TRANSCRIBED FROM THE WHITE RIVER JOURNAL NOVEMBER 8, 1917 P. 1
Well how are you coming these war times? Trust you are enjoying health and prosperity. I am doing my bit for my country and intend to do more by buying a liberty bond; my ship was in Baltimore about 10 days ago and while we were there Souza's Band came. It consisted of 300 instruments, and all sailor boys. They were out in behalf of the 2nd Liberty loan. The city of Baltimore bought twenty million dollars worth of bonds the night I was there. I think that was doing good.
Well that it takes to take the germ out of Germany we have got money and men with nerve. I think I will be sent across the pond soon to France I think, but I am ready and willing to go any place any time; we are in it now, and must win. I am enclosing a peice of poetry the (Kaiser's prayer) and if you want to publish it you may do so; also I will send you a piece of poetry composed and set me by my Kentucky girl. I think it is GOOD.
Well I have been in the service since March the 12th, enlisted in Indianapolis, Ind. I like as well if not better than I expected, have seen lots and had lots of experience, but am not permitted to tell much as our letters are censored, but if I am one of the lucky ones to get out safe and sound after the war, I shall never regret having offered my service, for the military training you get is good for any man, and will make a man of you; I wish I had joined when younger.
The 24th of last month the city was covered by airoplanes: they were dropping circulars asking you to buy a liberty bond, the air was full of them. I caught one while in the air, and am saving it for a souvenir. Will show it to my kids in years to come ha!
We were out 200 miles off Cape Henry last week and was caught in SOME storm couldn't set table had to eat off the deck, your plate would slide on down to the next guy, and here would come one of some one else's: if there was anything in it alright, if not you were out of luck; but Sherman said war was Hell, and he was about right.
Well I see our soldier boys have done been in battle in the trenches, and it was a RED HEADED gunner that fired the first shot.
Well I have a good record so fine I have only been before mast once. I overstayed liberty 24 hours while in Baltimore last August, and went to Washington D.C,, got a deck court for it and was fined $10, but I figure the trip was worth that. I went through the CAPITOL, saw the WHITE HOUSE and the women suffragettes were all around it with their banners, saying, Mr. President how long are women going to wait for freedom, and (etc); took in a ball game, Chicago and Washington played, saw the famous Walter Johnson.
Well I don't guess all this stuff interests you much, so will close, and too it costs 3 cts to mail a letter now and if I don't stop it will take more for this one, and owing to the war we should all practice economy; with best regards to all my Des Arc friends, and best wishes to you and your family, I am
Yours Respectfully,
L.G. Miles,
U.S.S. Sequayah,
Cr 5th Naval Dist.
Norfolk, Va.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Well how are you coming these war times? Trust you are enjoying health and prosperity. I am doing my bit for my country and intend to do more by buying a liberty bond; my ship was in Baltimore about 10 days ago and while we were there Souza's Band came. It consisted of 300 instruments, and all sailor boys. They were out in behalf of the 2nd Liberty loan. The city of Baltimore bought twenty million dollars worth of bonds the night I was there. I think that was doing good.
Well that it takes to take the germ out of Germany we have got money and men with nerve. I think I will be sent across the pond soon to France I think, but I am ready and willing to go any place any time; we are in it now, and must win. I am enclosing a peice of poetry the (Kaiser's prayer) and if you want to publish it you may do so; also I will send you a piece of poetry composed and set me by my Kentucky girl. I think it is GOOD.
Well I have been in the service since March the 12th, enlisted in Indianapolis, Ind. I like as well if not better than I expected, have seen lots and had lots of experience, but am not permitted to tell much as our letters are censored, but if I am one of the lucky ones to get out safe and sound after the war, I shall never regret having offered my service, for the military training you get is good for any man, and will make a man of you; I wish I had joined when younger.
The 24th of last month the city was covered by airoplanes: they were dropping circulars asking you to buy a liberty bond, the air was full of them. I caught one while in the air, and am saving it for a souvenir. Will show it to my kids in years to come ha!
We were out 200 miles off Cape Henry last week and was caught in SOME storm couldn't set table had to eat off the deck, your plate would slide on down to the next guy, and here would come one of some one else's: if there was anything in it alright, if not you were out of luck; but Sherman said war was Hell, and he was about right.
Well I see our soldier boys have done been in battle in the trenches, and it was a RED HEADED gunner that fired the first shot.
Well I have a good record so fine I have only been before mast once. I overstayed liberty 24 hours while in Baltimore last August, and went to Washington D.C,, got a deck court for it and was fined $10, but I figure the trip was worth that. I went through the CAPITOL, saw the WHITE HOUSE and the women suffragettes were all around it with their banners, saying, Mr. President how long are women going to wait for freedom, and (etc); took in a ball game, Chicago and Washington played, saw the famous Walter Johnson.
Well I don't guess all this stuff interests you much, so will close, and too it costs 3 cts to mail a letter now and if I don't stop it will take more for this one, and owing to the war we should all practice economy; with best regards to all my Des Arc friends, and best wishes to you and your family, I am
Yours Respectfully,
L.G. Miles,
U.S.S. Sequayah,
Cr 5th Naval Dist.
Norfolk, Va.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD