TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ROGERS DEMOCRAT AUGUST 29, 1918 P. 1
Camp Shelby, Miss.
Dear Aunt and Uncle:
Will try and grasp this passing moment and write you a few lines.
How is everybody in good old Arkansas in this hot weather? I am getting along fine, but it is so hot that we can hardly live here. I know you thing it’s hot in Arkansas, and it is, but nothing compared to here.
I will give you a little history of our camp here. I have never seen the outside of it yet. Have been several miles each way. There are about 70,000 soldiers here now. There was 1000 brought in from Arkansas last week, but I haven’t got to see any of them yet. I did not get to stay with any of the boys who came when I did, as most of them went into the infantry. Out of the 250 men I was the only one who got to come to Headquarters Company. They told me I was very fortunate getting in where I did. The only arms I have is a pistol. The headquarters men are all mechanical flag men. I think some times I am on the firing line from the battles they have here. It sure does make a fellow’s blood run cold to hear the firing of these big guns. They make the very earth tremble under your feet. I don’t think we will be here long as are getting ready for a move somewhere. Don’t know where, but have a pretty good idea.
I wish you could take a peep at our camp here; it’s just like a large city and looks like there were enough men here to whip Germany alone and we feel like trying.
Give my best regards to all inquiring friends, and remember me with the good old Democrat.
ERNEST MASSIE
NOTES: This letter was written by Ernest Leroy Massie. He was born in Nebraska on September 23, 1891 and died on January 9, 1981 in Sterling Heights, Michigan. He enlisted on July 16, 1918 and was discharged on January 17, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD
Camp Shelby, Miss.
Dear Aunt and Uncle:
Will try and grasp this passing moment and write you a few lines.
How is everybody in good old Arkansas in this hot weather? I am getting along fine, but it is so hot that we can hardly live here. I know you thing it’s hot in Arkansas, and it is, but nothing compared to here.
I will give you a little history of our camp here. I have never seen the outside of it yet. Have been several miles each way. There are about 70,000 soldiers here now. There was 1000 brought in from Arkansas last week, but I haven’t got to see any of them yet. I did not get to stay with any of the boys who came when I did, as most of them went into the infantry. Out of the 250 men I was the only one who got to come to Headquarters Company. They told me I was very fortunate getting in where I did. The only arms I have is a pistol. The headquarters men are all mechanical flag men. I think some times I am on the firing line from the battles they have here. It sure does make a fellow’s blood run cold to hear the firing of these big guns. They make the very earth tremble under your feet. I don’t think we will be here long as are getting ready for a move somewhere. Don’t know where, but have a pretty good idea.
I wish you could take a peep at our camp here; it’s just like a large city and looks like there were enough men here to whip Germany alone and we feel like trying.
Give my best regards to all inquiring friends, and remember me with the good old Democrat.
ERNEST MASSIE
NOTES: This letter was written by Ernest Leroy Massie. He was born in Nebraska on September 23, 1891 and died on January 9, 1981 in Sterling Heights, Michigan. He enlisted on July 16, 1918 and was discharged on January 17, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD