TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT SEPTEMBER 27, 1918 P. 10
Well, I feel better satisfied, now that we are across. Have some hopes now of getting near the front some of these days. I have written a couple of times before but had my letters turned back on account of not being written right. But I believe I know how to do it now.
We sure did have a fine trip across the water. It was calm all the way over and there was not the least bit of excitement. Had good food, too, so it was O.K.
This is a very pretty country, especially the farm land. One thing that seems strange to me is the way the farms are laid out. All little parcels of land divided by hedges instead of fences. It is very pretty. And everybody who is able works. It is a common sight to see women, old and young, in the fields hoeing or following the plow. The houses are built of a sort of white stone. As yet I have not seen a single residence that was built of wood. Everything is kept very clean. The people certainly are thrifty.
The French people are very much behind us in some things. In fact, some of their customs are very crude, but they seem to get along just as well as we do. The people are very courteous. Of course we are not able to converse with them, as we are unable to speak their language, but we manage to make them understand, and there does not appear to be anything too good for us. We might as well be in China so far as talking with them is concerned.
Money goes further over here than in the United States. Things seem to be cheaper as a rule. Of course, some things are much higher, too. That is to be expected.
We are in very comfortable quarters at present. How long we will be here I cannot say, but I can say that there is not one of us who is not eager to get within striking distances of the kaiser’s forces, and we are in one sentence repeating, “Let it be soon.” The Germans sure appear to be on the run. It looks very promising for an early victory from all reports, still we cannot tell. Every time a bunch of Sammies get together and have nothing else to do they talk about what they would like to do when they get to Berlin.
I heard one fellow say he would like to engage in a game of croquet or tennis on the kaiser’s front lawn, another one only wanted an opportunity to kick the kaiser’s dog in the “slats,” another to play “The Star-Spangled Banner” on his highness’ piano, and many other wishes. Well, I was never very strong for that good old game known as “shooting craps,” but I sure do believe I could find a lot of enjoyment in “rolling de bones” over the Axminster rug in the kaiser’s parlor.
You will probably remember when I was at home I didn’t pay very much attention to the Y.M.C.A. The fact of the matter is that for some reason which I am now free to confess I cannot understand, the organization did not interest me. But now that I am in the army and in a position to know something of its wonderful work, I feel like taking off my hat every time I see a man who is officially connected with it. I want to tell you that its workers sure are among Gods noblemen, and they are accomplishing a world of good. I cannot now conceive of this aggressive, progressive American army without the Y.M.C.A.
About the most inconvenient thing we will have to contend with will be the irregularity of hearing from home. All other things do not make much difference. As far as personal comforts go, we expect to miss them, but we are confident that in the end we will feel that we have been well repaid for any sacrifices we have made or hardships we have suffered. That is the feeling of every American soldier with whom I have conversed, and it is the feeling that is sure to win. I might say, however, that so far everything has been lovely.
NOTES: This partial letter was written by Stephen Terry McDermott to his parents Mr. and Mrs. J. M. McDermott of Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born on January 27, 1897 in Chicago, Illinois and died on October 22, 1954 in Little Rock. He is buried in the Roselawn Memorial Park in Little Rock. He served in the 353 Aero Squad.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Well, I feel better satisfied, now that we are across. Have some hopes now of getting near the front some of these days. I have written a couple of times before but had my letters turned back on account of not being written right. But I believe I know how to do it now.
We sure did have a fine trip across the water. It was calm all the way over and there was not the least bit of excitement. Had good food, too, so it was O.K.
This is a very pretty country, especially the farm land. One thing that seems strange to me is the way the farms are laid out. All little parcels of land divided by hedges instead of fences. It is very pretty. And everybody who is able works. It is a common sight to see women, old and young, in the fields hoeing or following the plow. The houses are built of a sort of white stone. As yet I have not seen a single residence that was built of wood. Everything is kept very clean. The people certainly are thrifty.
The French people are very much behind us in some things. In fact, some of their customs are very crude, but they seem to get along just as well as we do. The people are very courteous. Of course we are not able to converse with them, as we are unable to speak their language, but we manage to make them understand, and there does not appear to be anything too good for us. We might as well be in China so far as talking with them is concerned.
Money goes further over here than in the United States. Things seem to be cheaper as a rule. Of course, some things are much higher, too. That is to be expected.
We are in very comfortable quarters at present. How long we will be here I cannot say, but I can say that there is not one of us who is not eager to get within striking distances of the kaiser’s forces, and we are in one sentence repeating, “Let it be soon.” The Germans sure appear to be on the run. It looks very promising for an early victory from all reports, still we cannot tell. Every time a bunch of Sammies get together and have nothing else to do they talk about what they would like to do when they get to Berlin.
I heard one fellow say he would like to engage in a game of croquet or tennis on the kaiser’s front lawn, another one only wanted an opportunity to kick the kaiser’s dog in the “slats,” another to play “The Star-Spangled Banner” on his highness’ piano, and many other wishes. Well, I was never very strong for that good old game known as “shooting craps,” but I sure do believe I could find a lot of enjoyment in “rolling de bones” over the Axminster rug in the kaiser’s parlor.
You will probably remember when I was at home I didn’t pay very much attention to the Y.M.C.A. The fact of the matter is that for some reason which I am now free to confess I cannot understand, the organization did not interest me. But now that I am in the army and in a position to know something of its wonderful work, I feel like taking off my hat every time I see a man who is officially connected with it. I want to tell you that its workers sure are among Gods noblemen, and they are accomplishing a world of good. I cannot now conceive of this aggressive, progressive American army without the Y.M.C.A.
About the most inconvenient thing we will have to contend with will be the irregularity of hearing from home. All other things do not make much difference. As far as personal comforts go, we expect to miss them, but we are confident that in the end we will feel that we have been well repaid for any sacrifices we have made or hardships we have suffered. That is the feeling of every American soldier with whom I have conversed, and it is the feeling that is sure to win. I might say, however, that so far everything has been lovely.
NOTES: This partial letter was written by Stephen Terry McDermott to his parents Mr. and Mrs. J. M. McDermott of Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born on January 27, 1897 in Chicago, Illinois and died on October 22, 1954 in Little Rock. He is buried in the Roselawn Memorial Park in Little Rock. He served in the 353 Aero Squad.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT