TRANSCRIBED FROM THE COLUMBIA BANNER SEPTEMBER 11, 1918 P. 2
Camp Greenleaf, Ga.
August 11, 1918.
Miss Clemmie Sayers,
Dear Sister and All:
Your letter came last night. I was glad to know you are well. As for myself, I am doing fine except a little sleepy. I went to Chattanooga yesterday afternoon and it was about 12 o’clock last night when I got back. It was the first time I had been out of camp since I first got to Camp Greenleaf, except while I was coming over from Camp Pike. I sure did have a fine time last night, I want mostly to go to Lookout Mountain, but I saw so much before I got there that I didn’t get to it, so I will have to go back, I guess that is if money doesn’t give out. That trip cost four or five dollars, but I don’t regret it for I certainly did see new things to me. I don’t suppose I will send any of this home this month, as I only drew $23.80 and that trip last night took a part of it. I should have sent it home instead of going to town, but I stayed in camp until I had begun to want to see something else.
Chattanooga would be a pretty town if it was cleaned up. All the waste of all kinds is just thrown anywhere on the streets and everywhere else. I think they need this man’s army there to fleece it up. We would soon make it look better.
Well, I went over to see Jewell Hight, have just got back. He has his winter clothes and big heavy overcoat like the one Tom had when he was at home, and he thinks he will be ready soon to cross the pond. He has been on a transfer list nearly ever since he got back from home, and most of the time he wasn’t allowed to get out of sight of his company, and wasn’t today. He wants to leave but I don’t think he is in a hurry about going to France. But it may be longer than he thinks. I hope so, any way. He has begun to look like a soldier now, but it took him a long time to learn to keep step with the other boys, but he has got it down pretty well now. It is pretty hard for a long legged fellow to step a thirty inch step and step it regularly till he learns how and then put him behind a little duck legged boy. It sure is hard for him to do. Where I am now they line us up according to height and it makes a big difference. The little short boys are behind out of the way. We long legged boys do make them ”sweat” this hot weather, ha!. ha! I was always glad to be tall and now I am better pleased, for the little short boys do have a hard time when they are behind a lot of tall fellows and have to keep up.
I had to go on guard last Thursday at dinner and guard till Friday at noon, had to guard the prisoner. Then Saturday morning was inspection day and I had to do washing Friday afternoon and stand inspection Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon, I went to town and mail was coming in all the time, so have got eight or ten behind. Tell Mama I’ll write her next time and perhaps have more time.
I guarded an officer the other day who was higher in military rank than myself, when I had to do as he said do; but the other day I had him doing as I said. It looked like it got next to him, for I had him “toe” the mark. If I had not done so, I would have been put in there with him and some fellow after me with a Springfield on his shoulder. I don’t think I want any of that in mine. I have heard that they have seventeen charges against him and every one good for one year a piece in the soldiers’ prison at Leavenworth. I guess if he gets that, the war will be about over when he gets out. He told me he hadn’t had a trial yet, but he was innocent of any charge. I don’t know anything about it and am glad I don’t, for I don’t want to witness against him as he has never done me any harm.
Say, don’t you all worry about me. I am old enough to know right from wrong, and then if I don’t keep out I am not worth worrying about. While there is plenty of temptation, I don’t say there is not. I don’t yield to it.
I will close this time, hoping to hear from you soon. I remain as ever,
Your brother,
Kelley J. Sayers,
Camp Greenleaf, Chickamaga Park
Hospital no. 104, Hospital Groups, Rec. Sec. Ga.
NOTES: Kelley Jackson Sayers was born in Magnolia, Columbia County, Arkansas, on September 13, 1894 and died on May 30, 1956. He is buried in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Columbia County, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Camp Greenleaf, Ga.
August 11, 1918.
Miss Clemmie Sayers,
Dear Sister and All:
Your letter came last night. I was glad to know you are well. As for myself, I am doing fine except a little sleepy. I went to Chattanooga yesterday afternoon and it was about 12 o’clock last night when I got back. It was the first time I had been out of camp since I first got to Camp Greenleaf, except while I was coming over from Camp Pike. I sure did have a fine time last night, I want mostly to go to Lookout Mountain, but I saw so much before I got there that I didn’t get to it, so I will have to go back, I guess that is if money doesn’t give out. That trip cost four or five dollars, but I don’t regret it for I certainly did see new things to me. I don’t suppose I will send any of this home this month, as I only drew $23.80 and that trip last night took a part of it. I should have sent it home instead of going to town, but I stayed in camp until I had begun to want to see something else.
Chattanooga would be a pretty town if it was cleaned up. All the waste of all kinds is just thrown anywhere on the streets and everywhere else. I think they need this man’s army there to fleece it up. We would soon make it look better.
Well, I went over to see Jewell Hight, have just got back. He has his winter clothes and big heavy overcoat like the one Tom had when he was at home, and he thinks he will be ready soon to cross the pond. He has been on a transfer list nearly ever since he got back from home, and most of the time he wasn’t allowed to get out of sight of his company, and wasn’t today. He wants to leave but I don’t think he is in a hurry about going to France. But it may be longer than he thinks. I hope so, any way. He has begun to look like a soldier now, but it took him a long time to learn to keep step with the other boys, but he has got it down pretty well now. It is pretty hard for a long legged fellow to step a thirty inch step and step it regularly till he learns how and then put him behind a little duck legged boy. It sure is hard for him to do. Where I am now they line us up according to height and it makes a big difference. The little short boys are behind out of the way. We long legged boys do make them ”sweat” this hot weather, ha!. ha! I was always glad to be tall and now I am better pleased, for the little short boys do have a hard time when they are behind a lot of tall fellows and have to keep up.
I had to go on guard last Thursday at dinner and guard till Friday at noon, had to guard the prisoner. Then Saturday morning was inspection day and I had to do washing Friday afternoon and stand inspection Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon, I went to town and mail was coming in all the time, so have got eight or ten behind. Tell Mama I’ll write her next time and perhaps have more time.
I guarded an officer the other day who was higher in military rank than myself, when I had to do as he said do; but the other day I had him doing as I said. It looked like it got next to him, for I had him “toe” the mark. If I had not done so, I would have been put in there with him and some fellow after me with a Springfield on his shoulder. I don’t think I want any of that in mine. I have heard that they have seventeen charges against him and every one good for one year a piece in the soldiers’ prison at Leavenworth. I guess if he gets that, the war will be about over when he gets out. He told me he hadn’t had a trial yet, but he was innocent of any charge. I don’t know anything about it and am glad I don’t, for I don’t want to witness against him as he has never done me any harm.
Say, don’t you all worry about me. I am old enough to know right from wrong, and then if I don’t keep out I am not worth worrying about. While there is plenty of temptation, I don’t say there is not. I don’t yield to it.
I will close this time, hoping to hear from you soon. I remain as ever,
Your brother,
Kelley J. Sayers,
Camp Greenleaf, Chickamaga Park
Hospital no. 104, Hospital Groups, Rec. Sec. Ga.
NOTES: Kelley Jackson Sayers was born in Magnolia, Columbia County, Arkansas, on September 13, 1894 and died on May 30, 1956. He is buried in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Columbia County, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT