TRANSCRIBED FROM THE COURIER INDEX DECEMBER 21, 1917 P. 1
I am writing you a few lines to let you know where one of the Marianna boys is. I am the only boy from Marianna at Camp Sevier. I enlisted in the First Tennessee Infantry at Memphis on April 4, and went in training at Nashville on April 26, and was sent on outpost duty in July. During that time we recruited our regiment to full war strength, and returned to Nashville in August, leaving that city for Camp Sevier in September. After we had been here a few weeks our entire regiment was transferred to the field artillery, which we considered quite a promotion. The boys all like it fine and are learning the gunner’s details rapidly. I think we will be here for some time yet. I understand several of the boys from Marianna are home now on furloughs and I wish I could be one of the lucky ones, but none of us will get furloughs. We haven’t any time to lose. Guess they consider us about the next to leave for France. I am trying for a furlough, but think it useless.
We have had lots of sickness here, but things are moving smoothly now, and I think the boys will be able to give the kaiser a good fight when the opportunity comes.
NOTES: This partial letter was written by R. E. Hicks while serving in Battery B 115th Field Artillery at Camp Sevier, South Carolina.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON
I am writing you a few lines to let you know where one of the Marianna boys is. I am the only boy from Marianna at Camp Sevier. I enlisted in the First Tennessee Infantry at Memphis on April 4, and went in training at Nashville on April 26, and was sent on outpost duty in July. During that time we recruited our regiment to full war strength, and returned to Nashville in August, leaving that city for Camp Sevier in September. After we had been here a few weeks our entire regiment was transferred to the field artillery, which we considered quite a promotion. The boys all like it fine and are learning the gunner’s details rapidly. I think we will be here for some time yet. I understand several of the boys from Marianna are home now on furloughs and I wish I could be one of the lucky ones, but none of us will get furloughs. We haven’t any time to lose. Guess they consider us about the next to leave for France. I am trying for a furlough, but think it useless.
We have had lots of sickness here, but things are moving smoothly now, and I think the boys will be able to give the kaiser a good fight when the opportunity comes.
NOTES: This partial letter was written by R. E. Hicks while serving in Battery B 115th Field Artillery at Camp Sevier, South Carolina.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON