TRANSCRIBED FROM THE COURIER DEMOCRAT SEPTEMBER 5, 1918 P. 6
Somewhere in France, Aug 4.
Dear Homefolks:
Am spending my first Sunday in France. Seems like a real Sunday. Heard church bells ringing this morning. I have not been doing anything today. Am not with our company at the present time.
Ten of our bunch were put on detail to handle our baggage and the rest of the company went into camp and were put under quarantine for measles, so I guess we will stay here until they get out again. I can't tell you where we are, but we have a pretty place to stay, get plenty to eat, have all kinds of good, warm clothes, and are in good health and faring fine in every way.
It is a little cooler here than it is there, but I am getting used to it now. Rains a lot here, but no hard rains since we came--just showers.
The war news is looking good now. Noticed in this morning's paper the allies are pushing the Germans back on the entire western front. They have about all of the Huns out of the trenches now and in the open. I believe the Huns will give up pretty soon if the allies keep pulling it over on them. Uncle Same sure has the stuff over here to keep his end of it going, and all the men are raring to go. I wish Kaiser Bill could see a bird's eye view of the army Uncle Sam has here and is pushing in on him, and I believe he would be ready to give up the ghost and say "It is finished" pretty soon.
I don't believe the company I am with will ever go to the front. Think we will get right smart training here yet. Don't see many Frenchmen here. Most all boys, old men and women. They all seem to be in good hopes.
I have written you two letters, and guess you got them. There are so many men here it is difficult to get their mail to them. Think it will be sent to us pretty soon.
Will close for this time.
Best wishes to all.
Pvt. Lester I Mullins.
Co. 2 July Automatic Rep. Troops.
Amer. E.F., via. N.Y.
NOTES: Lester Ira Mullins was writing to his parents Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Mullins. Mullins was born on February 9, 1896 in Russellville, Arkansas and died on January 28, 1978 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He is buried in the Old Baptist Cemetery in Center Valley, Arkansas. He enlisted on May 25, 1918 and was discharged on May 21, 1919. He departed from Hoboken, NJ on July 18, 1918 onboard the George Washington. He was serving as a Private in the Camp Pike June Automatic Replacement Draft infantry, Co. #2. He departed from Brest, France on April 17, 1919 onboard the Mount Vernon. He arrived in Hoboken on April 25, 1919. He was serving as a Private in Co. M, 306th Infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Somewhere in France, Aug 4.
Dear Homefolks:
Am spending my first Sunday in France. Seems like a real Sunday. Heard church bells ringing this morning. I have not been doing anything today. Am not with our company at the present time.
Ten of our bunch were put on detail to handle our baggage and the rest of the company went into camp and were put under quarantine for measles, so I guess we will stay here until they get out again. I can't tell you where we are, but we have a pretty place to stay, get plenty to eat, have all kinds of good, warm clothes, and are in good health and faring fine in every way.
It is a little cooler here than it is there, but I am getting used to it now. Rains a lot here, but no hard rains since we came--just showers.
The war news is looking good now. Noticed in this morning's paper the allies are pushing the Germans back on the entire western front. They have about all of the Huns out of the trenches now and in the open. I believe the Huns will give up pretty soon if the allies keep pulling it over on them. Uncle Same sure has the stuff over here to keep his end of it going, and all the men are raring to go. I wish Kaiser Bill could see a bird's eye view of the army Uncle Sam has here and is pushing in on him, and I believe he would be ready to give up the ghost and say "It is finished" pretty soon.
I don't believe the company I am with will ever go to the front. Think we will get right smart training here yet. Don't see many Frenchmen here. Most all boys, old men and women. They all seem to be in good hopes.
I have written you two letters, and guess you got them. There are so many men here it is difficult to get their mail to them. Think it will be sent to us pretty soon.
Will close for this time.
Best wishes to all.
Pvt. Lester I Mullins.
Co. 2 July Automatic Rep. Troops.
Amer. E.F., via. N.Y.
NOTES: Lester Ira Mullins was writing to his parents Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Mullins. Mullins was born on February 9, 1896 in Russellville, Arkansas and died on January 28, 1978 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He is buried in the Old Baptist Cemetery in Center Valley, Arkansas. He enlisted on May 25, 1918 and was discharged on May 21, 1919. He departed from Hoboken, NJ on July 18, 1918 onboard the George Washington. He was serving as a Private in the Camp Pike June Automatic Replacement Draft infantry, Co. #2. He departed from Brest, France on April 17, 1919 onboard the Mount Vernon. He arrived in Hoboken on April 25, 1919. He was serving as a Private in Co. M, 306th Infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD