TRANSCRIBED FROM THE PINE BLUFF DAILY GRAPHIC NOVEMBER 14, 1917 P. 2
Dear---------:
I don’t know whether I have written you since I enlisted or not. If I haven’t it isn’t because I haven’t thought of you. How are you and the ------ company getting along. Me and Uncle Sam are having a dick of a time. I have gotten where I like him. At first it was what Sherman said war was, but even if I do like it now that is no sign that I don’t want to come home.
I am lucky or unlucky, one I don’t know which. I was in camp down in the woods on the banks of the peaceful Potomac, and suddenly had my dreams (work in the kitches) disturbed by orders to pack my duds to come to Washington. The First is under Sailing orders, and expects to leave here soon for the port of embarkation. I’ll be durn glad when I get over among the fair damsels, across the seas, but will be doubly glad when I get back with the good looking Arkansas girls.
I have been having a pretty good time since joining the army, especially on Saturdays and Sundays, We don’t have anything from Saturday morning until Monday morning except retreat, and we have to answer that unless we have a pass.
I started this letter last night, but didn’t get to finish, as a sergeant came in and wanted some men to go to a church social. So I folded writing and went with the bunch. I surely did enjoy it. They served coffee and cakes, and, believe me, ‘Tub’ was among those present. I drank three cups of coffee and had about six pieces of cake. I have learned to not refuse anything to eat since I enlisted.
While I am writing about ‘eats’ I will tell you what we had for dinner today (Thursday): Chicken, potatoes, English peas, bread and butter, and pie a la mode. But those kinds of meals are few and far between. It is usually meat and potatoes, with some kind of dessert. I am not falling off, but still I am not gaining.
I can’t think of anything else to write, exvept that I would like to come home for a few days before sailing, and see all the gang again. But that will have to come under the head of hope deferred, I guess. Give my regards to all my friends, and write soon to your old friend.
“TUBBY”
NOTES: This letter was written by Reed Fletcher serving with Company B, First Battalion 20th Engineers. He is the nephew of Ruth Scokans and his Judge W. B. Sorrells.
TRANSCRIBED BY PAYTON DHOOGE
Dear---------:
I don’t know whether I have written you since I enlisted or not. If I haven’t it isn’t because I haven’t thought of you. How are you and the ------ company getting along. Me and Uncle Sam are having a dick of a time. I have gotten where I like him. At first it was what Sherman said war was, but even if I do like it now that is no sign that I don’t want to come home.
I am lucky or unlucky, one I don’t know which. I was in camp down in the woods on the banks of the peaceful Potomac, and suddenly had my dreams (work in the kitches) disturbed by orders to pack my duds to come to Washington. The First is under Sailing orders, and expects to leave here soon for the port of embarkation. I’ll be durn glad when I get over among the fair damsels, across the seas, but will be doubly glad when I get back with the good looking Arkansas girls.
I have been having a pretty good time since joining the army, especially on Saturdays and Sundays, We don’t have anything from Saturday morning until Monday morning except retreat, and we have to answer that unless we have a pass.
I started this letter last night, but didn’t get to finish, as a sergeant came in and wanted some men to go to a church social. So I folded writing and went with the bunch. I surely did enjoy it. They served coffee and cakes, and, believe me, ‘Tub’ was among those present. I drank three cups of coffee and had about six pieces of cake. I have learned to not refuse anything to eat since I enlisted.
While I am writing about ‘eats’ I will tell you what we had for dinner today (Thursday): Chicken, potatoes, English peas, bread and butter, and pie a la mode. But those kinds of meals are few and far between. It is usually meat and potatoes, with some kind of dessert. I am not falling off, but still I am not gaining.
I can’t think of anything else to write, exvept that I would like to come home for a few days before sailing, and see all the gang again. But that will have to come under the head of hope deferred, I guess. Give my regards to all my friends, and write soon to your old friend.
“TUBBY”
NOTES: This letter was written by Reed Fletcher serving with Company B, First Battalion 20th Engineers. He is the nephew of Ruth Scokans and his Judge W. B. Sorrells.
TRANSCRIBED BY PAYTON DHOOGE