TRANSCRIBED FROM THE JONESBORO DAILY TRIBUNE SEPTEMBER 20, 1917 P. 1
Somewhere in France,
Aug. 24, 1917.
Dear Mother:
Expect you will think my letters are short and far between but it is the best I can do. I am in the army now, have arrived at the end of my journey, have reached the place that I was headed for when I left home. We are working every day and the whole company is feeling better. I am in the best of health, have not been sick since I left home and never got seasick on the way over. We ran into a squall and it lasted two days, the ship sure did some Eagle Rocks and Dips, was sure tickled when it was over and we landed.
We had a nice time over in England, went to a rest camp and rested up a few days. Did you notice anything in the papers about the Sammies parading through London? That was us. We nearly walked our fool selves to death over that little village – London. It does not compare with New York City in my estimation. Of course you know people differ in opinion. You do not see any wooden buildings in England, all are built of brick or stone. When you see a town, nearly all of the houses in it are built alike, can hardly tell one from the other. The trains in England and France have got my goat: first, second and third class compartments, eight and ten in a compartment. Soldiers ride third class; thirds are like the first only they don’t have as many cushions and fixtures, the coach is about as big as a piano box.
I am afraid I will freeze this winter, it is cold enough now. The days are alright but I nearly freeze every night. Wish you would send me a good sweater and a pair of heavy gloves, don’t think I can get them here. The army is not furnishing us anything, just as little as they can. I am going to get $25.00 per month alloted home. Keep my dues paid up out of it. Have not been paid off since I have been in service. It is a good thing I had some money when I enlisted. Haven’t received any mail since I left Camp Gailard but we are looking for it in a couple of days, we have a couple of tons of mail waiting for us but the trucks are too busy to go after it. Hope I get a few letters from the land across the sea.
I think I have seen every nationality of soldiers there are, there sure are some queer types. What has pleased me most is to see the German prisoners working, only think they do not work hard enough for me. Haven’t seen any of Gen. Pershing’s men yet, don’t know where they are keeping them but are here somewhere and am hoping to hear of them soon. These British are sure some fighters, I have changed my opinion of the British soldiers. I do not think the Germans can stand their fire much longer, it is something terrific. Have been through several of the towns that the Germans have bombarded and dynamited, they are a complete ruin, nothing left in them; even the fruit trees have been cut down, a cyclone could not do more damage. You do not pick up any souvenirs in a town evacuated by the Germans. A fellow today in headquarters detachment picked himself a souvenir and it had a string tied to it which set off a mine and shot him up. We have orders not to pick up anything and I am one that wil lobey, so you need not expect any relics of the battle field from me.
Let me hear from home as often as you can write me all the news you think I should and I will do the same from here and let you know everything. I may have something in this letter that I shouldn’t write but I have tried to be careful and not write anything that would not pass.
I am ever your son,
ROY E. HOWELL.
12the Engineers (Railroad) American Expeditionary Force Co. B.
NOTES: Roy E. Howell was from Nettleton, Arkansas. He was writing to his mother, Mrs. J. C. Howell. He enlisted June 6th, 1917. When he was sent overseas he was attached to the British forces. He was born July 2, 1891. He died Oct 1974 and is buried in the Tyronza Cemetery in Poinsett County.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Somewhere in France,
Aug. 24, 1917.
Dear Mother:
Expect you will think my letters are short and far between but it is the best I can do. I am in the army now, have arrived at the end of my journey, have reached the place that I was headed for when I left home. We are working every day and the whole company is feeling better. I am in the best of health, have not been sick since I left home and never got seasick on the way over. We ran into a squall and it lasted two days, the ship sure did some Eagle Rocks and Dips, was sure tickled when it was over and we landed.
We had a nice time over in England, went to a rest camp and rested up a few days. Did you notice anything in the papers about the Sammies parading through London? That was us. We nearly walked our fool selves to death over that little village – London. It does not compare with New York City in my estimation. Of course you know people differ in opinion. You do not see any wooden buildings in England, all are built of brick or stone. When you see a town, nearly all of the houses in it are built alike, can hardly tell one from the other. The trains in England and France have got my goat: first, second and third class compartments, eight and ten in a compartment. Soldiers ride third class; thirds are like the first only they don’t have as many cushions and fixtures, the coach is about as big as a piano box.
I am afraid I will freeze this winter, it is cold enough now. The days are alright but I nearly freeze every night. Wish you would send me a good sweater and a pair of heavy gloves, don’t think I can get them here. The army is not furnishing us anything, just as little as they can. I am going to get $25.00 per month alloted home. Keep my dues paid up out of it. Have not been paid off since I have been in service. It is a good thing I had some money when I enlisted. Haven’t received any mail since I left Camp Gailard but we are looking for it in a couple of days, we have a couple of tons of mail waiting for us but the trucks are too busy to go after it. Hope I get a few letters from the land across the sea.
I think I have seen every nationality of soldiers there are, there sure are some queer types. What has pleased me most is to see the German prisoners working, only think they do not work hard enough for me. Haven’t seen any of Gen. Pershing’s men yet, don’t know where they are keeping them but are here somewhere and am hoping to hear of them soon. These British are sure some fighters, I have changed my opinion of the British soldiers. I do not think the Germans can stand their fire much longer, it is something terrific. Have been through several of the towns that the Germans have bombarded and dynamited, they are a complete ruin, nothing left in them; even the fruit trees have been cut down, a cyclone could not do more damage. You do not pick up any souvenirs in a town evacuated by the Germans. A fellow today in headquarters detachment picked himself a souvenir and it had a string tied to it which set off a mine and shot him up. We have orders not to pick up anything and I am one that wil lobey, so you need not expect any relics of the battle field from me.
Let me hear from home as often as you can write me all the news you think I should and I will do the same from here and let you know everything. I may have something in this letter that I shouldn’t write but I have tried to be careful and not write anything that would not pass.
I am ever your son,
ROY E. HOWELL.
12the Engineers (Railroad) American Expeditionary Force Co. B.
NOTES: Roy E. Howell was from Nettleton, Arkansas. He was writing to his mother, Mrs. J. C. Howell. He enlisted June 6th, 1917. When he was sent overseas he was attached to the British forces. He was born July 2, 1891. He died Oct 1974 and is buried in the Tyronza Cemetery in Poinsett County.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT