TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT FEBRUARY 1, 1919 P. 2
Montabauer, Germany, December 18, 1918
I have been near the front several times and heard the big shells go over. Have seen one German plane knocked down. The aviator escaped by parachute. Have been to Toul, Nancy, Verdun, St. Mihiel, Argonne sectors, Chalons, Chateau Thierry, Montdidier, Amiens, Peronne, Cambral, St. Quentin and Bellicourt tunnel. I saw the Hindenburg line a few days after it was taken. Am now in Germany, east of Coblenz, am likely to be here for several weeks. The Rhine valley is certainly beautiful with its steep hills and cultivated fields. Germany was not as hard up for food as France. Meals are cheaper and bountiful, also sugar is given with them. The Germans treat us fine. I spent the evening listening to a German girl play the piano, and her brother, just out of the army, tell about his adventures. They blame everything on the Kaiser. The Kaiser couldn’t have done everything in Belgium though.
You can buy iron crosses and spiked helmets galore here.
The weather is not cold at all. I am not wearing an overcoat. The days are very short—dark at 3:30.
NOTES: This partial letter was written by Henslee Depuy Goza to his sister, Mrs. Sam B. Russell. He had served in the University of Arkansas cadet corps for 3 ½ years before enlisting. He served as 1st Sergeant Co B and D with the 508th Engrs. Service Battalion. This was an African American unit. He was born on August 18, 1894 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and died on January 5, 1964. He is buried in the Fayetteville National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as Arkansas, Major, 1283 ENGR C BN serving in World War I & II. He was described as being tall and slender with dark brown eyes and hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Montabauer, Germany, December 18, 1918
I have been near the front several times and heard the big shells go over. Have seen one German plane knocked down. The aviator escaped by parachute. Have been to Toul, Nancy, Verdun, St. Mihiel, Argonne sectors, Chalons, Chateau Thierry, Montdidier, Amiens, Peronne, Cambral, St. Quentin and Bellicourt tunnel. I saw the Hindenburg line a few days after it was taken. Am now in Germany, east of Coblenz, am likely to be here for several weeks. The Rhine valley is certainly beautiful with its steep hills and cultivated fields. Germany was not as hard up for food as France. Meals are cheaper and bountiful, also sugar is given with them. The Germans treat us fine. I spent the evening listening to a German girl play the piano, and her brother, just out of the army, tell about his adventures. They blame everything on the Kaiser. The Kaiser couldn’t have done everything in Belgium though.
You can buy iron crosses and spiked helmets galore here.
The weather is not cold at all. I am not wearing an overcoat. The days are very short—dark at 3:30.
NOTES: This partial letter was written by Henslee Depuy Goza to his sister, Mrs. Sam B. Russell. He had served in the University of Arkansas cadet corps for 3 ½ years before enlisting. He served as 1st Sergeant Co B and D with the 508th Engrs. Service Battalion. This was an African American unit. He was born on August 18, 1894 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and died on January 5, 1964. He is buried in the Fayetteville National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as Arkansas, Major, 1283 ENGR C BN serving in World War I & II. He was described as being tall and slender with dark brown eyes and hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT