TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ASHLEY COUNTY EAGLE SEPTEMBER 20, 1917 P. 1
I am now with the American expeditionary forces in France. I have had a great deal of interesting experience since I have been in the Army. The American forces here are a jolly bunch of fine fellows and all are in the best of spirits. We are being well fed, clothed better and receive a cordial welcome from the French people wherever we go. Where I am and what I am do-ing at this time you will find out when I get back home and tell you about my experiences in the army, so don’t worry.
When writing put nothing in the letter that pertains to the army and navy, for it may either be marked out by the censor or may cause him to destroy the letter. Put in all the local and personal news and I will be satisfied. It would be better if all letters were typewritten.
Address all letters thus,
Headquarters Co.,
1st Reg. U. S. Engineers,
American Expeditionary Forces.
France.
Via. New York.
NOTES: This letter was written by Robert Rayford Pennington who is writing to his father, Z. T. Pennington. Robert was a teacher of Manual Training in Crossett Public Schools before he enlisted in the army. He was born in Ashley County on September 21, 1893 and died on October 9, 1966. He is buried in the Hampton National Cemetery in Hampton, Virginia. He departed for France from Hoboken, NJ on August 7, 1917 onboard the Finland. He was listed as a Private in Hdq. Detachment. He returned to the US departing Brest, France on August 23, 1919 onboard the Edellyn. He arrived in the US on September 4, 1919. He was serving as a Corporal in the Hdq. Detachment, 1st US Engineers.
TRANSCRIBED BY LARAE SHURLEY
I am now with the American expeditionary forces in France. I have had a great deal of interesting experience since I have been in the Army. The American forces here are a jolly bunch of fine fellows and all are in the best of spirits. We are being well fed, clothed better and receive a cordial welcome from the French people wherever we go. Where I am and what I am do-ing at this time you will find out when I get back home and tell you about my experiences in the army, so don’t worry.
When writing put nothing in the letter that pertains to the army and navy, for it may either be marked out by the censor or may cause him to destroy the letter. Put in all the local and personal news and I will be satisfied. It would be better if all letters were typewritten.
Address all letters thus,
Headquarters Co.,
1st Reg. U. S. Engineers,
American Expeditionary Forces.
France.
Via. New York.
NOTES: This letter was written by Robert Rayford Pennington who is writing to his father, Z. T. Pennington. Robert was a teacher of Manual Training in Crossett Public Schools before he enlisted in the army. He was born in Ashley County on September 21, 1893 and died on October 9, 1966. He is buried in the Hampton National Cemetery in Hampton, Virginia. He departed for France from Hoboken, NJ on August 7, 1917 onboard the Finland. He was listed as a Private in Hdq. Detachment. He returned to the US departing Brest, France on August 23, 1919 onboard the Edellyn. He arrived in the US on September 4, 1919. He was serving as a Corporal in the Hdq. Detachment, 1st US Engineers.
TRANSCRIBED BY LARAE SHURLEY