TRANSCRIBED FROM THE HOT SPRINGS NEW ERA OCTOBER 26, 1918 P. 3
Somewhere in France,
Sept. 16, 1918.
Mr. Edward S. Lockett Sr.
Hot Springs, Ark., U.S.A.
My Dear Dad:
Received your very welcome letter day before yesterday which was dated August 10th. You can very really appreciate the distance which separates us when you take into consideration the fact that it takes over a month for letters to come over. I am feeling fine and like it over here especially am pleased with my work. The anti-aircraft branch of the service is most interesting even more so than the coast artillery proper where I was formerly. I am waiting most impatiently for the time to come for my battery to leave for the front which will be very shortly. Every American that I have met who has been at the front is always anxious to get back so there must be something fascinating about the work up there. I had the privilege of a pass last week and went to Paris and I have never in my life had a more interesting experience. Had no difficulty whatever in getting over that city as seemingly there was on every block a Y. M. C. A., but we did manage to get lost several times and then we would “flag” a taxi which, by the way, is almost cheaper than walking, and then with our hands and facial expressions, we would make him understand that we wanted to go to the L’Opera which is the starting point for everything in Paris: then we would start out again. The one thing that attracted my attention was that the cafes were so often right on the street. As you know, everyone over here drinks wine and when the notion strikes you you merely stop at the first one you come to and “order up.” I’ve already learned the French custom of drinking, such as when you order a bottle of “Vin Blane” which is white wine or “Vin Rouge” which is red wine, it is customary to spend at least an hour watching the crowds go by. There is absolutely no hurrying here as in the States. I have never before realized that this world contained so many different kinds of soldiers. Why, in Paris, you see Americans, French, British, Australians, Canadians, and all the Colonials, White, Black, Yellow, and Brown in color, each with a different uniform, and it seems to strange to see black soldiers who cannot speak English. They are from different portions of Africa. Last Sunday I visited the oldest cathedral in France and I have never seen such a wonderful piece of architecture. Also saw the “Tombs” in which are buried all of the Royalty of France since history began. It was well worth the
APPROXIMATELY 15 LINES ARE MISSING DUE TO A TEAR
Dad, I get a trifle lonesome for home but I wouldn’t under any circumstances come back until its all over and we whip them into submission and believe me WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT. The French are very enthusiastic over the American army and our progress for it seems as if we are fighting on the most difficult part of the line, and have regained territory that has been held by the Germans for four years.
In Paris it is a common sight to see an American and French soldier walking arm in arm and neither understanding what the other is saying. The khaki and the horizon blue of the French are Brothers, in arms and in feeling, too.
Dad, write often, for your letters are most eagerly welcomed by your “boy.” With a world of love I am
Your Devoted Son,
Edward S. Lockett, Jr.
First Sergeant Battery D, 3rd
A.A. Btln. A.E.F.
NOTES: Edward S. Lockett, Jr. was born in Texas on June 9, 1892 and died on March 21, 1924 in Fort Worth, Texas. He is buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in Fort Worth.
TRANSCRIBED BY ISAAC WOLTER
Somewhere in France,
Sept. 16, 1918.
Mr. Edward S. Lockett Sr.
Hot Springs, Ark., U.S.A.
My Dear Dad:
Received your very welcome letter day before yesterday which was dated August 10th. You can very really appreciate the distance which separates us when you take into consideration the fact that it takes over a month for letters to come over. I am feeling fine and like it over here especially am pleased with my work. The anti-aircraft branch of the service is most interesting even more so than the coast artillery proper where I was formerly. I am waiting most impatiently for the time to come for my battery to leave for the front which will be very shortly. Every American that I have met who has been at the front is always anxious to get back so there must be something fascinating about the work up there. I had the privilege of a pass last week and went to Paris and I have never in my life had a more interesting experience. Had no difficulty whatever in getting over that city as seemingly there was on every block a Y. M. C. A., but we did manage to get lost several times and then we would “flag” a taxi which, by the way, is almost cheaper than walking, and then with our hands and facial expressions, we would make him understand that we wanted to go to the L’Opera which is the starting point for everything in Paris: then we would start out again. The one thing that attracted my attention was that the cafes were so often right on the street. As you know, everyone over here drinks wine and when the notion strikes you you merely stop at the first one you come to and “order up.” I’ve already learned the French custom of drinking, such as when you order a bottle of “Vin Blane” which is white wine or “Vin Rouge” which is red wine, it is customary to spend at least an hour watching the crowds go by. There is absolutely no hurrying here as in the States. I have never before realized that this world contained so many different kinds of soldiers. Why, in Paris, you see Americans, French, British, Australians, Canadians, and all the Colonials, White, Black, Yellow, and Brown in color, each with a different uniform, and it seems to strange to see black soldiers who cannot speak English. They are from different portions of Africa. Last Sunday I visited the oldest cathedral in France and I have never seen such a wonderful piece of architecture. Also saw the “Tombs” in which are buried all of the Royalty of France since history began. It was well worth the
APPROXIMATELY 15 LINES ARE MISSING DUE TO A TEAR
Dad, I get a trifle lonesome for home but I wouldn’t under any circumstances come back until its all over and we whip them into submission and believe me WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT. The French are very enthusiastic over the American army and our progress for it seems as if we are fighting on the most difficult part of the line, and have regained territory that has been held by the Germans for four years.
In Paris it is a common sight to see an American and French soldier walking arm in arm and neither understanding what the other is saying. The khaki and the horizon blue of the French are Brothers, in arms and in feeling, too.
Dad, write often, for your letters are most eagerly welcomed by your “boy.” With a world of love I am
Your Devoted Son,
Edward S. Lockett, Jr.
First Sergeant Battery D, 3rd
A.A. Btln. A.E.F.
NOTES: Edward S. Lockett, Jr. was born in Texas on June 9, 1892 and died on March 21, 1924 in Fort Worth, Texas. He is buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in Fort Worth.
TRANSCRIBED BY ISAAC WOLTER