TRANSCRIBED FROM THE POCAHONTAS STAR HERALD DECEMBER 13, 1918 P. 3
American Expeditionary Force.
My Dear Friend Bryant;
I am now in Sunny France, among the living, and as we were always good friends, I thought I would drop you a few lines this rainy afternoon. How are you and yours? Hope you are enjoying health to the greatest extent. I am not sick at all but have a very bad cold, but that is nothing, I had that quite often in the States.
Of course you are reading all kinds of good war news. Looks good, don’t it? I think I’ll be coming home before long. I guess there is a girl of 19 years, and that father of 64 of mine, will welcome my home coming. Have you seen our baby? I think it is some baby, though I have just about forgotten how she looked, she was so little when I left. I want you to write Gussie or bring her up to your house for a few days, I think it would do her good. I would like very much to be at home with her but here is the idea, Ralph and Thomas are both in this war and 4,000,000 other boys, so why should I be left behind? I am always ready to go 50.50 with a friend.
I would enjoy very much to visit you about Christmas. You remember we used to set up late at nights and have one terrible discussions. When I come I’ll bring Gussie and baby up and we will have a much longer talk. I know you would like for me to write you about France but it would take me too long to tell you all I have seen, so will wait until I see you, then go into all details about it. I saw Ernest Johnston before I left Camp Pike. He seemed to be o.k. He was walking post, when I met him, and I took a big laugh at him.
I would enjoy a big letter from you very much and will expect it soon. I have not heard from home yet. I saw Marshall, and he is o.k.
As ever, your friend
Pvt. Freeman Spikes
NOTES: Spikes died on April 9, 1927. He is buried in the Brockett Cemetery in Pocahontas, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Pvt. serving in the 162 Depot Brigade.
TRANSCRIBED BY CHLOE SMITH
American Expeditionary Force.
My Dear Friend Bryant;
I am now in Sunny France, among the living, and as we were always good friends, I thought I would drop you a few lines this rainy afternoon. How are you and yours? Hope you are enjoying health to the greatest extent. I am not sick at all but have a very bad cold, but that is nothing, I had that quite often in the States.
Of course you are reading all kinds of good war news. Looks good, don’t it? I think I’ll be coming home before long. I guess there is a girl of 19 years, and that father of 64 of mine, will welcome my home coming. Have you seen our baby? I think it is some baby, though I have just about forgotten how she looked, she was so little when I left. I want you to write Gussie or bring her up to your house for a few days, I think it would do her good. I would like very much to be at home with her but here is the idea, Ralph and Thomas are both in this war and 4,000,000 other boys, so why should I be left behind? I am always ready to go 50.50 with a friend.
I would enjoy very much to visit you about Christmas. You remember we used to set up late at nights and have one terrible discussions. When I come I’ll bring Gussie and baby up and we will have a much longer talk. I know you would like for me to write you about France but it would take me too long to tell you all I have seen, so will wait until I see you, then go into all details about it. I saw Ernest Johnston before I left Camp Pike. He seemed to be o.k. He was walking post, when I met him, and I took a big laugh at him.
I would enjoy a big letter from you very much and will expect it soon. I have not heard from home yet. I saw Marshall, and he is o.k.
As ever, your friend
Pvt. Freeman Spikes
NOTES: Spikes died on April 9, 1927. He is buried in the Brockett Cemetery in Pocahontas, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Pvt. serving in the 162 Depot Brigade.
TRANSCRIBED BY CHLOE SMITH