TRANSCRIBED FROM THE DAILY ARKANSAS GAZETTE OCTOBER 13, 1918 P. 6
Dear Mother:
I am now near a seaport city, and am writing in an American Y.M.C.A. building. This is a lovely land, with its fertile valleys, verdant hills, country parks and stately palaces, and ancient castles, famed in story. Even the country roads, embroidered with flowers of gorgeous colors, are like city streets.
English and American soldiers freely mingle and, you can scarcely tell them apart. The English are a great people, easy going, happy go lucky chaps. Every day I see whole fleets of air machines. They are so common that people seldom look up from their work to see them pass. I have seen many big guns and heard them roar out their mighty thunders. I see great numbers of German prisoners, who work in the fields and mills.
Every spot of English soil seems utilized. Along the railways I notice potatoes, onions, cabbage and other vegetables. I have seen few hogs here, but numerous herds of sheep, cattle, and fine horses. Many farmers plow with tractors, and there are many steam road wagons. The climate now is almost ideal—like early May in far away Arkansas. We have the finest drinking water that I have ever seen—cold and crystal clear, and an abundance of excellent food at all times. I have a clean bed here, and every modern convenience. The American Red Cross and the Y.M.C. A. are the greatest institutions on earth, and are doing a wonderful work for the soldiers ‘neath alien skies.
Although we are not homesick in this hospitable and enchanting isle empire, our thoughts are turning ever to the land of our dreams. We think the war will soon be over, and that we shall be back again where “the air is full of sunshine and the flag is full of stars.”
Your lad in khaki,
Ruby V. Hughes.
NOTES: This partial letter was written by Ruby Vernon Hughes to his mother, Mrs. Mary A. Hughes of Whitener, Arkansas. He was born on April 13, 1888 in Whitener and died on September 8, 1966 in Madison County, Arkansas. He was described as being of medium height and build with blue eyes and light hair. He is buried in the Buckeye Cemetery in Hindsville, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Dear Mother:
I am now near a seaport city, and am writing in an American Y.M.C.A. building. This is a lovely land, with its fertile valleys, verdant hills, country parks and stately palaces, and ancient castles, famed in story. Even the country roads, embroidered with flowers of gorgeous colors, are like city streets.
English and American soldiers freely mingle and, you can scarcely tell them apart. The English are a great people, easy going, happy go lucky chaps. Every day I see whole fleets of air machines. They are so common that people seldom look up from their work to see them pass. I have seen many big guns and heard them roar out their mighty thunders. I see great numbers of German prisoners, who work in the fields and mills.
Every spot of English soil seems utilized. Along the railways I notice potatoes, onions, cabbage and other vegetables. I have seen few hogs here, but numerous herds of sheep, cattle, and fine horses. Many farmers plow with tractors, and there are many steam road wagons. The climate now is almost ideal—like early May in far away Arkansas. We have the finest drinking water that I have ever seen—cold and crystal clear, and an abundance of excellent food at all times. I have a clean bed here, and every modern convenience. The American Red Cross and the Y.M.C. A. are the greatest institutions on earth, and are doing a wonderful work for the soldiers ‘neath alien skies.
Although we are not homesick in this hospitable and enchanting isle empire, our thoughts are turning ever to the land of our dreams. We think the war will soon be over, and that we shall be back again where “the air is full of sunshine and the flag is full of stars.”
Your lad in khaki,
Ruby V. Hughes.
NOTES: This partial letter was written by Ruby Vernon Hughes to his mother, Mrs. Mary A. Hughes of Whitener, Arkansas. He was born on April 13, 1888 in Whitener and died on September 8, 1966 in Madison County, Arkansas. He was described as being of medium height and build with blue eyes and light hair. He is buried in the Buckeye Cemetery in Hindsville, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT