TRANSCRIBED FROM THE DAILY TIMES ECHO DECEMBER 31, 1918 P. 1
Froidos, France, Dec. 8, 1918.
Mrs. Annie House,
Eureka Springs, Ark.
My Dear Friend:
Several times I’ve thought of writing you but leisure time and writing material were pretty scarce, while we were up at the front. Occasionally I found a few spare minutes and enough writing paper to write home and tell my folks I was still in existence.
The 45 days we were on the front, we were in both Argonne Forest and Meuse sectors. Was certainly some thrilling happenings in those sectors. At times could hear nothing but continual roaring of big guns, air planes passing over in large masses, going to the enemy territory. The Jerries came over once or twice at night with their machines, while we were at Morologer, on the Hindenburg line, but guess they couldn’t locate us close enough to chance bombing.
The Hindenburg line was well fortified, the trenches well constructed, but nothing stopped the Sammies when they started. From the time they left this place little time did the Huns have to hide anywhere, much less than to dig a trench.
Grand Pre, a town of ordinary size, just across the Aisne river, exchanged hands five times before the Sammies got firmly established. This place is sure a deplorable looking village — completely wrecked by shell fire. In this immediate vicinity fields were full of crater holes, from three to 20 feet in diameter — looked as if someone had started in the oil well or mining business.
The 39th division, which I was in in the states, was used as a replacement division here. Our organization, the 114th engineers, was attached to the first corps of the first army engineers. The other organizations were placed here and there, wherever needed.
After hiking four days back from the front we are at present located at Froidos, about 25 kilometers southwest of Verdun. Here we are drilling five hours a day, I hope, for the purpose of getting back in first-class shape to pull off a parade in New York.
I regret very much to hear of the death of five home boys, who were in camps. I wish to express my deepest sympathy.
We are having some very rainy weather lately. Old Sol has not made his appearance but one time in two weeks. The time of year it snows here I haven’t yet found out and hope I won’t.
It is nearly time for chow so will beat it to the mess line with my mess kit.
With best wishes to all for a Merry Christmas, I remain
Yours very truly,
CLYDE M. PERKINS,
Co. A. 114th Eng., A. E. F. France
A. P. O. 914.
P. S. —Guess the submarines won’t bother us going back like they did coming over.
NOTES: Clyde Morris Perkins was born in Eureka Springs, Arkansas on July 7, 1895 and died on May 27, 1976 in Eureka Springs. He is buried in the IOOF Cemetery in Eureka Springs. His military headstone identifies him as a PFC in the US Army during WWI. He departed Hoboken, NJ on August 22, 1918 onboard the Wilhelmina. He was serving as a private in Co. A, 114th Engineers. He departed Brest, France on April 21, 1919 onboard the Nebraska.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS
Froidos, France, Dec. 8, 1918.
Mrs. Annie House,
Eureka Springs, Ark.
My Dear Friend:
Several times I’ve thought of writing you but leisure time and writing material were pretty scarce, while we were up at the front. Occasionally I found a few spare minutes and enough writing paper to write home and tell my folks I was still in existence.
The 45 days we were on the front, we were in both Argonne Forest and Meuse sectors. Was certainly some thrilling happenings in those sectors. At times could hear nothing but continual roaring of big guns, air planes passing over in large masses, going to the enemy territory. The Jerries came over once or twice at night with their machines, while we were at Morologer, on the Hindenburg line, but guess they couldn’t locate us close enough to chance bombing.
The Hindenburg line was well fortified, the trenches well constructed, but nothing stopped the Sammies when they started. From the time they left this place little time did the Huns have to hide anywhere, much less than to dig a trench.
Grand Pre, a town of ordinary size, just across the Aisne river, exchanged hands five times before the Sammies got firmly established. This place is sure a deplorable looking village — completely wrecked by shell fire. In this immediate vicinity fields were full of crater holes, from three to 20 feet in diameter — looked as if someone had started in the oil well or mining business.
The 39th division, which I was in in the states, was used as a replacement division here. Our organization, the 114th engineers, was attached to the first corps of the first army engineers. The other organizations were placed here and there, wherever needed.
After hiking four days back from the front we are at present located at Froidos, about 25 kilometers southwest of Verdun. Here we are drilling five hours a day, I hope, for the purpose of getting back in first-class shape to pull off a parade in New York.
I regret very much to hear of the death of five home boys, who were in camps. I wish to express my deepest sympathy.
We are having some very rainy weather lately. Old Sol has not made his appearance but one time in two weeks. The time of year it snows here I haven’t yet found out and hope I won’t.
It is nearly time for chow so will beat it to the mess line with my mess kit.
With best wishes to all for a Merry Christmas, I remain
Yours very truly,
CLYDE M. PERKINS,
Co. A. 114th Eng., A. E. F. France
A. P. O. 914.
P. S. —Guess the submarines won’t bother us going back like they did coming over.
NOTES: Clyde Morris Perkins was born in Eureka Springs, Arkansas on July 7, 1895 and died on May 27, 1976 in Eureka Springs. He is buried in the IOOF Cemetery in Eureka Springs. His military headstone identifies him as a PFC in the US Army during WWI. He departed Hoboken, NJ on August 22, 1918 onboard the Wilhelmina. He was serving as a private in Co. A, 114th Engineers. He departed Brest, France on April 21, 1919 onboard the Nebraska.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS