TRANSCRIBED FROM THE BENTON COURIER OCTOBER 3, 1918 P. 2
Dear Mother:
At last I am using my war address. We are now tenting in the old country. I do not yet know if I if I shall be able to get to my old company, for I do not even know where it is, but am still hoping. I like the chief officers of this company, and it is not like Captain Jones and the old regulars. We are doing detail work now, and it doesn’t seem like old systematic army life.
We are living in the open now and I like it fine, as it reminds me of old Camp Pike, though it is new to most of the men. There is a negro battery near us so that keep us in amusement. There are bands playing old familiar music such as “Swanee River” and “Dixie.”
The days are short and warm as long as the sun shines, the nights are long and real cool, but not cold, about like our October weather. The scenery here is beautiful. We are on the very farm fields which are fertile. The fences are stone walls, but so old that decayed humus matter make them appear as soil. They contain only an acre or so of land.
I have seen few French soldiers as yet. The average size of the French are smaller than native Americans.
The children gave us a hearty welcome and are always chattering to us, but of course I can understand little they say, as I am unfamiliar with the dilect of this section. I am feeling fine have a good appetite and we have good eating, though I miss the fruits I am accustomed to, but we have plenty of good wholesome food. I miss our daily paper to read and suspect it to be some time before I get any news from home. We have papers here though printed in English, and get the gist of the news.
Take care of yourself and don’t worry about me for I am O.K. and learning everyday.
Grover
NOTES: Grover Eugene Medlock, who was writing to his mother Mariah Medlock, was a local teacher serving in France. He was born in Collegeville, Arkansas on July 17, 1887 and died on February 8, 1964. He is buried in the Smith-Rosemont Cemetery in Benton, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Cpl. serving in the US Army during World War I.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON
Dear Mother:
At last I am using my war address. We are now tenting in the old country. I do not yet know if I if I shall be able to get to my old company, for I do not even know where it is, but am still hoping. I like the chief officers of this company, and it is not like Captain Jones and the old regulars. We are doing detail work now, and it doesn’t seem like old systematic army life.
We are living in the open now and I like it fine, as it reminds me of old Camp Pike, though it is new to most of the men. There is a negro battery near us so that keep us in amusement. There are bands playing old familiar music such as “Swanee River” and “Dixie.”
The days are short and warm as long as the sun shines, the nights are long and real cool, but not cold, about like our October weather. The scenery here is beautiful. We are on the very farm fields which are fertile. The fences are stone walls, but so old that decayed humus matter make them appear as soil. They contain only an acre or so of land.
I have seen few French soldiers as yet. The average size of the French are smaller than native Americans.
The children gave us a hearty welcome and are always chattering to us, but of course I can understand little they say, as I am unfamiliar with the dilect of this section. I am feeling fine have a good appetite and we have good eating, though I miss the fruits I am accustomed to, but we have plenty of good wholesome food. I miss our daily paper to read and suspect it to be some time before I get any news from home. We have papers here though printed in English, and get the gist of the news.
Take care of yourself and don’t worry about me for I am O.K. and learning everyday.
Grover
NOTES: Grover Eugene Medlock, who was writing to his mother Mariah Medlock, was a local teacher serving in France. He was born in Collegeville, Arkansas on July 17, 1887 and died on February 8, 1964. He is buried in the Smith-Rosemont Cemetery in Benton, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Cpl. serving in the US Army during World War I.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON