TRANSCRIBED FROM THE MELBOURNE TIMES DECEMBER 13, 1917, P. 2
Dear Mr. Editor and Friends:
Some of you may be surprised at my still being at Camp Pike, especially when you recall that I am the only Izard county boy, so far as I know, here. It was one of those bright fall mornings when I happened to be down near the part of the camp occupied by the home boys and saw them all lined up with all of their “earthly possessions” in a blue barrack bag ready to throw them on their shoulders and go where ever the will of Uncle Sam might lead them. This barrack bag is a little larger than a two bushel sack in circumference but not quite as long. It contained two blankets, a suit of clothes and numerous other articles I could not mention.
The boys were not sure where they were going but I have a since learned that most of them went to Alexandria, La. Let me pause right here long enough to say that I am proud of this bunch of boys and am certainly expecting great things of them. I have talked with the officers in the company who complimented the boys highly.
In a former letter I gave you some idea about the magnitude of this Camp. This time I am going to tell you a few things that are being done here now. When we first came here all were white men but since all the local men have been sent away and men have been sent here from Northern states. There is a single exception, however, to this rule for we have had in this are for the past two months anywhere from 2000 to 4000 negroes. Perhaps you might think that this would be rather wearisome work but not quite so much as you imagine. One of the worst troubles is that they want to call every one “Cap’em.” The negro, as a rule, is absolutely polite and obedient. Thus you see he has two principles already learned.
Thanksgiving was a big day for the colored men here. Uncle Sam is always good enough to allow his boys a pound of turkey each Thanksgiving and Christmas. Not a single thing was left off that would add to the pleasure of the dinner, and most of the men ate enough turkey to last them until Christmas. All kinds of contests were had from a potato race, a pie eating contest and dancing match to a boxing bout. In the afternoon a football game was staged.
There are hundreds of things taking place here every day that we do not hear about nor would there be space enough in your valuable paper if I could write them. I shall write again some time and tell something of the nature of the training here. Best wishes to all the home folks and to all the soldier boys who may read this wherever they may be.
Your friend,
J. Moses Smith,
Hd. 1st Training Bn. 162 Depot
Brigade. Camp Pike, Ark.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY JORDAN HOLYFIELD
Dear Mr. Editor and Friends:
Some of you may be surprised at my still being at Camp Pike, especially when you recall that I am the only Izard county boy, so far as I know, here. It was one of those bright fall mornings when I happened to be down near the part of the camp occupied by the home boys and saw them all lined up with all of their “earthly possessions” in a blue barrack bag ready to throw them on their shoulders and go where ever the will of Uncle Sam might lead them. This barrack bag is a little larger than a two bushel sack in circumference but not quite as long. It contained two blankets, a suit of clothes and numerous other articles I could not mention.
The boys were not sure where they were going but I have a since learned that most of them went to Alexandria, La. Let me pause right here long enough to say that I am proud of this bunch of boys and am certainly expecting great things of them. I have talked with the officers in the company who complimented the boys highly.
In a former letter I gave you some idea about the magnitude of this Camp. This time I am going to tell you a few things that are being done here now. When we first came here all were white men but since all the local men have been sent away and men have been sent here from Northern states. There is a single exception, however, to this rule for we have had in this are for the past two months anywhere from 2000 to 4000 negroes. Perhaps you might think that this would be rather wearisome work but not quite so much as you imagine. One of the worst troubles is that they want to call every one “Cap’em.” The negro, as a rule, is absolutely polite and obedient. Thus you see he has two principles already learned.
Thanksgiving was a big day for the colored men here. Uncle Sam is always good enough to allow his boys a pound of turkey each Thanksgiving and Christmas. Not a single thing was left off that would add to the pleasure of the dinner, and most of the men ate enough turkey to last them until Christmas. All kinds of contests were had from a potato race, a pie eating contest and dancing match to a boxing bout. In the afternoon a football game was staged.
There are hundreds of things taking place here every day that we do not hear about nor would there be space enough in your valuable paper if I could write them. I shall write again some time and tell something of the nature of the training here. Best wishes to all the home folks and to all the soldier boys who may read this wherever they may be.
Your friend,
J. Moses Smith,
Hd. 1st Training Bn. 162 Depot
Brigade. Camp Pike, Ark.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY JORDAN HOLYFIELD