TRANSCRIBED FROM THE NEVADA COUNTY PICAYUNE JANUARY 9, 1919 P. 1
Chateau Villain, France,
Sunday November 24, 1918,
Dear Parents and Brothers:
As today is set apart for each soldier to write his “dad” and tell him about our travels, fare, etc., will write you all. Hope when this reaches you that all will be well and happy. I am in the best of health.
Heard from sister Martha a day or so ago. Was shocked to hear of conts in Trudie Smith’s death. Am so sorry for aunt Cyntha.
This letter may be lengthy but if you get tired reading, rest awhile and go ahead, or perhaps you can read it at your leisure. As I have not been allowed to tell you my location except that I was in England or France, am now going to tell you just where I have been.
On August 8, we sailed from New York, and for 17 days was sailing. Can’t tell you which way we came for I don’t know, but we traveled in a northerly direction and must have gone near the North Pole for on August 13 we saw a great iceberg off to our right. It looked to be almost as large as our ship. This was the “cold day in August” that you have heard of. We did not travel straight for we were afraid of submarines. We had a large convoy, besides there were nine troop ships. Our own ships were along until we were two days out from England, then we were met by an English convoy. We landed at Liverpool August 20 and spent one night in a rest camp there, then went across England on a train to Camp Winchester at South Hampton and spent another night in this camp on the following night crossed the channel and landed at Le Harve. We spent one night here and then hit the train again.
We were on the train 52 hours and when we stopped we were at a small village, Pierrefontaine, only eight miles from the Swiss border in a high section of the country and was here when the frost came August 29. Martha asked me if it ever got cold here. I think it will. The creeks or rivers are frozen over nearly thick enough to skate on now. We were at the last named place about five weeks, then went to Camp Du Valdahon and there was quartered in an old French Camp in warm barracks.
Two weeks ago we left Valdahon and came here. We passed through Besaucon, which is a very nice town of about 90,000 people. This is the prettiest city I have seen. It is in between two mountains with military forts on each hill top. I saw two barrages put up for German aeroplanes from this fort. There is a clock at the city built by Julius Caesar. Something wonderful.
We were on our way to the front and landed here on Monday evening after the armistice was signed at 11 a.m. that morning. We have been at the depot and seen Red Cross trains carrying the wounded to the hospitals. Our Infantry 81st division was on the front and suffered losses. I have not heard from Joe Ghormley nor B. J. Tompkins although I have wrote them both. Chess Fuller is well, but Wiley Calhoun was left at Valdadon for an operation for appendicitis. Saw Bob Evans last night. He and Wiley were in the same Battery.
Well I have been lucky or unlucky one. Just did miss the front, but am sure that we would have done well if we had had a chance. We bear the distinction of being one of the best divisions in the U.S. Army.
We have lots of fun here now playing all sorts of games and not having to work hard. Think we will have a football game Thanksgiving. Must close. If you think this letter would interest any of my friends send it to the Picayune.
Wishing you all a Merry Xmas will close.
Your loving son and brother,
Pvt. James A. Fairchild,
Hg. Co. F. H. American E.F. France.
P.S. I came through Paris, but was on the train. Did not see London. There is a park here containing several hundred acres and has 800 deer in it. This town is surrounded on three sides by a river and has high stone walls on two sides. We are ten miles from Chaumont, General Army Headquarters. I believe we will come home by March anyway. Will close.
Arthur
NOTES: James Arthur Fairchild was writing to his parents James W and Martha Fairchild and family. He was born in Mt. Moriah, Arkansas on January 19, 1995 and died on July 25, 1951. He is buried in the Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Rosston, Arkansas. He departed New York, NY on August 8, 1918 onboard the Lapland. He was serving as a Pvt. in Hdq. Co. 318th Field Artillery National Army.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON
Chateau Villain, France,
Sunday November 24, 1918,
Dear Parents and Brothers:
As today is set apart for each soldier to write his “dad” and tell him about our travels, fare, etc., will write you all. Hope when this reaches you that all will be well and happy. I am in the best of health.
Heard from sister Martha a day or so ago. Was shocked to hear of conts in Trudie Smith’s death. Am so sorry for aunt Cyntha.
This letter may be lengthy but if you get tired reading, rest awhile and go ahead, or perhaps you can read it at your leisure. As I have not been allowed to tell you my location except that I was in England or France, am now going to tell you just where I have been.
On August 8, we sailed from New York, and for 17 days was sailing. Can’t tell you which way we came for I don’t know, but we traveled in a northerly direction and must have gone near the North Pole for on August 13 we saw a great iceberg off to our right. It looked to be almost as large as our ship. This was the “cold day in August” that you have heard of. We did not travel straight for we were afraid of submarines. We had a large convoy, besides there were nine troop ships. Our own ships were along until we were two days out from England, then we were met by an English convoy. We landed at Liverpool August 20 and spent one night in a rest camp there, then went across England on a train to Camp Winchester at South Hampton and spent another night in this camp on the following night crossed the channel and landed at Le Harve. We spent one night here and then hit the train again.
We were on the train 52 hours and when we stopped we were at a small village, Pierrefontaine, only eight miles from the Swiss border in a high section of the country and was here when the frost came August 29. Martha asked me if it ever got cold here. I think it will. The creeks or rivers are frozen over nearly thick enough to skate on now. We were at the last named place about five weeks, then went to Camp Du Valdahon and there was quartered in an old French Camp in warm barracks.
Two weeks ago we left Valdahon and came here. We passed through Besaucon, which is a very nice town of about 90,000 people. This is the prettiest city I have seen. It is in between two mountains with military forts on each hill top. I saw two barrages put up for German aeroplanes from this fort. There is a clock at the city built by Julius Caesar. Something wonderful.
We were on our way to the front and landed here on Monday evening after the armistice was signed at 11 a.m. that morning. We have been at the depot and seen Red Cross trains carrying the wounded to the hospitals. Our Infantry 81st division was on the front and suffered losses. I have not heard from Joe Ghormley nor B. J. Tompkins although I have wrote them both. Chess Fuller is well, but Wiley Calhoun was left at Valdadon for an operation for appendicitis. Saw Bob Evans last night. He and Wiley were in the same Battery.
Well I have been lucky or unlucky one. Just did miss the front, but am sure that we would have done well if we had had a chance. We bear the distinction of being one of the best divisions in the U.S. Army.
We have lots of fun here now playing all sorts of games and not having to work hard. Think we will have a football game Thanksgiving. Must close. If you think this letter would interest any of my friends send it to the Picayune.
Wishing you all a Merry Xmas will close.
Your loving son and brother,
Pvt. James A. Fairchild,
Hg. Co. F. H. American E.F. France.
P.S. I came through Paris, but was on the train. Did not see London. There is a park here containing several hundred acres and has 800 deer in it. This town is surrounded on three sides by a river and has high stone walls on two sides. We are ten miles from Chaumont, General Army Headquarters. I believe we will come home by March anyway. Will close.
Arthur
NOTES: James Arthur Fairchild was writing to his parents James W and Martha Fairchild and family. He was born in Mt. Moriah, Arkansas on January 19, 1995 and died on July 25, 1951. He is buried in the Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Rosston, Arkansas. He departed New York, NY on August 8, 1918 onboard the Lapland. He was serving as a Pvt. in Hdq. Co. 318th Field Artillery National Army.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON