TRANSCRIBED FROM THE PRESCOTT DAILY NEWS NOVEMBER 6, 1918 P. 1
A.E.F., October 14, 1918.
Mother, dear:
We have just received fresh instructions in letter censoring which forbid us telling where we are, or what activities are going on around us, so I suppose I'll have to keep "mum" along those lines.
I don't think, however, there is any objection to telling you that we are in trenches and my present home is in a very small dark dugout with my captain and another lieutenant as my room mates. Little did we ever realize before, the comforts of home life back in the states. We have known nothing but mud and slush since we came forward, and we have seen very, very little of the Sunny France you have heard spoken of so much.
The life here is highly exciting and very little dangerous.
The weather hasn't turned so very cold yet but we are looking for it soon. I sure dread its beginning. We can get along fairly well though, as long as we can have something to eat and smoke. Mother you can't imagine the comfort and consolation a soldier gets out of smoking. You may criticize me for smoking if you want to, but when one is wet and cold, drenched to the skin and no fire, a good smoke is a great helper, and cheers one up wonderfully. I'm having and have already had some wonderful experiences, to say nothing of the hardships that we have gone through, but I suppose I must wait until I get back home before you can hear them. I can at least tell you this much and that is, every soldier in France knows just what war means They all know just what it is to suffer hardships and privations for a cause they know is worthy of their efforts. Many a night I've walked beside the column of men on the long night marches we have made, and tried to cheer them and raise their spirits, when I knew that they were so tired and weary they could hardly move one foot in front of the other. They are all brave loyal men, but of course there are a few men who are naturally weak and they would have to fall out beside the road, but it was not until they had used their utmost efforts to keep up did they fall exhausted by the way. Mother, it is pitiful at times but the good part about it is that after all, it is only making real men out of them and they will be grateful for it later on. No one but a real man can stand up under what we are going through. As a rule the company is always happy and jolly. It only takes a few hours rest after a long hike for the men to be ready and willing to hit the trail again.
We have a man in our company who was formerly a cartoonist, and he has offered to draw me a few. Will send them to you. Perhaps they would be all right to put in the daily paper.
Will close for this time.
Love to the family, from
OTTIS.
P.S.--Am enjoying the best of health and am happy. Give my best regards to all. Hope every one of you are O.K.
NOTES: Ottis Richard Haynie was born in Prescott, Arkansas on July 16, 1896 and died in Texas on December 30, 1955. He was writing to his mother Mary Haynie. He is buried in the Crestview Memorial Park in Wichita Falls, Texas. He enlisted on November 27, 1917 and was discharged on July 12, 1919. He departed New York, NY on August 14, 1918 onboard the Manchuria. He was listed as a Lieut. serving in Co. F 64th Infantry 7th Division. He departed Brest, France onboard the America. He was listed as a First LIeut. serving in Co F 64th Infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
A.E.F., October 14, 1918.
Mother, dear:
We have just received fresh instructions in letter censoring which forbid us telling where we are, or what activities are going on around us, so I suppose I'll have to keep "mum" along those lines.
I don't think, however, there is any objection to telling you that we are in trenches and my present home is in a very small dark dugout with my captain and another lieutenant as my room mates. Little did we ever realize before, the comforts of home life back in the states. We have known nothing but mud and slush since we came forward, and we have seen very, very little of the Sunny France you have heard spoken of so much.
The life here is highly exciting and very little dangerous.
The weather hasn't turned so very cold yet but we are looking for it soon. I sure dread its beginning. We can get along fairly well though, as long as we can have something to eat and smoke. Mother you can't imagine the comfort and consolation a soldier gets out of smoking. You may criticize me for smoking if you want to, but when one is wet and cold, drenched to the skin and no fire, a good smoke is a great helper, and cheers one up wonderfully. I'm having and have already had some wonderful experiences, to say nothing of the hardships that we have gone through, but I suppose I must wait until I get back home before you can hear them. I can at least tell you this much and that is, every soldier in France knows just what war means They all know just what it is to suffer hardships and privations for a cause they know is worthy of their efforts. Many a night I've walked beside the column of men on the long night marches we have made, and tried to cheer them and raise their spirits, when I knew that they were so tired and weary they could hardly move one foot in front of the other. They are all brave loyal men, but of course there are a few men who are naturally weak and they would have to fall out beside the road, but it was not until they had used their utmost efforts to keep up did they fall exhausted by the way. Mother, it is pitiful at times but the good part about it is that after all, it is only making real men out of them and they will be grateful for it later on. No one but a real man can stand up under what we are going through. As a rule the company is always happy and jolly. It only takes a few hours rest after a long hike for the men to be ready and willing to hit the trail again.
We have a man in our company who was formerly a cartoonist, and he has offered to draw me a few. Will send them to you. Perhaps they would be all right to put in the daily paper.
Will close for this time.
Love to the family, from
OTTIS.
P.S.--Am enjoying the best of health and am happy. Give my best regards to all. Hope every one of you are O.K.
NOTES: Ottis Richard Haynie was born in Prescott, Arkansas on July 16, 1896 and died in Texas on December 30, 1955. He was writing to his mother Mary Haynie. He is buried in the Crestview Memorial Park in Wichita Falls, Texas. He enlisted on November 27, 1917 and was discharged on July 12, 1919. He departed New York, NY on August 14, 1918 onboard the Manchuria. He was listed as a Lieut. serving in Co. F 64th Infantry 7th Division. He departed Brest, France onboard the America. He was listed as a First LIeut. serving in Co F 64th Infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD