TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT SEPTEMBER 12, 1918 P. 6
Am on duty today, but can find a few minutes once in a while to write you. I have seen some peculiar things since I landed, and if we only had the pleasure of getting out and going it would be great. The French people where we are stationed are learning English fast, but they can’t carry on a conversation yet. The little boys that hang around our camp are better at talking our language than any of the rest.
The poor people here keep their stock in the lower part of their houses and sleep upstairs. You can see by that they are not as far advanced as our people.
There are no young men left here, only those who have been wounded and brought back unfit for further duty. Was talking to a young American soldier that has been over here for several months and he said that they did not think the war would last much longer.
I always heard so much about the pretty French girls, but I haven’t seen but two or three of them since I have been here.
I am well and happy and hope all of you are the same.
NOTES: Ralston Robert McNutt was writing to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dock McNutt of Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born on July 31, 1899 in Arkadelphia, Arkansas and died on May 29, 1967 in Missouri. He is buried in the Resurrection Cemetery in Affton, Missouri. He departed Newport News, Va. on August 6, 1918 onboard the Huron. He was serving as a Private in Hdqs. Company. He departed Brest, France on May 7, 1919 onboard the Noordam. He was serving as a Private in Co. L 126th Infantry 32nd Division.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Am on duty today, but can find a few minutes once in a while to write you. I have seen some peculiar things since I landed, and if we only had the pleasure of getting out and going it would be great. The French people where we are stationed are learning English fast, but they can’t carry on a conversation yet. The little boys that hang around our camp are better at talking our language than any of the rest.
The poor people here keep their stock in the lower part of their houses and sleep upstairs. You can see by that they are not as far advanced as our people.
There are no young men left here, only those who have been wounded and brought back unfit for further duty. Was talking to a young American soldier that has been over here for several months and he said that they did not think the war would last much longer.
I always heard so much about the pretty French girls, but I haven’t seen but two or three of them since I have been here.
I am well and happy and hope all of you are the same.
NOTES: Ralston Robert McNutt was writing to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dock McNutt of Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born on July 31, 1899 in Arkadelphia, Arkansas and died on May 29, 1967 in Missouri. He is buried in the Resurrection Cemetery in Affton, Missouri. He departed Newport News, Va. on August 6, 1918 onboard the Huron. He was serving as a Private in Hdqs. Company. He departed Brest, France on May 7, 1919 onboard the Noordam. He was serving as a Private in Co. L 126th Infantry 32nd Division.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT