TRANSCRIBED FROM THE NEWARK JOURNAL MARCH 6, 1919 P. 8
Dear father:
Will drop you a few lines to day. I am well and getting along fine. Still working every night. Some nights I don't have to go out at all and some nights I work till 2 to 4 a.m. but think most of the rush is about over. I was assigned to the 33rd Division but they left us out. They went to Brest. Got quarantined and stayed there. They lost 200 out of 1200 from the flu. They lost 50 out of the company I was in. I knew most of the boys that were in the company. I was with them about six weeks. Most of them were from New York. I haven't seen but two soldiers that I knew at home. They were Edgar Stewart and Little Watson. Saw Stewart Nov. 16 and Watson Nov. 11. There have not been many whites coming thru here, but lots of negroes. The 30th Division is billed out next week. Guess we may go back with the 37th Division, but we can't tell anything about it. Don't think we will leave here anyway before next month.
We have had an introduction to French body lice or cooties. They sure do travel around when they get on a fellow.
I went through the mill Friday. Got new clothes out and out; long pants too, they sure look funny to us. Will be glad when I get back in the States and get back in civilian life.
Sure is tough around here. Lots to drink--Apple Brandy, wine, etc. Brandy about $3.00 a quart. I haven't drank much since I have been over here.
Sure is some cold today. Three months today since we landed over here and I haven't had my rifle in my hand since New Year's day. Don't guess I will get home in time to start a crop, but guess I will get there in time to lay one by.
How is everybody getting along? Guess they are having a good time. When all the boys get home I think they will know how to enjoy life. We hear lots every day but don't know much, and I don't believe everything I hear, at all. Of course we didn't get to the front, but we didn't sign up for labor. They drafted us to fight, but I have worked day and night since I have been here.
They have been looking for 40 days trying to locate our mail, but I don't think they are looking at the right place. I think the mail never has been put on the boat.
Will close, love to all.
Your boy,
OLIVER MAXWELL.
NOTES: Oliver W. Maxwell was born in Sulphur Rock, Arkansas on December 16, 1887 and died on August 22, 1961. He is buried in the Sulphur Rock Cemetery in Sulphur Rock, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Pvt. serving in Co. G, 144th Infantry, US Army during World War I. He enlisted on August 27, 1918 and was discharged on June 18, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Dear father:
Will drop you a few lines to day. I am well and getting along fine. Still working every night. Some nights I don't have to go out at all and some nights I work till 2 to 4 a.m. but think most of the rush is about over. I was assigned to the 33rd Division but they left us out. They went to Brest. Got quarantined and stayed there. They lost 200 out of 1200 from the flu. They lost 50 out of the company I was in. I knew most of the boys that were in the company. I was with them about six weeks. Most of them were from New York. I haven't seen but two soldiers that I knew at home. They were Edgar Stewart and Little Watson. Saw Stewart Nov. 16 and Watson Nov. 11. There have not been many whites coming thru here, but lots of negroes. The 30th Division is billed out next week. Guess we may go back with the 37th Division, but we can't tell anything about it. Don't think we will leave here anyway before next month.
We have had an introduction to French body lice or cooties. They sure do travel around when they get on a fellow.
I went through the mill Friday. Got new clothes out and out; long pants too, they sure look funny to us. Will be glad when I get back in the States and get back in civilian life.
Sure is tough around here. Lots to drink--Apple Brandy, wine, etc. Brandy about $3.00 a quart. I haven't drank much since I have been over here.
Sure is some cold today. Three months today since we landed over here and I haven't had my rifle in my hand since New Year's day. Don't guess I will get home in time to start a crop, but guess I will get there in time to lay one by.
How is everybody getting along? Guess they are having a good time. When all the boys get home I think they will know how to enjoy life. We hear lots every day but don't know much, and I don't believe everything I hear, at all. Of course we didn't get to the front, but we didn't sign up for labor. They drafted us to fight, but I have worked day and night since I have been here.
They have been looking for 40 days trying to locate our mail, but I don't think they are looking at the right place. I think the mail never has been put on the boat.
Will close, love to all.
Your boy,
OLIVER MAXWELL.
NOTES: Oliver W. Maxwell was born in Sulphur Rock, Arkansas on December 16, 1887 and died on August 22, 1961. He is buried in the Sulphur Rock Cemetery in Sulphur Rock, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Pvt. serving in Co. G, 144th Infantry, US Army during World War I. He enlisted on August 27, 1918 and was discharged on June 18, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD