TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ROGERS DEMOCRAT FEBRUARY 17, 1919 P. 1\
Dear Mother and All:
I haven't got a letter from you since I wrote but am going to write anyway and hope to hear from you soon. This Christmas morning and leaves me well and feeling fine except for the cooties and I hope to be rid of them soon.
The weather has been real damp for the last two or three weeks until yesterday and today: the sun has been shining.
Las night we had a regimental Christmas tree up town and each man got a box of candy and smoking. Then there was music by the band and some solos and we all had a jolly good time and the people here seemed to enjoy it, too. It came very near being a white Christmas here. It snowed last night but it has all melted except that on the hills.
The country here is a beautiful one. We hiked from Waxweiler to Bitberg the other day and came across some high country and the snow was about 3 inches deep and the pine forest along the road was heavy with snow and it was certainly pretty and the snow covered villages in the valley looked like pictures I have seen. We walked about 23 kilometers or 16 miles. The next day we took trucks to this place about 40 kilometers. I had to laugh at a little dog that followed our truck all the way and it kept him in a good run almost all the way, but he came in on high--40 kilometers or 25 miles in 3 1/2 hours--but don't think he could done it with a pack on his back, but I wish I could run like that.
We have no idea when we will start home, perhaps not before spring but we are hoping to go sooner than that.
I went to church last Sunday morning but I couldn't understand the services as everything was Catholic and the language was German but the building was a piece of fine masonry, consisting of a series of lofty arches and columns which made one feel very small and insignificant. There was also some fine pieces of art. One was a figure of Christ on the cross and two women at the foot of the cross which was the most vivid representation of the Crucifixion that I have seen. It was almost life size and it gave me a queer sensation to look at it.
Well, will close for this time and hope to hear from you soon.
Ever your true son,
WILLIE.
P.S. Am sending you a copy of General orders. No. 108 which was posted in conspicuous places for the boys to read Christmas Day.
General Order No, 108
The Division has completed its first six months on foreign service. A majority of officers and men are now entitled to their first service chevrons. To them the Division commander expressed his appreciation of loyal and efficient service which has been of a high order of excellence. The Division came into the most momentious six months of the war and this record has geen an enviable one. In the training area it convinced higher authority of its ability to enter the line as a Division--the first National Army Division to do so.
It was the first American Division to move by bus with American transportation and the entire movement was organized and executed by the Division. In the Lucey Sector the Division won commendation from the French corps and army commanders for its successful minor operations almost constantly gaining identification from the enemy without losing a single one to the foe. During the difficult period of preparation for the St. Mihiel offensive, the Division successfully held the line while the attack passed behind it and while the enemy made desperate attempts to drive raids thru for information.
In the offensive of Sept.12th the Division went over abrest of the Veteran Divisions of the American Army, took the Bois de Mort Mare and all of its other objectives. It then organized the new sector and took over the line held by one and one-half other divisions as well.
After the Division relieved the 32nd American Division near Romagne it cleared up the bois De Bantheville and won commendation of the corps and army.
On the drive of Nov. 1st. the division attacked in the front line, took the wooded heights of Barricourt, pushed on to the final objectives, the Meuse, and had forced a crossing by 11 hours, Nov. 11, 1918. (When the Armistice was signed.)
The Division is now in Germany with a reputation for clean living, clean fighting, obeying, obeying orders and taking its objectives.
The Division Commander is proud to sign this order to the 89th Division.
Frank L. Wnn, Major General.
Schweich, Germany, Dec. 29, 1918.
NOTES: W. L. Keith was writing to his parents Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Keith of Rogers, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Dear Mother and All:
I haven't got a letter from you since I wrote but am going to write anyway and hope to hear from you soon. This Christmas morning and leaves me well and feeling fine except for the cooties and I hope to be rid of them soon.
The weather has been real damp for the last two or three weeks until yesterday and today: the sun has been shining.
Las night we had a regimental Christmas tree up town and each man got a box of candy and smoking. Then there was music by the band and some solos and we all had a jolly good time and the people here seemed to enjoy it, too. It came very near being a white Christmas here. It snowed last night but it has all melted except that on the hills.
The country here is a beautiful one. We hiked from Waxweiler to Bitberg the other day and came across some high country and the snow was about 3 inches deep and the pine forest along the road was heavy with snow and it was certainly pretty and the snow covered villages in the valley looked like pictures I have seen. We walked about 23 kilometers or 16 miles. The next day we took trucks to this place about 40 kilometers. I had to laugh at a little dog that followed our truck all the way and it kept him in a good run almost all the way, but he came in on high--40 kilometers or 25 miles in 3 1/2 hours--but don't think he could done it with a pack on his back, but I wish I could run like that.
We have no idea when we will start home, perhaps not before spring but we are hoping to go sooner than that.
I went to church last Sunday morning but I couldn't understand the services as everything was Catholic and the language was German but the building was a piece of fine masonry, consisting of a series of lofty arches and columns which made one feel very small and insignificant. There was also some fine pieces of art. One was a figure of Christ on the cross and two women at the foot of the cross which was the most vivid representation of the Crucifixion that I have seen. It was almost life size and it gave me a queer sensation to look at it.
Well, will close for this time and hope to hear from you soon.
Ever your true son,
WILLIE.
P.S. Am sending you a copy of General orders. No. 108 which was posted in conspicuous places for the boys to read Christmas Day.
General Order No, 108
The Division has completed its first six months on foreign service. A majority of officers and men are now entitled to their first service chevrons. To them the Division commander expressed his appreciation of loyal and efficient service which has been of a high order of excellence. The Division came into the most momentious six months of the war and this record has geen an enviable one. In the training area it convinced higher authority of its ability to enter the line as a Division--the first National Army Division to do so.
It was the first American Division to move by bus with American transportation and the entire movement was organized and executed by the Division. In the Lucey Sector the Division won commendation from the French corps and army commanders for its successful minor operations almost constantly gaining identification from the enemy without losing a single one to the foe. During the difficult period of preparation for the St. Mihiel offensive, the Division successfully held the line while the attack passed behind it and while the enemy made desperate attempts to drive raids thru for information.
In the offensive of Sept.12th the Division went over abrest of the Veteran Divisions of the American Army, took the Bois de Mort Mare and all of its other objectives. It then organized the new sector and took over the line held by one and one-half other divisions as well.
After the Division relieved the 32nd American Division near Romagne it cleared up the bois De Bantheville and won commendation of the corps and army.
On the drive of Nov. 1st. the division attacked in the front line, took the wooded heights of Barricourt, pushed on to the final objectives, the Meuse, and had forced a crossing by 11 hours, Nov. 11, 1918. (When the Armistice was signed.)
The Division is now in Germany with a reputation for clean living, clean fighting, obeying, obeying orders and taking its objectives.
The Division Commander is proud to sign this order to the 89th Division.
Frank L. Wnn, Major General.
Schweich, Germany, Dec. 29, 1918.
NOTES: W. L. Keith was writing to his parents Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Keith of Rogers, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD