TRANSCRIBED FROM THE PINE BLUFF DAILY GRAPHIC DECEMBER 1, 1918 P. 9
Base Hospital, Somewhere in France,
Nov. 7, 1918.
Dear Folks:
Have not had a word from any of you since I have been over here. Have written to you as often as possible, but do not know whether you have received all of my letters or not. In my last letter to you I told you that I had been transferred to another division. Sure was glad to have the change made in divisions; went to my new division, which so happened put me thru Paris, and I had a day and a night there. Dropped by to see Miss Henrietta Taylor, but she was out of the city on her vacation, so I did not get to see her.
Got my division in a few days, and then three days after I joined them in the woods we started out on the move. Believe me, for the next thirty days, we had plenty of what is called “action.” Cannot describe locations, etc., we fought in but can sure say that we fought some, and had plenty of it. Much to my surprise my nerves in undergoing fire for the first time was O. K., and I made it allright all the way thru. Will have lots to tell you when I get home and many experiences to relate. Have been over the top enough times to get used to it, and believe me it is some experience.
I am certainly glad to be over here doing my bit, and hope I can stay with it till it is over, which from the way things look it won’t be so very long, for the Allies have certainly been going after them, and have the Boche on the go.
Have been here in the hospital for a few days with the influenza, but have had the best attention by the Red Cross; good medical treatment from them also, and expect to be out as strong as ever in a few days. The Red Cross is certainly a fine organization, and we who have had occasion to be benefitted by them will never forget them for it.
Met a Mr. Morris, a Y.M.C.A. man, from Oklahoma, who was in the same class at school with Ross Moore, Chas. Daniels and Rev. Tull, who all preached in the Baptist church there at home. He came over at the same time, and on the same boat as Prof. McNeill, and said there were a lot of Red Cross nurses and Y.M.C.A. men on the boat, and they certainly enjoyed Prof. McNeill’s music.
If you do not hear from me sometimes thirty, forty or fifty days do not worry, as when we are at the front there are no mail facilities, that is outgoing mail. Certainly hope to receive some mail soon as I know you have written to me a number of times ere this.
It looks as if the rainy season has come to stay, as it is raining here every day now.
When you write me be sure and let me know about Wardlaw. Did he get his commission? Also about Fulton, where are they now?
Saw in the Paris paper a few days ago where planters and merchants of Pine Bluff were exercised about labor to gather crops. Hope some plan is devised whereby they can have their crops gathered. No, I can’t read French, but there are three American papers published in Paris.
Well, as it is fiftee nminutes till dinner time I will close for this time, and get this letter started by mailing it right away. Do not worry about me for I am getting along fine. And will come out alright I am sure.
Love to each and every one of the family and a hearty “hello, there” to all of my friends who may inquire about me. Don’t think from today’s paper it will be many more months before I am with you again.
LELAND
NOTES: Lt. Henry Leland Murphy was born on September 19, 1888 in Jefferson County, Arkansas and died on July 29, 1949 in Santa Clara, California. He was a graduate of the Fort Roots officers training camp during World War 1. He served in Co. C., 8th Mch. Gun Bn., in France. He was described as being tall and medium build with blue eyes and light hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Base Hospital, Somewhere in France,
Nov. 7, 1918.
Dear Folks:
Have not had a word from any of you since I have been over here. Have written to you as often as possible, but do not know whether you have received all of my letters or not. In my last letter to you I told you that I had been transferred to another division. Sure was glad to have the change made in divisions; went to my new division, which so happened put me thru Paris, and I had a day and a night there. Dropped by to see Miss Henrietta Taylor, but she was out of the city on her vacation, so I did not get to see her.
Got my division in a few days, and then three days after I joined them in the woods we started out on the move. Believe me, for the next thirty days, we had plenty of what is called “action.” Cannot describe locations, etc., we fought in but can sure say that we fought some, and had plenty of it. Much to my surprise my nerves in undergoing fire for the first time was O. K., and I made it allright all the way thru. Will have lots to tell you when I get home and many experiences to relate. Have been over the top enough times to get used to it, and believe me it is some experience.
I am certainly glad to be over here doing my bit, and hope I can stay with it till it is over, which from the way things look it won’t be so very long, for the Allies have certainly been going after them, and have the Boche on the go.
Have been here in the hospital for a few days with the influenza, but have had the best attention by the Red Cross; good medical treatment from them also, and expect to be out as strong as ever in a few days. The Red Cross is certainly a fine organization, and we who have had occasion to be benefitted by them will never forget them for it.
Met a Mr. Morris, a Y.M.C.A. man, from Oklahoma, who was in the same class at school with Ross Moore, Chas. Daniels and Rev. Tull, who all preached in the Baptist church there at home. He came over at the same time, and on the same boat as Prof. McNeill, and said there were a lot of Red Cross nurses and Y.M.C.A. men on the boat, and they certainly enjoyed Prof. McNeill’s music.
If you do not hear from me sometimes thirty, forty or fifty days do not worry, as when we are at the front there are no mail facilities, that is outgoing mail. Certainly hope to receive some mail soon as I know you have written to me a number of times ere this.
It looks as if the rainy season has come to stay, as it is raining here every day now.
When you write me be sure and let me know about Wardlaw. Did he get his commission? Also about Fulton, where are they now?
Saw in the Paris paper a few days ago where planters and merchants of Pine Bluff were exercised about labor to gather crops. Hope some plan is devised whereby they can have their crops gathered. No, I can’t read French, but there are three American papers published in Paris.
Well, as it is fiftee nminutes till dinner time I will close for this time, and get this letter started by mailing it right away. Do not worry about me for I am getting along fine. And will come out alright I am sure.
Love to each and every one of the family and a hearty “hello, there” to all of my friends who may inquire about me. Don’t think from today’s paper it will be many more months before I am with you again.
LELAND
NOTES: Lt. Henry Leland Murphy was born on September 19, 1888 in Jefferson County, Arkansas and died on July 29, 1949 in Santa Clara, California. He was a graduate of the Fort Roots officers training camp during World War 1. He served in Co. C., 8th Mch. Gun Bn., in France. He was described as being tall and medium build with blue eyes and light hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT