TRANSCRIBED FROM THE LAFAYETTE COUNTY DEMOCRAT, JUNE 14, 1918 P. 1
In France,
April 6, 1918
Dear Father:
Your letter came just before we got settled in a new camp after being forced to move, and I sure did enjoy your letter. You wrote just the kind of a letter I like to get—all the news from home along with news of your own self. Jesse and both remarked that it was the best letter we have received since we left home.
The news of your successful year on the farm made me feel awful good. I am and will be satisfied to devote my time to our Country, just as long as I get good news from home. Percie seems to be good for the farm and I can easily see why everyone wants to get on a farm. My present aim is to save every cent I possibly can and maybe I can have one of my own when I get back home again. Out of my $33 salary I only draw $6.50 for my personal expenses. They take out $20 for Liberty Bonds and $1.50 for ten thousand dollars insurance. I fixed the insurance (in case anything happens to me) so Babylove and Julia Mae would receive $52 yer month between them for a period of 20 years. This would help them along with their education.
You have no doubt already read of the great German offensive on this front. I can’t tell you much about it on account of the censor, however I don’t think he will object to me telling you we were forced to move farther back off the lines. Lots of the boys had the misfortune to loose nearly all of their personal belongings in the move. Jesse and I were lucky enough to save most of ours. The war correspondent and higher official seem to think this is the Germans final effort, in other words, he intends to finish the war up this offensive or give it up as a bad job and ask for peace.
We are living in a small farming village at present and are able to get some real good food, pork, milk, butter and French fried potatoes once more. The farmers in this country do not live on their respective farms but form small villages in the immediate vicinity and go back and forth every day.
You may laugh as I did, when I tell you that the French people do not drink butter milk at all. I don’t know why but they say it is no good after its churned and give it to us by the bucket full we go after it like a bunch of hungry pigs. I see many new things in this country every day, I would like to tell you but my time is limited, the officers have something to do besides censor our letters.
The Germans certainly have paid an awful price for the devastated country captured in this great drive. The English papers gave a total of 525 thousand men killed and wounded up to yesterday and he is still throwing fresh divisions into the fight. I hope he keeps it up because at that rate his army will not last through the next two months. The English and French have
shown a bull dog resistance all through this great battle although out-numbered twenty to one in some places and I am glad to say that our own troops have distinguished themselves by holding out at great odds.
Jesse and I are both in good health at present and I surely hope you all are well.
Wish you would buy up enough river land so you can let me have some when I get home.
Must close now as it is time to blow out my candle. Give my regards to Mr. V. E. Florence and all my other friends in Stamps.
Mother you say you are devoting a great deal of your time and your little mite to the Red Cross. I must say it is a great cause, no one can realize the good they are doing over here unless they could come over and see for themselves, just what they are doing nursing are careing for the wounded soldiers, that alone is worth ones while. The man or woman who refuses to help the Red Cross in some way however small is worse than a German spy for they do help them.
Love to you and all from your loving son.
Clifton B. Hinton
NOTES: Clifton Breckinridge Hinton was born on September 9, 1895 and died on September 11, 1952 in Harris County, Texas. He is buried in the Lakeside Cemetery in Stamps, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a PFC in Co. A. of the 12th Engineers, Railway Division. He and his brother, Jesse, enlisted June 7, 1917 in the 12th, Engineers in World War 1. Letter(s) from Jesse are also included on the website.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
In France,
April 6, 1918
Dear Father:
Your letter came just before we got settled in a new camp after being forced to move, and I sure did enjoy your letter. You wrote just the kind of a letter I like to get—all the news from home along with news of your own self. Jesse and both remarked that it was the best letter we have received since we left home.
The news of your successful year on the farm made me feel awful good. I am and will be satisfied to devote my time to our Country, just as long as I get good news from home. Percie seems to be good for the farm and I can easily see why everyone wants to get on a farm. My present aim is to save every cent I possibly can and maybe I can have one of my own when I get back home again. Out of my $33 salary I only draw $6.50 for my personal expenses. They take out $20 for Liberty Bonds and $1.50 for ten thousand dollars insurance. I fixed the insurance (in case anything happens to me) so Babylove and Julia Mae would receive $52 yer month between them for a period of 20 years. This would help them along with their education.
You have no doubt already read of the great German offensive on this front. I can’t tell you much about it on account of the censor, however I don’t think he will object to me telling you we were forced to move farther back off the lines. Lots of the boys had the misfortune to loose nearly all of their personal belongings in the move. Jesse and I were lucky enough to save most of ours. The war correspondent and higher official seem to think this is the Germans final effort, in other words, he intends to finish the war up this offensive or give it up as a bad job and ask for peace.
We are living in a small farming village at present and are able to get some real good food, pork, milk, butter and French fried potatoes once more. The farmers in this country do not live on their respective farms but form small villages in the immediate vicinity and go back and forth every day.
You may laugh as I did, when I tell you that the French people do not drink butter milk at all. I don’t know why but they say it is no good after its churned and give it to us by the bucket full we go after it like a bunch of hungry pigs. I see many new things in this country every day, I would like to tell you but my time is limited, the officers have something to do besides censor our letters.
The Germans certainly have paid an awful price for the devastated country captured in this great drive. The English papers gave a total of 525 thousand men killed and wounded up to yesterday and he is still throwing fresh divisions into the fight. I hope he keeps it up because at that rate his army will not last through the next two months. The English and French have
shown a bull dog resistance all through this great battle although out-numbered twenty to one in some places and I am glad to say that our own troops have distinguished themselves by holding out at great odds.
Jesse and I are both in good health at present and I surely hope you all are well.
Wish you would buy up enough river land so you can let me have some when I get home.
Must close now as it is time to blow out my candle. Give my regards to Mr. V. E. Florence and all my other friends in Stamps.
Mother you say you are devoting a great deal of your time and your little mite to the Red Cross. I must say it is a great cause, no one can realize the good they are doing over here unless they could come over and see for themselves, just what they are doing nursing are careing for the wounded soldiers, that alone is worth ones while. The man or woman who refuses to help the Red Cross in some way however small is worse than a German spy for they do help them.
Love to you and all from your loving son.
Clifton B. Hinton
NOTES: Clifton Breckinridge Hinton was born on September 9, 1895 and died on September 11, 1952 in Harris County, Texas. He is buried in the Lakeside Cemetery in Stamps, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a PFC in Co. A. of the 12th Engineers, Railway Division. He and his brother, Jesse, enlisted June 7, 1917 in the 12th, Engineers in World War 1. Letter(s) from Jesse are also included on the website.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT