TRANSCRIBED FROM THE DERMOTT NEWS APRIL 18, 1918, P. 9
Mrs. M. A. Powell,
Dermott, Ark.
My Dear Sister:
How are you?
You are O.K. I hope. I am fine. Yours received and was glad to hear from you and to know all is well. I have intended to write you for some time but as you know I am kept quite busy. I am glad to say. Some day if I am spared to see you all again I’ll be able to tell you wonders. The best policy here is to obey, and this method I have kept since I have been in military service.
Oh! How I long to be with you all again. I often dream of you all. Talk about winter! Cold in winter. I should say! The land is like that below our house. It is awful damp.
Where is Dr. Powell? Do you hear from John and Andrew?
It was awful sad about the death of Dr. G. D. Dukes. Tell Tiny to be a sweet girl.
It is awful sad to think of being so far away from home, but we are needed and I am glad to be able to do my bit. We have to undergo some very hard things, but they must be done, and I have learned to do the duty assigned me and to do my best, and the best method is to obey orders.
I am glad to say I have my first time to be cautioned about my conduct, and I pray I’ll ever remain in the attitude I am now in, by so doing I am quite confident I’ll return again.
Tell mother not to worry. If it’s God’s will, her son will return again to to her blessed side and to a father’s care. Much success to him and to you and Chester in your new home.
Now each and every on pray, not only for me, but for every one over here. May God bless you all. I long to be in my old home church again; tell them to pray for me.
Hoping to hear from you soon I’ll remain,
Your Brother
Alinda Powell,
Co, F, 303 Reg’t
NOTES: Alinda Powell was a African American soldier writing to his sister. He was born on August 31, 1894 in Monticello, Arkansas and died on February 25, 1964. He is buried in the Prospect Hill Cemetery in Cassopolis, Michigan. His military headstone identifies him as a Missouri Private serving in 837 Co. Tran. Corps during World War I. He enlisted on November 26, 1917 and was discharged on July 12, 1919. He departed Hoboken, NJ on December 26, 1917 onboard the President Grant. He was serving as a Private in QMC Co F 303 Steve. Reg. He departed Brest, France on May 17, 1919 onboard the Maui and arrived in Newport News, Va. on May 27, 1919. He was serving as a Private in 837 MTC.
TRANSCRIBED BY JORDAN HOLYFIELD
Mrs. M. A. Powell,
Dermott, Ark.
My Dear Sister:
How are you?
You are O.K. I hope. I am fine. Yours received and was glad to hear from you and to know all is well. I have intended to write you for some time but as you know I am kept quite busy. I am glad to say. Some day if I am spared to see you all again I’ll be able to tell you wonders. The best policy here is to obey, and this method I have kept since I have been in military service.
Oh! How I long to be with you all again. I often dream of you all. Talk about winter! Cold in winter. I should say! The land is like that below our house. It is awful damp.
Where is Dr. Powell? Do you hear from John and Andrew?
It was awful sad about the death of Dr. G. D. Dukes. Tell Tiny to be a sweet girl.
It is awful sad to think of being so far away from home, but we are needed and I am glad to be able to do my bit. We have to undergo some very hard things, but they must be done, and I have learned to do the duty assigned me and to do my best, and the best method is to obey orders.
I am glad to say I have my first time to be cautioned about my conduct, and I pray I’ll ever remain in the attitude I am now in, by so doing I am quite confident I’ll return again.
Tell mother not to worry. If it’s God’s will, her son will return again to to her blessed side and to a father’s care. Much success to him and to you and Chester in your new home.
Now each and every on pray, not only for me, but for every one over here. May God bless you all. I long to be in my old home church again; tell them to pray for me.
Hoping to hear from you soon I’ll remain,
Your Brother
Alinda Powell,
Co, F, 303 Reg’t
NOTES: Alinda Powell was a African American soldier writing to his sister. He was born on August 31, 1894 in Monticello, Arkansas and died on February 25, 1964. He is buried in the Prospect Hill Cemetery in Cassopolis, Michigan. His military headstone identifies him as a Missouri Private serving in 837 Co. Tran. Corps during World War I. He enlisted on November 26, 1917 and was discharged on July 12, 1919. He departed Hoboken, NJ on December 26, 1917 onboard the President Grant. He was serving as a Private in QMC Co F 303 Steve. Reg. He departed Brest, France on May 17, 1919 onboard the Maui and arrived in Newport News, Va. on May 27, 1919. He was serving as a Private in 837 MTC.
TRANSCRIBED BY JORDAN HOLYFIELD