TRANSCRIBED FROM THE LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT JANUARY 9, 1919 P. 3
December 19, 1918.
Dear Brother:
Just a few lines today. I am well and hope you are the same. I am now in Grasslittzen, Germany. We have been hiking ever since November 16. We started from Orleans, France, which is near Paris, and came to Borecourt and joined the 89th division. From there, we went to Luxemburg, which is a little country which has not been in the war, but which is controlled by Germany. It took us just four days to walk across that country.
We had only about 76 pounds to carry, and some days our rations catch us, so we don’t eat. We walk from 30 to 45 kilometers a day, about 25 miles. I forgot to say that I am in the army of occupation. The Germans are good to us. I am sitting in the house of one now, writing. We sleep in their houses also. They all like American soldiers.
I suppose you wonder what I have been doing since I came over. I have been in a training camp just like they have at Camp Pike to train men. I never fought at all, but I sure helped to train enough men. When the war was over, the officers and non-commissioned officers were sent to the front with the divisions assigned there. Captain Scott and Lieutenant Thompson were with me until about a month ago. I sure hated to leave them.
I suppose you read in the papers about the 39th division coming home first. There are not very many men left in Co. E, 153rd infantry. There was one man in the company to come home, and he was a top sergeant. I am not with a single boy I ever knew before, in the army or out. Oh, yes, I figure on coming home in the spring, but not much sooner, as there is a lot to do over here yet.
When we were on those long hikes, I was thinking of the “slackers” around home. The could brag about our army, but when they were asked to do anything for the boys over here, they would slide away. They had better hunt their holes before we get back.
I expect to hike quite a bit more yet. I haven’t seen the sun shine here this whole month. It rains every day. Say, I sent you or Joe a slip for my Christmas box. I was so busy then I never had time to write two letters the same day. Here’s hoping you the best of luck. As ever.
Corp. William M. Stone
Co. A, 365th Inf., 89th Div., A. E. F.
NOTES: William Mont Stone was born in Conway, Arkansas on July 8, 1893 and died on October 22, 1943 of heart problems. He is buried in Faulkner County in the Stone Cemetery. His military headstone identifies him as a Cpl. serving in the 355th Infantry, 89th Division. He was writing to his brother J. F. Stone.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS
December 19, 1918.
Dear Brother:
Just a few lines today. I am well and hope you are the same. I am now in Grasslittzen, Germany. We have been hiking ever since November 16. We started from Orleans, France, which is near Paris, and came to Borecourt and joined the 89th division. From there, we went to Luxemburg, which is a little country which has not been in the war, but which is controlled by Germany. It took us just four days to walk across that country.
We had only about 76 pounds to carry, and some days our rations catch us, so we don’t eat. We walk from 30 to 45 kilometers a day, about 25 miles. I forgot to say that I am in the army of occupation. The Germans are good to us. I am sitting in the house of one now, writing. We sleep in their houses also. They all like American soldiers.
I suppose you wonder what I have been doing since I came over. I have been in a training camp just like they have at Camp Pike to train men. I never fought at all, but I sure helped to train enough men. When the war was over, the officers and non-commissioned officers were sent to the front with the divisions assigned there. Captain Scott and Lieutenant Thompson were with me until about a month ago. I sure hated to leave them.
I suppose you read in the papers about the 39th division coming home first. There are not very many men left in Co. E, 153rd infantry. There was one man in the company to come home, and he was a top sergeant. I am not with a single boy I ever knew before, in the army or out. Oh, yes, I figure on coming home in the spring, but not much sooner, as there is a lot to do over here yet.
When we were on those long hikes, I was thinking of the “slackers” around home. The could brag about our army, but when they were asked to do anything for the boys over here, they would slide away. They had better hunt their holes before we get back.
I expect to hike quite a bit more yet. I haven’t seen the sun shine here this whole month. It rains every day. Say, I sent you or Joe a slip for my Christmas box. I was so busy then I never had time to write two letters the same day. Here’s hoping you the best of luck. As ever.
Corp. William M. Stone
Co. A, 365th Inf., 89th Div., A. E. F.
NOTES: William Mont Stone was born in Conway, Arkansas on July 8, 1893 and died on October 22, 1943 of heart problems. He is buried in Faulkner County in the Stone Cemetery. His military headstone identifies him as a Cpl. serving in the 355th Infantry, 89th Division. He was writing to his brother J. F. Stone.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS