think that this was once a small town. But the fighting was so near here at times that the people moved.
I haven’t been in any of the fighting or very near any and will say right here that I am glad that I was not in any of the fighting, for believe me it is bad stuff. I have seen several trainloads of wounded soldiers coming from the front.
Guess if the war had not closed when it did we would have been on the front in a few days.
I think that we are entitled to just as much honor as those that were fighting, for we were right here ready and waiting for the “word” (lets go to the front.) Really I think the most of the boys in this regiment are a little bit sore because they didn’t get a shot at a
Ruth I think that you are asking to much when you ask me to bring back home with me the prettiest, sweetest little French girl I can find for that would be a very difficult task. As a rule the most of the French girls are all very, very fine looking girls.
No, no Ruth there are very few French boys. The ladies do all of the work. All of the men that are able are in the army.
Ruth, I had some pictures taken yesterday afternoon for the first time since I left Camp Jackson S. C. Don’t guess that I will be in this town long enough to get them. I understand that we are going to move again in a few days. I am longing to see the day when I can say good morning, how are you? I am tired of this (bonjous comment allez vaus.) I suppose that if everything goes along alright that the most of us will be home by next summer.
I guess that the boys are thinned out a little around home now.
You know it has been quite awhile since I was at home, something over 15 months. I have almost forgotten all about the country.
Guess that there has been lots of changes made in the last year.
Well I had better close. Give my best regards to my girl.
Write me as often as you can Ruth. Bye bye.
Your cousin,
Arthur Dodson.
318th Field Artillery A. E. F.
NOTES: Arthur Dodson was born in Columbia County, Arkansas on July 25, 1894 and died on February 26, 1980. He is buried in the Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery, Macedonia, Columbia County. Arkansas. He enlisted on September 18, 1917 and was discharged on July 24, 1919. He was described as being tall and slender with gray eyes and dark hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Chateauvillian France
Nov. 25, 1918.
Dear Cousin:
Received your kind letter yesterday. You can’t imagine how glad I was to hear from you. I will admit that I haven’t treated you right by not writing to you. But Ruth I haven’t had time to write papa and the kids as often as I wanted to. I have been on the go the most of the time since I left Camp Jackson.
Was glad to hear that you were all well. This leaves me just fine and dandy never felt any better in my life. I weighed 190 lbs. about three weeks ago.
Well I can’t say that I am enjoying life as well as I would like, but guess that I am doing very well under the circumstances. One thing I am thankful for, I haven’t been sick a day since I left the states.
Guess you knew that this is a very cold country where we are now. Though it is so cold because it is so high above sea level.
Guess you would like to know something about my trip over here, but I can’t tell very much though will try to give you an outline of a part of my trip.
We landed in Liverpool, England, August 20. Took a train from there direct across England to South Hampton. Came across the English Channel to Lahaun, France. Of course we spent a day or two in all these places I have named. Well we left Lahan in cattle cars for three days and nights ride. When we came to our stopping place lo and behold we had come almost straight across France to the Swiss border in the foot hills of the Alps mountains in a village named Pierfontaine. We were quarterd in the peoples houses. Stayed in Pierfontaine a little over two months, then moved to a French training camp near a little village by the name of Valdahon. Only stayed in that place four weeks. We arrived in this town the day that the armistice was signed. Judging from all out side appearance I think that this was once a small town. But the fighting was so near here at times that the people moved.
I haven’t been in any of the fighting or very near any and will say right here that I am glad that I was not in any of the fighting, for believe me it is bad stuff. I have seen several trainloads of wounded soldiers coming from the front.
Guess if the war had not closed when it did we would have been on the front in a few days.
I think that we are entitled to just as much honor as those that were fighting, for we were right here ready and waiting for the “word” (lets go to the front.) Really I think the most of the boys in this regiment are a little bit sore because they didn’t get a shot at a
Ruth I think that you are asking to much when you ask me to bring back home with me the prettiest, sweetest little French girl I can find for that would be a very difficult task. As a rule the most of the French girls are all very, very fine looking girls.
No, no Ruth there are very few French boys. The ladies do all of the work. All of the men that are able are in the army.
Ruth, I had some pictures taken yesterday afternoon for the first time since I left Camp Jackson S. C. Don’t guess that I will be in this town long enough to get them. I understand that we are going to move again in a few days. I am longing to see the day when I can say good morning, how are you? I am tired of this (bonjous comment allez vaus.) I suppose that if everything goes along alright that the most of us will be home by next summer.
I guess that the boys are thinned out a little around home now.
You know it has been quite awhile since I was at home, something over 15 months. I have almost forgotten all about the country.
Guess that there has been lots of changes made in the last year.
Well I had better close. Give my best regards to my girl.
Write me as often as you can Ruth. Bye bye.
Your cousin,
Arthur Dodson.
318th Field Artillery A. E. F.
NOTES: Arthur Dodson was born in Columbia County, Arkansas on July 25, 1894 and died on February 26, 1980. He is buried in the Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery, Macedonia, Columbia County. Arkansas. He enlisted on September 18, 1917 and was discharged on July 24, 1919. He was described as being tall and slender with gray eyes and dark hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT