TRANSCRIBED FROM THE COURIER DEMOCRAT MARCH 13, 1919 P. 4
Puderbach, Germany
Feb. 5, 1919.
Editor Courier-Democrat,
Russellville, Ark.
Dear Editor and Readers:
Since coming to Europe I have been thinking of writing you a letter for publication, but I am such a poor writer, have kept putting it off, until I noticed an article in your paper stating that there was a Russellville boy with the 32nd Division, in the person of Rollow Carden. I felt like I wanted to tell you and your readers that there is another Pope county boy with the 32nd Division, and I am more than proud of having had the honor of being connected with the 32nd before the fight ended.
Before I go any farther I want to say I have been receiving your paper regularly the past two months and have derived much pleasure and information from its columns.
I embarked from Newport News, Va., August 6, 1918, and landed at Brest, France, August 18, having been on the water 12 days. I came over with the old First Arkansas National Guards, was transferred to the 32nd Sept. 20, just in time to enter the battle of the Argonne forest. We went into the front lines Oct. 5, where, under a constant rain of water, machine gun bullets, shrapnel, gas and cooties, we battled for twenty days. Our gains in territory were not so great as some, but we never once yielded to any of the Huns' counter-attacks, and I never saw an American soldier throw up his hands and yell "Kamerad." After being relieved, we went back for a few days rest and drill. Our next and final attack was made from the 6th of November to the 11th of November.
Since the armistice was signed we have been with the Army of Occupation. We started on our march to the Rhine Nov. 17 and reached our destination Dec 13, sixteen days of real marching being required to make the trip, and covering a distance of about 250 miles. Believe me, we were ready to stop when the commander said halt.
But now that our hardships are over we look back to those days, and smile. And you must pardon me if I say we boys are a little proud of what we have accomplished under the hardships it was necessary for us to endure. We are now a jolly bunch of boys and glad that we are who we are, and glad that we have had a part in one of the greatest wars ever known in history---greatest because the cause was so great.
Lest my letter grows too long, will hush.
With best wishes for the C-D and its many readers,
PVT. PLEASANT W. HAMILTON,
Co. C. 128 Inf., 32nd Div., A.E.F., A.P.O. 734, France.
NOTES: Pleasant Walker Hamilton was writing to Editor J. A. Livingston. Hamilton was born on July 21, 1893 in Prairie Grove, Arkansas and died on October 31, 1969. He is buried in the Fort Smith National Cemetery. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Private serving in Co. C of the 128th Infantry in WWI. He departed Newport News, Va. On August 6, 1918 onboard the Huron. He was listed as a Private serving in Co. F. of the 153rd Infantry, 39th Division. He returned from Brest, France departing on April 27. 1919 onboard the George Washington. He arrived in the US on May 5, 1919. He was listed as serving in Co. C of the 128th Infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Puderbach, Germany
Feb. 5, 1919.
Editor Courier-Democrat,
Russellville, Ark.
Dear Editor and Readers:
Since coming to Europe I have been thinking of writing you a letter for publication, but I am such a poor writer, have kept putting it off, until I noticed an article in your paper stating that there was a Russellville boy with the 32nd Division, in the person of Rollow Carden. I felt like I wanted to tell you and your readers that there is another Pope county boy with the 32nd Division, and I am more than proud of having had the honor of being connected with the 32nd before the fight ended.
Before I go any farther I want to say I have been receiving your paper regularly the past two months and have derived much pleasure and information from its columns.
I embarked from Newport News, Va., August 6, 1918, and landed at Brest, France, August 18, having been on the water 12 days. I came over with the old First Arkansas National Guards, was transferred to the 32nd Sept. 20, just in time to enter the battle of the Argonne forest. We went into the front lines Oct. 5, where, under a constant rain of water, machine gun bullets, shrapnel, gas and cooties, we battled for twenty days. Our gains in territory were not so great as some, but we never once yielded to any of the Huns' counter-attacks, and I never saw an American soldier throw up his hands and yell "Kamerad." After being relieved, we went back for a few days rest and drill. Our next and final attack was made from the 6th of November to the 11th of November.
Since the armistice was signed we have been with the Army of Occupation. We started on our march to the Rhine Nov. 17 and reached our destination Dec 13, sixteen days of real marching being required to make the trip, and covering a distance of about 250 miles. Believe me, we were ready to stop when the commander said halt.
But now that our hardships are over we look back to those days, and smile. And you must pardon me if I say we boys are a little proud of what we have accomplished under the hardships it was necessary for us to endure. We are now a jolly bunch of boys and glad that we are who we are, and glad that we have had a part in one of the greatest wars ever known in history---greatest because the cause was so great.
Lest my letter grows too long, will hush.
With best wishes for the C-D and its many readers,
PVT. PLEASANT W. HAMILTON,
Co. C. 128 Inf., 32nd Div., A.E.F., A.P.O. 734, France.
NOTES: Pleasant Walker Hamilton was writing to Editor J. A. Livingston. Hamilton was born on July 21, 1893 in Prairie Grove, Arkansas and died on October 31, 1969. He is buried in the Fort Smith National Cemetery. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Private serving in Co. C of the 128th Infantry in WWI. He departed Newport News, Va. On August 6, 1918 onboard the Huron. He was listed as a Private serving in Co. F. of the 153rd Infantry, 39th Division. He returned from Brest, France departing on April 27. 1919 onboard the George Washington. He arrived in the US on May 5, 1919. He was listed as serving in Co. C of the 128th Infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD