TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SPRINGDALE NEWS OCTOBER 14, 1918 P. 3
Somewhere in France, Sept. 14
Dear Mother:
I have written you several times, on the boat and at other camps since landing in France. I have been constantly on the move since. I left Camp Beauregard, never being at one place more than a week. Moving in the army is like moving at home, every thing is in a confused state, very little rest for any one.
I do not know whether you ever received my letters or not, for I have not heard from home. At any rate, it will be a long time before you get my letters and I receive an answer. I wish I could know that all of you are feeling well and strong like myself, but I am afraid the changes of the autumn weather will make some of you sick. We have a large number of men in our company sick, my captain and two lieutenants have been sick, but I am proof against all kinds of work, weather and disease. I do not weigh as much as I did in the United States, however I am in good working condition.
I am staying with an old gentleman and his wife, their sons being at the front. They are just as good to me as if I were their son. They have servants who take care of my room, and wait upon us at the table. My room is very comfortable and nice, a good bed, warm blankets and water in my room. It costs me one franc (18c) per day, and I take one meal (dinner) with them, which costs three frances (54c). The other two meals I take with my company.
The people are divided into classes peasants, landowners and the aristocrats. The peasants wear wooden shoes and work like slaves for nothing. The land owners have small farms or some business, and are living in comfort. The aristocrats live in chateaus, own very much land, and never work at anything. I think our country is very much better than France in that respect.
The buildings in this country are of stone and cement. I have not seen any wooden buildings except those built by the army.
There are no forests in France, only small groups of trees, but along the roads the trees are tall and afford good shade. The farms are tilled by the women, little boys and old men. Every man who is able has gone to the front, and it is very painful to see an old women pushing big heavy earth around.
It is time to go to drilling, so must close. Don’t worry, for I am in fine health. Love to all. As ever, your son.
Harold.
NOTES: Lieut. Harold Elgin Henson was writing to his mother Mrs. A. B. Henson. He was one of Washington County’s first soldiers. He was born on December 24, 1895 in Springdale, Arkansas and died on December 14, 1985 in Springdale. He is buried in the Shady Grove Cemetery in Springdale, Arkansas. He departed Newport News, Va. on August 6, 1918 onboard the Kursk. He was listed as a 2nd Liet. serving in Co. B, 153rd Infantry, 39th Division.
TRANSCRIBED BY DAVID COLLINS
Somewhere in France, Sept. 14
Dear Mother:
I have written you several times, on the boat and at other camps since landing in France. I have been constantly on the move since. I left Camp Beauregard, never being at one place more than a week. Moving in the army is like moving at home, every thing is in a confused state, very little rest for any one.
I do not know whether you ever received my letters or not, for I have not heard from home. At any rate, it will be a long time before you get my letters and I receive an answer. I wish I could know that all of you are feeling well and strong like myself, but I am afraid the changes of the autumn weather will make some of you sick. We have a large number of men in our company sick, my captain and two lieutenants have been sick, but I am proof against all kinds of work, weather and disease. I do not weigh as much as I did in the United States, however I am in good working condition.
I am staying with an old gentleman and his wife, their sons being at the front. They are just as good to me as if I were their son. They have servants who take care of my room, and wait upon us at the table. My room is very comfortable and nice, a good bed, warm blankets and water in my room. It costs me one franc (18c) per day, and I take one meal (dinner) with them, which costs three frances (54c). The other two meals I take with my company.
The people are divided into classes peasants, landowners and the aristocrats. The peasants wear wooden shoes and work like slaves for nothing. The land owners have small farms or some business, and are living in comfort. The aristocrats live in chateaus, own very much land, and never work at anything. I think our country is very much better than France in that respect.
The buildings in this country are of stone and cement. I have not seen any wooden buildings except those built by the army.
There are no forests in France, only small groups of trees, but along the roads the trees are tall and afford good shade. The farms are tilled by the women, little boys and old men. Every man who is able has gone to the front, and it is very painful to see an old women pushing big heavy earth around.
It is time to go to drilling, so must close. Don’t worry, for I am in fine health. Love to all. As ever, your son.
Harold.
NOTES: Lieut. Harold Elgin Henson was writing to his mother Mrs. A. B. Henson. He was one of Washington County’s first soldiers. He was born on December 24, 1895 in Springdale, Arkansas and died on December 14, 1985 in Springdale. He is buried in the Shady Grove Cemetery in Springdale, Arkansas. He departed Newport News, Va. on August 6, 1918 onboard the Kursk. He was listed as a 2nd Liet. serving in Co. B, 153rd Infantry, 39th Division.
TRANSCRIBED BY DAVID COLLINS