TRANSCRIBED FROM THE NEVADA COUNTY PICAYUNE JUNE 6, 1918 P. 1
Camp Jackson, S.C.
Nevada County Picayune,
Dear Editor:
If you will allow me to speak a few words I will tell you some things of Camp Jackson and soldiers here.
I have been in service some over 8 months and I know what it takes to make a good soldier now.
I reported to my Local Board the 18 day of last September, for duty, then on the 19th I entered Camp Pike, Arkansas where I spent one month and a half in the 355 M.G, Co. Left Camp Pike on 15th November and landed in Camp Jackson, S.C. Nov. 17th, 1917.
While I was in Camp Pike I spent some of the saddest hours of my life. You all know how I hated to leave my father, mother, brothers, and sisters--and sweethearts too, tho I came on and acted a man and have up to this date.
While in Camp Pike, I went home to see my parents. Spent several hours with them. Also spent 3 hours with one of my sweethearts near my home.
On Saturday night following, I went to see my darling little girl who lives near Sayre. Probably most of you know her. I spent 20 hours with her, and if you'd seen me when we parted you'd have seen a heartbroken boy, for that was one more sad time of my life.
I saw lots of country, lots of high mountains on my way here but never saw anything that looked as good to me as Nevada County Arkansas. We had lots of fun on the way.
Well I will get back to my subject. I was put in the Depot Brigade when I first got here, where I stayed one week. Was transferred to Bat. A., Reg. 317 F.A. where I have spent the rest of my time in hard drilling and riding horses.
I like the Artillery fine for most of my drill is mounted drill. We have some fine horses here.
Another thing about the army I like, and that is we have nothing to bother us. Uncle Sam feeds and clothes us and gives us a little money to spend.
A word to the fathers and mothers who have a boy in the service of the U.S.A. I know that you are grieved over the boys that are gone, I know there are vacant chairs in many homes in the U.S.A., that will never be filled any more, but you can say your son went and did all he could for the freedom of his country, and your welfare.
The boys are taking great interest in their drill here now and doing all that is in their power to help win this war, and I know Victory is ours if the people will just back us a little.
One word to the young men who are expecting to come to the Camp. I know it looks hard to you to leave home and loved ones, but do your part. Act a man, and learn all you can about army life; and as fast as you can and I will assure you that you will come out better in the long run.
Many of the boys who came here with me are in France now.
I don't know how long I will be here. May be here for some time yet, and maybe here only a few days. I can't tell.
We have 85 new men now of this last draft. going to get 37 more.
The boys who have just come in are learning to drill fast and are taking great interest in military ways.
We have all kinds of fighting material here. The American 3-inch cannon gun, the French 75 cannon, and the British 6-inch cannon.
I think we will get the Kaiser in a few days. So goodbye sweethearts, wives, and mothers. It won't take us long. Don't worry while we're gone, it's you we are fighting for.
"So goodby Broadway! Hello France, we're going to pay our debt to you. I remain,
W. C. Fuller.
NOTES: William Chesley Fuller was born on May 15, 1896 in Mount Moriah, Arkansas and died on November 1, 1975 in Jacksonville, Arkansas. He is buried in the Mount Moriah Cemetery in Rosston, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Private serving in the US Army during World War I. He enlisted on August 18, 1917 and was discharged on June 21, 1919. He departed Brest, France on May 27, 1919 onboard the South Carolina. He was listed as a Private serving in Battery A, 317th Field Artillery.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Camp Jackson, S.C.
Nevada County Picayune,
Dear Editor:
If you will allow me to speak a few words I will tell you some things of Camp Jackson and soldiers here.
I have been in service some over 8 months and I know what it takes to make a good soldier now.
I reported to my Local Board the 18 day of last September, for duty, then on the 19th I entered Camp Pike, Arkansas where I spent one month and a half in the 355 M.G, Co. Left Camp Pike on 15th November and landed in Camp Jackson, S.C. Nov. 17th, 1917.
While I was in Camp Pike I spent some of the saddest hours of my life. You all know how I hated to leave my father, mother, brothers, and sisters--and sweethearts too, tho I came on and acted a man and have up to this date.
While in Camp Pike, I went home to see my parents. Spent several hours with them. Also spent 3 hours with one of my sweethearts near my home.
On Saturday night following, I went to see my darling little girl who lives near Sayre. Probably most of you know her. I spent 20 hours with her, and if you'd seen me when we parted you'd have seen a heartbroken boy, for that was one more sad time of my life.
I saw lots of country, lots of high mountains on my way here but never saw anything that looked as good to me as Nevada County Arkansas. We had lots of fun on the way.
Well I will get back to my subject. I was put in the Depot Brigade when I first got here, where I stayed one week. Was transferred to Bat. A., Reg. 317 F.A. where I have spent the rest of my time in hard drilling and riding horses.
I like the Artillery fine for most of my drill is mounted drill. We have some fine horses here.
Another thing about the army I like, and that is we have nothing to bother us. Uncle Sam feeds and clothes us and gives us a little money to spend.
A word to the fathers and mothers who have a boy in the service of the U.S.A. I know that you are grieved over the boys that are gone, I know there are vacant chairs in many homes in the U.S.A., that will never be filled any more, but you can say your son went and did all he could for the freedom of his country, and your welfare.
The boys are taking great interest in their drill here now and doing all that is in their power to help win this war, and I know Victory is ours if the people will just back us a little.
One word to the young men who are expecting to come to the Camp. I know it looks hard to you to leave home and loved ones, but do your part. Act a man, and learn all you can about army life; and as fast as you can and I will assure you that you will come out better in the long run.
Many of the boys who came here with me are in France now.
I don't know how long I will be here. May be here for some time yet, and maybe here only a few days. I can't tell.
We have 85 new men now of this last draft. going to get 37 more.
The boys who have just come in are learning to drill fast and are taking great interest in military ways.
We have all kinds of fighting material here. The American 3-inch cannon gun, the French 75 cannon, and the British 6-inch cannon.
I think we will get the Kaiser in a few days. So goodbye sweethearts, wives, and mothers. It won't take us long. Don't worry while we're gone, it's you we are fighting for.
"So goodby Broadway! Hello France, we're going to pay our debt to you. I remain,
W. C. Fuller.
NOTES: William Chesley Fuller was born on May 15, 1896 in Mount Moriah, Arkansas and died on November 1, 1975 in Jacksonville, Arkansas. He is buried in the Mount Moriah Cemetery in Rosston, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Private serving in the US Army during World War I. He enlisted on August 18, 1917 and was discharged on June 21, 1919. He departed Brest, France on May 27, 1919 onboard the South Carolina. He was listed as a Private serving in Battery A, 317th Field Artillery.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD