TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SOLIPHONE JANUARY 28, 1918 P. 1
Your letter as a committee of Epworth Leaguers, remembering me so pleasantly, is appreciated beyond expression. I appreciate such remembrances, also appreciate the patriotic spirit of you at home.
I think you paid me too much mention for patriotism and bravery. To me the bravest, most patriotic individual is the ones who have to stay at home: yet have patriotism and bravery to say to friends and relatives, "Go on for the Great Cause of Democracy; go to the front of the battle during the present emergency of your country, to meet and defeat the enemy of civilization, to down militarism of prussian origin.
Such friends and relatives are more brave, in my opinion, than the soldier who goes to the battle front to offer his life, his physical and mental self to the cause that is just right and the cause that God must smile upon for its very principle. Yes I say again. They who have to say good bye, go on to war, is as patriotic and just as brave as any soldier who ever saw the western front.
Strangely as it was, the date I arrived in France, after having spent several months in England, Scotland and Wales, to be so pleasantly remembered is indeed a blessing.
It is true I was grieved to leave friends and relatives in Leachville and especially my mother at Paragould, Ark., but I am very glad I am here. As I write I am hearing the nonceasing drum fire of the cannon on the battlefield, and am overjoyed with the news from the front, which you will read of through the press. Last night as I was sleeping, I had the dream of seeing a Hun airplane brought down, only to awake in early morning as an enemy plane was passing over to be brought down a short distance away. This has been to me the end of a perfect day, victory is ours, victory is sure, peace is now in sight. I do not attempt to predict an end, but who knows but what the beginning of the end was when the Americans made such an offensive recently, all of their own. I encourage you at home to be brave, 'carry on' to victory.
I shall never be homesick or tired of war until we reach victory on the battlefield, and then, to go back to my friends at Leachville, will be my only thought. Then I cannot come back quick enough to suit me, but can sacrifice friends and relatives to serve my country as I am. Doctors are needed here with your friends, brothers and husbands, and I am here, where occasionally I can see the front, (No Man's Land) where I can be of service to the sick and wounded.
I would love to tell you what war is like, but to know just what the battlefields and operations are like cannot be described to one's satisfaction. I had duty recently over quite a large scope of back area of front. I made the rounds in a Buick car. I saw villages and towns absolutely depopulated, not a soul, again as pictures as you have seen of ruins of towns and villages, such was as I witnessed, absolutely towns and villages in heaps of ruins.
In the meantime I have learned characteristic whistles of machine gun bullets, also have heard the shriek of high explosive shells, later to hear them explode, seen fighting in the air and yet I say 'He's a poor sport who cannot find some pleasure anywhere.'
I wish to thank you for your constant remembrance, also for your prayers, and _________wishes.
NOTES: This letter was written by Lieut. A. E. Robinson of Leachville, Arkansas while serving in the Medical Reserve Corps. The letter was addressed to the Epworth League of Leachville. He was the son of Dr. J. P. Robinson of Paragould, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Your letter as a committee of Epworth Leaguers, remembering me so pleasantly, is appreciated beyond expression. I appreciate such remembrances, also appreciate the patriotic spirit of you at home.
I think you paid me too much mention for patriotism and bravery. To me the bravest, most patriotic individual is the ones who have to stay at home: yet have patriotism and bravery to say to friends and relatives, "Go on for the Great Cause of Democracy; go to the front of the battle during the present emergency of your country, to meet and defeat the enemy of civilization, to down militarism of prussian origin.
Such friends and relatives are more brave, in my opinion, than the soldier who goes to the battle front to offer his life, his physical and mental self to the cause that is just right and the cause that God must smile upon for its very principle. Yes I say again. They who have to say good bye, go on to war, is as patriotic and just as brave as any soldier who ever saw the western front.
Strangely as it was, the date I arrived in France, after having spent several months in England, Scotland and Wales, to be so pleasantly remembered is indeed a blessing.
It is true I was grieved to leave friends and relatives in Leachville and especially my mother at Paragould, Ark., but I am very glad I am here. As I write I am hearing the nonceasing drum fire of the cannon on the battlefield, and am overjoyed with the news from the front, which you will read of through the press. Last night as I was sleeping, I had the dream of seeing a Hun airplane brought down, only to awake in early morning as an enemy plane was passing over to be brought down a short distance away. This has been to me the end of a perfect day, victory is ours, victory is sure, peace is now in sight. I do not attempt to predict an end, but who knows but what the beginning of the end was when the Americans made such an offensive recently, all of their own. I encourage you at home to be brave, 'carry on' to victory.
I shall never be homesick or tired of war until we reach victory on the battlefield, and then, to go back to my friends at Leachville, will be my only thought. Then I cannot come back quick enough to suit me, but can sacrifice friends and relatives to serve my country as I am. Doctors are needed here with your friends, brothers and husbands, and I am here, where occasionally I can see the front, (No Man's Land) where I can be of service to the sick and wounded.
I would love to tell you what war is like, but to know just what the battlefields and operations are like cannot be described to one's satisfaction. I had duty recently over quite a large scope of back area of front. I made the rounds in a Buick car. I saw villages and towns absolutely depopulated, not a soul, again as pictures as you have seen of ruins of towns and villages, such was as I witnessed, absolutely towns and villages in heaps of ruins.
In the meantime I have learned characteristic whistles of machine gun bullets, also have heard the shriek of high explosive shells, later to hear them explode, seen fighting in the air and yet I say 'He's a poor sport who cannot find some pleasure anywhere.'
I wish to thank you for your constant remembrance, also for your prayers, and _________wishes.
NOTES: This letter was written by Lieut. A. E. Robinson of Leachville, Arkansas while serving in the Medical Reserve Corps. The letter was addressed to the Epworth League of Leachville. He was the son of Dr. J. P. Robinson of Paragould, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD