TRANSCRIBED FROM THE COURIER-INDEX DECEMBER 27, 1918 P. 1
Sunday, Nov. 24, 1918.
My Dear Father:
No doubt you have noticed in the paper where all A. E. F. men have been asked to write, on this date, to their fathers, so here I go and will outline my travels the best I can since I left Baltimore.
We left Baltimore on the 17th of August on our way to Camp Mills, for overseas equipment. We were in Camp Mills six days and while there I had the pleasure of visiting our greatest city, New York, also Rockway Beach, Coney Island, the Bowery, and many other places known the world over.
On the seventh day boarded the second largest ship afloat, the Agamemnon, formerly the Kaiser Wilhelm 2nd, which is the boat that brings the president over sometime in December. While on board in Hoboken one of the big steam lines burst and we were delayed two days.
On the twenty-sixth of August at 2:10 p. m. we pulled out of New York harbor and had a splendid voyage over, and believe me I was some sick of water, for I had never thought there was that much water in all the world. We had one attack by submarines and our gunners claimed they hit it and of course it was destroyed.
On the second day of September we entered the harbor at Brest, France, and were unloaded the following day, and were taken to the Pontamogen barracks, formerly used by Napoleon’s great army, where we remained eight days. Then we were loaded on the train and traveled a long distance through France to St. Florent where our division headquarters were located. Here our company took over all truck and motor transportation, and our infantry and medical detachments were scattered over the country in a radius of 30 miles around St. Florent and it was our job to keep them in food and supplies, and also haul freight from the yards to warehouses which made it quite a job, and steady work.
Then our division was made a depot or replacement camp, where men were always coming in, trained and sent on to the front, and this is the work I did until the armistice was signed.
And now the war is over we are preparing to go back to the States, and are now busy loading our supplies left on hand.
While here I have been on several convoys, sent from here to other cities and port after cars and trucks and on these convoys I have seen over half of France and some great cities, such as Paris, Le Harve, Bordeaux, Reouen, Mautes and several others. The largest city near us is Bourges, a town of about fifty or sixty thousand, and you can find it very easily on the map. We are only sixteen kilometers from it, which is about ten miles, as a kilometer is only five-eighths of a mile. So you can see I have seen lots of country and my experiences have been great.
I find France a pretty country but a thousand years behind the states. There is only one thing they have that I can brag about and that is their roads. They are perfect and beautiful and all solid graveled and have a row of trees on either side.
The people as a whole love the Americans and will do anything in the world for us. There are others who are in business who are, I think, a little high on some of their prices, but I think we are to blame for that, as we are famous as spendthrifts, and they take advantage of us in that way.
Since I have been over I have met very few boys that I knew before I left home. I went to see Finis McDaniel yesterday. He is in the aviation corps now, a motor mechanic, and getting along fine. He said he thought he would be going back home soon for they have taken up part of his blankets, and if he beats me home he will come down and tell you all hello for me.
Red Hampton got a transfer back to our company about two weeks ago and believe me he is a happy fellow, too, to be back with us. All of the boys are well that you know and all ask of you and send their best regards.
I believe I told you about Teddy being transferred. Well, I have never heard of him since, but guess he is getting along O. K.
We have our same captain but lose our lieutenant in the morning. We hate to see him go, for he is such a good fellow and we all like him.
I want to say that Uncle Sam is good to us, for we are getting plenty to eat, plenty of clothes and a good place to sleep, and what else could a soldier in time of war wish for! You people back home need not worry about us suffering from want of care, for we are certainly not.
But now, as I have said, the war is over and we have won, we boys will think and talk of only one thing and that is home, for we know that it will not be long before we will be there. You know it will be two long years since I have been home, to live, and I am beginning to dream of that dear place and my dear people every night, and think of them all day, and oh, what a glorious feeling that will be when again I put on civilian clothes and am at home all the time.
I don’t think that you will ever have any more trouble with me running around, for I have seen enough, and all that I want now is my home and the good times a boy can have with his own people and in and near home.
Now, papa, I have tried to write you a letter, not so long, but one that will give you a good idea as to how I am getting along. Of course it is written to you but it is for my dear mother and little sister, too. But this is really dad’s letter, and it is written to you and I hope that you get it Christmas day, not a day sooner nor a day later, and I hope you get me back not later than Easter, so save your health for a good time and look and prepare for my return.
I am enclosing a postal card picture of George Dooley and myself.
I will write you often. Give my best regards to all and more love for you than ever before.
Your devoted son,
DAN
NOTES: Dan Henry Felton was born in Lee County, Arkansas on December 17, 1896 and died on December 8, 1952. He is buried in the Cedar Heights Cemetery in Marianna, Arkansas. He was writing to his father John R. Felton. Dan left for Europe on August 26, 1918 from Hoboken, NJ on board the Agamemnon. He was a Corp. in the 114th Supply Train of the 39th Division.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS
Sunday, Nov. 24, 1918.
My Dear Father:
No doubt you have noticed in the paper where all A. E. F. men have been asked to write, on this date, to their fathers, so here I go and will outline my travels the best I can since I left Baltimore.
We left Baltimore on the 17th of August on our way to Camp Mills, for overseas equipment. We were in Camp Mills six days and while there I had the pleasure of visiting our greatest city, New York, also Rockway Beach, Coney Island, the Bowery, and many other places known the world over.
On the seventh day boarded the second largest ship afloat, the Agamemnon, formerly the Kaiser Wilhelm 2nd, which is the boat that brings the president over sometime in December. While on board in Hoboken one of the big steam lines burst and we were delayed two days.
On the twenty-sixth of August at 2:10 p. m. we pulled out of New York harbor and had a splendid voyage over, and believe me I was some sick of water, for I had never thought there was that much water in all the world. We had one attack by submarines and our gunners claimed they hit it and of course it was destroyed.
On the second day of September we entered the harbor at Brest, France, and were unloaded the following day, and were taken to the Pontamogen barracks, formerly used by Napoleon’s great army, where we remained eight days. Then we were loaded on the train and traveled a long distance through France to St. Florent where our division headquarters were located. Here our company took over all truck and motor transportation, and our infantry and medical detachments were scattered over the country in a radius of 30 miles around St. Florent and it was our job to keep them in food and supplies, and also haul freight from the yards to warehouses which made it quite a job, and steady work.
Then our division was made a depot or replacement camp, where men were always coming in, trained and sent on to the front, and this is the work I did until the armistice was signed.
And now the war is over we are preparing to go back to the States, and are now busy loading our supplies left on hand.
While here I have been on several convoys, sent from here to other cities and port after cars and trucks and on these convoys I have seen over half of France and some great cities, such as Paris, Le Harve, Bordeaux, Reouen, Mautes and several others. The largest city near us is Bourges, a town of about fifty or sixty thousand, and you can find it very easily on the map. We are only sixteen kilometers from it, which is about ten miles, as a kilometer is only five-eighths of a mile. So you can see I have seen lots of country and my experiences have been great.
I find France a pretty country but a thousand years behind the states. There is only one thing they have that I can brag about and that is their roads. They are perfect and beautiful and all solid graveled and have a row of trees on either side.
The people as a whole love the Americans and will do anything in the world for us. There are others who are in business who are, I think, a little high on some of their prices, but I think we are to blame for that, as we are famous as spendthrifts, and they take advantage of us in that way.
Since I have been over I have met very few boys that I knew before I left home. I went to see Finis McDaniel yesterday. He is in the aviation corps now, a motor mechanic, and getting along fine. He said he thought he would be going back home soon for they have taken up part of his blankets, and if he beats me home he will come down and tell you all hello for me.
Red Hampton got a transfer back to our company about two weeks ago and believe me he is a happy fellow, too, to be back with us. All of the boys are well that you know and all ask of you and send their best regards.
I believe I told you about Teddy being transferred. Well, I have never heard of him since, but guess he is getting along O. K.
We have our same captain but lose our lieutenant in the morning. We hate to see him go, for he is such a good fellow and we all like him.
I want to say that Uncle Sam is good to us, for we are getting plenty to eat, plenty of clothes and a good place to sleep, and what else could a soldier in time of war wish for! You people back home need not worry about us suffering from want of care, for we are certainly not.
But now, as I have said, the war is over and we have won, we boys will think and talk of only one thing and that is home, for we know that it will not be long before we will be there. You know it will be two long years since I have been home, to live, and I am beginning to dream of that dear place and my dear people every night, and think of them all day, and oh, what a glorious feeling that will be when again I put on civilian clothes and am at home all the time.
I don’t think that you will ever have any more trouble with me running around, for I have seen enough, and all that I want now is my home and the good times a boy can have with his own people and in and near home.
Now, papa, I have tried to write you a letter, not so long, but one that will give you a good idea as to how I am getting along. Of course it is written to you but it is for my dear mother and little sister, too. But this is really dad’s letter, and it is written to you and I hope that you get it Christmas day, not a day sooner nor a day later, and I hope you get me back not later than Easter, so save your health for a good time and look and prepare for my return.
I am enclosing a postal card picture of George Dooley and myself.
I will write you often. Give my best regards to all and more love for you than ever before.
Your devoted son,
DAN
NOTES: Dan Henry Felton was born in Lee County, Arkansas on December 17, 1896 and died on December 8, 1952. He is buried in the Cedar Heights Cemetery in Marianna, Arkansas. He was writing to his father John R. Felton. Dan left for Europe on August 26, 1918 from Hoboken, NJ on board the Agamemnon. He was a Corp. in the 114th Supply Train of the 39th Division.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS