TRANSCRIBED FROM THE VAN BUREN COUNTY DEMOCRAT MAY 31, 1918 P. 1
Camp Pike, May 12th.
C. B. Oldham,
Clinton, Ark.
DEAR MR.OLDHAM:
Please forward the good old Democrat to Co.B 526 Engineering Corps, as I have been transferred and do not want to miss a single copy of my good old home paper. It is one of the greatest pleasures I have to look forward to after retreat on Saturday afternoons. It is also the best and surest way to hear from all your friends.
I have volunteered to go to France any time they want me. Don’t think I will be in this camp longer than thirty days. My captain asked me not to buy anything I could do without, saying I would not be here long and would not need anything but what the government furnished me.
I am training “shines,” (negroes) and it sure it interesting to watch them salute all the white men. They call them all “Cap’n.” But they make good soldiers and especially for hard jobs for they can stand more than white men.
One of my men walked up to me the other day and said: “Sergeant, what do dat kaiser look like, you don’t think he is a colored man, do you?” I told him I thought not and then asked him why, when he said, “I didn’t think I ever heard of a nigger as mean as that kaiser.” But don’t get the idea that I am a Sergeant for I am not. That is the negro’s way of showing courtesy to anyone.
I wish every one realized the importance of the Y.M.C.A. as does our editor and Dr. Hunter. It is impossible for any man, woman or child to do or say too much for the Y.M.C.A. or the Red Cross. Those that do all they can are patriotic those who do not are slackers. We have a few of the latter in the army and I notice they have the hardships to bear, and that isn’t all, they haven’t real friends here.
You had better watch out Mr. Slacker at home. That will be your condition if you don’t wake up to the importance of your duty and do it. Let every one do his full part and help make this war short.
I sure do enjoy reading the letters from boys in other camps. Well, Mr. Editor, if you deem this worthy of the space you may print this letter, and as it is time for me to go to my pork and beans will have to close.
ZEB SMITH
Co. B 526 Engineer Corps,
Camp Pike
NOTES: Zebulum Vance Smith was writing to the newspaper editor. He was born on July 20, 1895 in Cleveland, Arkansas and died on September 1, 1968 in Victoria, Texas. He is buried in the Roselawn Memorial Park in Alice, Texas.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD
Camp Pike, May 12th.
C. B. Oldham,
Clinton, Ark.
DEAR MR.OLDHAM:
Please forward the good old Democrat to Co.B 526 Engineering Corps, as I have been transferred and do not want to miss a single copy of my good old home paper. It is one of the greatest pleasures I have to look forward to after retreat on Saturday afternoons. It is also the best and surest way to hear from all your friends.
I have volunteered to go to France any time they want me. Don’t think I will be in this camp longer than thirty days. My captain asked me not to buy anything I could do without, saying I would not be here long and would not need anything but what the government furnished me.
I am training “shines,” (negroes) and it sure it interesting to watch them salute all the white men. They call them all “Cap’n.” But they make good soldiers and especially for hard jobs for they can stand more than white men.
One of my men walked up to me the other day and said: “Sergeant, what do dat kaiser look like, you don’t think he is a colored man, do you?” I told him I thought not and then asked him why, when he said, “I didn’t think I ever heard of a nigger as mean as that kaiser.” But don’t get the idea that I am a Sergeant for I am not. That is the negro’s way of showing courtesy to anyone.
I wish every one realized the importance of the Y.M.C.A. as does our editor and Dr. Hunter. It is impossible for any man, woman or child to do or say too much for the Y.M.C.A. or the Red Cross. Those that do all they can are patriotic those who do not are slackers. We have a few of the latter in the army and I notice they have the hardships to bear, and that isn’t all, they haven’t real friends here.
You had better watch out Mr. Slacker at home. That will be your condition if you don’t wake up to the importance of your duty and do it. Let every one do his full part and help make this war short.
I sure do enjoy reading the letters from boys in other camps. Well, Mr. Editor, if you deem this worthy of the space you may print this letter, and as it is time for me to go to my pork and beans will have to close.
ZEB SMITH
Co. B 526 Engineer Corps,
Camp Pike
NOTES: Zebulum Vance Smith was writing to the newspaper editor. He was born on July 20, 1895 in Cleveland, Arkansas and died on September 1, 1968 in Victoria, Texas. He is buried in the Roselawn Memorial Park in Alice, Texas.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD