TRANSCRIBED FROM THE HOT SPRINGS NEW ERA FEBRUARY 6, P. 3
January 5, 1919
Dear Mother:
Well, Mama, I’ve been waiting to hear from you before writing again, but it seems as though I can’t get any mail.
I hope everyone at home is in good health. For myself, I am doing and feeling fine. We are still in Germany doing guard duty. There are only two patoons of the company here, we get duty about every other day. The other platoons of the company are doing guard duty on outposts not far from here, so you can see about how we are split up.
I don’t remember whether I told you when I landed in France or not. I landed in Brest, France, November 3rd and remained there in a rest camp six days. We left there (by train) on the 9th for the front to replace the 5th regiment. After two days and nights ride we reached St. Agnes, France, where we stayed overnight in a replacement camp to be equipped with overseas clothes. We left there on the 12th and reached Dun, which was the extension of the allied railroad at that time. The Germans had just been driven out of this place the day before by the Americans and we saw some dead along the road.
From here we started our hiking and believe me my pack sure was heavy the first day. At that time the entire equipment I carried 86 pounds, but I soon reduced it some. We had several days hiking before we caught the 5th regiment, because they were keeping close behind the German army. That made it hard for us because, of course, we had lots to gain as they had the start on us. We sure lost lots of men. Something like over 200 of the replacement were lost along the road. Some could not stand the hike, some had sore feet, some sick and various other reasons. We pulled into Allons, Belgium on the night of of the 17th and we were sure glad to learn the 5th marines were there. Our replacement companies were all split up and only a few of the old fellows got into the same company as I did. Had we not been detained in Brest these few days. I would have been in the battle of the Meuse on the 11th. It sure was tough there and lots of men were killed on the west bank. The Germans claimed the Americans would never cross at that place, because they were so well fortified, but they did. Several bridges were blown up by artillery and one battalion that was crossing before this one was caught on the bridge as a shell blew the bridge up.
Well Mama, it is almost 12 o’clock and I have to be going to chew. This is Sunday morning and I am not on guard duty but we had a couple of inspections and drew some clothes which took up most of the morning. I don’t know definitely just how long we’ll be here but hope to be on my way back to the states very soon. I trust I will hear a word from home before writing again.
Lovingly your son.
ROY
P. S. I’m picking up a little Dutch language lately. I think in course of two or three months I can talk pretty well.
NOTES: Roy Harris was writing to his mother, Mrs. C. R. Harris.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
January 5, 1919
Dear Mother:
Well, Mama, I’ve been waiting to hear from you before writing again, but it seems as though I can’t get any mail.
I hope everyone at home is in good health. For myself, I am doing and feeling fine. We are still in Germany doing guard duty. There are only two patoons of the company here, we get duty about every other day. The other platoons of the company are doing guard duty on outposts not far from here, so you can see about how we are split up.
I don’t remember whether I told you when I landed in France or not. I landed in Brest, France, November 3rd and remained there in a rest camp six days. We left there (by train) on the 9th for the front to replace the 5th regiment. After two days and nights ride we reached St. Agnes, France, where we stayed overnight in a replacement camp to be equipped with overseas clothes. We left there on the 12th and reached Dun, which was the extension of the allied railroad at that time. The Germans had just been driven out of this place the day before by the Americans and we saw some dead along the road.
From here we started our hiking and believe me my pack sure was heavy the first day. At that time the entire equipment I carried 86 pounds, but I soon reduced it some. We had several days hiking before we caught the 5th regiment, because they were keeping close behind the German army. That made it hard for us because, of course, we had lots to gain as they had the start on us. We sure lost lots of men. Something like over 200 of the replacement were lost along the road. Some could not stand the hike, some had sore feet, some sick and various other reasons. We pulled into Allons, Belgium on the night of of the 17th and we were sure glad to learn the 5th marines were there. Our replacement companies were all split up and only a few of the old fellows got into the same company as I did. Had we not been detained in Brest these few days. I would have been in the battle of the Meuse on the 11th. It sure was tough there and lots of men were killed on the west bank. The Germans claimed the Americans would never cross at that place, because they were so well fortified, but they did. Several bridges were blown up by artillery and one battalion that was crossing before this one was caught on the bridge as a shell blew the bridge up.
Well Mama, it is almost 12 o’clock and I have to be going to chew. This is Sunday morning and I am not on guard duty but we had a couple of inspections and drew some clothes which took up most of the morning. I don’t know definitely just how long we’ll be here but hope to be on my way back to the states very soon. I trust I will hear a word from home before writing again.
Lovingly your son.
ROY
P. S. I’m picking up a little Dutch language lately. I think in course of two or three months I can talk pretty well.
NOTES: Roy Harris was writing to his mother, Mrs. C. R. Harris.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT