TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SOUTHERN STANDARD DECEMBER 12, 1918 P. 3
Camp Stuart, Va.,
Nov. 28, 1918
Mr. W. H. Francis,
Arkadelphia, Ark.
My dear Father:
I am in Virginia not far from Yorktown, where your great grandfather saw the surrender of Cornwallis to George Washington. You call to memory the bit of history and tradition regarding Lafayette’s being sent out by Washington to check the Traitor Arnold, when the latter was destroying everything he came across in Virginia, and how your great grandfather fought the enemy of liberty and freedom under the personal command of that great French leader, Lafayette.
I am at Hampton Roads on an arm of the Cheaspeake Bay, about the place your grandfather was stationed in the war or 1812 to fight for the freedom of the seas.
I can see the exact place where the Merimac and the Monitor fought a decisive battle in the great civil struggle for the liberty and for the freedom of an inferior race of people; hence, the abolition of slavery.
Why am I here? I was sent here by Uncle Sam as a willing servant of his government to do battle against the last great enemy of liberty and freedom, the Kaiser across the “pond.”
We were fully equipped and ready to step on board our transport--in fact, part of our brigade was already on board--when the Kaiser fled from his throne; and the news came that the war was over. There was great rejoicing in the camp. Soldiers ran out of their barracks in their night wear and ran up-and-down the streets yelling, “The war is over.” I turned over on my bunk and rested some better. The thought of the soldiers changed very hurriedly. They went to bed singing, “We are going over, and we are not coming back til’ it’s over, over there.” I haven’t heard that song in camp sing. The band came out next saying, “Hail, hail, the gang’s all here; we are going to lick the Kaiser, Kaiser Bill.” They played this song for two mornings after which they soon found out that you people at home had put Bill and the Crown Prince to flight with your fourth Liberty Loan; of course soldiers bought bonds too.
Here is a list of our over-seas equipment; 1 belt, 3 blankets, O.D., 1 breeches; woolen, 2 drawers; woolen, 2 gloves, 2 guantlets, 8 shoe laces, 2 puttees, 2 ornaments, 1 overcoat, 2 shirts; flannel, 4 shoes, 1 slicker, 8 stockings; woolen, 2 undershirts; woolen, 2 tags, 1 tape, 1 safety razor, 12 blades, 1 shaving brush, 1 cake of soap, 1 toothbrush, 1 comb, 2 towels, 1 knife, 1 fork, 1 spoon, 1 meat can, 1 condiment can, 1 canteen, 1 canteen cover, 2 dublins, 1 cartridge belt, 1 gun sling, 1 oiler, 1 thong, 1 oiler case, 1 thong case, 1 pack carrier, 1 first aid pouch, 1 first aid box, 1 rifle, 5 pins, tent, 1 pole. 1 rope, 1 tent half, 1 steel helmet.
We have turned in our rifle and steel helmet. I hope we will never need them. I haven’t fired a gun since I came into the army; so, I know I haven’t killed anyone, am thankful today for that, and the coming world-wide peace.
The following is our Thanksgiving dinner: Turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce, white bread, apples, oranges, almonds, pecans, hazel nuts and celery, with lemonade to drink and a package of Camel cigarretts and three matches to smoke, though I don’t smoke. Captain Drewey and wife dined with us. I hope to see you soon.
Your son,
Chas. W. Francis.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY KATHY GRIMM
Camp Stuart, Va.,
Nov. 28, 1918
Mr. W. H. Francis,
Arkadelphia, Ark.
My dear Father:
I am in Virginia not far from Yorktown, where your great grandfather saw the surrender of Cornwallis to George Washington. You call to memory the bit of history and tradition regarding Lafayette’s being sent out by Washington to check the Traitor Arnold, when the latter was destroying everything he came across in Virginia, and how your great grandfather fought the enemy of liberty and freedom under the personal command of that great French leader, Lafayette.
I am at Hampton Roads on an arm of the Cheaspeake Bay, about the place your grandfather was stationed in the war or 1812 to fight for the freedom of the seas.
I can see the exact place where the Merimac and the Monitor fought a decisive battle in the great civil struggle for the liberty and for the freedom of an inferior race of people; hence, the abolition of slavery.
Why am I here? I was sent here by Uncle Sam as a willing servant of his government to do battle against the last great enemy of liberty and freedom, the Kaiser across the “pond.”
We were fully equipped and ready to step on board our transport--in fact, part of our brigade was already on board--when the Kaiser fled from his throne; and the news came that the war was over. There was great rejoicing in the camp. Soldiers ran out of their barracks in their night wear and ran up-and-down the streets yelling, “The war is over.” I turned over on my bunk and rested some better. The thought of the soldiers changed very hurriedly. They went to bed singing, “We are going over, and we are not coming back til’ it’s over, over there.” I haven’t heard that song in camp sing. The band came out next saying, “Hail, hail, the gang’s all here; we are going to lick the Kaiser, Kaiser Bill.” They played this song for two mornings after which they soon found out that you people at home had put Bill and the Crown Prince to flight with your fourth Liberty Loan; of course soldiers bought bonds too.
Here is a list of our over-seas equipment; 1 belt, 3 blankets, O.D., 1 breeches; woolen, 2 drawers; woolen, 2 gloves, 2 guantlets, 8 shoe laces, 2 puttees, 2 ornaments, 1 overcoat, 2 shirts; flannel, 4 shoes, 1 slicker, 8 stockings; woolen, 2 undershirts; woolen, 2 tags, 1 tape, 1 safety razor, 12 blades, 1 shaving brush, 1 cake of soap, 1 toothbrush, 1 comb, 2 towels, 1 knife, 1 fork, 1 spoon, 1 meat can, 1 condiment can, 1 canteen, 1 canteen cover, 2 dublins, 1 cartridge belt, 1 gun sling, 1 oiler, 1 thong, 1 oiler case, 1 thong case, 1 pack carrier, 1 first aid pouch, 1 first aid box, 1 rifle, 5 pins, tent, 1 pole. 1 rope, 1 tent half, 1 steel helmet.
We have turned in our rifle and steel helmet. I hope we will never need them. I haven’t fired a gun since I came into the army; so, I know I haven’t killed anyone, am thankful today for that, and the coming world-wide peace.
The following is our Thanksgiving dinner: Turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce, white bread, apples, oranges, almonds, pecans, hazel nuts and celery, with lemonade to drink and a package of Camel cigarretts and three matches to smoke, though I don’t smoke. Captain Drewey and wife dined with us. I hope to see you soon.
Your son,
Chas. W. Francis.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY KATHY GRIMM