TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ASHLEY COUNTY EAGLE JANUARY 17, 1918 P. 1
Editor Eagle:
Through your kindness may I write to the folks at home. I suppose it's snowing most every where now, about 8 inches here and still falling. Rather hard on soldiers, especially those on guard, for they have to walk their post as tho they were down in sunny California--you will at all times find us there. Now here is what I am longing to say: to-day our Captain came in and asked who wanted to go to "France." and I was the first one to get my name on the list, ha, ha, pretty soon I'll be over there and have a chance to do my bit for "My Flag and Country." I am just tickled to know that soon I'll get to go. We are ready at a minute's notice.
Now I've suffered from many diseases this winter. Oct. 28th I was sent to the Base Hospital and returned Dec. 11th to find my Company gone. I had measles, pneumonia, mumps and scarlet fever, and since then my feet and hands have been frozen in discharge of duty--how I've suffered of course the story would be endless. Now I feel O. K., except my feet, and maybe they will soon be O.K.
Come on Boys, let's go, for soon or late we will get you any way; so come now, be early, don't be late; for when the Kaiser has Diffed his Sombrero to the Red, White and Blue, it's then, Dear Comrades, you may return to the ones that are so true, and think we boys who do our bit can always look the world in the face and claim this country as our own.
After you are here a while you will then like it fine, and it's teachings will make you proud you are a soldier.
Now may I thank the Editor for his kindness: he is sure a friend to the soldiers. When our address changes we write him and he sends a back number of the Eagle, and by that means we never miss a copy; and I am sure it's some job to keep his mailing record complete.
So we thank you, Mr. Editor. I'll be in France in less than thirty days. Remember me as one of your soldiers who will soon be over there.
Yours sincerely,
J. Lindsey McDuffie,
U.S.N.A.
NOTES: John Lindsey McDuffie was born on April 10, 1993 in Hamburg, Arkansas and died on June 15, 1950. He is buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, Alabama.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Editor Eagle:
Through your kindness may I write to the folks at home. I suppose it's snowing most every where now, about 8 inches here and still falling. Rather hard on soldiers, especially those on guard, for they have to walk their post as tho they were down in sunny California--you will at all times find us there. Now here is what I am longing to say: to-day our Captain came in and asked who wanted to go to "France." and I was the first one to get my name on the list, ha, ha, pretty soon I'll be over there and have a chance to do my bit for "My Flag and Country." I am just tickled to know that soon I'll get to go. We are ready at a minute's notice.
Now I've suffered from many diseases this winter. Oct. 28th I was sent to the Base Hospital and returned Dec. 11th to find my Company gone. I had measles, pneumonia, mumps and scarlet fever, and since then my feet and hands have been frozen in discharge of duty--how I've suffered of course the story would be endless. Now I feel O. K., except my feet, and maybe they will soon be O.K.
Come on Boys, let's go, for soon or late we will get you any way; so come now, be early, don't be late; for when the Kaiser has Diffed his Sombrero to the Red, White and Blue, it's then, Dear Comrades, you may return to the ones that are so true, and think we boys who do our bit can always look the world in the face and claim this country as our own.
After you are here a while you will then like it fine, and it's teachings will make you proud you are a soldier.
Now may I thank the Editor for his kindness: he is sure a friend to the soldiers. When our address changes we write him and he sends a back number of the Eagle, and by that means we never miss a copy; and I am sure it's some job to keep his mailing record complete.
So we thank you, Mr. Editor. I'll be in France in less than thirty days. Remember me as one of your soldiers who will soon be over there.
Yours sincerely,
J. Lindsey McDuffie,
U.S.N.A.
NOTES: John Lindsey McDuffie was born on April 10, 1993 in Hamburg, Arkansas and died on June 15, 1950. He is buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, Alabama.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD