TRANSCRIBED FROM THE POCAHONTAS STAR HERALD OCTOBER 25, 1918 P. 3
Camp Pike, Oct. 14.
Dear Editor:
If you will allow me just a little space in the dear old Star Herald, will try to tell my relatives and friends how I like army life.
I think army is just the stuff to make a real man out of a fellow. I think every young man should have military training; it will make a better man out of him mentally and physically. Army life is much better than I thought it would be. I had always heard that the army was a tough place, but this is all a mistake, for it is not. We get plenty to eat, plenty to wear and plenty of exercise, so why should we worry. And the best part of it all is that we get a pay day once a month, then we have a time.
I guess I am unlucky, have been down here six weeks and have been under quarantine all the time except about five days. I have just been transferred three times since I have been down here; if I ever get out of the army, will be afraid to join a church for I might be transferred to some other one.
When I get out of the army, the folks at home will have to fence the dining table in. Or I will pass through and get what I want on my plate, go out in the yard to eat it, for that is army life.
We had quite an exciting time yesterday. They called us out at 4 o’clock in the morning and hiked us to the rifle range. The rifle range is about 4 miles from camp. We were out there about an hour before it was light enough to see how to shoot. There were about 3,000 of us rookies out there and each one was to fire 60 times. You can imagine about how much noise we made; it was like being on the firing line, only no one got hurt.
I must say something about our officers. Co. C. has the best officers in Camp Pike, so I think. We had quite a time last Saturday night. The officers got the news that the war was over and the treaty of peace signed. Everyone yelled just as loud as they could and the negroes got out in the street and ran and yelled like something wild. I guess everybody in the camp yelled from the noise that was made.
I guess you have read as much of this as you want to. I wish my friends and relatives would take this as a personal letter and write to me.
Yours truly,
Private Ernest Johnston,
Co. C. 2nd Tr. Regiment.
NOTES: Ernest Johnston was born at Brockett, Randolph County Arkansas on March 11, 1897.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS
Camp Pike, Oct. 14.
Dear Editor:
If you will allow me just a little space in the dear old Star Herald, will try to tell my relatives and friends how I like army life.
I think army is just the stuff to make a real man out of a fellow. I think every young man should have military training; it will make a better man out of him mentally and physically. Army life is much better than I thought it would be. I had always heard that the army was a tough place, but this is all a mistake, for it is not. We get plenty to eat, plenty to wear and plenty of exercise, so why should we worry. And the best part of it all is that we get a pay day once a month, then we have a time.
I guess I am unlucky, have been down here six weeks and have been under quarantine all the time except about five days. I have just been transferred three times since I have been down here; if I ever get out of the army, will be afraid to join a church for I might be transferred to some other one.
When I get out of the army, the folks at home will have to fence the dining table in. Or I will pass through and get what I want on my plate, go out in the yard to eat it, for that is army life.
We had quite an exciting time yesterday. They called us out at 4 o’clock in the morning and hiked us to the rifle range. The rifle range is about 4 miles from camp. We were out there about an hour before it was light enough to see how to shoot. There were about 3,000 of us rookies out there and each one was to fire 60 times. You can imagine about how much noise we made; it was like being on the firing line, only no one got hurt.
I must say something about our officers. Co. C. has the best officers in Camp Pike, so I think. We had quite a time last Saturday night. The officers got the news that the war was over and the treaty of peace signed. Everyone yelled just as loud as they could and the negroes got out in the street and ran and yelled like something wild. I guess everybody in the camp yelled from the noise that was made.
I guess you have read as much of this as you want to. I wish my friends and relatives would take this as a personal letter and write to me.
Yours truly,
Private Ernest Johnston,
Co. C. 2nd Tr. Regiment.
NOTES: Ernest Johnston was born at Brockett, Randolph County Arkansas on March 11, 1897.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS