TRANSCRIBED FROM THE LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT JANUARY 9, 1919 P. 7
Dear Mama and Papa:
Well, the big trip is over. We came in the Hudson river this morning amid much excitement and celebrating. Needless to say I sure am glad to be back, however, I wouldn't take anything for the trip. In a way I would like to have stayed over a little longer, but on the other hand I was glad to learn that we were coming back right away.
We left New York at 10:30 a.m. December 4, and I never saw such a demonstration in my life. Had a nice trip: rather rough at times, though made good time all the way over. Had nine destroyers with us when we left; four of them went out 48 hours and turned back, the other five went all the way. When we hit the Azores four more joined us. We were in the lead and the George Washington just to the rear of us with destroyers on each side and behind. Believe me this radio "shack" of ours was some "mad house." We handled all the president's official stuff--that is, sending, that was the reason they picked us to go with him as we had the most powerful arc transmitting set of any ship in the fleet. The George Washington would send us her messages and we would send them on the arc. Of course she could receive everything alright, but we received all the stuff too.
Arrived at Brest at 1 o'clock, Friday, December (UNREADABLE) landed right in the harbor, and there was a big celebration there. AT 4:30 that afternoon we sent a liberty party ashore. I was on watch from 4 to 8, so didn't get to go, thought I was out of luck, but next morning wen we got up the commander sent everybody ashore that didn't get to go the night before. Left the ship at 8 o'clock and had till 12:30 to get back. Sure was glad, because I wanted to put my foot on French soil to say I had been there. I almost forgot to tell you, at day light Friday morning we were met by our fleet on the other side, and they went on into Brest with us, quite a few British and French war vessels met us also. We tok on fuel oil all Friday night, getting ready to start back the next day. It seemed funny after such a long trip to stay just one day. I would liked to have seen ParIs and a few other places over there, however I saw quite a bit of France during those four hours I was in Brest, and as I said before, am glad to be back in the states and most of the fellows on the ship feel the same way. Friday night one of the kids I know saw "Pete" Wright over on the dock looking for me, and asked the kid if he knew me. Sure was sorry I didn't get to see him.
We started on our return journey at 2 o'clock Saturday and I never spent a longer time in such a short time as on this trip back. Seemed like ages. The fleet that met us at Brest came back with us, ------ ships in all--suppose you saw an account of it in the papers all in formation. Was a pretty sight to see then all at sea. Had it pretty rough until we hit the Gulf stream, then it was like June. I lay on the "top side" part of the way over and was actually hot, but when we came in here this morning it was snowing to "beat the band" and cold.
Secretary Daniels reviewed us as we came by the statue of liberty, and we had to "man the rail" in all that snow storm, but the whole Hudson river was packed with smal yachts, steamers, etc., crowded with people, and believe me we got a royaL welcome. Of course it wasn't meant for the Pennsylvania so much as for the ships that had been in active duty on the other side, but we came "strutting" by the statue of liberty with as many colors flying and our chests "stuck out" as big as the rest of them, and of course got as big a hand, in fact the Mayflower saluted us. Admiral Mayo was on board you know, so we really rated more than the rest of them.
We came on down the Hudson and anchored off 79th street, and this afternoon everyone of the ships sent 80 per cent of their crew ashore for the parade. I never saw a bigger thing in my life. We marched down Fifth avenue and then back on Broadway, eight miles in all, and some welcome believe me. People cheered as we went by and threw cigarettes, candy, etc. Got back to the ship at 5:30 and found a letter written on the 23rd from Bill Baugh. He is spending a seven day leave with Dudley Hutchins and Lee Culpepper. Sent me their address and said for me to come out as soon as possible. I don't get shore leave until Saturday, so will look them up then.
Received 19 letters this morning, among them one from Jess, written on November 30, and I sure enjoyed reading them after being without news from home so long. Sure missed your good letters, mama, while enroute. Also got the bunch of Log Cabin Democrats that you were thoughtful enough to save and send me, which I also enjoyed very much. I see that lots of the boys are coming home with discharges. Wish I could be that lucky, but "every dog has his day" and my time will come some day. Lots of love to you all.
Your son,
"Doug."
U.S.S. Pennsylvania. Thursday night, December 26, 1918.
NOTES: Douglas Legg was writing to his mother Mrs. J. N. Legg. He was born on May 5, 1896 in Camden, Arkansas and died on June 14, 1956 in Dallas, Texas. He is buried in the Sparkman Hillcrest Memorial Park in Dallas. His military headstone identifies him as a Arkansas LDS US Navy serving during World War I. He enlisted on December 10, 1917 and was discharged on February 6, 1919. He was listed as an Electrician USN.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Dear Mama and Papa:
Well, the big trip is over. We came in the Hudson river this morning amid much excitement and celebrating. Needless to say I sure am glad to be back, however, I wouldn't take anything for the trip. In a way I would like to have stayed over a little longer, but on the other hand I was glad to learn that we were coming back right away.
We left New York at 10:30 a.m. December 4, and I never saw such a demonstration in my life. Had a nice trip: rather rough at times, though made good time all the way over. Had nine destroyers with us when we left; four of them went out 48 hours and turned back, the other five went all the way. When we hit the Azores four more joined us. We were in the lead and the George Washington just to the rear of us with destroyers on each side and behind. Believe me this radio "shack" of ours was some "mad house." We handled all the president's official stuff--that is, sending, that was the reason they picked us to go with him as we had the most powerful arc transmitting set of any ship in the fleet. The George Washington would send us her messages and we would send them on the arc. Of course she could receive everything alright, but we received all the stuff too.
Arrived at Brest at 1 o'clock, Friday, December (UNREADABLE) landed right in the harbor, and there was a big celebration there. AT 4:30 that afternoon we sent a liberty party ashore. I was on watch from 4 to 8, so didn't get to go, thought I was out of luck, but next morning wen we got up the commander sent everybody ashore that didn't get to go the night before. Left the ship at 8 o'clock and had till 12:30 to get back. Sure was glad, because I wanted to put my foot on French soil to say I had been there. I almost forgot to tell you, at day light Friday morning we were met by our fleet on the other side, and they went on into Brest with us, quite a few British and French war vessels met us also. We tok on fuel oil all Friday night, getting ready to start back the next day. It seemed funny after such a long trip to stay just one day. I would liked to have seen ParIs and a few other places over there, however I saw quite a bit of France during those four hours I was in Brest, and as I said before, am glad to be back in the states and most of the fellows on the ship feel the same way. Friday night one of the kids I know saw "Pete" Wright over on the dock looking for me, and asked the kid if he knew me. Sure was sorry I didn't get to see him.
We started on our return journey at 2 o'clock Saturday and I never spent a longer time in such a short time as on this trip back. Seemed like ages. The fleet that met us at Brest came back with us, ------ ships in all--suppose you saw an account of it in the papers all in formation. Was a pretty sight to see then all at sea. Had it pretty rough until we hit the Gulf stream, then it was like June. I lay on the "top side" part of the way over and was actually hot, but when we came in here this morning it was snowing to "beat the band" and cold.
Secretary Daniels reviewed us as we came by the statue of liberty, and we had to "man the rail" in all that snow storm, but the whole Hudson river was packed with smal yachts, steamers, etc., crowded with people, and believe me we got a royaL welcome. Of course it wasn't meant for the Pennsylvania so much as for the ships that had been in active duty on the other side, but we came "strutting" by the statue of liberty with as many colors flying and our chests "stuck out" as big as the rest of them, and of course got as big a hand, in fact the Mayflower saluted us. Admiral Mayo was on board you know, so we really rated more than the rest of them.
We came on down the Hudson and anchored off 79th street, and this afternoon everyone of the ships sent 80 per cent of their crew ashore for the parade. I never saw a bigger thing in my life. We marched down Fifth avenue and then back on Broadway, eight miles in all, and some welcome believe me. People cheered as we went by and threw cigarettes, candy, etc. Got back to the ship at 5:30 and found a letter written on the 23rd from Bill Baugh. He is spending a seven day leave with Dudley Hutchins and Lee Culpepper. Sent me their address and said for me to come out as soon as possible. I don't get shore leave until Saturday, so will look them up then.
Received 19 letters this morning, among them one from Jess, written on November 30, and I sure enjoyed reading them after being without news from home so long. Sure missed your good letters, mama, while enroute. Also got the bunch of Log Cabin Democrats that you were thoughtful enough to save and send me, which I also enjoyed very much. I see that lots of the boys are coming home with discharges. Wish I could be that lucky, but "every dog has his day" and my time will come some day. Lots of love to you all.
Your son,
"Doug."
U.S.S. Pennsylvania. Thursday night, December 26, 1918.
NOTES: Douglas Legg was writing to his mother Mrs. J. N. Legg. He was born on May 5, 1896 in Camden, Arkansas and died on June 14, 1956 in Dallas, Texas. He is buried in the Sparkman Hillcrest Memorial Park in Dallas. His military headstone identifies him as a Arkansas LDS US Navy serving during World War I. He enlisted on December 10, 1917 and was discharged on February 6, 1919. He was listed as an Electrician USN.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD