TRANSCRIBED FROM THE COLUMBIA BANNER JUNE 11, 1919, P.1
May 8, 1919.
Mrs. Lucy Hall,
Dear Auntie:
For some time I have been endeavoring to write you, and now I shall fulfill my promise by sending you a letter, which in no doubt will be a surprise to you.
How are you and the children getting along by now? I sincerely hope that all are well and that you are getting along nicely.
As for myself I am enjoying the best of health. I’ve been thankful since I’ve been in France. Have scarcely known a sick day, good heath as you know is the greatest asset that one has in this life, so therefore it’s something that every one should be proud of.
I think I have been very lucky in getting through this war. I received one very slight wound on September 22nd. the first night at the front on the Vosges Lorraine near St. loil, France. How ever that did not amount to anything, so therefore I call myself lucky, yet it seemed like there was some very close calls.
I was at the front when the last gun fired and the whole world made to rejoice. My division was on Verdun front at the close of war or rather the Meuse Argonne sector.
It may seem strange to you when I tell you that on armistice day after hostilities had ceased I went to the trenches and talked with them also had some coffee with them, and was treated just as nice and kind as any one could be. It was almost like a calm after a storm at 11 o’clock on the 11tth of November. But oh, my, just a few minutes before my regiment went over the top at 6 a. m. on the 11th and I’m glad I was there at the end. Though I don’t feel as same of the boys do. I don’t claim any decorations or honor for what part I have played in helping to gain the victory and bringing the Stars and Stripes back home without a spot of stain. I say those to whom the honor is due is the ones who so freely gave their lives that liberty may live on and who now lie where they fell.
Well, war is over now. There’s no need of keeping the same old four year old story going. I will not give you a full history of my experience in Europe. I might be writing to long a letter to do so, I will tell you of some of the real joys of life I am having.
I’m in Clermont Ferrand University of this city, came here in February. I suppose you already know about the courses offered by the many universities of France. A limited number from each organization had the opportunity of this wonderful offer, and I happen to be the lucky one from my company. It seems like a real home here. The people are good and kind to us, and the girls all love the Yanks, so there’s nothing to worry about. Lots of amusements even to Chas. Chaplain I saw him (escape jail) in the movie a few nights ago.
On Easter Monday myself and several others consisting of a party of four boys and girls had an interesting trip to the Puy de Dome mountains. There we saw the old Temple of Mercure, built by the Romans in the 11th century nearly four hundred years before the discovery of America. It is quite old, only the ruins are to be seen now.
I am waiting patiently to learn the final results of the Peace Conference. The Germans have already been given the treaty and now are in session at Versailles, on the eve of admitting to their wrongs that are staring them in the face.
Guess Edgar is in the States now or at least sailing his division was at Brest several days ago. The next ten days will find my division moving towards home. It is a settled fact that we (the wild cats) will not go to the Rhine. I will not get home with my division, School will not close until the later part of June and no doubt they will be home.
Now I have written enough for this time, so I shall close with best wishes to you and the family.
Jeff A. Parker.
NOTES: Jeff A. Parker was born on January 16, 1892 at McNeil, Columbia County, Arkansas and died on August 15, 1975 at Houston, Texas. He enlisted on September 18, 1917 and was discharged on August 2, 1919. He was described as being of medium height and build with blue eyes and blonde hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT.
May 8, 1919.
Mrs. Lucy Hall,
Dear Auntie:
For some time I have been endeavoring to write you, and now I shall fulfill my promise by sending you a letter, which in no doubt will be a surprise to you.
How are you and the children getting along by now? I sincerely hope that all are well and that you are getting along nicely.
As for myself I am enjoying the best of health. I’ve been thankful since I’ve been in France. Have scarcely known a sick day, good heath as you know is the greatest asset that one has in this life, so therefore it’s something that every one should be proud of.
I think I have been very lucky in getting through this war. I received one very slight wound on September 22nd. the first night at the front on the Vosges Lorraine near St. loil, France. How ever that did not amount to anything, so therefore I call myself lucky, yet it seemed like there was some very close calls.
I was at the front when the last gun fired and the whole world made to rejoice. My division was on Verdun front at the close of war or rather the Meuse Argonne sector.
It may seem strange to you when I tell you that on armistice day after hostilities had ceased I went to the trenches and talked with them also had some coffee with them, and was treated just as nice and kind as any one could be. It was almost like a calm after a storm at 11 o’clock on the 11tth of November. But oh, my, just a few minutes before my regiment went over the top at 6 a. m. on the 11th and I’m glad I was there at the end. Though I don’t feel as same of the boys do. I don’t claim any decorations or honor for what part I have played in helping to gain the victory and bringing the Stars and Stripes back home without a spot of stain. I say those to whom the honor is due is the ones who so freely gave their lives that liberty may live on and who now lie where they fell.
Well, war is over now. There’s no need of keeping the same old four year old story going. I will not give you a full history of my experience in Europe. I might be writing to long a letter to do so, I will tell you of some of the real joys of life I am having.
I’m in Clermont Ferrand University of this city, came here in February. I suppose you already know about the courses offered by the many universities of France. A limited number from each organization had the opportunity of this wonderful offer, and I happen to be the lucky one from my company. It seems like a real home here. The people are good and kind to us, and the girls all love the Yanks, so there’s nothing to worry about. Lots of amusements even to Chas. Chaplain I saw him (escape jail) in the movie a few nights ago.
On Easter Monday myself and several others consisting of a party of four boys and girls had an interesting trip to the Puy de Dome mountains. There we saw the old Temple of Mercure, built by the Romans in the 11th century nearly four hundred years before the discovery of America. It is quite old, only the ruins are to be seen now.
I am waiting patiently to learn the final results of the Peace Conference. The Germans have already been given the treaty and now are in session at Versailles, on the eve of admitting to their wrongs that are staring them in the face.
Guess Edgar is in the States now or at least sailing his division was at Brest several days ago. The next ten days will find my division moving towards home. It is a settled fact that we (the wild cats) will not go to the Rhine. I will not get home with my division, School will not close until the later part of June and no doubt they will be home.
Now I have written enough for this time, so I shall close with best wishes to you and the family.
Jeff A. Parker.
NOTES: Jeff A. Parker was born on January 16, 1892 at McNeil, Columbia County, Arkansas and died on August 15, 1975 at Houston, Texas. He enlisted on September 18, 1917 and was discharged on August 2, 1919. He was described as being of medium height and build with blue eyes and blonde hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT.