TRANSCRIBED FROM THE HELENA WORLD JUNE 13, 1918 P. 1
C.M. 369 R.I. U.S.
A E.F. S.P. 54
France.
April 25, 1918.
Dr. D. A.E. Johnston,
Helena, Ark.
Dear Brother:
I guess this will surprise you to receive a letter from your baby brother, I am just from the front line of trenches as a soldier. Yes I have been in the trenches and have been there for the last 6 or 7 days, we went into the trenches April………..
I have been close enough to look into the German line, I have been on no man’s line two or three times, this is the line between the French and the Germans, it is some great thing to be in the great World’s war.
I am a member of the Captain Laisont Group that is a fast runner used as messengers.
I hope you will send me a couple of boxes of cigars and a full box of Piedmot cigarettes, they can not be had here. Smoking seems to console me while in this lonely country. We are in a camp of rest now.
I hope you, sister and my little girls are alright.
Give my regards to all,
Your Baby Brother,
Bugler LEROY A. JOHNSTON.
NOTES: Johnston was an African American soldier serving as a bugler in the 15th New York, 369th Infantry. Johnston and three brothers, including the one he is writing to in this letter, were killed in the Elaine Massacre that occurred in Phillips County, Arkansas in the 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY JACQUE HOWARD
C.M. 369 R.I. U.S.
A E.F. S.P. 54
France.
April 25, 1918.
Dr. D. A.E. Johnston,
Helena, Ark.
Dear Brother:
I guess this will surprise you to receive a letter from your baby brother, I am just from the front line of trenches as a soldier. Yes I have been in the trenches and have been there for the last 6 or 7 days, we went into the trenches April………..
I have been close enough to look into the German line, I have been on no man’s line two or three times, this is the line between the French and the Germans, it is some great thing to be in the great World’s war.
I am a member of the Captain Laisont Group that is a fast runner used as messengers.
I hope you will send me a couple of boxes of cigars and a full box of Piedmot cigarettes, they can not be had here. Smoking seems to console me while in this lonely country. We are in a camp of rest now.
I hope you, sister and my little girls are alright.
Give my regards to all,
Your Baby Brother,
Bugler LEROY A. JOHNSTON.
NOTES: Johnston was an African American soldier serving as a bugler in the 15th New York, 369th Infantry. Johnston and three brothers, including the one he is writing to in this letter, were killed in the Elaine Massacre that occurred in Phillips County, Arkansas in the 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY JACQUE HOWARD