TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ARKANSAS GAZETTE MARCH 14, 1918 p 5.
American Expeditionary Forces.
February 12, 1918.
Dear Father and Mother:
I wrote you last night, but to make sure that you will hear from me, I will write you again tonight.
I would like to tell you where I am, but I suppose I will have to keep that to myself for a while.
You know by now, I am sure, that I was on the Tuscania, that was torpedoed off the coast of Ireland on February 5, but thanks to your prayers, I was saved and am now safe on land.
We were torpedoed about 7 o’clock p. m., and that is good dark over here at this time of the year. As soon as I heard the explosion I made my way to the deck as quickly as possible and climbed into the lifeboat that had been assigned to me before leaving America. We were picked up after about a half hour after leaving the ship and were taken to Ireland. Here we stayed a few days.
I believe a very few lives were lost.
We were well treated by the people of Ireland. The country is beautiful. I wish you could see some of the farms there, and the way they work them. I believe we could learn a great deal from the Irish methods of farming, but I am not sure whether it would work so well on as large farms as we have.
On leaving Ireland we were brought here to stay for a while, I suppose. This, too, is a beautiful country; already the grass is green and the birds singing. This makes it seem more like the old Southland.
I received the package you sent me before leaving Washington. The comfort kit went down with the ship, as well as the other things, but we will be issued all such little comforts again soon.
I am well and happy and you know the line of work I am in and the branch of service, so don’t worry about me. I will be back some day, then you will be glad I enlisted. Of course, the food we get here is not like we get at home, but then I am glad that I answered the call of my country.
Let me hear from you often, for I surely enjoy the letters from home.
With love.
Velvin (Herndon).
NOTES: Velvin R. Herndon was born February 24, 1897, in Lewisville, Lafayette County. He died February 19, 1983, and is buried in the Wilson Cemetery in Lewisville. He was in the 16th Co. D 20th Engineers.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
American Expeditionary Forces.
February 12, 1918.
Dear Father and Mother:
I wrote you last night, but to make sure that you will hear from me, I will write you again tonight.
I would like to tell you where I am, but I suppose I will have to keep that to myself for a while.
You know by now, I am sure, that I was on the Tuscania, that was torpedoed off the coast of Ireland on February 5, but thanks to your prayers, I was saved and am now safe on land.
We were torpedoed about 7 o’clock p. m., and that is good dark over here at this time of the year. As soon as I heard the explosion I made my way to the deck as quickly as possible and climbed into the lifeboat that had been assigned to me before leaving America. We were picked up after about a half hour after leaving the ship and were taken to Ireland. Here we stayed a few days.
I believe a very few lives were lost.
We were well treated by the people of Ireland. The country is beautiful. I wish you could see some of the farms there, and the way they work them. I believe we could learn a great deal from the Irish methods of farming, but I am not sure whether it would work so well on as large farms as we have.
On leaving Ireland we were brought here to stay for a while, I suppose. This, too, is a beautiful country; already the grass is green and the birds singing. This makes it seem more like the old Southland.
I received the package you sent me before leaving Washington. The comfort kit went down with the ship, as well as the other things, but we will be issued all such little comforts again soon.
I am well and happy and you know the line of work I am in and the branch of service, so don’t worry about me. I will be back some day, then you will be glad I enlisted. Of course, the food we get here is not like we get at home, but then I am glad that I answered the call of my country.
Let me hear from you often, for I surely enjoy the letters from home.
With love.
Velvin (Herndon).
NOTES: Velvin R. Herndon was born February 24, 1897, in Lewisville, Lafayette County. He died February 19, 1983, and is buried in the Wilson Cemetery in Lewisville. He was in the 16th Co. D 20th Engineers.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT