TRANSCRIBED FROM THE COLUMBIA BANNER JANUARY 29, 1919 P. 3
Fort Logan H. Roots.
January 16, 1919.
Dear Friend,
Your letter was forwarded to me which you sent to New York. I left there the 7th and arrived here the 10th. I wrote to all my friends that day giving them my address and have heard from all except you. I suppose you didn’t get my letter so I’ll write again.
I really don’t know what to write for I’ve written about war so much that I don’t know what I have written and what I haven’t.
Every one who writes to me asks how I was struck so I’ll tell you.
A large shrapnel shell hit me just below the left knee and my leg was taken off first above the knee. I might tell you how bad it was and then you couldn’t realize how very awful it was. The machine gun bullets were falling around us as thick as could be. The air planes were dropping bombs and when possible they would use their machine guns on us.
However, we made it so hot for them that they were retreating all the time.
There were many minutes when I was lying flat on the ground, fearing to raise my head for if I had raised up just a little, four or five bullets would have passed me before I could get my head down again. I had no idea of ever coming home for I thought every minute was my last one.
I could look across the battlefield and see boys falling everywhere. Those horrid old shells struck many of them shooting their heads off and sometimes their heads were shot in two. Oh, it was an awful scene to witness.
I could write a week and then not write the same thing twice, but I can’t tell it so that you can understand it. I will wait and tell you all I can remember when I see you.
Do not think I am crazy for I am only “overjoyed” to be in the dear “old United States” again.
Write me a long letter real soon.
Your best friend.
Willie Jarvis.
Hospital 33 Ward No. 8,
Fort Logan H. Roots, Little Rock, Ark.
NOTES: William Burleson “Willie” Jarvis was born on October 19, 1891 and died on August 15, 1972 at Stamps, Lafayette County, Arkansas. He is buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery, McKamie, Lafayette, County, Arkansas. He first enlisted in Co. K, 3rd Div. A. N. G. He was described as being tall and stout with brown eyes and dark hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Fort Logan H. Roots.
January 16, 1919.
Dear Friend,
Your letter was forwarded to me which you sent to New York. I left there the 7th and arrived here the 10th. I wrote to all my friends that day giving them my address and have heard from all except you. I suppose you didn’t get my letter so I’ll write again.
I really don’t know what to write for I’ve written about war so much that I don’t know what I have written and what I haven’t.
Every one who writes to me asks how I was struck so I’ll tell you.
A large shrapnel shell hit me just below the left knee and my leg was taken off first above the knee. I might tell you how bad it was and then you couldn’t realize how very awful it was. The machine gun bullets were falling around us as thick as could be. The air planes were dropping bombs and when possible they would use their machine guns on us.
However, we made it so hot for them that they were retreating all the time.
There were many minutes when I was lying flat on the ground, fearing to raise my head for if I had raised up just a little, four or five bullets would have passed me before I could get my head down again. I had no idea of ever coming home for I thought every minute was my last one.
I could look across the battlefield and see boys falling everywhere. Those horrid old shells struck many of them shooting their heads off and sometimes their heads were shot in two. Oh, it was an awful scene to witness.
I could write a week and then not write the same thing twice, but I can’t tell it so that you can understand it. I will wait and tell you all I can remember when I see you.
Do not think I am crazy for I am only “overjoyed” to be in the dear “old United States” again.
Write me a long letter real soon.
Your best friend.
Willie Jarvis.
Hospital 33 Ward No. 8,
Fort Logan H. Roots, Little Rock, Ark.
NOTES: William Burleson “Willie” Jarvis was born on October 19, 1891 and died on August 15, 1972 at Stamps, Lafayette County, Arkansas. He is buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery, McKamie, Lafayette, County, Arkansas. He first enlisted in Co. K, 3rd Div. A. N. G. He was described as being tall and stout with brown eyes and dark hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT