TRANSCRIBED FROM THE COLUMBIA BANNER MAY 29, 1918 P. 8
Camp Beauregard, La.
May 20, 1918.
To The Patriotic People of Columbia Country:
As I am in detention camps now expecting to leave soon to travel the long road to France, and not knowing what will be my opportunities for writing afterwards, I am taking advantagage of this to write a few words of appreciation to you good people for what you have been, what you are and what you will be to us.
We know that you are backing us up by the good treatment you all gave us while there and the nice things you have done for us since. We are also aware of the fact that the Red Cross work and the Liberty Loan subscriptions have not lagged there, by any means and we are glad to know that you’ll continue this good work while we are in France.
We are thankful that you all realize this is not just a soldiers’ war but that we all have a part to do.
We are glad to do our part and with your aid it will be much easier for us.
Already we have a lot of “K” boys in France and there are about a dozen in this cell, so naturally you would wonder why they are crossing more rapidly than their companies, but it is easy to explain. They want the truest, the bravest, the most patriotic and the most noble boys they can find to go first and for that reason they get a lot of “K” boys each call, and would get more if old Columbia county boys could have their way, for they are most all ready to go. You should have heard the shouts when ours names are called. It’s true that they made a grand mistake when they selected Sig. for a good soldier but the others are making good records and they thought because I was a “K” boy I would be alright too. They could not have found one more willing to go.
I want to say to you ladies that although we boys have always appreciated you very much and appreciate the nice little housewives, sweaters, helmets and wristlets that you gave us, we could not realize what you really were to us until we were away from you, and how much we needed those nice presents until we had to give up our lockers and keep everything in a tent-bag. I have had so many boys from other companies to ask me where I got my housewife and say they surely would like to have one.
When we are in France we will think of all of you, and most of us have sweethearts, mothers, and sisters to think of separately. We want you know that Columbia county is represented in this “World war” as nobly and bravely as we know how. Because you are dear among the dearest to us and because you have shown that you are with us in heart in every way.
We are glad to go and give our service and if need be, give our lives for you. Sure we’ll maintain the freedom that our forefathers have fought so nobly for.
In conclusion we wish you to remember us with a smile and “Keep the Home Fires Burning.”
Signor Hines
NOTES: Ruel Signor Hines was born at Shannon, Arkansas on November 16, 1893 and died at Magnolia, Arkansas on April 29, 1956. He is buried in the Magnolia City Cemetery at Magnolia. His military gravestone identifies him as PVT HQ CO 26 INF I DIV WORLD WAR I. He described as being of short and medium build with gray eyes and light brown hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Camp Beauregard, La.
May 20, 1918.
To The Patriotic People of Columbia Country:
As I am in detention camps now expecting to leave soon to travel the long road to France, and not knowing what will be my opportunities for writing afterwards, I am taking advantagage of this to write a few words of appreciation to you good people for what you have been, what you are and what you will be to us.
We know that you are backing us up by the good treatment you all gave us while there and the nice things you have done for us since. We are also aware of the fact that the Red Cross work and the Liberty Loan subscriptions have not lagged there, by any means and we are glad to know that you’ll continue this good work while we are in France.
We are thankful that you all realize this is not just a soldiers’ war but that we all have a part to do.
We are glad to do our part and with your aid it will be much easier for us.
Already we have a lot of “K” boys in France and there are about a dozen in this cell, so naturally you would wonder why they are crossing more rapidly than their companies, but it is easy to explain. They want the truest, the bravest, the most patriotic and the most noble boys they can find to go first and for that reason they get a lot of “K” boys each call, and would get more if old Columbia county boys could have their way, for they are most all ready to go. You should have heard the shouts when ours names are called. It’s true that they made a grand mistake when they selected Sig. for a good soldier but the others are making good records and they thought because I was a “K” boy I would be alright too. They could not have found one more willing to go.
I want to say to you ladies that although we boys have always appreciated you very much and appreciate the nice little housewives, sweaters, helmets and wristlets that you gave us, we could not realize what you really were to us until we were away from you, and how much we needed those nice presents until we had to give up our lockers and keep everything in a tent-bag. I have had so many boys from other companies to ask me where I got my housewife and say they surely would like to have one.
When we are in France we will think of all of you, and most of us have sweethearts, mothers, and sisters to think of separately. We want you know that Columbia county is represented in this “World war” as nobly and bravely as we know how. Because you are dear among the dearest to us and because you have shown that you are with us in heart in every way.
We are glad to go and give our service and if need be, give our lives for you. Sure we’ll maintain the freedom that our forefathers have fought so nobly for.
In conclusion we wish you to remember us with a smile and “Keep the Home Fires Burning.”
Signor Hines
NOTES: Ruel Signor Hines was born at Shannon, Arkansas on November 16, 1893 and died at Magnolia, Arkansas on April 29, 1956. He is buried in the Magnolia City Cemetery at Magnolia. His military gravestone identifies him as PVT HQ CO 26 INF I DIV WORLD WAR I. He described as being of short and medium build with gray eyes and light brown hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT