TRANSCRIBED FROM THE HOME NEWS OCTOBER 12, 1917 P. 2
HEADQUARTERS
Company “A” 154th. Inf. 39th. Div. U.S.N.G.
Camp Beauregard, La.
October 7, 1917.
W.W.Raney,
McCrory, Arkansas.
Dear Friend Raney:
I am very sure that you are beginning to think that I have forgotten my promise about writing you, but you are very wrong if that is the case. We have been very busy since our arrival here, getting straightened out in our new camp.
We left Ft. Roots Saturday afternoon Sept. 29th, about 4:15 o’clock and arrived at Camp Beauregard next morning about 9:00 o’clock, our train being handled by the Rock Island, we came via Fordyce and Eldorado. At Fordyce we met with a warm reception, however I must confess that the large crowd that met the train really thought they were meeting the train carrying the Fordyce Company, but that company came through on a later train. Anyway there was a large crowd there and they all seemed to be proud to see us.
We are quartered in tents so you see we have the advantage of getting plenty of good fresh air. The tents are new and have wood floors which of course makes them very comfortable. Ordinarily there are eight men to the tent, a corporal and seven privates.
All the boys are enjoying the best of health and aside of a touch of homesickness, to which we have not become immune, are all happy. Under usual circumstances there are five drill days a week and on Saturday we are allowed to do our laundry. On Sundays we are given the opportunity to attend Sunday School and preaching at our Y.M.C.A.
Our camp, I am told, contains about 64,000 acres, so you see there is plenty of room to accomodate quite a few soldiers. We are seven miles from Alexandria, a city of about 15,000 people. We are becoming accustomed to the place but it can never be compared to Ft. Roots. It is in no wise as nice a place as we enjoyed while at the Fort, but they are doing their best to improve it as much as possible for them to do, under the cir-comstences.
The Home News was passed from man to man as though it were a personal letter to us all. You may be assured that it was a welcomed visitor and every line including advertisements was read by each of us, interested in the affairs of McCrory. Be sure and send us a copy each week and I assure you that it will not lack notice.
Hoping that this may find you and yours enjoying the best of health and happiness, I am,
Your friend,
E.C. “Fats” Marsh.
NOTES: Marsh was the personal secretary to Captain Hutchins. The newspaper editor asked Marsh to send letters about his service. He served in Company A.
TRANSCRIBED BY LARAE SHURLEY
HEADQUARTERS
Company “A” 154th. Inf. 39th. Div. U.S.N.G.
Camp Beauregard, La.
October 7, 1917.
W.W.Raney,
McCrory, Arkansas.
Dear Friend Raney:
I am very sure that you are beginning to think that I have forgotten my promise about writing you, but you are very wrong if that is the case. We have been very busy since our arrival here, getting straightened out in our new camp.
We left Ft. Roots Saturday afternoon Sept. 29th, about 4:15 o’clock and arrived at Camp Beauregard next morning about 9:00 o’clock, our train being handled by the Rock Island, we came via Fordyce and Eldorado. At Fordyce we met with a warm reception, however I must confess that the large crowd that met the train really thought they were meeting the train carrying the Fordyce Company, but that company came through on a later train. Anyway there was a large crowd there and they all seemed to be proud to see us.
We are quartered in tents so you see we have the advantage of getting plenty of good fresh air. The tents are new and have wood floors which of course makes them very comfortable. Ordinarily there are eight men to the tent, a corporal and seven privates.
All the boys are enjoying the best of health and aside of a touch of homesickness, to which we have not become immune, are all happy. Under usual circumstances there are five drill days a week and on Saturday we are allowed to do our laundry. On Sundays we are given the opportunity to attend Sunday School and preaching at our Y.M.C.A.
Our camp, I am told, contains about 64,000 acres, so you see there is plenty of room to accomodate quite a few soldiers. We are seven miles from Alexandria, a city of about 15,000 people. We are becoming accustomed to the place but it can never be compared to Ft. Roots. It is in no wise as nice a place as we enjoyed while at the Fort, but they are doing their best to improve it as much as possible for them to do, under the cir-comstences.
The Home News was passed from man to man as though it were a personal letter to us all. You may be assured that it was a welcomed visitor and every line including advertisements was read by each of us, interested in the affairs of McCrory. Be sure and send us a copy each week and I assure you that it will not lack notice.
Hoping that this may find you and yours enjoying the best of health and happiness, I am,
Your friend,
E.C. “Fats” Marsh.
NOTES: Marsh was the personal secretary to Captain Hutchins. The newspaper editor asked Marsh to send letters about his service. He served in Company A.
TRANSCRIBED BY LARAE SHURLEY