TRANSCRIBED FROM THE NEVADA COUNTY PICAYUNE SEPTEMBER 12, 1918 P. 8
France, August 12, 1918
Mrs. R. C. Thornton,
Prescott, Arkansas.
Dear Aunt:
Will write you a few lines to let you know I am well and hope you are the same.
We have had some good weather over here this summer. It has been warm in the day time and cool at night. I haven’t slept a night without a blanket over me.
I was down for a swim the other day. The water was a little cool, but I enjoyed it very much. It was the first time I have been swimming this year. I would like to be back and go swimming in the Little Missouri. I will never forget the time that I went to the river with Bob and Wiley Hoods families. We sure did have some time that day. I like to be around where there is plenty of water. There isn’t much water in some parts of France. We are in a part now where there is plenty of water though.
I haven’t seen any cotton growing over here, and only seen one little field of corn. The French raise wheat, rye, barley, oats, grapes, peaches. plums, pears and apples. They raise very few cantaloupes. I haven’t seen a watermelon since I have been over here.
We have had the Germans on the move for the last few months. I guess you have read about what we have been doing over here. We took about 27,000 prisoners the last big battle we had, some guns, supplies and one railroad. The British and French have been driving the last few days. They have took about 30,000 prisoners, a lot of guns and other stuff. Our losses have been small.
The German airplanes visit us once in a while at night. They are pretty bad too. You can never tell where they are going to drop a bomb.
I think this war will soon be over though. Japan has come into it now. I can’t think of much else to write. Answer soon.
Your Nephew,
Pvt. William A. Simpson,
1st. Train Headquarters and Military Police, 1st Exp. Division, A. E. F.
NOTES: This letter is written by Simpson of Prescott, Arkansas to his aunt. Mrs. R. C. Thornton.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
France, August 12, 1918
Mrs. R. C. Thornton,
Prescott, Arkansas.
Dear Aunt:
Will write you a few lines to let you know I am well and hope you are the same.
We have had some good weather over here this summer. It has been warm in the day time and cool at night. I haven’t slept a night without a blanket over me.
I was down for a swim the other day. The water was a little cool, but I enjoyed it very much. It was the first time I have been swimming this year. I would like to be back and go swimming in the Little Missouri. I will never forget the time that I went to the river with Bob and Wiley Hoods families. We sure did have some time that day. I like to be around where there is plenty of water. There isn’t much water in some parts of France. We are in a part now where there is plenty of water though.
I haven’t seen any cotton growing over here, and only seen one little field of corn. The French raise wheat, rye, barley, oats, grapes, peaches. plums, pears and apples. They raise very few cantaloupes. I haven’t seen a watermelon since I have been over here.
We have had the Germans on the move for the last few months. I guess you have read about what we have been doing over here. We took about 27,000 prisoners the last big battle we had, some guns, supplies and one railroad. The British and French have been driving the last few days. They have took about 30,000 prisoners, a lot of guns and other stuff. Our losses have been small.
The German airplanes visit us once in a while at night. They are pretty bad too. You can never tell where they are going to drop a bomb.
I think this war will soon be over though. Japan has come into it now. I can’t think of much else to write. Answer soon.
Your Nephew,
Pvt. William A. Simpson,
1st. Train Headquarters and Military Police, 1st Exp. Division, A. E. F.
NOTES: This letter is written by Simpson of Prescott, Arkansas to his aunt. Mrs. R. C. Thornton.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT