TRANSCRIBED FROM THE BRINKLEY ARGUS DECEMBER 27, 1918 P. 2
France
West of Moselle.
Nov. 5, 1918.
Dear Papa:
For the last three days I've been through as perfect a hell as is ever seen on earth.
We went over the top the morning of the 1st. after a two hour artillery preparation that was fierce, but the fiercest part was the return fire of the Boche. We were glad when it came time to go, as lying in a barrage of H. E. gas, thermite, for two hours is almost unbearable. At 5:30 we went over. It was cold and fogy, the smoke from bursting shells made it difficult to see a hundred feet ahead and the sun didn't get through until nearly noon when our barrage had gotten so far back the Boche had to move their artillery and consequently let up on their fire.
The Germans fought stubbornly with machine guns and every woods and crest was full of them. Every time we came over a rise of ground we would be met by a perfect sheet of M. G. bullets. The devils shot low hit you in the legs, and feet then when you go down your body is riddled. We pushed on one Bn. going until until it was exhausted then another pushing through. By night we had gained 5 Kil. and the next morning tow more then the Boche broke and we havent been able to catch them yet. We took a great many prisoners and even some large cannons and horses.
Of course we had casualties but not many serious losses. I wasn't touched, to as Col. Price said today, any one who went through that affair should certainly be a beleiver in Divine Providence. The Col's P. C. was hit directly and several men killed but he wasn't touched.
The supply wagon came up today for the first time in four days and brought me a letter from you. You had just received my letter of Sept. 1st.
It's only 4:30 p. m. but almost dark and as we are only under a bush I can't light a candle for fear aeroplanes will locate us and bomb us.
Write often and lots of love.
George.
NOTES: John George Drummond was writing to his father, Rev. James Drummond of Brinkley, pastor of he Brinkley, Arkansas Presbyterian Church. When he wrote the letter he was serving as a Battalion Adj. Later he attended the Officers Training School in Paris. He departed Brest, France on August 13, 1919 onboard the Kaserin Auguste Victoria. He arrived in Brooklyn, NY on August 22. He was serving as a Captain in Co I 14th Infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
France
West of Moselle.
Nov. 5, 1918.
Dear Papa:
For the last three days I've been through as perfect a hell as is ever seen on earth.
We went over the top the morning of the 1st. after a two hour artillery preparation that was fierce, but the fiercest part was the return fire of the Boche. We were glad when it came time to go, as lying in a barrage of H. E. gas, thermite, for two hours is almost unbearable. At 5:30 we went over. It was cold and fogy, the smoke from bursting shells made it difficult to see a hundred feet ahead and the sun didn't get through until nearly noon when our barrage had gotten so far back the Boche had to move their artillery and consequently let up on their fire.
The Germans fought stubbornly with machine guns and every woods and crest was full of them. Every time we came over a rise of ground we would be met by a perfect sheet of M. G. bullets. The devils shot low hit you in the legs, and feet then when you go down your body is riddled. We pushed on one Bn. going until until it was exhausted then another pushing through. By night we had gained 5 Kil. and the next morning tow more then the Boche broke and we havent been able to catch them yet. We took a great many prisoners and even some large cannons and horses.
Of course we had casualties but not many serious losses. I wasn't touched, to as Col. Price said today, any one who went through that affair should certainly be a beleiver in Divine Providence. The Col's P. C. was hit directly and several men killed but he wasn't touched.
The supply wagon came up today for the first time in four days and brought me a letter from you. You had just received my letter of Sept. 1st.
It's only 4:30 p. m. but almost dark and as we are only under a bush I can't light a candle for fear aeroplanes will locate us and bomb us.
Write often and lots of love.
George.
NOTES: John George Drummond was writing to his father, Rev. James Drummond of Brinkley, pastor of he Brinkley, Arkansas Presbyterian Church. When he wrote the letter he was serving as a Battalion Adj. Later he attended the Officers Training School in Paris. He departed Brest, France on August 13, 1919 onboard the Kaserin Auguste Victoria. He arrived in Brooklyn, NY on August 22. He was serving as a Captain in Co I 14th Infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD