TRANSCRIBED FROM THE COURIER-DEMOCRAT AUGUST 22, 1918 P. 3
"Somewhere in France,"
July 25, 1918.
Mrs. M. P. Hanks,
Russellville, Ark.
Dear Mother:
Just left the firing line day before yesterday, and find myself in the hospital. My case amounts to so little it's not worth mentioning. In other words, I am feeling fine and expect to get a nice, long rest.
I was under fire for 54 days. It sure is some picnic, and I hope I won't see another picnic as bad as that one was. I know you are very anxious to hear from me by now, for I haven't written or had a chance to write since the "big drive" started about two weeks ago. Believe me, I was lucky to get out at all, as my friends and comrades were falling both right and left; but you should have seen the other side of the line when we beat the Boches back and took their position. It was an awful sight to behold--much worse than ours. Dead Germans were everywhere; towns were absolutely destroyed by our artillery. The French say it was the worst battle ever fought, and I truly hope that this will be the finish of it. I can't tell it half as bad as it was--words cannot express the situation. But, mother dear, it was a Higher Power that brought us through. You will not worry about your soldier boys, for they are all right.
Earnie's regiment hasn't come up yet, and I don't know his address. Would certainly like to hear from him. Have seen several boys from Arkansas but none that I know. Jess Roberts from Russellville is over here, but so far I have been unable to see him.
I wrote you about the 25th of June. Am quite sure you have gotten that letter. I wrote again the night the big drive started, but all the mail that was waiting to be posted was lost. I have written nothing since then.
I am far, far back now. Can't hear even the muffled sound of an airplane or the roar of the artillery, and believe me, it is sure some relief. I don't know how long I'll be back here, for while there are some back here in safety ther are others who are at the front, in danger.
I haven't heard from you in some time, but I constantly live in hopes that everybody is well, and put a bright side on every gloomy thing that happens.
Will close, with lots of love and best wishes to all. Don't worry about me: God will take care of us all. Nobody downhearted. All feeling good and hope to be back soon.
I am your soldier son,
PVT. WM. H. HANKS,
Co. C, 5th F. B. S. C.,
3rd Division, Regular Army,
NOTES: William Herbert Hanks is writing to his mother Mrs. M. P. Hanks of near Springdale, Arkansas. He was born in Russellville, Arkansas on August 1, 1888 and died on March 11, 1966. He is buried in the Oakland Cemetery in Russellville. His military headstone identifies him as a Private serving in Co. C. of the 5th Field Signal Bn. in WWI. He departed for France from Hoboken, NJ on February 27, 1918. He returned from Brest, France on August 15, 1919 onboard the Manchuria. He arrived in Hoboken on August 25, 1919. He was listed as a Private serving in Co. C. in the 5th Field Signal Bat.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
"Somewhere in France,"
July 25, 1918.
Mrs. M. P. Hanks,
Russellville, Ark.
Dear Mother:
Just left the firing line day before yesterday, and find myself in the hospital. My case amounts to so little it's not worth mentioning. In other words, I am feeling fine and expect to get a nice, long rest.
I was under fire for 54 days. It sure is some picnic, and I hope I won't see another picnic as bad as that one was. I know you are very anxious to hear from me by now, for I haven't written or had a chance to write since the "big drive" started about two weeks ago. Believe me, I was lucky to get out at all, as my friends and comrades were falling both right and left; but you should have seen the other side of the line when we beat the Boches back and took their position. It was an awful sight to behold--much worse than ours. Dead Germans were everywhere; towns were absolutely destroyed by our artillery. The French say it was the worst battle ever fought, and I truly hope that this will be the finish of it. I can't tell it half as bad as it was--words cannot express the situation. But, mother dear, it was a Higher Power that brought us through. You will not worry about your soldier boys, for they are all right.
Earnie's regiment hasn't come up yet, and I don't know his address. Would certainly like to hear from him. Have seen several boys from Arkansas but none that I know. Jess Roberts from Russellville is over here, but so far I have been unable to see him.
I wrote you about the 25th of June. Am quite sure you have gotten that letter. I wrote again the night the big drive started, but all the mail that was waiting to be posted was lost. I have written nothing since then.
I am far, far back now. Can't hear even the muffled sound of an airplane or the roar of the artillery, and believe me, it is sure some relief. I don't know how long I'll be back here, for while there are some back here in safety ther are others who are at the front, in danger.
I haven't heard from you in some time, but I constantly live in hopes that everybody is well, and put a bright side on every gloomy thing that happens.
Will close, with lots of love and best wishes to all. Don't worry about me: God will take care of us all. Nobody downhearted. All feeling good and hope to be back soon.
I am your soldier son,
PVT. WM. H. HANKS,
Co. C, 5th F. B. S. C.,
3rd Division, Regular Army,
NOTES: William Herbert Hanks is writing to his mother Mrs. M. P. Hanks of near Springdale, Arkansas. He was born in Russellville, Arkansas on August 1, 1888 and died on March 11, 1966. He is buried in the Oakland Cemetery in Russellville. His military headstone identifies him as a Private serving in Co. C. of the 5th Field Signal Bn. in WWI. He departed for France from Hoboken, NJ on February 27, 1918. He returned from Brest, France on August 15, 1919 onboard the Manchuria. He arrived in Hoboken on August 25, 1919. He was listed as a Private serving in Co. C. in the 5th Field Signal Bat.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD