TRANSCRIBED FROM THE DREW COUNTY ADVANCE FEBRUARY 4, 1919 P. 7
Bordeaux, France, Dec. 22, 1918.
My Dear Mother:
It is now that I will write you a few lines to let you know how I am enjoying myself in France.
France is a real pretty country, and I like to stay here alright, although I do no take much to some of the things they have here. Most especially, their trains. I have not seen any coaches, or at least I ride in box cars. As for wagons, they haven’t any, have some two wheel carts. The people are certainly nice to us boys, are always glad to see us. Guess you think I am in a cold country, but I’m not. You see I’m in southern France and in one of the best U. S. Camps in France.
Have not done anything for the last eighteen days, so you see I’m having an easy time.
Mother, did I write you where I went to? Don’t think I did for I could not write anything at the time.
I am sure you thought we crossed over from N. Y., but we didn’t. Uncle Sam had another trip for us. We went from N. Y. to Canada. We saw some country there. We left N. Y. October 3rd and boarded our ships October 4th. We were on the St. Lawrence River five days, before we saw the Atlantic. Our ship laid over at Quebec one day and night. It sleeted all the time we were there. On Sunday we pulled out for France, did not see a Sub. We were on the water fourteen days, so you know we must have been some tired bunch. We landed at Liverpool England, and caught a train out to Southampton to a rest camp; stayed there three days and then crossed the English Channel into France.
Here I am and just three days until Christmas and Mr. Wilson over here to spend it too. Peace will be signed soon and we boys will be coming home. Back to the farm I will go, not to loaf about, but to work.
By the time I get assigned to a Division and be mustered out, it will be too late to make a crop. If I do not get back in time to make a crop, I can get a job alright for that will not be hard for a boy that has seen overseas service.
I wish you would send me Walter’s address. I have not heard from him since October 4th, and he was getting ready to move then, so I do not know whether he is over here or not. In fact the last I have heard from any one was from H. C. which was written October 12th. I thought it was terrible until I was talking to some boys today, they said it had been nine months since they had heard from any of their folks, although most of those boys were on the firing lines and of course it was very hard for them to get any mail. I was not on the firing line, but did not lack much of it. The Huns seem to have gotten enough before I got there.
Mother, I can tell you more about what I have seen, done, and learned when I get home, which I trust will not be long.
As it is bed time, guess I had better retire. I am, with love to you, and all,
Your son,
Houston. A. Haley,
Co. 204, P. N. E., A. P. O., 705 A. E. F.
NOTES: Houston Adron Haley was born in Monticello, Arkansas on February 2, 1897 and died on February 13, 1974. He is buried in the Union Ridge Cemetery in Monticello. His military headstone identifies him as a Pfc. serving in the US Army.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS
Bordeaux, France, Dec. 22, 1918.
My Dear Mother:
It is now that I will write you a few lines to let you know how I am enjoying myself in France.
France is a real pretty country, and I like to stay here alright, although I do no take much to some of the things they have here. Most especially, their trains. I have not seen any coaches, or at least I ride in box cars. As for wagons, they haven’t any, have some two wheel carts. The people are certainly nice to us boys, are always glad to see us. Guess you think I am in a cold country, but I’m not. You see I’m in southern France and in one of the best U. S. Camps in France.
Have not done anything for the last eighteen days, so you see I’m having an easy time.
Mother, did I write you where I went to? Don’t think I did for I could not write anything at the time.
I am sure you thought we crossed over from N. Y., but we didn’t. Uncle Sam had another trip for us. We went from N. Y. to Canada. We saw some country there. We left N. Y. October 3rd and boarded our ships October 4th. We were on the St. Lawrence River five days, before we saw the Atlantic. Our ship laid over at Quebec one day and night. It sleeted all the time we were there. On Sunday we pulled out for France, did not see a Sub. We were on the water fourteen days, so you know we must have been some tired bunch. We landed at Liverpool England, and caught a train out to Southampton to a rest camp; stayed there three days and then crossed the English Channel into France.
Here I am and just three days until Christmas and Mr. Wilson over here to spend it too. Peace will be signed soon and we boys will be coming home. Back to the farm I will go, not to loaf about, but to work.
By the time I get assigned to a Division and be mustered out, it will be too late to make a crop. If I do not get back in time to make a crop, I can get a job alright for that will not be hard for a boy that has seen overseas service.
I wish you would send me Walter’s address. I have not heard from him since October 4th, and he was getting ready to move then, so I do not know whether he is over here or not. In fact the last I have heard from any one was from H. C. which was written October 12th. I thought it was terrible until I was talking to some boys today, they said it had been nine months since they had heard from any of their folks, although most of those boys were on the firing lines and of course it was very hard for them to get any mail. I was not on the firing line, but did not lack much of it. The Huns seem to have gotten enough before I got there.
Mother, I can tell you more about what I have seen, done, and learned when I get home, which I trust will not be long.
As it is bed time, guess I had better retire. I am, with love to you, and all,
Your son,
Houston. A. Haley,
Co. 204, P. N. E., A. P. O., 705 A. E. F.
NOTES: Houston Adron Haley was born in Monticello, Arkansas on February 2, 1897 and died on February 13, 1974. He is buried in the Union Ridge Cemetery in Monticello. His military headstone identifies him as a Pfc. serving in the US Army.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS