TRANSCRIBED FROM THE POINSETT MODERN NEWS JULY 11, 1919 P. 1
Smyrna, Turkey,
June 18, 1919
Dear Parents:
Just a few lines to let you know where I am at present. Am in good health and this seems to point forward to a little real excitement. Yester-day there was a revolution among Turks and six hundred were killed. There are battleships and cruisers of most every nation here. French, Brittish, American, Itallion, Turkish, and Greece. We can’t get liberty at present. We have to stand by for a landing party any minute. I am assigned to the first machine gun squad or the suicide squad. I am the sixth man in No. 1 squad. All the rest of the signalmen are in No. 2. Guess they don’t realize I have a $10,000.00 insurance policy. We have to carry a complete outfit---pistol, rifle, knapsack and full supply. I can’t say how long we will be here. It doesn’t look very promising. We stopped in Valleta, Malta Island, coming here. It was very interesting. It is famous for the fine lace they make. I bought some very nice lace and silks. There is a chapel made of bones, inside just skull and cross bones. I sure would like to know whether I will get back safe and sound or not. We have to sleep by our landing outfits, ready to go at a moment’s notice. Must say good-bye at present; with lots of love,
Your son,
George Scott.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LARAE SHURLEY
Smyrna, Turkey,
June 18, 1919
Dear Parents:
Just a few lines to let you know where I am at present. Am in good health and this seems to point forward to a little real excitement. Yester-day there was a revolution among Turks and six hundred were killed. There are battleships and cruisers of most every nation here. French, Brittish, American, Itallion, Turkish, and Greece. We can’t get liberty at present. We have to stand by for a landing party any minute. I am assigned to the first machine gun squad or the suicide squad. I am the sixth man in No. 1 squad. All the rest of the signalmen are in No. 2. Guess they don’t realize I have a $10,000.00 insurance policy. We have to carry a complete outfit---pistol, rifle, knapsack and full supply. I can’t say how long we will be here. It doesn’t look very promising. We stopped in Valleta, Malta Island, coming here. It was very interesting. It is famous for the fine lace they make. I bought some very nice lace and silks. There is a chapel made of bones, inside just skull and cross bones. I sure would like to know whether I will get back safe and sound or not. We have to sleep by our landing outfits, ready to go at a moment’s notice. Must say good-bye at present; with lots of love,
Your son,
George Scott.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LARAE SHURLEY