TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SPRINGDALE NEWS SEPTEMBER 28, 1917 P. 1
Vancouver Barracks, Wash.
Sept. 20.
To the Springdale News:
I have seen a few letters in The News from home boys who are in the service, so I will try to write a line or two.
I am with the 44th U. S. Inf. stationed at Vancouver, Wash. We also have the 14th Inf. and two regiments of engineers here. There are between seven and ten thousand soldiers here. Our regiment had a parade today, and it sure makes a man feel like fighting when he sees the bright colors of Old Glory followed by four of five thousand armed soldiers.
They drill us pretty hard here, but in spite of that we have a good time. I see in the last News where the Springdale boys went to Louisiana. I wish I was with them, but I expect we will cross the pond for the Kaiser when spring comes. I wish the Springdale people could see the trenches and wire entaglmenets that the engineers have made here; it looks like war all right. We have a bomb throwing practice along with our drill.
Well, as this is my first letter to The News I hope it will escape the waste basket, and if it does I will write again some time. Love to all at home.
CLARENCE SMITH,
Co. K, 44th U. S. Inf.,
Vancouver, Wash.
P. S. We have a mascot as well as Co. A. K company has two cub bears, and they are fine ones, too.
NOTES: Clarence Alvia Smith was born on August 24, 1894 and died on April 19, 1979. He is buried in the Fayetteville National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Corp. who served in the US Army during WWI. He enlisted on June 2, 1917 and was discharged February 24, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS
Vancouver Barracks, Wash.
Sept. 20.
To the Springdale News:
I have seen a few letters in The News from home boys who are in the service, so I will try to write a line or two.
I am with the 44th U. S. Inf. stationed at Vancouver, Wash. We also have the 14th Inf. and two regiments of engineers here. There are between seven and ten thousand soldiers here. Our regiment had a parade today, and it sure makes a man feel like fighting when he sees the bright colors of Old Glory followed by four of five thousand armed soldiers.
They drill us pretty hard here, but in spite of that we have a good time. I see in the last News where the Springdale boys went to Louisiana. I wish I was with them, but I expect we will cross the pond for the Kaiser when spring comes. I wish the Springdale people could see the trenches and wire entaglmenets that the engineers have made here; it looks like war all right. We have a bomb throwing practice along with our drill.
Well, as this is my first letter to The News I hope it will escape the waste basket, and if it does I will write again some time. Love to all at home.
CLARENCE SMITH,
Co. K, 44th U. S. Inf.,
Vancouver, Wash.
P. S. We have a mascot as well as Co. A. K company has two cub bears, and they are fine ones, too.
NOTES: Clarence Alvia Smith was born on August 24, 1894 and died on April 19, 1979. He is buried in the Fayetteville National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Corp. who served in the US Army during WWI. He enlisted on June 2, 1917 and was discharged February 24, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS