TRANSCRIBED FROM THE BENTON COURIER JANUARY 2, 1919 P. 2
Dear Mother:
Well, mother dear, I will write you a few more lines to let you know that I am all O.K. I hope this letter will find you all O.K.
I am still on pass and have one more day and then I will have to go back to my company.
Mother dear, I know you have been worrying yourself to death about me, but do not worry any more as I am still alive and have a good chance of remaining so as the war is over. I had my shot at the war. Was on the front line twice. The second time I was there they quit firing. The Germans in front of us were glad as soon as the firing ceased. They got up out of their trenches and yelled and began to dance and throw their caps into the air. They just had a great time.
I haven’t gotten any souvenirs yet, and don’t think I will either. I am souvenir enough, I think.
I don’t think I will see the trenches again, as I went on pass from there and when I join my company again they won’t be up there. They will be somewhere way beyond the lines getting ready to go home, anyway I hope so.
Believe me, I got tired of ducking the big shells the Fritzies shot over. We were on a front until we took a hill from Frizies, and then he got mad and sure did shell us. I was under a thirty six hour bombardment continually shelling. That was when I wished I was back home instead of over here.
We landed at Brest, France and got on a train, after a three days rest and went to Le Maines nearly across France. From there we went to the trenches.
I hope it will not be long until I get back to the States. I am going to try and get a furlough and tell you all about it mother dear. I met a Y.M.C.A. man here in La Montes. Dore from Pine Bluff, Ark. He said he was going back soon and would look you up. I hope he does.
I must close with lots of love and kisses to all.
Your loving son,
Sergeant Rufus Murray
34th Infantry Company B. A.E.F.
NOTES: Rufus R. Murray was born on December 26, 1898 or 99 and died on June 16, 1957. He is buried in the Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas 1st Sgt. serving in Co. B 34th Infantry during World War 1. He departed Brest, France on June 9, 1919 onboard the New Amsterdam. He was serving as a Sgt. in Co. B 34th Infantry. He was writing to his mother Mrs. R. D. Murray.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD
Dear Mother:
Well, mother dear, I will write you a few more lines to let you know that I am all O.K. I hope this letter will find you all O.K.
I am still on pass and have one more day and then I will have to go back to my company.
Mother dear, I know you have been worrying yourself to death about me, but do not worry any more as I am still alive and have a good chance of remaining so as the war is over. I had my shot at the war. Was on the front line twice. The second time I was there they quit firing. The Germans in front of us were glad as soon as the firing ceased. They got up out of their trenches and yelled and began to dance and throw their caps into the air. They just had a great time.
I haven’t gotten any souvenirs yet, and don’t think I will either. I am souvenir enough, I think.
I don’t think I will see the trenches again, as I went on pass from there and when I join my company again they won’t be up there. They will be somewhere way beyond the lines getting ready to go home, anyway I hope so.
Believe me, I got tired of ducking the big shells the Fritzies shot over. We were on a front until we took a hill from Frizies, and then he got mad and sure did shell us. I was under a thirty six hour bombardment continually shelling. That was when I wished I was back home instead of over here.
We landed at Brest, France and got on a train, after a three days rest and went to Le Maines nearly across France. From there we went to the trenches.
I hope it will not be long until I get back to the States. I am going to try and get a furlough and tell you all about it mother dear. I met a Y.M.C.A. man here in La Montes. Dore from Pine Bluff, Ark. He said he was going back soon and would look you up. I hope he does.
I must close with lots of love and kisses to all.
Your loving son,
Sergeant Rufus Murray
34th Infantry Company B. A.E.F.
NOTES: Rufus R. Murray was born on December 26, 1898 or 99 and died on June 16, 1957. He is buried in the Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas 1st Sgt. serving in Co. B 34th Infantry during World War 1. He departed Brest, France on June 9, 1919 onboard the New Amsterdam. He was serving as a Sgt. in Co. B 34th Infantry. He was writing to his mother Mrs. R. D. Murray.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD