TRANSCRIBED FROM THE JONESBORO WEEKLY SUN, FEBRUARY 12, 1919 P. 5
December 29, 18.
Dearest Mother and Family:
I received your letter yesterday that conveyed to me the sad news of dear Brother Edward’s death. It was such a shock to me to think that when I return I will not be able to see my dear brother. Mama, I cannot realize that he is dead.
I often wondered why you did not say anything about him in your letters. Yesterday was the first I had heard of him for almost three months and oh! how much better it would be had I not heard that. I hope and pray that Charley is all o. k. and that we both will meet at home soon.
I sure did miss my Xmas. It seemed so different over here. We had about 6 inches of snow. The people here all had Christmas trees for their children.
They sure looked nice.
The old German lady that I am staying with treats me almost like I was her son, and it sure makes me want to be at home. She has two grown sons and one daughter at home. The sons are both soldiers and have been on some of the fronts that I fought on. I have quite a time trying to talk German but I am learning pretty fast. If I stay over here another month I will be spelling German.
Just imagine me sitting, talking to 2 or 3 German maidens or girls. We have quite a time with them. The people here seem to be glad that the war is over and are glad that the Americans are here instead of the French, because they hate the French.
Will have to stop and go get my chou or (dinner).
Well I will finish my letter now. I had army hash, stewed apples, bread and coffee for dinner at camp and when I got back to my billet the old lady had potatoes and apple butter for me, so I am pretty full for the present.
The people over here raise lots of potatoes and field Katofefes, but that is about all they do have. They sure do know how to cook them.
It has been trying to rain here all day.
The climate here is about like that of Arkansas.
The towns here are built close together and the farmers live in town. I suppose they all have a small patch of ground to work.
Mama, do you ever read anything about the Third division in the papers? We have an insignia now. It is a blue patch about 2 ½ inches square with 3 white strips running diagonal across which represents the 3 big battles that we have been in.
The patch is to be worn on the left shoulder. Our regiment is also decorated with the cour de guerre, a palm leaf.
We will wear the cour de guerre around our shoulder. The palm leaf will be on our flag. That is the way I understand it is to be. I might be wrong.
I just came back from getting some red cross stuff for my squad. It was not very much only one pkg. of cigarettes and a small piece of chocolate, about 3 inches long and one inch thick, each. We appreciate it just the same, chocolate is a scarce article over here. Did you send me any candy for Xmas? If so let me know for I have not received any yet.
I sure will be glad when the day comes when I can go up town and buy anything that I want.
Well, I guess I have written about all I know for this time, so will close. I hope this letter will find all as well at home as it leaves me.
So by-by for this time, from
Your loving soldier son,
Act. Cpl. John B. Henderson.
Co. H. 38 Inf., A. P. O. 740, A. E. F.
NOTES: This letter was written by John Banton Henderson to his parents Charles A. and Elizabeth Henderson of Jonesboro. He was born July 17, 1895. He died December 10, 1933. He is buried in Oaklawn Cemetery in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was one of three sons of Charles and Elizabeth who were in the military at the same time. His military headstone identifies him as a Corp. with the 38th Infantry, 3rd Division.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT.
December 29, 18.
Dearest Mother and Family:
I received your letter yesterday that conveyed to me the sad news of dear Brother Edward’s death. It was such a shock to me to think that when I return I will not be able to see my dear brother. Mama, I cannot realize that he is dead.
I often wondered why you did not say anything about him in your letters. Yesterday was the first I had heard of him for almost three months and oh! how much better it would be had I not heard that. I hope and pray that Charley is all o. k. and that we both will meet at home soon.
I sure did miss my Xmas. It seemed so different over here. We had about 6 inches of snow. The people here all had Christmas trees for their children.
They sure looked nice.
The old German lady that I am staying with treats me almost like I was her son, and it sure makes me want to be at home. She has two grown sons and one daughter at home. The sons are both soldiers and have been on some of the fronts that I fought on. I have quite a time trying to talk German but I am learning pretty fast. If I stay over here another month I will be spelling German.
Just imagine me sitting, talking to 2 or 3 German maidens or girls. We have quite a time with them. The people here seem to be glad that the war is over and are glad that the Americans are here instead of the French, because they hate the French.
Will have to stop and go get my chou or (dinner).
Well I will finish my letter now. I had army hash, stewed apples, bread and coffee for dinner at camp and when I got back to my billet the old lady had potatoes and apple butter for me, so I am pretty full for the present.
The people over here raise lots of potatoes and field Katofefes, but that is about all they do have. They sure do know how to cook them.
It has been trying to rain here all day.
The climate here is about like that of Arkansas.
The towns here are built close together and the farmers live in town. I suppose they all have a small patch of ground to work.
Mama, do you ever read anything about the Third division in the papers? We have an insignia now. It is a blue patch about 2 ½ inches square with 3 white strips running diagonal across which represents the 3 big battles that we have been in.
The patch is to be worn on the left shoulder. Our regiment is also decorated with the cour de guerre, a palm leaf.
We will wear the cour de guerre around our shoulder. The palm leaf will be on our flag. That is the way I understand it is to be. I might be wrong.
I just came back from getting some red cross stuff for my squad. It was not very much only one pkg. of cigarettes and a small piece of chocolate, about 3 inches long and one inch thick, each. We appreciate it just the same, chocolate is a scarce article over here. Did you send me any candy for Xmas? If so let me know for I have not received any yet.
I sure will be glad when the day comes when I can go up town and buy anything that I want.
Well, I guess I have written about all I know for this time, so will close. I hope this letter will find all as well at home as it leaves me.
So by-by for this time, from
Your loving soldier son,
Act. Cpl. John B. Henderson.
Co. H. 38 Inf., A. P. O. 740, A. E. F.
NOTES: This letter was written by John Banton Henderson to his parents Charles A. and Elizabeth Henderson of Jonesboro. He was born July 17, 1895. He died December 10, 1933. He is buried in Oaklawn Cemetery in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was one of three sons of Charles and Elizabeth who were in the military at the same time. His military headstone identifies him as a Corp. with the 38th Infantry, 3rd Division.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT.