TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SPRINGDALE NEWS AUGUST 16, 1918 P. 3
August 7
Dear Home Folks:
I am going to write you a few lines. I am at Camp (CENSORED) and am feeling fine. We came in nice sleeping cars. I was busy part of the time. I had to go through the cars and see about the guards. I was Sergeant of the guards. I slept two nights on the way. I sure saw some pretty country. I didn't know I was coming until 7 o'clock Friday when they called my name. They examined us at ten o'clock Friday night, and moved us from Co. H3 to F1 Reg. We got moved at 2 o'clock Saturday morning. Slept two hours then left at 9 o'clock Saturday morning. Went through Poplar Bluff. We got off at Poplar Bluff and marched a little for exercise. They came to the train and gave us a hearty welcome. The people sure yell and wave. They all wanted to know where we were from and where we were going but we never told them. We were not allowed to. We went through St. Louis and stopped at Decatur, Ill., and took a bath and marched. Then on to Peru, Ind., and got off there and then on to St Thomas, Canada, then on to Niagara Falls. We went through Detroit, Mich., crossed the Great Lakes. I saw the lakes, Hudson River, Niagra River, Mississippi River, Delaware River and Lehigh Valley River. Saw the mountains and crossed them; went around one three times getting down; went through four tunnels; crossed the Missouri River; saw the Grand Rapids, the Statue of Liberty, Jersey City, New York City, Jersey Bay. Saw several steamers and a ship yard. The best country was in Illinois where they had fine crops. Canada is a fine country. We came through Pennsylvania and stopped at Bethlehem and marched. They sure treated us fine but hot, oh, my! I was as wet as if I had fell in a creek. It dripped off of me. I didn't feel so awful hot but I sweated awful. I had some pictures in my pocket book ruined. Part of them got soaked. My leggins were wet but I felt good and do yet. We rest and don't march long at a time.
We are going to have it easy now don’t think we will drill much here. We are going to rest up for awhile. We have a fine place to stay. We arrived at seven thirty Tuesday evening. How is everybody? How are the crops by now? I hope you have had rain. Tell everybody I am O.K. Well, I must close. Answer soon.
As ever,
John.
NOTES: John Downum was writing to his sister Hazel who lived northwest of Springdale, Arkansas. He had previously worked at the Washington County Hardware Company. He had been stationed at Camp Pike in May. He was writing from an the Atlantic coast.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
August 7
Dear Home Folks:
I am going to write you a few lines. I am at Camp (CENSORED) and am feeling fine. We came in nice sleeping cars. I was busy part of the time. I had to go through the cars and see about the guards. I was Sergeant of the guards. I slept two nights on the way. I sure saw some pretty country. I didn't know I was coming until 7 o'clock Friday when they called my name. They examined us at ten o'clock Friday night, and moved us from Co. H3 to F1 Reg. We got moved at 2 o'clock Saturday morning. Slept two hours then left at 9 o'clock Saturday morning. Went through Poplar Bluff. We got off at Poplar Bluff and marched a little for exercise. They came to the train and gave us a hearty welcome. The people sure yell and wave. They all wanted to know where we were from and where we were going but we never told them. We were not allowed to. We went through St. Louis and stopped at Decatur, Ill., and took a bath and marched. Then on to Peru, Ind., and got off there and then on to St Thomas, Canada, then on to Niagara Falls. We went through Detroit, Mich., crossed the Great Lakes. I saw the lakes, Hudson River, Niagra River, Mississippi River, Delaware River and Lehigh Valley River. Saw the mountains and crossed them; went around one three times getting down; went through four tunnels; crossed the Missouri River; saw the Grand Rapids, the Statue of Liberty, Jersey City, New York City, Jersey Bay. Saw several steamers and a ship yard. The best country was in Illinois where they had fine crops. Canada is a fine country. We came through Pennsylvania and stopped at Bethlehem and marched. They sure treated us fine but hot, oh, my! I was as wet as if I had fell in a creek. It dripped off of me. I didn't feel so awful hot but I sweated awful. I had some pictures in my pocket book ruined. Part of them got soaked. My leggins were wet but I felt good and do yet. We rest and don't march long at a time.
We are going to have it easy now don’t think we will drill much here. We are going to rest up for awhile. We have a fine place to stay. We arrived at seven thirty Tuesday evening. How is everybody? How are the crops by now? I hope you have had rain. Tell everybody I am O.K. Well, I must close. Answer soon.
As ever,
John.
NOTES: John Downum was writing to his sister Hazel who lived northwest of Springdale, Arkansas. He had previously worked at the Washington County Hardware Company. He had been stationed at Camp Pike in May. He was writing from an the Atlantic coast.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD