TRANSCRIBED FROM THE NEVADA COUNTY PICAYUNE MAY 9, 1918 P. 1
Philadelphia, Pa., April 29, 1917.
Dear Homefolks,
Will drop you a few lines tonight to let you know I am still alive and having a good time.
I guess you see by the heading of this that I have left the Missouri. I left the old tub Friday morning. Went to Norfolk on or in the water. The tub we left on was small. When we got out on the lake we struck a storm. I thought the old boat was going to break in to. We had our clothes-bags and hammocks on the bottom deck and it was covered with water. Now you know what a muss our clothes were in. I spent nine weeks on the water. Sometimes it was just fine and sometimes it wasn't so fine.
The next day after I was at Norfolk, we went out to sea again. A new bunch has just come aboard. Now you know feed the fish, but they sure did I laughed 'till my sides hurt at the salty sailors.
I guess you would like to know where we were when we wern't traveling. We were at the place History speaks about so much--Yorktown, Va. The Government has a monument about 75 ft. high. Then they have another one where Cornwallis surrendered to Washington. And the old battle ground--you never saw such a beautiful
place. Cornwallis' cave is still there. It sure did seem funny to see those places that I have read so much about. The first custom house that was ever built in America is there.
We left Norfolk Saturday morning on a little old tub. It was a passenger boat. Had some soldiers on it, and they surely did get sick. We got on the train at Cape Charles. I don't know how many states we crossed but I sure saw some good looking country. We got here about dark. They called the roll, opened the gate and said, go now. You know scatter, but we sure did. We got back this morning about 7 o'clock. Nearly all the boys have gone tonight. We can get liberty every night, and 48 hours Saturday and Sunday.
I guess you would like to know what I am doing. I am a fireman 2 class, and my pay is $41.00 per month, You ought to see me when we coal ship. When we get through there is not a white man on the ship. The only way you can tell an officer from a private is by his cap.
I have bought a Liberty Bond. Nearly everybody on the ship bought one.
I left Pat Thomas on the old battle wagon. A person doesn't have any idea what is going on on the water until he gets out where he can see. I saw transport after transport loaded with Sammies going over. Will quit.
Floyd B. Riggs,
Philadelphia Navy Yards. Co. 4, Philadelphia, Pa. Care Armory.
NOTES: Floyd Butron Riggs waws born on June 9, 1895 near Prescott, Arkansas and died on December 25, 1963. He is buried in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Prescott. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas FS US Navy during World War I.
He enlisted on December 12, 1917 and was discharged on August 11, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Philadelphia, Pa., April 29, 1917.
Dear Homefolks,
Will drop you a few lines tonight to let you know I am still alive and having a good time.
I guess you see by the heading of this that I have left the Missouri. I left the old tub Friday morning. Went to Norfolk on or in the water. The tub we left on was small. When we got out on the lake we struck a storm. I thought the old boat was going to break in to. We had our clothes-bags and hammocks on the bottom deck and it was covered with water. Now you know what a muss our clothes were in. I spent nine weeks on the water. Sometimes it was just fine and sometimes it wasn't so fine.
The next day after I was at Norfolk, we went out to sea again. A new bunch has just come aboard. Now you know feed the fish, but they sure did I laughed 'till my sides hurt at the salty sailors.
I guess you would like to know where we were when we wern't traveling. We were at the place History speaks about so much--Yorktown, Va. The Government has a monument about 75 ft. high. Then they have another one where Cornwallis surrendered to Washington. And the old battle ground--you never saw such a beautiful
place. Cornwallis' cave is still there. It sure did seem funny to see those places that I have read so much about. The first custom house that was ever built in America is there.
We left Norfolk Saturday morning on a little old tub. It was a passenger boat. Had some soldiers on it, and they surely did get sick. We got on the train at Cape Charles. I don't know how many states we crossed but I sure saw some good looking country. We got here about dark. They called the roll, opened the gate and said, go now. You know scatter, but we sure did. We got back this morning about 7 o'clock. Nearly all the boys have gone tonight. We can get liberty every night, and 48 hours Saturday and Sunday.
I guess you would like to know what I am doing. I am a fireman 2 class, and my pay is $41.00 per month, You ought to see me when we coal ship. When we get through there is not a white man on the ship. The only way you can tell an officer from a private is by his cap.
I have bought a Liberty Bond. Nearly everybody on the ship bought one.
I left Pat Thomas on the old battle wagon. A person doesn't have any idea what is going on on the water until he gets out where he can see. I saw transport after transport loaded with Sammies going over. Will quit.
Floyd B. Riggs,
Philadelphia Navy Yards. Co. 4, Philadelphia, Pa. Care Armory.
NOTES: Floyd Butron Riggs waws born on June 9, 1895 near Prescott, Arkansas and died on December 25, 1963. He is buried in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Prescott. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas FS US Navy during World War I.
He enlisted on December 12, 1917 and was discharged on August 11, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD