TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SPRINGDALE NEWS JANUARY 31, 1919 P. 3
Co. C.P.R. Bat. A.P.O. 714
Mr. John P. Stafford,
Dear Friend:
You may be surprised to get this little note, but I'm taking the greatest of pleasure in writing to you. Just received The Springdale News, sure was glad to get it too. That little paper always has interesting news. Noticed a letter from Lt. Guy C. Stafford, Fay and Raymond Stafford, also Capt. Otto Christian and a number of other Springdale boys. Am more than glad that they are having the best of health. I'm in a small town by the name of Humes. It's about two and one half miles from a larger town called Longes, pronounced Long. These little towns all look alike, none of them looks good to me. The little city of Springdale would look very good to this soldier, believe me. There's four of us boys from Springdale, Herbert Hamby, Guy Ladd and a Mr. Dickson all in the same Company. We get awful home sick sometimes and talk about our friends and our loved ones, we we think of them all.
Will say a few words to the girls. Now girls don't worry about your sweethearts, the French girls are not near as good looking as the American girls, and that's some compliment on your part. There has been none of the Springdale boys married yet, and you know they wouldn't marry a French girl, even if they couldn't get you. They say, "Oh, I just received a letter from my girl back home, If I ever get back to Shiloh, I'm going to marry that sweet little girl, that is if she will have me." So girls you see that you have we boys going your way. I'll tell you what I think and how I feel toward the American girls. If every girl in the states would turn me down, and I would be an old bachelor all the rest of my days I still would be strong for the American girls. Now what I have said might not be very interesting to some of you girls, but I believe it will to most of you. Ha, Ha.
Yesterday was Christmas and a big day too. Mr. Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States, also Mrs. Wilson and General Pershing were in the city of Longes, France. They were visiting the American soldiers in France. The bands played as the soldiers passed in review, they saluted him as they passed, he tipped his hat too them with a gladly smile. Mrs. Wilson waved her handkerchief shouting with joy. The band was playing Dixie and every soldier wanted to stop. There must have been twenty thousand or more soldiers there and believe me we had one large time.
There has been two or three boys from Springdale killed in action, I understand. The rest of us were in reserve waiting for General Pershing's command. I can say one thing we were ready at any time to go over the top. I noticed that Clarence Beely was killed in action. He was a special friend of mine and when I heard of his death I cryed like a baby. Clarence and I were the best of friends. He sure was a good Christian boy. We can say one thing he died a hero. My prayers go out for his dear mother, and that she will meet him in heaven.
Will close wishing you all the best of health.
Your friend,
Frank Phillips.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Co. C.P.R. Bat. A.P.O. 714
Mr. John P. Stafford,
Dear Friend:
You may be surprised to get this little note, but I'm taking the greatest of pleasure in writing to you. Just received The Springdale News, sure was glad to get it too. That little paper always has interesting news. Noticed a letter from Lt. Guy C. Stafford, Fay and Raymond Stafford, also Capt. Otto Christian and a number of other Springdale boys. Am more than glad that they are having the best of health. I'm in a small town by the name of Humes. It's about two and one half miles from a larger town called Longes, pronounced Long. These little towns all look alike, none of them looks good to me. The little city of Springdale would look very good to this soldier, believe me. There's four of us boys from Springdale, Herbert Hamby, Guy Ladd and a Mr. Dickson all in the same Company. We get awful home sick sometimes and talk about our friends and our loved ones, we we think of them all.
Will say a few words to the girls. Now girls don't worry about your sweethearts, the French girls are not near as good looking as the American girls, and that's some compliment on your part. There has been none of the Springdale boys married yet, and you know they wouldn't marry a French girl, even if they couldn't get you. They say, "Oh, I just received a letter from my girl back home, If I ever get back to Shiloh, I'm going to marry that sweet little girl, that is if she will have me." So girls you see that you have we boys going your way. I'll tell you what I think and how I feel toward the American girls. If every girl in the states would turn me down, and I would be an old bachelor all the rest of my days I still would be strong for the American girls. Now what I have said might not be very interesting to some of you girls, but I believe it will to most of you. Ha, Ha.
Yesterday was Christmas and a big day too. Mr. Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States, also Mrs. Wilson and General Pershing were in the city of Longes, France. They were visiting the American soldiers in France. The bands played as the soldiers passed in review, they saluted him as they passed, he tipped his hat too them with a gladly smile. Mrs. Wilson waved her handkerchief shouting with joy. The band was playing Dixie and every soldier wanted to stop. There must have been twenty thousand or more soldiers there and believe me we had one large time.
There has been two or three boys from Springdale killed in action, I understand. The rest of us were in reserve waiting for General Pershing's command. I can say one thing we were ready at any time to go over the top. I noticed that Clarence Beely was killed in action. He was a special friend of mine and when I heard of his death I cryed like a baby. Clarence and I were the best of friends. He sure was a good Christian boy. We can say one thing he died a hero. My prayers go out for his dear mother, and that she will meet him in heaven.
Will close wishing you all the best of health.
Your friend,
Frank Phillips.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD