TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT DECEMBER 1, 1917 P. 11
Port of Embarkation France,
November 10-17.
My Dear Sister and All:
We arrived at this port this afternoon after 21 days at sea, and the trip was as good as could be expected, owing to conditions. We are still on board ship and not allowed to go ashore until tomorrow. It is awful to have to stay on this raft after so long, but I guess we can stick it out one more day at least. This sure is beautiful country, as the grass is green and everything like spring.
I heard we are not going to be here long but are going into service at once. This means a trip overland for us and we will get to see some more of Sunny France and some of Germany’s fighting, too, I guess, but that’s what we are here for.
Just watch the papers now when we get on the line and you will see where the kaiser stands. The reason the allies have not progressed as they should be is because they were waiting for us, and now that we are here just watch us.
Want a German helmet for a flower pot? I got the box you sent just before we left (CENSORED). Many thanks, as it was sure appropriate. Also thanks to Collien and love, too, for the luck piece, as we are lucky so far. I am going to write her before I leave for the front. I did not get the mail enroute, as I expected, and have not yet, but expect to soon.
We were not allowed to land at the place I spoke of, so did not have any luck. I made the trip better than I expected, as I was not seasick at all. Believe me, there is some water in this old world. More than I ever dreamed of. Just think 21 days of it. We were disappointed on the submarine part, as we did not see one until we put in port and that was a French boat.
Well, sister, I am going to close, as I can’t write at all tonight, and will try again tomorrow, as it don’ cost anything to mail these here, so with love to all, I am as ever, your brother.
A.L.P.
NOTES: Anthony Lawrence Pfauser was writing to his sister, Mrs. I. J. Cohn. He was born on August 1, 1890 at Little Rock, Arkansas and died on February 11, 1963 at St. Louis, Missouri. He is buried in the Little Rock National Cemetery, Little Rock, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas, Mess Sgt Engineers serving in World War I.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Port of Embarkation France,
November 10-17.
My Dear Sister and All:
We arrived at this port this afternoon after 21 days at sea, and the trip was as good as could be expected, owing to conditions. We are still on board ship and not allowed to go ashore until tomorrow. It is awful to have to stay on this raft after so long, but I guess we can stick it out one more day at least. This sure is beautiful country, as the grass is green and everything like spring.
I heard we are not going to be here long but are going into service at once. This means a trip overland for us and we will get to see some more of Sunny France and some of Germany’s fighting, too, I guess, but that’s what we are here for.
Just watch the papers now when we get on the line and you will see where the kaiser stands. The reason the allies have not progressed as they should be is because they were waiting for us, and now that we are here just watch us.
Want a German helmet for a flower pot? I got the box you sent just before we left (CENSORED). Many thanks, as it was sure appropriate. Also thanks to Collien and love, too, for the luck piece, as we are lucky so far. I am going to write her before I leave for the front. I did not get the mail enroute, as I expected, and have not yet, but expect to soon.
We were not allowed to land at the place I spoke of, so did not have any luck. I made the trip better than I expected, as I was not seasick at all. Believe me, there is some water in this old world. More than I ever dreamed of. Just think 21 days of it. We were disappointed on the submarine part, as we did not see one until we put in port and that was a French boat.
Well, sister, I am going to close, as I can’t write at all tonight, and will try again tomorrow, as it don’ cost anything to mail these here, so with love to all, I am as ever, your brother.
A.L.P.
NOTES: Anthony Lawrence Pfauser was writing to his sister, Mrs. I. J. Cohn. He was born on August 1, 1890 at Little Rock, Arkansas and died on February 11, 1963 at St. Louis, Missouri. He is buried in the Little Rock National Cemetery, Little Rock, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas, Mess Sgt Engineers serving in World War I.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT