TRANSCRIBED FROM THE BOONEVILLE DEMOCRAT AUGUST 20, 1918, P 1
June 20, 1918
My Dear Homefolks:
Yes, all is just fine up here. These Dutch are supposed to be bad but they are not putting anything over on us, and will not. Guess you have been reading about what we are doing. We are now looking for another good chance for decided action against the Boche. We have shown that we are competent Engineers beyond a doubt our bunch proved we are the best in the world. We helped to do a special good job along the line going through heavy shell fire to do it. You don’t know what heavy shell fire means until you have been there—Hell fire is mild, and still we are with them, minus a few, and feeling good. We all have some extra notches for the Boche we are to get and in the meantime we are working all hours on our own specialty to defeat the Hun.
Yes, Pop, I have been there and felt fine all the way. I have thought it would be worse than it is. It isn’t bad after a fellow gets worked up to a certain point.
I am pleased to note that you are all as fine as can be. I wish I was with you, and I will be some good day and perhaps not far hence.
You can picture me on top of my dug out, my equipment at my side, helmet off and sleeves rolled up for I have just taken a swish out of a small bottle of water. This is one of those extra times when after managing and working hard I allow myself to work on something other than my equipment or other duties. Chow will be ready before long now and I surely have some appetite, but this corn Willie we have been eating will get me in time I fear though I am just fine at present. Well, when you are eating chicken and corn bread think of me.
Love to all.
Sgt. Roy Holland,
Co. A 2nd U.S. Eng.
NOTES: Roy J. Holland was born on September 1892 in Johnson County, Arkansas. He enlisted from Booneville, Arkansas in the engineering unit early and sailed for the war zone on the Carpathia in August 1917. He was the son of James J Holland.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
June 20, 1918
My Dear Homefolks:
Yes, all is just fine up here. These Dutch are supposed to be bad but they are not putting anything over on us, and will not. Guess you have been reading about what we are doing. We are now looking for another good chance for decided action against the Boche. We have shown that we are competent Engineers beyond a doubt our bunch proved we are the best in the world. We helped to do a special good job along the line going through heavy shell fire to do it. You don’t know what heavy shell fire means until you have been there—Hell fire is mild, and still we are with them, minus a few, and feeling good. We all have some extra notches for the Boche we are to get and in the meantime we are working all hours on our own specialty to defeat the Hun.
Yes, Pop, I have been there and felt fine all the way. I have thought it would be worse than it is. It isn’t bad after a fellow gets worked up to a certain point.
I am pleased to note that you are all as fine as can be. I wish I was with you, and I will be some good day and perhaps not far hence.
You can picture me on top of my dug out, my equipment at my side, helmet off and sleeves rolled up for I have just taken a swish out of a small bottle of water. This is one of those extra times when after managing and working hard I allow myself to work on something other than my equipment or other duties. Chow will be ready before long now and I surely have some appetite, but this corn Willie we have been eating will get me in time I fear though I am just fine at present. Well, when you are eating chicken and corn bread think of me.
Love to all.
Sgt. Roy Holland,
Co. A 2nd U.S. Eng.
NOTES: Roy J. Holland was born on September 1892 in Johnson County, Arkansas. He enlisted from Booneville, Arkansas in the engineering unit early and sailed for the war zone on the Carpathia in August 1917. He was the son of James J Holland.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT