TRANSCRIBED FROM THE LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT JANUARY 30, 1919 P. 3
I am well and feeling fine, and enjoying life immensely. I want to beg your pardon for not writing more often, but you must remember a fellow doesn’t feel safe, sitting out in No Man’s Land writing, with the big boys bursting all around him. However, I will try to write more often from now on.
It was on the morning of October 8 that I received my first experience in a real battle, and believe me, it was some experience. My birthday was October 21, and I spent my twenty-first birthday on the front.
I suppose you had given up hope on ever hearing from me again. So this will give you a little surprise. Yes, the armistice was signed on November 11, and it will be a day of days from now on.
I must rest a bit and go to see non-commissioned officers school. When I return, I will finish this. I have learned one thing, and that is how to appreciate a home if I ever get back. I sure will be proud when we land on United States soil. It seems to me we have been over here for years. A fellow that never was in battle can’t realize what war is. We went into action when I was 21 years old. Before we came back off the front, I was 22, but I felt like I was 122.
Of course, you know a fellow likes to have everything coming his way. During the battles, everything was coming my way- everything from machine gun bullets to 14-inch shells, so you see, I had a fine time.
It has been raining for four days and it is awful disagreeable under foot, but it isn’t cold yet. Tell papa I will write him in a few days, and that I am safe and sound.
I am on guard duty now and it is time to post another relief, so I will close.
NOTES: Corp. John Nelson Edmonson was born on October 21, 1896 in Mayflower, Arkansas and died on April 19, 1981. He is buried in the Edgewood Memorial Park in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He was serving in the 142nd Infantry and was writing to his Uncle F. A. Edmonson
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD
I am well and feeling fine, and enjoying life immensely. I want to beg your pardon for not writing more often, but you must remember a fellow doesn’t feel safe, sitting out in No Man’s Land writing, with the big boys bursting all around him. However, I will try to write more often from now on.
It was on the morning of October 8 that I received my first experience in a real battle, and believe me, it was some experience. My birthday was October 21, and I spent my twenty-first birthday on the front.
I suppose you had given up hope on ever hearing from me again. So this will give you a little surprise. Yes, the armistice was signed on November 11, and it will be a day of days from now on.
I must rest a bit and go to see non-commissioned officers school. When I return, I will finish this. I have learned one thing, and that is how to appreciate a home if I ever get back. I sure will be proud when we land on United States soil. It seems to me we have been over here for years. A fellow that never was in battle can’t realize what war is. We went into action when I was 21 years old. Before we came back off the front, I was 22, but I felt like I was 122.
Of course, you know a fellow likes to have everything coming his way. During the battles, everything was coming my way- everything from machine gun bullets to 14-inch shells, so you see, I had a fine time.
It has been raining for four days and it is awful disagreeable under foot, but it isn’t cold yet. Tell papa I will write him in a few days, and that I am safe and sound.
I am on guard duty now and it is time to post another relief, so I will close.
NOTES: Corp. John Nelson Edmonson was born on October 21, 1896 in Mayflower, Arkansas and died on April 19, 1981. He is buried in the Edgewood Memorial Park in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He was serving in the 142nd Infantry and was writing to his Uncle F. A. Edmonson
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD