TRANSCRIBED FROM THE LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT APRIL 3, 1919 P. 3
Dear Parents:
I will tell you of the experiences I have had since I have been away from home. On arriving at Camp Shelby on the night of August 6, I heard my first command, "fall in column of four." I didn't know what that meant, but it didn't take me long to learn. So we got set, and started for the barracks, which were about two miles from the depot. I thought that was an awful hike. After making this hike, I was issued the army mess kit--which every soldier learns to love.
After taking the school of a soldier for 10 days, I was unfortunate and got sick and was sent to the hospital for eight days. After this I didn't drill any more at Camp Shelby.
The next time I went out for drill was at Camp Mills. I was far behind the company that I felt like a "rookie" and you can bet that I got K.P. more than any one else in the company.
While at Camp Mills I got my overseas equipment. On October 3 we boarded the train for Montreal, where we embarked on the afternoon of September 4, 2,500 soldiers and 250 Red Cross ladies boarded the Northland. Had a nice ride down the St. Lawrence to Quebec. There they docked for 24 hours, awaiting the remainder of the convoy. While there I could see lots of interesting things as we were near the heights of Quebec. I was on guard the night we were there. A cold night it was too. The sleet and snow fell all night.
About noon the next day we set sail again. On the third day most everyone was hollering Europe. I can't tell you how I felt about it. Papa, I didn't get as sick as some of my "pals" did. I didn't see any land for 14 days. The first land I saw was Ireland. Of course I felt better right away.
We landed at Liverpool about 3:30, had a nice little hike through the city. The English Red Cross made us feel quite welcome. Bands were playing and people were yelling, "glad to see you Sammies, we bid you God's speed." We loaded on the train, eight men to the stateroom, five staterooms to the car. Had a good ride except a little crowded, as the last two men in had trouble finding seats. We rode all night. I think we were under ground more than we were on top, at that. The next morning we got off at South Hampton, went out to a rest camp for one day and two nights then we sailed for France. We were all night crossing the English Channel. I tell you, Papa, I thought about everyone I knew that night, for that was the roughest riding I ever did.
We landed in France about eight o'clock the next morning, had a day's rest, which I enjoyed very much after a night of rough riding. That night we took a freight train for Ventrive, France, rode 48 hours. There were so many of us in a car that we could not all sit at once. We stayed at Ventrive for 10 days, then had to ride a freight train for 36 hours. We got off the train at Le Mons, hiked about five hours that night to a rest camp, so they call them. About two o'clock I unrolled my pack (MISSINT) out and fell asleep right soon. Once as I gazed at the stars, I had to think, "I'm glad my mother don't know where I am." We remained there for two days, then went back to Le Mons. While there I drilled 48 hours in the rain and mud without any sleep, but I felt good over it.
I was transferred from the 38th division uhile at Le Mons. There cere 85 of us boys of the 151st infantry that remained together. We were sent out to Spa when the armistice was signed. You should have heard us when our captain lined us up and told us about it. That is one day I shall never forget.
We didn't stay very long at one place. We drilled at day and moved at night. I hardly had the pleasure of seeing a home in daylight. I got to where I could roll my pack as well in the dark as I could in day light.
On December 6, I was sent to the famous 27th division. I didn't have to drill so hard after I was transfered. We remained at Champagne until February 22.
Imagine me staying in the eave of an old house all this time. When I wished to stand up, I had to get out in the center. I didn't have to go anywhere for mess, just jumped out of the loft into mess tent, as I stayed up over Company K's kitchen.
The happiest time of my life was when we loaded that freight train for Brest. We set sail on the Mauretania on February 28, for the land of liberty. That is another day for me to remember. We landed at New York on the 5th of March. Two steamers, loaded with people of the city met us. Bands were playing and flags waving. When the ship stopped, what did the band play? "Home Sweet Home!"
I was sent to Camp Merritt where I will remain until Sunday, March 23. I will then go back to New York for the parade March 25. I will then leave for Camp Upton, then for Camp Pike. It will take four hours for us to pass the grandstand in the parade, but, of course, that is just a short hike, compared with what we were used to in France.
We had some great times in France. I didn't fight any, however, I feel like I have done my "bit." I was there ready. My days were almost numbered when the armistice was signed. I don't regret my going one bit. The "slackers" and the boys who got out of this have missed something.
If the people of America only knew how far our country was ahead of France, they would plant the colors at every cross roads.
I am thankful I have gotten back to the states again. Army life is great if a person don't weaken. With love,
Arlie J. Pierce.
Co. K., 108 Inf., 27th Div.
Camp Merritt.
NOTES: Pierce was born on November 8, 1896 and died on May 30, 1970. He enlisted on August 5, 1918 and was discharged on April 7, 1919. He departed Brest, France on February 28, 1919 onboard the Mauretania. He arrived in New York on March 7, 1919. He was serving in Camp Pike 108th Infantry, 27th Division. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Pierce of Conway, Arkansas. His middle name may actually be Irvin, not J.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAELL HARROD
Dear Parents:
I will tell you of the experiences I have had since I have been away from home. On arriving at Camp Shelby on the night of August 6, I heard my first command, "fall in column of four." I didn't know what that meant, but it didn't take me long to learn. So we got set, and started for the barracks, which were about two miles from the depot. I thought that was an awful hike. After making this hike, I was issued the army mess kit--which every soldier learns to love.
After taking the school of a soldier for 10 days, I was unfortunate and got sick and was sent to the hospital for eight days. After this I didn't drill any more at Camp Shelby.
The next time I went out for drill was at Camp Mills. I was far behind the company that I felt like a "rookie" and you can bet that I got K.P. more than any one else in the company.
While at Camp Mills I got my overseas equipment. On October 3 we boarded the train for Montreal, where we embarked on the afternoon of September 4, 2,500 soldiers and 250 Red Cross ladies boarded the Northland. Had a nice ride down the St. Lawrence to Quebec. There they docked for 24 hours, awaiting the remainder of the convoy. While there I could see lots of interesting things as we were near the heights of Quebec. I was on guard the night we were there. A cold night it was too. The sleet and snow fell all night.
About noon the next day we set sail again. On the third day most everyone was hollering Europe. I can't tell you how I felt about it. Papa, I didn't get as sick as some of my "pals" did. I didn't see any land for 14 days. The first land I saw was Ireland. Of course I felt better right away.
We landed at Liverpool about 3:30, had a nice little hike through the city. The English Red Cross made us feel quite welcome. Bands were playing and people were yelling, "glad to see you Sammies, we bid you God's speed." We loaded on the train, eight men to the stateroom, five staterooms to the car. Had a good ride except a little crowded, as the last two men in had trouble finding seats. We rode all night. I think we were under ground more than we were on top, at that. The next morning we got off at South Hampton, went out to a rest camp for one day and two nights then we sailed for France. We were all night crossing the English Channel. I tell you, Papa, I thought about everyone I knew that night, for that was the roughest riding I ever did.
We landed in France about eight o'clock the next morning, had a day's rest, which I enjoyed very much after a night of rough riding. That night we took a freight train for Ventrive, France, rode 48 hours. There were so many of us in a car that we could not all sit at once. We stayed at Ventrive for 10 days, then had to ride a freight train for 36 hours. We got off the train at Le Mons, hiked about five hours that night to a rest camp, so they call them. About two o'clock I unrolled my pack (MISSINT) out and fell asleep right soon. Once as I gazed at the stars, I had to think, "I'm glad my mother don't know where I am." We remained there for two days, then went back to Le Mons. While there I drilled 48 hours in the rain and mud without any sleep, but I felt good over it.
I was transferred from the 38th division uhile at Le Mons. There cere 85 of us boys of the 151st infantry that remained together. We were sent out to Spa when the armistice was signed. You should have heard us when our captain lined us up and told us about it. That is one day I shall never forget.
We didn't stay very long at one place. We drilled at day and moved at night. I hardly had the pleasure of seeing a home in daylight. I got to where I could roll my pack as well in the dark as I could in day light.
On December 6, I was sent to the famous 27th division. I didn't have to drill so hard after I was transfered. We remained at Champagne until February 22.
Imagine me staying in the eave of an old house all this time. When I wished to stand up, I had to get out in the center. I didn't have to go anywhere for mess, just jumped out of the loft into mess tent, as I stayed up over Company K's kitchen.
The happiest time of my life was when we loaded that freight train for Brest. We set sail on the Mauretania on February 28, for the land of liberty. That is another day for me to remember. We landed at New York on the 5th of March. Two steamers, loaded with people of the city met us. Bands were playing and flags waving. When the ship stopped, what did the band play? "Home Sweet Home!"
I was sent to Camp Merritt where I will remain until Sunday, March 23. I will then go back to New York for the parade March 25. I will then leave for Camp Upton, then for Camp Pike. It will take four hours for us to pass the grandstand in the parade, but, of course, that is just a short hike, compared with what we were used to in France.
We had some great times in France. I didn't fight any, however, I feel like I have done my "bit." I was there ready. My days were almost numbered when the armistice was signed. I don't regret my going one bit. The "slackers" and the boys who got out of this have missed something.
If the people of America only knew how far our country was ahead of France, they would plant the colors at every cross roads.
I am thankful I have gotten back to the states again. Army life is great if a person don't weaken. With love,
Arlie J. Pierce.
Co. K., 108 Inf., 27th Div.
Camp Merritt.
NOTES: Pierce was born on November 8, 1896 and died on May 30, 1970. He enlisted on August 5, 1918 and was discharged on April 7, 1919. He departed Brest, France on February 28, 1919 onboard the Mauretania. He arrived in New York on March 7, 1919. He was serving in Camp Pike 108th Infantry, 27th Division. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Pierce of Conway, Arkansas. His middle name may actually be Irvin, not J.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAELL HARROD