TRANSCRIBED FROM THE HOME NEWS NOVEMBER 8, 1918 P. 3
“Somewhere in France”
Sept. 25, 1918.
Mr. W. A. Lindsey,
McCrory, Ark.
Dear Mr. Lindsey:
France is a beautiful place when the sun shines, but it doesn’t shine much here.
I have waded mud and water half knee deep for 20 days now. The last big drive of the
Americans. we slept in mud day and night what little we could sleep, for the bullets and shrapnels flying over us. It was a strain on us as it was our first time in a battle. but we made it alright any how. When I would lie down in a shell bullets, it seemed I was upon a mound, but so far I haven’t gotten hurt yet.
It is a sight to see the dead Germans lying along the road and in trenches. The first day I was a little nervous while so many cannons and guns were shooting, but it soon wore off and we didn’t mind it. We took prisioners by the hundreds our first day. And to go into some of their dugouts you would think you were in a palace, they have pianos and every luxury imaginable. And they eat as good as we Americans do, almost.
Well I have traveled all over Central Eastern, Western and Northern France and I haven’t seen anything that would keep me over here after this war is over. I must say they have some pretty gardens and farms but that is about all I can see.
The American people at home have no conception of this war, as much as they read and hear. I know I read as much as any one about France and every battle, but as soon as it was finished, it had no farther effect on my mind. But to see what we see and have seen is quite different. All they write in the papers is true, but it doesn’t appeal to the minds of people at home. But I am going to make the best out of it I can. We get plenty to eat all of the time and that is the main thing over here. They say war is Hell, but it is double that when you are in war and go hungry too. People at home kicked because they had to eat corn bread for breakfast. I wish I could see some any time, it would serve as a desert to me.
Well I hope you people have made good crops and can save them, for it helps to win the war. I think we will win next spring, if the winter isn’t too bad so we can’t travel.
Must close, hoping to hear from some of you people some time.
Yours Truly,
ELMO MELTON
Co. R. 1st Gas Reg’t.
A. E. F. A. P. O., 706.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY GABBY RUSHING
“Somewhere in France”
Sept. 25, 1918.
Mr. W. A. Lindsey,
McCrory, Ark.
Dear Mr. Lindsey:
France is a beautiful place when the sun shines, but it doesn’t shine much here.
I have waded mud and water half knee deep for 20 days now. The last big drive of the
Americans. we slept in mud day and night what little we could sleep, for the bullets and shrapnels flying over us. It was a strain on us as it was our first time in a battle. but we made it alright any how. When I would lie down in a shell bullets, it seemed I was upon a mound, but so far I haven’t gotten hurt yet.
It is a sight to see the dead Germans lying along the road and in trenches. The first day I was a little nervous while so many cannons and guns were shooting, but it soon wore off and we didn’t mind it. We took prisioners by the hundreds our first day. And to go into some of their dugouts you would think you were in a palace, they have pianos and every luxury imaginable. And they eat as good as we Americans do, almost.
Well I have traveled all over Central Eastern, Western and Northern France and I haven’t seen anything that would keep me over here after this war is over. I must say they have some pretty gardens and farms but that is about all I can see.
The American people at home have no conception of this war, as much as they read and hear. I know I read as much as any one about France and every battle, but as soon as it was finished, it had no farther effect on my mind. But to see what we see and have seen is quite different. All they write in the papers is true, but it doesn’t appeal to the minds of people at home. But I am going to make the best out of it I can. We get plenty to eat all of the time and that is the main thing over here. They say war is Hell, but it is double that when you are in war and go hungry too. People at home kicked because they had to eat corn bread for breakfast. I wish I could see some any time, it would serve as a desert to me.
Well I hope you people have made good crops and can save them, for it helps to win the war. I think we will win next spring, if the winter isn’t too bad so we can’t travel.
Must close, hoping to hear from some of you people some time.
Yours Truly,
ELMO MELTON
Co. R. 1st Gas Reg’t.
A. E. F. A. P. O., 706.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY GABBY RUSHING