TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SENTINEL RECORD DECEMBER 14, 1918 P. 7
Noldant, France, Nov. 24.
Dear Dad:
Well, this is “Dad’s Christmas letter day” that the “Stars and Stripes” tells us has been heralded over there in the states the same as it has been over here in France. Old man censor has let up on us a little so we can give you an idea of where we have been, the names and towns, battles etc., that we have been in, altho, the latter won’t take up much of my time as unluckily or luckily whichever one might take it we have not been in.
We sailed from Newport News on August 6th, on the “good ship” Kursk a Russian boat manned by an English crew, and landed in Brest, France on August 18th. We marched out of town about three miles to Pontaneezin Barracks said to have been used by Napoleon and his army. This camp was called a rest camp, and the term “rest camp” has been a standing joke ever since as the boys have never worked so hard before or since as they did there.
We left there in about five days for a three day trip to Mehun or near there and marched to a Chateau Mamet (Co B. only being billeted there) from where I wrote you about sleeping in the outhouses, etc. We stayed there about six weeks. Mehun I think being the headquarters for the 39th division near where Major Sisney was I believe, altho I’ve never seen him since the day we landed and marched by where he was standing.
We left Mehun and took a box car ride of three days to Langres France and marchen ten miles with full equipment to the little town of Penogrey where we were until two weeks ago when we came here which is about three or four miles nearer Langres.
Since leaving Chateau Mamet we have been an anti-aircraft organization, being trained in the last two weeks on the range in aerial fi__ with Hotchkiss machine gun _____ we turned these guns in _____ and yesterday turned in our helmets, gas masks, and extra pair of hobnailed shoes, and are expecting to entrain (Hope it is not box cars) at Langres tomorrow or next day. The rumor is that we are bound for a port of embarkation which of course might signify that it is entirely with in bounds of reason that we might unless the powers that decree otherwise, that we would be watching the sun set from the bow of a ship instead of the stern which we did some few months ago. I hope this is time for if we can’t be a part of the “Army of occupation,” I want to get back an quit this fooling around in these little “cow towns” that so far has been our luck to be in.
Well, I’ve about exhausted my information as to my whereabouts, and you can look on the map and see just where I was. The question now is where will we be mustered out when we do get back. Somehow or other I have a sneaking idea that it will be Camp Pike. That would be, I think a logical place for this organization.
I tell you, I consider myself a mighty lucky individual after all, I appreciate it and am going to try and be a better citizen of the old U.S.A. The American Ex. Forces is a great place to bring home the advantages of America and being one of its sons. This Xmas will be the greatest Xmas that you and I have ever had and “Peace on earth, good will toward men” will have more significance than it has ever carried before.
Remember me to all my friends, I will close for this time,
Lovingly,
BERNARD
NOTES: The author of this letter is identified only as Bernard, a Hot Springs boy. We have identified him as Frank Bernard Head. He was born in Galesburg, Illinois on December 14, 1892 and died in New York, NY on June 30, 1947. He is buried in the Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Hot Springs, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Pvt. serving in 162nd Depot Brigade during World War I. He enlisted on June 25, 1918 and was discharged on January 13, 1919. He departed Newport News, Va. on August 6, 1918 onboard the Kursk. He was serving as a Pvt. In Co B 141st Machine Gun Battalion 39th Division. He departed St. Nazaire, France on December 20, 1918 onboard the Princess Matoika. He was writing to his father Frank Head.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON
Noldant, France, Nov. 24.
Dear Dad:
Well, this is “Dad’s Christmas letter day” that the “Stars and Stripes” tells us has been heralded over there in the states the same as it has been over here in France. Old man censor has let up on us a little so we can give you an idea of where we have been, the names and towns, battles etc., that we have been in, altho, the latter won’t take up much of my time as unluckily or luckily whichever one might take it we have not been in.
We sailed from Newport News on August 6th, on the “good ship” Kursk a Russian boat manned by an English crew, and landed in Brest, France on August 18th. We marched out of town about three miles to Pontaneezin Barracks said to have been used by Napoleon and his army. This camp was called a rest camp, and the term “rest camp” has been a standing joke ever since as the boys have never worked so hard before or since as they did there.
We left there in about five days for a three day trip to Mehun or near there and marched to a Chateau Mamet (Co B. only being billeted there) from where I wrote you about sleeping in the outhouses, etc. We stayed there about six weeks. Mehun I think being the headquarters for the 39th division near where Major Sisney was I believe, altho I’ve never seen him since the day we landed and marched by where he was standing.
We left Mehun and took a box car ride of three days to Langres France and marchen ten miles with full equipment to the little town of Penogrey where we were until two weeks ago when we came here which is about three or four miles nearer Langres.
Since leaving Chateau Mamet we have been an anti-aircraft organization, being trained in the last two weeks on the range in aerial fi__ with Hotchkiss machine gun _____ we turned these guns in _____ and yesterday turned in our helmets, gas masks, and extra pair of hobnailed shoes, and are expecting to entrain (Hope it is not box cars) at Langres tomorrow or next day. The rumor is that we are bound for a port of embarkation which of course might signify that it is entirely with in bounds of reason that we might unless the powers that decree otherwise, that we would be watching the sun set from the bow of a ship instead of the stern which we did some few months ago. I hope this is time for if we can’t be a part of the “Army of occupation,” I want to get back an quit this fooling around in these little “cow towns” that so far has been our luck to be in.
Well, I’ve about exhausted my information as to my whereabouts, and you can look on the map and see just where I was. The question now is where will we be mustered out when we do get back. Somehow or other I have a sneaking idea that it will be Camp Pike. That would be, I think a logical place for this organization.
I tell you, I consider myself a mighty lucky individual after all, I appreciate it and am going to try and be a better citizen of the old U.S.A. The American Ex. Forces is a great place to bring home the advantages of America and being one of its sons. This Xmas will be the greatest Xmas that you and I have ever had and “Peace on earth, good will toward men” will have more significance than it has ever carried before.
Remember me to all my friends, I will close for this time,
Lovingly,
BERNARD
NOTES: The author of this letter is identified only as Bernard, a Hot Springs boy. We have identified him as Frank Bernard Head. He was born in Galesburg, Illinois on December 14, 1892 and died in New York, NY on June 30, 1947. He is buried in the Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Hot Springs, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Pvt. serving in 162nd Depot Brigade during World War I. He enlisted on June 25, 1918 and was discharged on January 13, 1919. He departed Newport News, Va. on August 6, 1918 onboard the Kursk. He was serving as a Pvt. In Co B 141st Machine Gun Battalion 39th Division. He departed St. Nazaire, France on December 20, 1918 onboard the Princess Matoika. He was writing to his father Frank Head.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON