TRANSCRIBED FROM THE HOTS SPRINGS NEW ERA DECEMBER 6, 1917
Camp Beauregard, La.
Dec. 3, 1917.
Dear Steve:
In view of the absence of news from the Ambulance Company, have you about reached the conclusion that the Germans have got us? Far be it from such. There never was a more hardy, cheerful, determined body of men organized for the destruction of Kaiserism than the Hot Springs Ambulance Company.
We received our uniforms at Ft. Roots, about four weeks training and were removed to Camp Beauregard Nov. 1. We now have twelve motor ambulances and practically all of our equipment and we pride ourselves very much on the rapid progress we have made in the way of training.
Camp Beauregard is not yet completed, but is very beautiful as it stands and is a splendid place to learn the “science of war.”
All of us boys are “informed” that Alexandria is near our camp but we are unwilling to verify the fact because we have been under a measles quarantine since three weeks before leaving Ft. Roots. We hope that such is the case, as, like all humans, we would enjoy a picture show, or some other simple amusement.
All of the Hot Springs boys are very glad to be near the other home boys in Company C, and we regretted very much to see Captain Sisney transfered to another organization. We entertain hopes that they will get him back again in the near future.
We congratulate ourselves on having the best officers in the whole camp, at least we think so, and that is all that is necessary. There is very close co-operation between our officers and the men, that must be counted as a blow to Prussianism, as it is the fore-runner of efficiency.
Now before bringing this “verbal spasm” to a close, would like to get “personal” for a moment. We have a splendid “specimen” of humanity, commonly known as Corporal Kelly. Right after we arrived at Ft. Roots it was very dry and dusty and one afternoon about 4 o’clock it was clear as a glass of water and he bet another boy it would rain before 11 o’clock: he won. A few nights later it was raining a steady downpour at 6 o’clock, he bet that the stars would be shinning at 10 o’clock: he won. He has never been known to lose anything since being in the army. Now he has a bet with First Sergeant Henry W. Johnson that the Kaiser will be dead by midnight Christmas. None of us will be the least bit surprised if he wins again.
Three Hot Springs boys have received promotions since leaving there. Everett Jones has been promoted from private to corporal and Edward Reuse from corporal to sergeant, with Clarence M. Gladson our little “__killer” (165 pounds small) from private to sergeant. There are several other local boys who are fast making their mark in the soldier life.
We are all very thankful to the good people of our home town for remembering us like they have. They have favored us often by gifts of things that were needed, so we extend our dearest gratitude to all.
We have met with the misfortune of losing one member of our company. Dan Lee of El Dorado, died last Saturday noon from pneumonia. The other members are enjoying good health and all have made a fair increase in weight.
I would write ten times as much as I have and still not tell the splendid experiences we have seen, but trust this will, to a certain extent, show the preparation we have made together with a grim determination to get the Kaiser, and assure you that every Hot Springs boy will make a good account of himself in the near future. I send the best wishes of the entire command.
Sergt. W. Floyd Sharp,
Ambulance Co. 153,
114 Sanitary Train, 39th Div.,
Camp Beauregard, La.
NOTES: This letter was written by Sergeant Floyd Sharp of Hot Springs, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON
Camp Beauregard, La.
Dec. 3, 1917.
Dear Steve:
In view of the absence of news from the Ambulance Company, have you about reached the conclusion that the Germans have got us? Far be it from such. There never was a more hardy, cheerful, determined body of men organized for the destruction of Kaiserism than the Hot Springs Ambulance Company.
We received our uniforms at Ft. Roots, about four weeks training and were removed to Camp Beauregard Nov. 1. We now have twelve motor ambulances and practically all of our equipment and we pride ourselves very much on the rapid progress we have made in the way of training.
Camp Beauregard is not yet completed, but is very beautiful as it stands and is a splendid place to learn the “science of war.”
All of us boys are “informed” that Alexandria is near our camp but we are unwilling to verify the fact because we have been under a measles quarantine since three weeks before leaving Ft. Roots. We hope that such is the case, as, like all humans, we would enjoy a picture show, or some other simple amusement.
All of the Hot Springs boys are very glad to be near the other home boys in Company C, and we regretted very much to see Captain Sisney transfered to another organization. We entertain hopes that they will get him back again in the near future.
We congratulate ourselves on having the best officers in the whole camp, at least we think so, and that is all that is necessary. There is very close co-operation between our officers and the men, that must be counted as a blow to Prussianism, as it is the fore-runner of efficiency.
Now before bringing this “verbal spasm” to a close, would like to get “personal” for a moment. We have a splendid “specimen” of humanity, commonly known as Corporal Kelly. Right after we arrived at Ft. Roots it was very dry and dusty and one afternoon about 4 o’clock it was clear as a glass of water and he bet another boy it would rain before 11 o’clock: he won. A few nights later it was raining a steady downpour at 6 o’clock, he bet that the stars would be shinning at 10 o’clock: he won. He has never been known to lose anything since being in the army. Now he has a bet with First Sergeant Henry W. Johnson that the Kaiser will be dead by midnight Christmas. None of us will be the least bit surprised if he wins again.
Three Hot Springs boys have received promotions since leaving there. Everett Jones has been promoted from private to corporal and Edward Reuse from corporal to sergeant, with Clarence M. Gladson our little “__killer” (165 pounds small) from private to sergeant. There are several other local boys who are fast making their mark in the soldier life.
We are all very thankful to the good people of our home town for remembering us like they have. They have favored us often by gifts of things that were needed, so we extend our dearest gratitude to all.
We have met with the misfortune of losing one member of our company. Dan Lee of El Dorado, died last Saturday noon from pneumonia. The other members are enjoying good health and all have made a fair increase in weight.
I would write ten times as much as I have and still not tell the splendid experiences we have seen, but trust this will, to a certain extent, show the preparation we have made together with a grim determination to get the Kaiser, and assure you that every Hot Springs boy will make a good account of himself in the near future. I send the best wishes of the entire command.
Sergt. W. Floyd Sharp,
Ambulance Co. 153,
114 Sanitary Train, 39th Div.,
Camp Beauregard, La.
NOTES: This letter was written by Sergeant Floyd Sharp of Hot Springs, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON