TRANSCRIBED FROM THE NEWPORT DAILY INDEPENDENT APRIL 22, 1919 P. 1
Algremont, France, March 30, 1919
To the Editor of Newport, (Ark.), Independent:
Dear Sir:
I am writing you a few lines to let you know of some of my experiences in France since the time of departure from the states. I left Hoboken June 15, 1928, and arrived at St. Mazzair, France, on June the 29th. I came over with a convoy of about 18 ships of troops and 4 submarine destroyers, the battleship Carolina, and one cruiser. We went to the St. Mazzair rest camp for about two days, after which we took a French train, riding for two days and nights, when we arrived at Champlette. We then hiked 7 kilometers to a French village. Here we got our first experience in sleeping in cow sheds, although we were in the sunny part of France. We had a nice time at this place drilling and playing games of all kinds. We stayed about two weeks and then boarded a train for the Alsace front near Belfort. We entered our first trenches on Alsace Loraine. We were there for about three weeks although we did not enter the battle there. We had the pleasure of having large artillery throwing G.I. cans over us every day. Then we left for the Western front. We marched all one night in heavy marching order to the Argonne front. At 5:30 a.m. the big allied guns began to roar and we boys went over the top following an awful barage. We were in the fight 21 days, beginning October 8th and leaving October 29. Then we marched through Verdun and took trucks for Bar Le Duc, France for a rest period of a few days. We had gotten replacements and were ready to go back to the front the day the armistice was signed. We were at Combles, France, at that time then we left for Brillon, France, and stayed there a week. We then hiked about 30 kilometers to a rail head where we boarded a French train which consisted of side door Pullmans. We rode for two days and nights packed in those cars like gold fish in a can. We got off the train at Jussey, France and hiked over the beautiful mountains and valleys of France for 35 kilometers to where we are located now Algremont France situated on a high and beautiful mountain. This village is over 800 years old. We have been drilling and maneuvering all over these mountains. We have also had several reviews and inspections. On March 24th we were reviewed by General J. J. Pershing at Freanes, France, about 15 kilometers from here. We are booked to leave France for the states in early June. I must close for this time, as I have no more time to spare.
Yours truly,
Private Chas. B. Jorden
Co. E., 116th Infantry, American Expeditionary Forces, A.P.O. 768
NOTES: Name is actually Jordan. Charles Burton Jordan was on March 30, 1888 in Batesville, Arkansas. He died on October 12, 1940. He is buried in the Oakland Cemetery in Possum Grape, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Private serving in 116th Infantry 29th Division. He enlisted on April 11, 1918 and was discharged on June 6, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD
Algremont, France, March 30, 1919
To the Editor of Newport, (Ark.), Independent:
Dear Sir:
I am writing you a few lines to let you know of some of my experiences in France since the time of departure from the states. I left Hoboken June 15, 1928, and arrived at St. Mazzair, France, on June the 29th. I came over with a convoy of about 18 ships of troops and 4 submarine destroyers, the battleship Carolina, and one cruiser. We went to the St. Mazzair rest camp for about two days, after which we took a French train, riding for two days and nights, when we arrived at Champlette. We then hiked 7 kilometers to a French village. Here we got our first experience in sleeping in cow sheds, although we were in the sunny part of France. We had a nice time at this place drilling and playing games of all kinds. We stayed about two weeks and then boarded a train for the Alsace front near Belfort. We entered our first trenches on Alsace Loraine. We were there for about three weeks although we did not enter the battle there. We had the pleasure of having large artillery throwing G.I. cans over us every day. Then we left for the Western front. We marched all one night in heavy marching order to the Argonne front. At 5:30 a.m. the big allied guns began to roar and we boys went over the top following an awful barage. We were in the fight 21 days, beginning October 8th and leaving October 29. Then we marched through Verdun and took trucks for Bar Le Duc, France for a rest period of a few days. We had gotten replacements and were ready to go back to the front the day the armistice was signed. We were at Combles, France, at that time then we left for Brillon, France, and stayed there a week. We then hiked about 30 kilometers to a rail head where we boarded a French train which consisted of side door Pullmans. We rode for two days and nights packed in those cars like gold fish in a can. We got off the train at Jussey, France and hiked over the beautiful mountains and valleys of France for 35 kilometers to where we are located now Algremont France situated on a high and beautiful mountain. This village is over 800 years old. We have been drilling and maneuvering all over these mountains. We have also had several reviews and inspections. On March 24th we were reviewed by General J. J. Pershing at Freanes, France, about 15 kilometers from here. We are booked to leave France for the states in early June. I must close for this time, as I have no more time to spare.
Yours truly,
Private Chas. B. Jorden
Co. E., 116th Infantry, American Expeditionary Forces, A.P.O. 768
NOTES: Name is actually Jordan. Charles Burton Jordan was on March 30, 1888 in Batesville, Arkansas. He died on October 12, 1940. He is buried in the Oakland Cemetery in Possum Grape, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Private serving in 116th Infantry 29th Division. He enlisted on April 11, 1918 and was discharged on June 6, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD