TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ARKANSAS GAZETTE AUGUST 22, 1918 P. 4.
We have some work, but very little sickness. The wounded are cheerful. They very seldom complain when their wounds are being treated and all want to get another boche. The men seem to be willing to get a wound if they get a boche before receiving it. It is fine to see an American soldier helping a wounded French soldier, and vice versa, back to the hospital. The wounded Americans tell those going to the front to give them “hell.” When the general says for all Americans to push, there is going to be some push. They are going into boche territory determined to go to Berlin. The French are glad to have us with them, especially the soldiers. They are very nice to us. The merchants rob us. They say we are millionaire soldiers. They certainly do like the American tip. I got a haircut yesterday in a high class shop for 10 cents, the only thing that is cheap.
I am billeted in one of the best homes in the village and every time I go to my room I have to push the old cow to one side and the chickens out of the way. An old maid, age 62 years, is the owner. She says she is Madam, but people about say she is not; anyway, she won’t let me call her miss. She was sick a few nights ago and I had to administer medicine. She is not so cranky now. She wants me to bring her American bread every day. She claims that French bread makes her sick. The French interpreter tells me old maids are scarce articles in France.
Nearly every day a boche plane comes flying over. One came this morning, but dropped no shells or bombs. There are several boche prisoners here, but they give us no trouble. In fact, they are glad to be prisoners. I expect to eat Christmas dinner with you in 1919.
It certainly is a great pleasure to drive through the country, such fine roads and beautiful farms. I drove for two days without getting a bump; sometimes, where there is much traffic, it gets dusty.
It is very hot during the day, but cool at night. I sleep under blankets. We wear woolen clothes all the time.
NOTES: This partial letter was written to J. H. Hollis of Little Rock from his nephew Pat Murphy who was in charge of a hospital in the Vosges mountains of France. He was a graduate of the Arkansas school of medicine. He was born September 6, 1886 and died August 27, 1984 in California. His remains were returned to Little Rock, Arkansas, and are buried at Roselawn Memorial Park.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
We have some work, but very little sickness. The wounded are cheerful. They very seldom complain when their wounds are being treated and all want to get another boche. The men seem to be willing to get a wound if they get a boche before receiving it. It is fine to see an American soldier helping a wounded French soldier, and vice versa, back to the hospital. The wounded Americans tell those going to the front to give them “hell.” When the general says for all Americans to push, there is going to be some push. They are going into boche territory determined to go to Berlin. The French are glad to have us with them, especially the soldiers. They are very nice to us. The merchants rob us. They say we are millionaire soldiers. They certainly do like the American tip. I got a haircut yesterday in a high class shop for 10 cents, the only thing that is cheap.
I am billeted in one of the best homes in the village and every time I go to my room I have to push the old cow to one side and the chickens out of the way. An old maid, age 62 years, is the owner. She says she is Madam, but people about say she is not; anyway, she won’t let me call her miss. She was sick a few nights ago and I had to administer medicine. She is not so cranky now. She wants me to bring her American bread every day. She claims that French bread makes her sick. The French interpreter tells me old maids are scarce articles in France.
Nearly every day a boche plane comes flying over. One came this morning, but dropped no shells or bombs. There are several boche prisoners here, but they give us no trouble. In fact, they are glad to be prisoners. I expect to eat Christmas dinner with you in 1919.
It certainly is a great pleasure to drive through the country, such fine roads and beautiful farms. I drove for two days without getting a bump; sometimes, where there is much traffic, it gets dusty.
It is very hot during the day, but cool at night. I sleep under blankets. We wear woolen clothes all the time.
NOTES: This partial letter was written to J. H. Hollis of Little Rock from his nephew Pat Murphy who was in charge of a hospital in the Vosges mountains of France. He was a graduate of the Arkansas school of medicine. He was born September 6, 1886 and died August 27, 1984 in California. His remains were returned to Little Rock, Arkansas, and are buried at Roselawn Memorial Park.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT