TRANSCRIBED FROM THE BRINKLEY ARGUS MAY 31, 1918 P. 1
France, March 29th, 1918.
My dear wife and mother:
Am here at last and am quarantined in some old barracks which were, from their appearance, built before Jerusalem was discovered, altho' we get to eat plenty and as the water is good I'll fare very well.
My darlings this place is some place: have to go to bed at 7 o'clock as there are no lights in our barracks: the only way to get hot water is to stand in with the cook and you may get as much as a cup full and a cussing thrown in for good measure. I am always out of luck for sight seeing as I am always quarantined.
The war is on as you may have read, and is on in a great way and greater than I suspected. The conditions of France convinces me more so that the news that the war is on. There are no men here unless in uniform. All the women do the work around here. They have long since taken the place evacuated by their men. I cannot tell you very much, only small incidents that may happen around here or wherever I may go. Some France, now take it any way you wish. France is beautiful and the buildings and surrounding scenery, etc. are odd yet profoundly beautiful. I think America is beautiful, too, but I was just telling you. Lice are very plentiful. No, lice is not a French word. It is a pure American word and they are animals which when they bite they itch. We call them cooties. Lots of pets, eh? We took a bath yesterday. Can you imagine it? A bath is not as loose around here as the lice are and I think it wonderful that I had a chance to take a bath. I had my clothes, shoes and hat off last night for the first time it seems in ages.
We spied a couple of submarines or tin cans on our trip. I am sure they were tin cans. Lots of rumor and fictitious news floats around in the army at all times so I didn't believe it and don't want you folks to believe it either. We had a hard trip, cold and a high wind most every day and as luck would have its way I did not get sick. I got dirty because we were packed and jammed into the boat. This war is not very far off and the boys are giving them HELL as we say--not for you to say--but they are sure mowing the Huns down like corn. The boys are all enthusiastic and there is no reason why they should not be. This is a stricken country and a helping hand toward others makes us feel good, you know. The French are very accomodating and polite and I like the surroundings very well, only the conditions are awful for them to go thru. They smile tho' and stick very friendly to their tasks and we must compliment them on their perseverance. Germany is to pieces now. The war is on and will continue until Germany says she has enough to us and pays for her crimes. Jim is happy as usual and will be back soon if they keep killing them like thy have for a week or two. I don't think Germany can do a thing now.
Must close and catch a louse, get my towel and wash my face and then my towel. I am some washwoman now.
Don't worry. God bless you and the kids and feel at all times that I am safe and have gained over 25 pounds in weight and am as happy as can be.
Yours affectionately,
James M. Elliott.
NOTES: This letter was written by James Mayo Elliott. He was born on November 1, 1895 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He departed Hoboken, NJ on March 14, 1918 on Ship 85. He was serving as a Pvt. in QMC Second Casual Camp Meigs Replacement Draft March 1918.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
France, March 29th, 1918.
My dear wife and mother:
Am here at last and am quarantined in some old barracks which were, from their appearance, built before Jerusalem was discovered, altho' we get to eat plenty and as the water is good I'll fare very well.
My darlings this place is some place: have to go to bed at 7 o'clock as there are no lights in our barracks: the only way to get hot water is to stand in with the cook and you may get as much as a cup full and a cussing thrown in for good measure. I am always out of luck for sight seeing as I am always quarantined.
The war is on as you may have read, and is on in a great way and greater than I suspected. The conditions of France convinces me more so that the news that the war is on. There are no men here unless in uniform. All the women do the work around here. They have long since taken the place evacuated by their men. I cannot tell you very much, only small incidents that may happen around here or wherever I may go. Some France, now take it any way you wish. France is beautiful and the buildings and surrounding scenery, etc. are odd yet profoundly beautiful. I think America is beautiful, too, but I was just telling you. Lice are very plentiful. No, lice is not a French word. It is a pure American word and they are animals which when they bite they itch. We call them cooties. Lots of pets, eh? We took a bath yesterday. Can you imagine it? A bath is not as loose around here as the lice are and I think it wonderful that I had a chance to take a bath. I had my clothes, shoes and hat off last night for the first time it seems in ages.
We spied a couple of submarines or tin cans on our trip. I am sure they were tin cans. Lots of rumor and fictitious news floats around in the army at all times so I didn't believe it and don't want you folks to believe it either. We had a hard trip, cold and a high wind most every day and as luck would have its way I did not get sick. I got dirty because we were packed and jammed into the boat. This war is not very far off and the boys are giving them HELL as we say--not for you to say--but they are sure mowing the Huns down like corn. The boys are all enthusiastic and there is no reason why they should not be. This is a stricken country and a helping hand toward others makes us feel good, you know. The French are very accomodating and polite and I like the surroundings very well, only the conditions are awful for them to go thru. They smile tho' and stick very friendly to their tasks and we must compliment them on their perseverance. Germany is to pieces now. The war is on and will continue until Germany says she has enough to us and pays for her crimes. Jim is happy as usual and will be back soon if they keep killing them like thy have for a week or two. I don't think Germany can do a thing now.
Must close and catch a louse, get my towel and wash my face and then my towel. I am some washwoman now.
Don't worry. God bless you and the kids and feel at all times that I am safe and have gained over 25 pounds in weight and am as happy as can be.
Yours affectionately,
James M. Elliott.
NOTES: This letter was written by James Mayo Elliott. He was born on November 1, 1895 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He departed Hoboken, NJ on March 14, 1918 on Ship 85. He was serving as a Pvt. in QMC Second Casual Camp Meigs Replacement Draft March 1918.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD