TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SHARP COUNTY RECORD JULY 11, 1919 P. 4
Editor Record:
May I now ask for space in your paper in which to express a few thoughts. I love the people of Sharp County also love the Record. I know that they have stood the test even in the darkest days of the war. I imagine when they lay down to sleep they wondered if their brave boys in France had a dry place to lay their heads, and wonder if the dreaded flu has overtaken them. They prayed that the brave little destroyers would clear the way so their boys might land safely and get a chance at the Huns. The people’s prayers surely were heard because millions of us landed and millions more were ready to start on the long voyage. We landed with full equipment and under normal conditions our outfit weighed one hundred pounds. At first we thought it was mighty small to keep house with but after a twenty mile hike we thought we could make do with less.
And now comes a great shout from the flag. The work that you do is the making of the flag, I am not the flag, not at all. I am what ever you make me, nothing more.
Now I must turn and tell you of some few things since I have been over here. I came over for Democracy and against Autocracy. Those are big words but I know how to use them just the same. I have soldiered under Corporals, Sergeants, Lieutanents, Captains, Majors, Colonels, and Generals and when they tell me to do something I would do more, but of late I do just what they say and nothing more. Since I have been in the A.S.C. I have got to be a perfect detail hater., the hawk may see something to eat farther than I can but I can see a Lieutenant farther than any one when he is looking for men to go on details, such as working the French roads. We are the Jacks of all details and the completer of none for when we start out for detail I am the first to be absent and appear in the hot chocolate line. It doesn’t take long to get wise on the job.
NOTES: This letter was written by Otis Hutchinson of Bengay, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD
Editor Record:
May I now ask for space in your paper in which to express a few thoughts. I love the people of Sharp County also love the Record. I know that they have stood the test even in the darkest days of the war. I imagine when they lay down to sleep they wondered if their brave boys in France had a dry place to lay their heads, and wonder if the dreaded flu has overtaken them. They prayed that the brave little destroyers would clear the way so their boys might land safely and get a chance at the Huns. The people’s prayers surely were heard because millions of us landed and millions more were ready to start on the long voyage. We landed with full equipment and under normal conditions our outfit weighed one hundred pounds. At first we thought it was mighty small to keep house with but after a twenty mile hike we thought we could make do with less.
And now comes a great shout from the flag. The work that you do is the making of the flag, I am not the flag, not at all. I am what ever you make me, nothing more.
Now I must turn and tell you of some few things since I have been over here. I came over for Democracy and against Autocracy. Those are big words but I know how to use them just the same. I have soldiered under Corporals, Sergeants, Lieutanents, Captains, Majors, Colonels, and Generals and when they tell me to do something I would do more, but of late I do just what they say and nothing more. Since I have been in the A.S.C. I have got to be a perfect detail hater., the hawk may see something to eat farther than I can but I can see a Lieutenant farther than any one when he is looking for men to go on details, such as working the French roads. We are the Jacks of all details and the completer of none for when we start out for detail I am the first to be absent and appear in the hot chocolate line. It doesn’t take long to get wise on the job.
NOTES: This letter was written by Otis Hutchinson of Bengay, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD