TRANSCRIBED FROM THE DEQUEEN BEE JUNE 14, 1918 P. 2
Camp Pike, Ark., June 9, 1918
Editor of the Bee:
Will write a short story about my trip to the army. Was called to the local board on the twenty-first day of May, 1918. Sure had a nice time. Was turned lose until Sunday at 5:30 p.m. to answer roll call. Had speaking Sunday night for the boys at the court house. Sure did enjoy the talks made by Mrs. R. E. Leslie and other good speakers. Monday morning, May 27, about 8 o’clock, we boarded the train for Camp Pike. There was a large crowd gathered to see the boys leave and all of the boys seemed in high spirits. At Ashdown another car load joined the happy bunch. At Texarkana two more cars joined the happy bunch, and so on all the way to Camp Pike. Reached Little Rock about 6:30 p.m. There they threw us paper bags containing cakes, eggs, apples, and bananas. Then we started to complete our journey. . . By the time we got out to the camp, we had two big engines pulling about twenty coaches of boys.
Got enrolled and assigned bunks and blankets. Got to bed about 10 p.m. Sure were a tired bunch of boys.
On the 28th we were taken out for drill, and found all laughing and having a good time. About 11 a.m. they vaccinated all the boys. There sure are a bunch of boys with sore arms. Nevertheless the boys seem to have a good time and liking army life fine.
To the boys yet to come: Don’t dread the army life. At 6:15 a.m. you get out of bed, get five minutes to get your clothes on and get in line for five minutes exercise: then get ready for breakfast; make the bunks, sweep the floors, wash dishes. At 8:30 drill until eleven thirty, back to drill at 1:30 p.m.: drill until 4 p.m. Nothing more but reville at 6 p.m. By then you are through eating supper, got the dishes washed, ready to take a bath. You are lose until 9 p.m. (when the lights go out) to do anything you choose. Some have remarked to the boys at home that they would be marched around and given their allotment; stand around and eat their mals. Say, boys, that is not so. When you get to the army, you will be treated nice by all and go to the table three times a day. As for myself, I like it fine.
Wishing the Bee and all of its many readers good luck.
James A. Stubbs
Camp Pike, Ark., Co. L., 346th Inft.
NOTES: This letter was written by James A. Stubbs. He was born in Geneva, Arkansas on April 16, 1894 and died on August 26, 1961. He is buried in the Mt. Ida Cemetery in Sevier County, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas PFC. serving in Co G 363rd Infantry 91st Division. He enlisted on May 26, 1918 and was discharged on April 24, 1919. He departd St. Nazaire, France on March 20, 1919 onboard the Kentuckian. he arrived in Brooklyn, NY on April 1, 1919. He was serving in Co G MG Company 363rd Infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD
Camp Pike, Ark., June 9, 1918
Editor of the Bee:
Will write a short story about my trip to the army. Was called to the local board on the twenty-first day of May, 1918. Sure had a nice time. Was turned lose until Sunday at 5:30 p.m. to answer roll call. Had speaking Sunday night for the boys at the court house. Sure did enjoy the talks made by Mrs. R. E. Leslie and other good speakers. Monday morning, May 27, about 8 o’clock, we boarded the train for Camp Pike. There was a large crowd gathered to see the boys leave and all of the boys seemed in high spirits. At Ashdown another car load joined the happy bunch. At Texarkana two more cars joined the happy bunch, and so on all the way to Camp Pike. Reached Little Rock about 6:30 p.m. There they threw us paper bags containing cakes, eggs, apples, and bananas. Then we started to complete our journey. . . By the time we got out to the camp, we had two big engines pulling about twenty coaches of boys.
Got enrolled and assigned bunks and blankets. Got to bed about 10 p.m. Sure were a tired bunch of boys.
On the 28th we were taken out for drill, and found all laughing and having a good time. About 11 a.m. they vaccinated all the boys. There sure are a bunch of boys with sore arms. Nevertheless the boys seem to have a good time and liking army life fine.
To the boys yet to come: Don’t dread the army life. At 6:15 a.m. you get out of bed, get five minutes to get your clothes on and get in line for five minutes exercise: then get ready for breakfast; make the bunks, sweep the floors, wash dishes. At 8:30 drill until eleven thirty, back to drill at 1:30 p.m.: drill until 4 p.m. Nothing more but reville at 6 p.m. By then you are through eating supper, got the dishes washed, ready to take a bath. You are lose until 9 p.m. (when the lights go out) to do anything you choose. Some have remarked to the boys at home that they would be marched around and given their allotment; stand around and eat their mals. Say, boys, that is not so. When you get to the army, you will be treated nice by all and go to the table three times a day. As for myself, I like it fine.
Wishing the Bee and all of its many readers good luck.
James A. Stubbs
Camp Pike, Ark., Co. L., 346th Inft.
NOTES: This letter was written by James A. Stubbs. He was born in Geneva, Arkansas on April 16, 1894 and died on August 26, 1961. He is buried in the Mt. Ida Cemetery in Sevier County, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas PFC. serving in Co G 363rd Infantry 91st Division. He enlisted on May 26, 1918 and was discharged on April 24, 1919. He departd St. Nazaire, France on March 20, 1919 onboard the Kentuckian. he arrived in Brooklyn, NY on April 1, 1919. He was serving in Co G MG Company 363rd Infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD