TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SPECTATOR SEPTEMBER 10, 1918 P. 4
My Dear Mother
I will write again, I wrote about ten days ago and instead of mailing (as I thought I did) I put it back into my stationary, I was looking “thru” my letters today and found my mistake. So hope you will pardon me this time. and I will try and be prompt here after. I hope you are enjoying life, and good health. What are you doing? I suppose you are preparing pickles, and eats for winter. I suppose all the children are going to school, are they not? I guess the weather is awful warm there now. Has there been any rain since your last letter? Hope the cotton crop will be good any way. To a different subject. They are doing some real fighting over across just now. Everything indicates the Allies has the logical advantage, with a good prospect of disabling the “Hindenburg” line. I only wish it was Spring with the Allies in their respective advantage. There’s not much to do in the navy, in regard to larger vessels only wait and watch for some quarry to fight. Of course the submarines furnish a danger and a chance for action of smaller craft with better speed.
Probably before the war is over we will get a chance to fight. I notice they have passed the new draft law from the age 18 to 45. That will comprise nearly every able-bodied person fit for strenuous service. It’s bad but better get over at once than taking the man power gradually. Our great main efforts is to turn the balance in man power.
Has Bro. Bill got his call yet?
I can’t think of much to write, so I will close. Ans, real soon.
Lovingly your son
Oral H. McIlroy.
NOTES: Oral Harry McIlroy was born in Cass, Arkansas on January 1, 1899. He died on September 14, 1970. He is buried in the Oakland Cemetery in Russellville, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY ADIN TYGART
My Dear Mother
I will write again, I wrote about ten days ago and instead of mailing (as I thought I did) I put it back into my stationary, I was looking “thru” my letters today and found my mistake. So hope you will pardon me this time. and I will try and be prompt here after. I hope you are enjoying life, and good health. What are you doing? I suppose you are preparing pickles, and eats for winter. I suppose all the children are going to school, are they not? I guess the weather is awful warm there now. Has there been any rain since your last letter? Hope the cotton crop will be good any way. To a different subject. They are doing some real fighting over across just now. Everything indicates the Allies has the logical advantage, with a good prospect of disabling the “Hindenburg” line. I only wish it was Spring with the Allies in their respective advantage. There’s not much to do in the navy, in regard to larger vessels only wait and watch for some quarry to fight. Of course the submarines furnish a danger and a chance for action of smaller craft with better speed.
Probably before the war is over we will get a chance to fight. I notice they have passed the new draft law from the age 18 to 45. That will comprise nearly every able-bodied person fit for strenuous service. It’s bad but better get over at once than taking the man power gradually. Our great main efforts is to turn the balance in man power.
Has Bro. Bill got his call yet?
I can’t think of much to write, so I will close. Ans, real soon.
Lovingly your son
Oral H. McIlroy.
NOTES: Oral Harry McIlroy was born in Cass, Arkansas on January 1, 1899. He died on September 14, 1970. He is buried in the Oakland Cemetery in Russellville, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY ADIN TYGART