TRANSCRIBED FROM THE LONOKE DEMOCRAT NOVEMBER 14, 1918 P. 6
Somewhere in France
September 22, 1918
Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Adams
Austin, Ark.
My Dear Mama and Papa:
I know you will both be glad to get another letter from me. I will try this Sunday afternoon to write you a letter from my heart.
The last letter I received from you was at Camp Beauregard. That has been some time or it seems a long time.
I hope you got my letters and cards all right.
The mail came in this a. m. but no letter for me. I sure would like to hear from you. A letter telling me that my papa and mama were both well.
I have not seen Errol since we left over there in the U. S. A. I have tried to find them but do not know where they went.
I am close to Frank Hilton. I see him most every day passing by, was talking to him yesterday, he had just read seven letters from home, he told me all he knew. I was sorry to hear of Mr. Nichol’s death and know Raymond is over here. I have never seen him though.
I see five of the boys I left Hot Springs with. It sure is nice to see them. When I saw Frank it made me feel good.
We had a fine trip over, no trouble much. Have you heard from Ray and Howard lately. I guess 220 still runs fast as ever behind that 7522. Have you ever received my allotment yet? You should have it for three months already. I want you to use it when you need it. That is what it is for.
Have you gotten my Liberty Bond yet? If not write to Mr. Fred Gardner, Hot Springs, and ask him if they have been issued yet, as he is going to send it to you. I thought he may be in the Army. Has Armour been called yet. I sure hope not, but guess he has.
I saw where they had registered again over there, so that gets Henry. I trust neither of them will have to come, as their families need them. All of the other boys are writing. We are sitting around our Billett. I know you have read the book of over the top I gave you when I left, so you know what a Billet is. That sure is a perfect book. The man that wrote it sure had been all the way. I can talk some French now, that is, enough to make them understand what I want.
I went up in the village this afternoon and bought this paper. We were paid off yesterday in French money. It is a little hard to count, but I can count it pretty well. I remember it when I went to school. We have a running stream about a block from our Billet, the water is prety and clear. We take a bath there and wash our clothes, nothing is improved like it is in the U. S. A.
The people here lead their horses to wagons. Retreat is blowing now, so it will soon be supper time, so I must close this time. I hope you will get this letter before Thanksgiving anyway.
Send my love to my brothers and families and all of my friends. Tell them I am well and getting along alright.
Your living son,
Private Keith T. Adams
Co. C, 142nd Machine Gun Battalion, A. E. F.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON
Somewhere in France
September 22, 1918
Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Adams
Austin, Ark.
My Dear Mama and Papa:
I know you will both be glad to get another letter from me. I will try this Sunday afternoon to write you a letter from my heart.
The last letter I received from you was at Camp Beauregard. That has been some time or it seems a long time.
I hope you got my letters and cards all right.
The mail came in this a. m. but no letter for me. I sure would like to hear from you. A letter telling me that my papa and mama were both well.
I have not seen Errol since we left over there in the U. S. A. I have tried to find them but do not know where they went.
I am close to Frank Hilton. I see him most every day passing by, was talking to him yesterday, he had just read seven letters from home, he told me all he knew. I was sorry to hear of Mr. Nichol’s death and know Raymond is over here. I have never seen him though.
I see five of the boys I left Hot Springs with. It sure is nice to see them. When I saw Frank it made me feel good.
We had a fine trip over, no trouble much. Have you heard from Ray and Howard lately. I guess 220 still runs fast as ever behind that 7522. Have you ever received my allotment yet? You should have it for three months already. I want you to use it when you need it. That is what it is for.
Have you gotten my Liberty Bond yet? If not write to Mr. Fred Gardner, Hot Springs, and ask him if they have been issued yet, as he is going to send it to you. I thought he may be in the Army. Has Armour been called yet. I sure hope not, but guess he has.
I saw where they had registered again over there, so that gets Henry. I trust neither of them will have to come, as their families need them. All of the other boys are writing. We are sitting around our Billett. I know you have read the book of over the top I gave you when I left, so you know what a Billet is. That sure is a perfect book. The man that wrote it sure had been all the way. I can talk some French now, that is, enough to make them understand what I want.
I went up in the village this afternoon and bought this paper. We were paid off yesterday in French money. It is a little hard to count, but I can count it pretty well. I remember it when I went to school. We have a running stream about a block from our Billet, the water is prety and clear. We take a bath there and wash our clothes, nothing is improved like it is in the U. S. A.
The people here lead their horses to wagons. Retreat is blowing now, so it will soon be supper time, so I must close this time. I hope you will get this letter before Thanksgiving anyway.
Send my love to my brothers and families and all of my friends. Tell them I am well and getting along alright.
Your living son,
Private Keith T. Adams
Co. C, 142nd Machine Gun Battalion, A. E. F.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON