TRANSCRIBED FROM THE HELENA WORLD DECEMBER 17, 1917 P. 1
Camp Beauregard, La.
14 Dec. 1917, 5:30 p.m.
Mr. J. P. Burks,
Helena, Arkansas.
My Dear Mr. Burks:
Only a few minutes for this now. Your wire just received. Am wiring you answer now and will write in detail tonight. My work starts at 6:30 in mornings and is over any time from 8 p.m. until morning--in fact have just stopped long enough for this work.
There is no occasion for the alarmed and exaggerated reports referred to by you in your wire except with reference to measles and mumps, and that is greatly decreasing now, only several suffering from bad colds.
Have lost one member of company from pneumonia--a young man recently transferred to M.G. Co.
Lieut. Denison is confined to bed in hospital from severe attack of pleurisy, but was able to sit up yesterday and today. Haven't been over yet to see him today, and am, or was, on my way there from drill ground when your wire was received a few minutes ago. Will mail this as I go by office. Will write you again tonight. Also Mr, Denison.
These boys haven't any equals anywhere in the army--born soldiers and ready to charge hell with an empty canteen if given the word, and it makes your heart ache when one of them comes to you and tells you he is sick. However, have only seven of the company now confined to bed as compared to twenty-eight last week. Six of the seven are down with measles and one from mumps. Lieutenant Denison will be out in next day or two.
The severe change in weather has brought on several colds--have had one myself,--but all are improving daily.
Must stop this now. More tonight.
Your friend,
JEFFETT.
NOTES: Captain William Fletcher Jeffett was born in Helena, Arkansas on May 22, 1887 and died on February 29, 1960. He is buried in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Helena, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Arkansas Captain of Infantry serving in World War 1. He enlisted on August 5, 1917 and was discharged on April 25, 1919. He served in the 140th Machine Gun Bn Infantry. In civilian life he was a dentist.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Camp Beauregard, La.
14 Dec. 1917, 5:30 p.m.
Mr. J. P. Burks,
Helena, Arkansas.
My Dear Mr. Burks:
Only a few minutes for this now. Your wire just received. Am wiring you answer now and will write in detail tonight. My work starts at 6:30 in mornings and is over any time from 8 p.m. until morning--in fact have just stopped long enough for this work.
There is no occasion for the alarmed and exaggerated reports referred to by you in your wire except with reference to measles and mumps, and that is greatly decreasing now, only several suffering from bad colds.
Have lost one member of company from pneumonia--a young man recently transferred to M.G. Co.
Lieut. Denison is confined to bed in hospital from severe attack of pleurisy, but was able to sit up yesterday and today. Haven't been over yet to see him today, and am, or was, on my way there from drill ground when your wire was received a few minutes ago. Will mail this as I go by office. Will write you again tonight. Also Mr, Denison.
These boys haven't any equals anywhere in the army--born soldiers and ready to charge hell with an empty canteen if given the word, and it makes your heart ache when one of them comes to you and tells you he is sick. However, have only seven of the company now confined to bed as compared to twenty-eight last week. Six of the seven are down with measles and one from mumps. Lieutenant Denison will be out in next day or two.
The severe change in weather has brought on several colds--have had one myself,--but all are improving daily.
Must stop this now. More tonight.
Your friend,
JEFFETT.
NOTES: Captain William Fletcher Jeffett was born in Helena, Arkansas on May 22, 1887 and died on February 29, 1960. He is buried in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Helena, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Arkansas Captain of Infantry serving in World War 1. He enlisted on August 5, 1917 and was discharged on April 25, 1919. He served in the 140th Machine Gun Bn Infantry. In civilian life he was a dentist.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD