TRANSCRIBED FROM THE COLUMBIA BANNER SEPTEMBER 25, 1918 P. 1
Queincy, France.
Sept. 5, 1918.
My Dear Mamma and Family:
Will try and write you a few lines to night while every thing is quiet. I have the office to myself. The people around here say it has not rained here in eighteen months, so I think it must have turned loose all its reserves this afternoon because it sure did some raining—hardest rain I ever saw. The change of climate has made some of the men sick but I have not been sick a minute not even on the ship where nearly every one was sea sick. Our Batallion (4 companies) is off in a little town by our selves and we have an old store building for an office for Headquarters. It is made of stone and will sure be warm in the winter time. Our mail is brought to us and carried to the office by auto, and I do not have much to do except that I am helping them with the work here in Headquarters. We have two men here in the office who can speak French, so we do not have any trouble along that line.
Joe Davis, Hugh Longino, Clarence Crumpler and all the boys are around close by but I do not see them very often on account of the limited means of transportation. We haven’t any horses or any thing yet. But suppose we will get some soon. I am much better satisfied here than I was in Beauregard. Am sleeping here in the office and have a pretty good place.
Well I will have to close for the present. I am living in hopes of receiving a letter some of these days. We have not received any mail at all yet.
Lovingly your son,
James E. Martel.
NOTES: James Elmer Martel was on born September 11, 1898 and died on November 14, 1961. He is buried in the Magnolia Memorial Park, Magnolia, Columbia County, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as an ARKANSAS SGT. HQ TRP 8 ARMY CORPS WORLD WAR I. He enlisted on May 19, 1917 and was discharged on June 20, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Queincy, France.
Sept. 5, 1918.
My Dear Mamma and Family:
Will try and write you a few lines to night while every thing is quiet. I have the office to myself. The people around here say it has not rained here in eighteen months, so I think it must have turned loose all its reserves this afternoon because it sure did some raining—hardest rain I ever saw. The change of climate has made some of the men sick but I have not been sick a minute not even on the ship where nearly every one was sea sick. Our Batallion (4 companies) is off in a little town by our selves and we have an old store building for an office for Headquarters. It is made of stone and will sure be warm in the winter time. Our mail is brought to us and carried to the office by auto, and I do not have much to do except that I am helping them with the work here in Headquarters. We have two men here in the office who can speak French, so we do not have any trouble along that line.
Joe Davis, Hugh Longino, Clarence Crumpler and all the boys are around close by but I do not see them very often on account of the limited means of transportation. We haven’t any horses or any thing yet. But suppose we will get some soon. I am much better satisfied here than I was in Beauregard. Am sleeping here in the office and have a pretty good place.
Well I will have to close for the present. I am living in hopes of receiving a letter some of these days. We have not received any mail at all yet.
Lovingly your son,
James E. Martel.
NOTES: James Elmer Martel was on born September 11, 1898 and died on November 14, 1961. He is buried in the Magnolia Memorial Park, Magnolia, Columbia County, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as an ARKANSAS SGT. HQ TRP 8 ARMY CORPS WORLD WAR I. He enlisted on May 19, 1917 and was discharged on June 20, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT