TRANSCRIBED FROM THE PINE BLUFF DAILY GRAPHIC NOVEMBER 9, 1918 P. 2
A.E.F., France,
October 10, 1918,
Dear Charlie:
Your letter from home dated Sept. 11 reached me a few days ago. I have wanted to write you for some time in answer to your long letter telling me about your trip. Two from you right after the arrival at Albemarle and one from Bess after you got to Asheville gave me the details of your journey and you should have enjoyed the east-bound trip fine, altho you certainly had a mess of it coming back home. The home-bound part of it should bring fond (?) recollections to Clyde. France would be a wonderful country to tour in a car, but not a pleasure car is operated in these days. I’ve done considerable travelling over this part of the world, but hardly in as good style as the “Ford Special.”
My serial number appearing on my identification tag is No. 573558, but I’ve hda to dodge shell only a few times, and I imagine the Dutch have missed about as good chances at me that they will ever have. Things are very interesting around here at present, but the disaster seems to settle with the other party. Yesterday over two thousand prisoners came thru, and I have just been out to see about six hundred more. They say that whole battalions are just waiting for a chance to give up and this statement seems borne out by the fact that they are all packed up, have their best clothes (which are the filthiest rags I ever saw) on and are apparently delighted to be taken. One youngster who won’t shave for several years yet winked at me when he passed, and I didn’t see a single grouch in the whole line. When they throw away their arms, pack up their few belongings and come out so gladly there is no doubt but what they have had all the war they want.
Yesterday a mighty fleet of airplanes came over. I counted 104 and lost count. About half of them were bombing planes and the others, while along for protection, doubtless had machines guns mounted. That’s the biggest spectacle of its kind I’ve ever seen, and I expect the Boche were treated to a rare party before the expedition returned.
I’m inclosing a card I had written to Frank. If he can’t read it, he had better brush up on his French, for after the war a lot of little “petit gascon” will go over to America and he should know how to tell them “hello.”
The home newspapers must have had a time with their six inch headliners about the Allied continued successes and the Germans’ demand for peace. It’s far better for us that are here to stay and do the job up in good style than to yield a single point and allow their militarism to be unbroken and subsequent threat to our national peace and happiness. At any rate, we will probably be home next summer, as there is no doubt but that it is just a question of time before even the most bloodthirsty and belligerent enemy must admit defeat.
Three or four newspapers have come thru, about two months old. Better than pie to get them here just clip out anything of interest and put in a letter.
Each soldier over here has received a slip which he can send home for a Christmas package. It would be nice to get something from home, but I’ll not let my package swell the mails any, and some other fellow that needs it more will have a better chance to get his. Some Christmas packages last year were delivered as late as April or May, I’m satisfied I would rather not expect anything than to be disappointed. You may keep anything you have until I get home and then I will be sure of getting it and will appreciate it just as much, probably more.
As yet I haven’t got my trip to Paris, but the time hasn’t been right and we have enough to do not to really miss it, altho I’m sure the trip is worth while and a fine one, and I intend to get there before I get home.
Yesterdays Paris edition of the New York Herald contained Assistant Surgeon O. D. King’s name among those sited for the Distinguished Service Cross. He was with the Marines attached to the Second division around Chateau-Thierry the first of June, I suppose he is our Albemarle friend, and I forwarded the clipping there.
It will be nice if Arthur doesn’t leave Camp Pike, and I don’t believe he will ever get over here, at least as a soldier of Uncle Sam. He will be able to enjoy a week-end at home, and if I had the chance again I would avail myself of every opportunity to get off and have a few hours at home. I wouldn’t take anything for the experiences I have run into since I have been in the Army, but I don’t care to go over them again, and will appreciate doubly a life at home where I may go and come as I choose, and can make my own conveniences.
FRANK
NOTES: Idenfified only as Frank.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
A.E.F., France,
October 10, 1918,
Dear Charlie:
Your letter from home dated Sept. 11 reached me a few days ago. I have wanted to write you for some time in answer to your long letter telling me about your trip. Two from you right after the arrival at Albemarle and one from Bess after you got to Asheville gave me the details of your journey and you should have enjoyed the east-bound trip fine, altho you certainly had a mess of it coming back home. The home-bound part of it should bring fond (?) recollections to Clyde. France would be a wonderful country to tour in a car, but not a pleasure car is operated in these days. I’ve done considerable travelling over this part of the world, but hardly in as good style as the “Ford Special.”
My serial number appearing on my identification tag is No. 573558, but I’ve hda to dodge shell only a few times, and I imagine the Dutch have missed about as good chances at me that they will ever have. Things are very interesting around here at present, but the disaster seems to settle with the other party. Yesterday over two thousand prisoners came thru, and I have just been out to see about six hundred more. They say that whole battalions are just waiting for a chance to give up and this statement seems borne out by the fact that they are all packed up, have their best clothes (which are the filthiest rags I ever saw) on and are apparently delighted to be taken. One youngster who won’t shave for several years yet winked at me when he passed, and I didn’t see a single grouch in the whole line. When they throw away their arms, pack up their few belongings and come out so gladly there is no doubt but what they have had all the war they want.
Yesterday a mighty fleet of airplanes came over. I counted 104 and lost count. About half of them were bombing planes and the others, while along for protection, doubtless had machines guns mounted. That’s the biggest spectacle of its kind I’ve ever seen, and I expect the Boche were treated to a rare party before the expedition returned.
I’m inclosing a card I had written to Frank. If he can’t read it, he had better brush up on his French, for after the war a lot of little “petit gascon” will go over to America and he should know how to tell them “hello.”
The home newspapers must have had a time with their six inch headliners about the Allied continued successes and the Germans’ demand for peace. It’s far better for us that are here to stay and do the job up in good style than to yield a single point and allow their militarism to be unbroken and subsequent threat to our national peace and happiness. At any rate, we will probably be home next summer, as there is no doubt but that it is just a question of time before even the most bloodthirsty and belligerent enemy must admit defeat.
Three or four newspapers have come thru, about two months old. Better than pie to get them here just clip out anything of interest and put in a letter.
Each soldier over here has received a slip which he can send home for a Christmas package. It would be nice to get something from home, but I’ll not let my package swell the mails any, and some other fellow that needs it more will have a better chance to get his. Some Christmas packages last year were delivered as late as April or May, I’m satisfied I would rather not expect anything than to be disappointed. You may keep anything you have until I get home and then I will be sure of getting it and will appreciate it just as much, probably more.
As yet I haven’t got my trip to Paris, but the time hasn’t been right and we have enough to do not to really miss it, altho I’m sure the trip is worth while and a fine one, and I intend to get there before I get home.
Yesterdays Paris edition of the New York Herald contained Assistant Surgeon O. D. King’s name among those sited for the Distinguished Service Cross. He was with the Marines attached to the Second division around Chateau-Thierry the first of June, I suppose he is our Albemarle friend, and I forwarded the clipping there.
It will be nice if Arthur doesn’t leave Camp Pike, and I don’t believe he will ever get over here, at least as a soldier of Uncle Sam. He will be able to enjoy a week-end at home, and if I had the chance again I would avail myself of every opportunity to get off and have a few hours at home. I wouldn’t take anything for the experiences I have run into since I have been in the Army, but I don’t care to go over them again, and will appreciate doubly a life at home where I may go and come as I choose, and can make my own conveniences.
FRANK
NOTES: Idenfified only as Frank.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT