TRANSCRIBED FROM THE LITTLE RIVER NEWS OCTOBER 25, 1918 P. 4
St. Nazaire, France, Aug. 29, 1918.
Dear Mamma:
Your letters came today, shall try to write you something of trip over.
First, on leaving U.S.A. was the last sight of the Statue of Liberty as it grew blue and still bluer in the distance as our ships propeller pushed us out to sea, till we could only see the light held in the upraised hand, then a fog shut off all from view.
I was a little sick after being on board a few hours, but rest of trip fared fine. We could watch the sun rise and sun set and it was beautiful on the water, and watching the rise and fall of the water, the white caps and away of the big ship was quite interesting. Once in a while we would see a school of porpoise jumping out of the water, ahead or along side of the ship.
The water at first looked dark blue then green, and then further on we came to where the waves were very high and the foam looked like soap suds.
Once in a while we would run into a school of jelly fish, or see a whale and then some days we saw nothing but water everywhere: then we passed other ships in the distance, some headed our way, and some headed towards the States.
I traveled some and saw something of France. We rode on funny little narrow gauge railroads. In box cars and in coaches divided into sections which would accommodate eight people, about thirty-two to the coach.
England is a beautiful country. The fences are made of stone, the houses are all stone or concrete with few windows and doors and brick or stone chimneys.
The country is well supplied with rock roads winding through hill and valley and along slow running streams.
We went through a good many dark tunnels and saw some wonderful nights. I can't tell you all, but this trip is sure worth while and when I come home can tell you all about it.
I have seen some cliff houses and they are beautiful too.
The most beautiful homes over here are inclosed with high brick walls, and schrubbery and flowers of all kinds.
Roses are in bloom now. As you say I am seeing all I can and storing away what I can't write to tell when I come home. Write often and long letters, for they sure do count here.
Your boy,
Linden.
NOTES: This letter was written by Linden Payne Guice of Wilton, Arkansas to his mother Sophie Moseley. He was born on May 10, 1892 in Lamont, Mississippi an died on December 31, 1974 in Longview, Texas. He is buried in the Gum Springs Cemetery in Longview. He enlisted on May 17, 1917 and was discharged on June 3, 1919. He departed New York, NY on July 15, 1918 onboard the Saxonia. He was listed as a Sgt. serving in 4MM. He departed St. Nazaire, France on May 16, 1919 onboard the Dakotan. He arrived in Philadelphia, Pa. He was listed as a Sgt. serving in the infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
St. Nazaire, France, Aug. 29, 1918.
Dear Mamma:
Your letters came today, shall try to write you something of trip over.
First, on leaving U.S.A. was the last sight of the Statue of Liberty as it grew blue and still bluer in the distance as our ships propeller pushed us out to sea, till we could only see the light held in the upraised hand, then a fog shut off all from view.
I was a little sick after being on board a few hours, but rest of trip fared fine. We could watch the sun rise and sun set and it was beautiful on the water, and watching the rise and fall of the water, the white caps and away of the big ship was quite interesting. Once in a while we would see a school of porpoise jumping out of the water, ahead or along side of the ship.
The water at first looked dark blue then green, and then further on we came to where the waves were very high and the foam looked like soap suds.
Once in a while we would run into a school of jelly fish, or see a whale and then some days we saw nothing but water everywhere: then we passed other ships in the distance, some headed our way, and some headed towards the States.
I traveled some and saw something of France. We rode on funny little narrow gauge railroads. In box cars and in coaches divided into sections which would accommodate eight people, about thirty-two to the coach.
England is a beautiful country. The fences are made of stone, the houses are all stone or concrete with few windows and doors and brick or stone chimneys.
The country is well supplied with rock roads winding through hill and valley and along slow running streams.
We went through a good many dark tunnels and saw some wonderful nights. I can't tell you all, but this trip is sure worth while and when I come home can tell you all about it.
I have seen some cliff houses and they are beautiful too.
The most beautiful homes over here are inclosed with high brick walls, and schrubbery and flowers of all kinds.
Roses are in bloom now. As you say I am seeing all I can and storing away what I can't write to tell when I come home. Write often and long letters, for they sure do count here.
Your boy,
Linden.
NOTES: This letter was written by Linden Payne Guice of Wilton, Arkansas to his mother Sophie Moseley. He was born on May 10, 1892 in Lamont, Mississippi an died on December 31, 1974 in Longview, Texas. He is buried in the Gum Springs Cemetery in Longview. He enlisted on May 17, 1917 and was discharged on June 3, 1919. He departed New York, NY on July 15, 1918 onboard the Saxonia. He was listed as a Sgt. serving in 4MM. He departed St. Nazaire, France on May 16, 1919 onboard the Dakotan. He arrived in Philadelphia, Pa. He was listed as a Sgt. serving in the infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD