TRANSCRIBED FROM THE JONESBORO EVENING SUN FEBRUARY 21, 1919 P. 4
Chevres, France,
January 19, 1919.
Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Dreher,
Dear Parents:
Just received your dear sweet letter of Dec. 25th. I came in from my half day’s work. It being Sunday, and we only work prisoners a half day on Sunday. I was sure hoping I’d get a letter. It is after dinner now, and I have washed my clothes, and hung them up to dry. So I will try to answer your letter, while they are drying. I have to get them dry by tonight, as we take our monthly bath tomorrow.
Well, we did not have a “tree Xmas,” but I had a good time, as I was walking post, and could think of what a good time I would have when I get there. And you are wondering how I spend my time? If the censor will be so kind as to let it through, I will try to tell you. This month I am chasing prisoners, or working them. I get up in the morning at 5:30 and answer roll call eat breakfast: 8 all out for roll call again. March over to the prison, get my detail of prisoners, take them out to work. Bring them back 11:30 a. m., eat dinner; call out at 12:30 p. m., answer roll call, go to prison, get my detail, work them until dusk. Outside of that the rest of the time is mine. Then the month I am on guard, I go on at 4 p. m. Next day I walk post four hours, and off eight hours. Then go on and do four more hours. Next a. m. we drill from 8 a. m. until 11 a. m. After dinner we clean up to go on guard again. Mounting guard at 1 p. m. Out side of that, the rest of the time is mine. Well mother I wish I was there to help you do the evening chores. I know how light they are now. Thought Grover Wright was in France. Guess if he happens to come over, he will be sent to this place; as this is the H. D. for the signal co. I did not see his brother in Quantice while I was there. I am expecting the pictures you were speaking about.
The marines being the last to leave this country, will turn out to be quite true. However, I hope not. For there is no place like the U. S. A. They are sending the boys back pretty fast now. But there isn’t much infantry going back yet. I don’t see where any of us will do any good staying over here.
France wants to keep us here, as we are spending our money here. So far as them needing us, I don’t see where they get that. We have plenty of warm clothes, and pretty good quarters, but could stand a lot more to eat. You know out door work gives a fellow an appetite, and we sure have lots of appetites, and the worst part of it is these frogs don’t know what to cook. Did I ever tell you we call these French people frogs as a nicname. Most everything you see has U. S. A. stamped on it. Well, I know my letters are short, but news is scarce, and when a fellow tells too much, his letter comes back to him; or most of it is cut out. You ought to see my home-made wash-board. Made by wrapping a long wire around a board, about ten inches wide. It works good. Guess I better quit for this time. Hoping to hear from you real soon again. Love, hugs and kisses to all of you.
Your soldier boy.
PAUL B. MONROE,
Co. I. 3rd. Bat. 11th Reg., U. S.
Marines, A. E. F., France,
A. P. O. 713.
NOTES: Paul Bryan Monroe was born September 29, 1897. His father died when Paul was 2. His mother married Henry Dreher when Paul was 8. The family was in Jonesboro by 1910. He and 26 other members of the Jonesboro Methodist Church who were in the military in 1918 were honored with a star and their name on a special flag. He died March 26, 1965.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Chevres, France,
January 19, 1919.
Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Dreher,
Dear Parents:
Just received your dear sweet letter of Dec. 25th. I came in from my half day’s work. It being Sunday, and we only work prisoners a half day on Sunday. I was sure hoping I’d get a letter. It is after dinner now, and I have washed my clothes, and hung them up to dry. So I will try to answer your letter, while they are drying. I have to get them dry by tonight, as we take our monthly bath tomorrow.
Well, we did not have a “tree Xmas,” but I had a good time, as I was walking post, and could think of what a good time I would have when I get there. And you are wondering how I spend my time? If the censor will be so kind as to let it through, I will try to tell you. This month I am chasing prisoners, or working them. I get up in the morning at 5:30 and answer roll call eat breakfast: 8 all out for roll call again. March over to the prison, get my detail of prisoners, take them out to work. Bring them back 11:30 a. m., eat dinner; call out at 12:30 p. m., answer roll call, go to prison, get my detail, work them until dusk. Outside of that the rest of the time is mine. Then the month I am on guard, I go on at 4 p. m. Next day I walk post four hours, and off eight hours. Then go on and do four more hours. Next a. m. we drill from 8 a. m. until 11 a. m. After dinner we clean up to go on guard again. Mounting guard at 1 p. m. Out side of that, the rest of the time is mine. Well mother I wish I was there to help you do the evening chores. I know how light they are now. Thought Grover Wright was in France. Guess if he happens to come over, he will be sent to this place; as this is the H. D. for the signal co. I did not see his brother in Quantice while I was there. I am expecting the pictures you were speaking about.
The marines being the last to leave this country, will turn out to be quite true. However, I hope not. For there is no place like the U. S. A. They are sending the boys back pretty fast now. But there isn’t much infantry going back yet. I don’t see where any of us will do any good staying over here.
France wants to keep us here, as we are spending our money here. So far as them needing us, I don’t see where they get that. We have plenty of warm clothes, and pretty good quarters, but could stand a lot more to eat. You know out door work gives a fellow an appetite, and we sure have lots of appetites, and the worst part of it is these frogs don’t know what to cook. Did I ever tell you we call these French people frogs as a nicname. Most everything you see has U. S. A. stamped on it. Well, I know my letters are short, but news is scarce, and when a fellow tells too much, his letter comes back to him; or most of it is cut out. You ought to see my home-made wash-board. Made by wrapping a long wire around a board, about ten inches wide. It works good. Guess I better quit for this time. Hoping to hear from you real soon again. Love, hugs and kisses to all of you.
Your soldier boy.
PAUL B. MONROE,
Co. I. 3rd. Bat. 11th Reg., U. S.
Marines, A. E. F., France,
A. P. O. 713.
NOTES: Paul Bryan Monroe was born September 29, 1897. His father died when Paul was 2. His mother married Henry Dreher when Paul was 8. The family was in Jonesboro by 1910. He and 26 other members of the Jonesboro Methodist Church who were in the military in 1918 were honored with a star and their name on a special flag. He died March 26, 1965.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT