TRANSCRIBED FROM THE POCAHONTAS STAR HERALD JANUARY 3, 1919 P. 3
Nov, 17, 1918.
Dear Mother:
I am sure that you folks think I have entirely forgotten you, but far from it. The fact is, I was or rather have been in a place, where we were not allowed to write. A part of the time we were just behind the firing line, pushing forward. Then after we did come out of the trenches, everyone was to busy to censor the mail But now while things are running smooth again, I'll answer your many letters. I am glad to say that during our painful stay in the trenches, we helped to push the Bochs back a few miles, and held the ground we took.
I have heard from Louis and Aunt Bell. At the time I got Aunt Bell’s letter, we were camping on the side of a big hill; the whole regiment sleeping in pup tents. Just before we got to our camping place, we hiked about 12 miles over some of the sloppiest and roughest roads I ever saw. And on the top of that, it rained most all the way. You can imagine how we felt, when we arrived. They say all is fair in war. Although I had some tough times at the front, I consider myself lucky to come out without a scratch. After going over the top with the company and helped hold the lines for several days.
From the way things are going now, it looks as though we might be sent home soon.
You asked how we slept. At present we are sleeping in a long barrack, s me are sleeping on bunks, but as for myself I have two big mats of straw to sleep on, and I sure do sleep some.
Since coming out of the trenches we have good feed. We have laid around most of the time, just drilling enough to keep limbered up and to enjoy our meals. We sure are in a nice little town right on the banks of a small river and at the foot of a line of hills. The main industry of the town used to be paper making, but now the mill is almost shut down and only a few old men and boys work there.
You spoke of sending a box-well the box that you could send would be so small that you could hardly send anything at all. Just write me a long letter instead, and I will be almost as glad to get it as I would a box, Anyway we have splendid Y.M.C.A with us, and we can get all the paper, cigars, chocolate, etc. that we want.
I could write you a young magazine, but as I have other letters and want to sleep a little to night I was on guard duty last night.
From your son,
Pvt. Orley F. Frazier,
Co, K, 116th Inf., A. E. F.
A.P.O. 765 Via N.Y.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY ISAAC WOLTER
Nov, 17, 1918.
Dear Mother:
I am sure that you folks think I have entirely forgotten you, but far from it. The fact is, I was or rather have been in a place, where we were not allowed to write. A part of the time we were just behind the firing line, pushing forward. Then after we did come out of the trenches, everyone was to busy to censor the mail But now while things are running smooth again, I'll answer your many letters. I am glad to say that during our painful stay in the trenches, we helped to push the Bochs back a few miles, and held the ground we took.
I have heard from Louis and Aunt Bell. At the time I got Aunt Bell’s letter, we were camping on the side of a big hill; the whole regiment sleeping in pup tents. Just before we got to our camping place, we hiked about 12 miles over some of the sloppiest and roughest roads I ever saw. And on the top of that, it rained most all the way. You can imagine how we felt, when we arrived. They say all is fair in war. Although I had some tough times at the front, I consider myself lucky to come out without a scratch. After going over the top with the company and helped hold the lines for several days.
From the way things are going now, it looks as though we might be sent home soon.
You asked how we slept. At present we are sleeping in a long barrack, s me are sleeping on bunks, but as for myself I have two big mats of straw to sleep on, and I sure do sleep some.
Since coming out of the trenches we have good feed. We have laid around most of the time, just drilling enough to keep limbered up and to enjoy our meals. We sure are in a nice little town right on the banks of a small river and at the foot of a line of hills. The main industry of the town used to be paper making, but now the mill is almost shut down and only a few old men and boys work there.
You spoke of sending a box-well the box that you could send would be so small that you could hardly send anything at all. Just write me a long letter instead, and I will be almost as glad to get it as I would a box, Anyway we have splendid Y.M.C.A with us, and we can get all the paper, cigars, chocolate, etc. that we want.
I could write you a young magazine, but as I have other letters and want to sleep a little to night I was on guard duty last night.
From your son,
Pvt. Orley F. Frazier,
Co, K, 116th Inf., A. E. F.
A.P.O. 765 Via N.Y.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY ISAAC WOLTER