TRANSCRIBED FROM THE POCAHONTAS STAR HERALD OCTOBER 4, 1918 P. 3
Somewhere in France
Dear Home Folks:
I wrote you a week ago, but will write again as I promised to write often. I am moved around so much that I do not get my mail regular but as I am now in the hospital will probably get it oftener.
I will tell you how I was hurt. We started over the top about 4 o’clock. We had to cross a meadow about a mile long, and as we were half way across, the Boches started to shelling us, so we dropped to our knees and crawled across, then “dug in.” Dug in means, to dig a hole just large enough to get your body below the surface of the ground. We rested an hour, then started on toward a strip of woods. Just as I was within 30 yards of it three shells hit in forty feet of me on my right, and the force from the explosion knocked me down. I got up and started to run for the woods, when I heard more shells coming. I dropped in a hole, just large enough for me to get in, when another shell struck right beside me, blowing me out. I did not know anything for a few minutes, but as soon as I could, I got into the woods and found a German dug out. I dressed my wounds with my first aid package, and in about an hour started for the dressing station. From there I was taken in an ambulance to the field hospital, where my wounds were redressed. I was then sent to another hospital for an operation, but without success. Was then sent to this hospital, and I am getting along as good as can be expected, and receiving the best of care and attention.
My wounds were sewed up three different times. I sure will be glad when I can get up again.
Hoping this will find you all well, as it is leaving me improving every day. And give my love and best wishes to everyone. I remain, as ever.
Your son,
Pvt. Toney F. Mattingly.
Base Hopst. 6, A. P. O. 705 A.E.F.
NOTES: Antonius Felix Mattingly was born in Perry County, Missouri on May 29, 1895 and died in Randolph County, Arkansas on July 8, 1923. He is buried in the Saint John Cemetery in Randolph County. He departed for France from New York on May 11, 1918 onboard the Themistocles. He was a Pvt. serving in Co. K of the 58th Infantry. He returned from Brest, France, leaving on July 24, 1919 and arriving in Hoboken, NJ on August 1, 1919. He traveled on the Mount Vernon.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS
Somewhere in France
Dear Home Folks:
I wrote you a week ago, but will write again as I promised to write often. I am moved around so much that I do not get my mail regular but as I am now in the hospital will probably get it oftener.
I will tell you how I was hurt. We started over the top about 4 o’clock. We had to cross a meadow about a mile long, and as we were half way across, the Boches started to shelling us, so we dropped to our knees and crawled across, then “dug in.” Dug in means, to dig a hole just large enough to get your body below the surface of the ground. We rested an hour, then started on toward a strip of woods. Just as I was within 30 yards of it three shells hit in forty feet of me on my right, and the force from the explosion knocked me down. I got up and started to run for the woods, when I heard more shells coming. I dropped in a hole, just large enough for me to get in, when another shell struck right beside me, blowing me out. I did not know anything for a few minutes, but as soon as I could, I got into the woods and found a German dug out. I dressed my wounds with my first aid package, and in about an hour started for the dressing station. From there I was taken in an ambulance to the field hospital, where my wounds were redressed. I was then sent to another hospital for an operation, but without success. Was then sent to this hospital, and I am getting along as good as can be expected, and receiving the best of care and attention.
My wounds were sewed up three different times. I sure will be glad when I can get up again.
Hoping this will find you all well, as it is leaving me improving every day. And give my love and best wishes to everyone. I remain, as ever.
Your son,
Pvt. Toney F. Mattingly.
Base Hopst. 6, A. P. O. 705 A.E.F.
NOTES: Antonius Felix Mattingly was born in Perry County, Missouri on May 29, 1895 and died in Randolph County, Arkansas on July 8, 1923. He is buried in the Saint John Cemetery in Randolph County. He departed for France from New York on May 11, 1918 onboard the Themistocles. He was a Pvt. serving in Co. K of the 58th Infantry. He returned from Brest, France, leaving on July 24, 1919 and arriving in Hoboken, NJ on August 1, 1919. He traveled on the Mount Vernon.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS