TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SCOTT COUNTY ADVANCE REPORTER OCTOBE 24, 1918 P. 1
Sept. 16, 1918
85th Co., 22 Recu. Btn,
Camp Pike, Ark.
Mr. R. G. Oliver,
Dear Bud:
I had a letter from Iva; said Uncle Ham and mamma were coming down here 21st, so you tell them not to come because this whole camp is quarantined and they couldn’t get in. I will write when the quarantine is lifted; so be sure and get them word.
Well, I have begun to be a soldier. Guess I will get my gun tomorrow. I have had all the foot drills. I’m the leading man in my company. I hold right pivit in front rank.
When I get my Springfield rifle I will make them all raise their hats to me.
I feel good; think I will be a man when I get out of the army. We spent yesterday exercising and playing games and also had some boxing. After the boxing was over one boy from Iowa jumped out in the ring and challenged any one in the camp to wrestle with him. So no one wouldn’t try him, and I stepped out and said I wrestled sometimes and I brought him down. Company gave me all kinds of presents.
So I guess this is all tonight.
So good by.
Henry Oliver
NOTES: Henry E. Oliver was born in Brawley, Arkansas on November 16, 1892 and died on February 3, 1979. He is buried in the Duncan Cemetery in Scott County, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD
Sept. 16, 1918
85th Co., 22 Recu. Btn,
Camp Pike, Ark.
Mr. R. G. Oliver,
Dear Bud:
I had a letter from Iva; said Uncle Ham and mamma were coming down here 21st, so you tell them not to come because this whole camp is quarantined and they couldn’t get in. I will write when the quarantine is lifted; so be sure and get them word.
Well, I have begun to be a soldier. Guess I will get my gun tomorrow. I have had all the foot drills. I’m the leading man in my company. I hold right pivit in front rank.
When I get my Springfield rifle I will make them all raise their hats to me.
I feel good; think I will be a man when I get out of the army. We spent yesterday exercising and playing games and also had some boxing. After the boxing was over one boy from Iowa jumped out in the ring and challenged any one in the camp to wrestle with him. So no one wouldn’t try him, and I stepped out and said I wrestled sometimes and I brought him down. Company gave me all kinds of presents.
So I guess this is all tonight.
So good by.
Henry Oliver
NOTES: Henry E. Oliver was born in Brawley, Arkansas on November 16, 1892 and died on February 3, 1979. He is buried in the Duncan Cemetery in Scott County, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD