TRANSCRIBED FROM THE NEVADA COUNTY PICAYUNE MAY 8, 1919 P. 1
Sicshohn, Germany Apr. 6, 1919.
Mr. P. H. Herring, Prescott, Arkansas.
Dear Mr. Herring:
I wrote you over two months ago, suppose you did not get it in that the mail system has been congested with so much mail since Christmas. I was very sorry to learn that you had moved from Bodcaw. The place will not seem right without you and your family living there, yet, we should always look toward bettering ourselves and families. Suppose you are well pleased with your new home. Have you gone in business in Prescott? I have never learned whether you sold all your holdings at Bodcaw.
Am glad Howell got the position there. He is a hard worker and thus deserves it. My idea of the problem of labor is: every man should receive just returns for efficient labor done.
Since I arrived here, I have written home, have written Myrtle and you in the other letter as to Earle's whereabouts, his address, but so far I have not learned.
I have been in Germany now over 4 months. We have made our rounds out to the out posts which comes up to the neutral line between our lines and that of the Germans and now we are back in the same little town that we reached after crossing the Rhine.
I signed for full and immediate separation from the service last week, so I hope to be home by summer. I could have stayed in the regular army but I had rather be in civil life, as the war is over and I feel that I have done my duty. My Division (the 1st) was the est Division over here, the first one in the trenches, first to take prisoners, first to suffer casualties, first to be placed in as shock troops. When called upon to gain an objective, she always gained it. Never lost ground. She suffered more casualties in killed and wounded than any other Division. She was the first to cross over the border, on German soil, first to cross the Rhine but last, I believe, in reaching the U.S.A. When I joined my company after the first Argonne fight, all the officers had either been killed or wounded. Company numbered over 200. they came out of the lines with 62 men I believe. The slogan of the 1st Division is: "We never retreat." Of course I naturally hate to leave a good outfit like this, but I don't want to be a professional army man. I have lately passed some very rigid examinations and could get a promotion and stay in the regular army getting $200 per month. All the social functions would cost a man a considerable amount.
Mr. Hering I want to express to you my appreciation for the favor of last spring and for your waiting for the payment of same. At the time I didn't know that I would leave for Europe as soon as I did, so it made me a little later in making the payment. My wife wrote me that she sent you a check for the amount I was due you.
I am not certain yet as to what I will do, but I know I can fit into the commercial life of peace times somewhere. The greatest mental and physical effort of my life has been exerted in the past 20 months. If I have made good through all this awful strain and grinding I feel that I can do the same in any line I take up and put my whole soul into my work.
Write me all the Nevada County "News". Give my regards to Mrs. Herring, the girls and Herman Hansel, Tell Howell and Myrtle they might answer my letters. It helps a fellow pass away these lonesome days to hear from old friends.
Regards and best wishes to all.
Your friend as ever,
Walter.
My address: Lieut. Walter E. Downs
Co. E. 18th Inf. 1st Division, Army of Occupation
NOTES: Walter Edward Downs was born in Patmos, Arkansas on September 18, 1886 and died in Temple, Texas on September 23, 1958. He is buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Sicshohn, Germany Apr. 6, 1919.
Mr. P. H. Herring, Prescott, Arkansas.
Dear Mr. Herring:
I wrote you over two months ago, suppose you did not get it in that the mail system has been congested with so much mail since Christmas. I was very sorry to learn that you had moved from Bodcaw. The place will not seem right without you and your family living there, yet, we should always look toward bettering ourselves and families. Suppose you are well pleased with your new home. Have you gone in business in Prescott? I have never learned whether you sold all your holdings at Bodcaw.
Am glad Howell got the position there. He is a hard worker and thus deserves it. My idea of the problem of labor is: every man should receive just returns for efficient labor done.
Since I arrived here, I have written home, have written Myrtle and you in the other letter as to Earle's whereabouts, his address, but so far I have not learned.
I have been in Germany now over 4 months. We have made our rounds out to the out posts which comes up to the neutral line between our lines and that of the Germans and now we are back in the same little town that we reached after crossing the Rhine.
I signed for full and immediate separation from the service last week, so I hope to be home by summer. I could have stayed in the regular army but I had rather be in civil life, as the war is over and I feel that I have done my duty. My Division (the 1st) was the est Division over here, the first one in the trenches, first to take prisoners, first to suffer casualties, first to be placed in as shock troops. When called upon to gain an objective, she always gained it. Never lost ground. She suffered more casualties in killed and wounded than any other Division. She was the first to cross over the border, on German soil, first to cross the Rhine but last, I believe, in reaching the U.S.A. When I joined my company after the first Argonne fight, all the officers had either been killed or wounded. Company numbered over 200. they came out of the lines with 62 men I believe. The slogan of the 1st Division is: "We never retreat." Of course I naturally hate to leave a good outfit like this, but I don't want to be a professional army man. I have lately passed some very rigid examinations and could get a promotion and stay in the regular army getting $200 per month. All the social functions would cost a man a considerable amount.
Mr. Hering I want to express to you my appreciation for the favor of last spring and for your waiting for the payment of same. At the time I didn't know that I would leave for Europe as soon as I did, so it made me a little later in making the payment. My wife wrote me that she sent you a check for the amount I was due you.
I am not certain yet as to what I will do, but I know I can fit into the commercial life of peace times somewhere. The greatest mental and physical effort of my life has been exerted in the past 20 months. If I have made good through all this awful strain and grinding I feel that I can do the same in any line I take up and put my whole soul into my work.
Write me all the Nevada County "News". Give my regards to Mrs. Herring, the girls and Herman Hansel, Tell Howell and Myrtle they might answer my letters. It helps a fellow pass away these lonesome days to hear from old friends.
Regards and best wishes to all.
Your friend as ever,
Walter.
My address: Lieut. Walter E. Downs
Co. E. 18th Inf. 1st Division, Army of Occupation
NOTES: Walter Edward Downs was born in Patmos, Arkansas on September 18, 1886 and died in Temple, Texas on September 23, 1958. He is buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD