TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SHARP COUNTY RECORD FEBRUARY 8, 1918 P. 4
Editor Record:
Please spare me space in your paper to tell something of the army. I like army life much better, in fact, than I expected. We are treated nicely, are fed well, and have a beautiful camp, which is still being improved. We do not drill very hard.
We are now having quite a deal of cold weather. It is colder here than it has been before since 1899 they say, with a little ice and snow.
The boys are getting anxious to meet their friends who have already gone to France. The French and British officers who are with us here are improving our drills rapidly.
Many of the boys in this camp get lonesome and take the blues occasionly, but it is not long until they are cheered up again and enjoying themselves as well as ever. For myself, I do my best and am going to do that all the way through.
The army is nothing but a school. You learn something new every day if you try. I love my officers and am quick to obey their commands, especially when they order us to rest while we are on a long hike.
NOTES: This partial letter was written by Lee Mitchell of Piney Woods in Sharp County, Arkansas. He was born at Evening Shade on September 6, 1896 and died in California on April 26, 1974. He is buried in the Evergreen Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Riverside, California. His military headstone identifies him as a Arkansas PFC serving in the US Army during WWI.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS
Editor Record:
Please spare me space in your paper to tell something of the army. I like army life much better, in fact, than I expected. We are treated nicely, are fed well, and have a beautiful camp, which is still being improved. We do not drill very hard.
We are now having quite a deal of cold weather. It is colder here than it has been before since 1899 they say, with a little ice and snow.
The boys are getting anxious to meet their friends who have already gone to France. The French and British officers who are with us here are improving our drills rapidly.
Many of the boys in this camp get lonesome and take the blues occasionly, but it is not long until they are cheered up again and enjoying themselves as well as ever. For myself, I do my best and am going to do that all the way through.
The army is nothing but a school. You learn something new every day if you try. I love my officers and am quick to obey their commands, especially when they order us to rest while we are on a long hike.
NOTES: This partial letter was written by Lee Mitchell of Piney Woods in Sharp County, Arkansas. He was born at Evening Shade on September 6, 1896 and died in California on April 26, 1974. He is buried in the Evergreen Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Riverside, California. His military headstone identifies him as a Arkansas PFC serving in the US Army during WWI.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS