TRANSCRIBED FROM THE GREEN FOREST TRIBUNE SEPTEMBER 13, 1918 P. 2
With the A. E. F. France,
Aug. 12, 1918.
Dear brother Will:
Will write you again today. I am just back from the front line. Things are still in our favor more than ever. We have driven them back so far that they are getting back closer to their own country. I would like to tell you how we picked them off but that will take too much space but I have already gotten more of them than they can get of me. I am in great hopes that you will never have to come over. I have been on the French section of the line so look and see what the French and British are doing. I know you have been keeping in close touch with the way the war has been going.
If I live a million years I shall never forget the battle of the Marne. I am in great hope of the war closing between this and Christmas but if it don’t you can count on another year. I can’t begin to tell you how things are over here but they are pretty tough at times. I will be glad when I begin to hear from you all. Suppose you all are enjoying life fine and I am sure crops are good. I am hoping to see you all before the roses bloom again.
We may get several days rest this time but I don’t know yet. I thought we would before but didn’t. I was in the front until they were driven across the next river, don’t remember the name. We were in close quarters once and when they said, “There they come” we went over the top and I never saw boys so anxious to go; we weren’t long in putting them back. I have great stories to tell you of the Marne valley for it would be great sights for you.
Tell Mary hello for me and that I would like to see her. Would like to hear from there real often but I can’t write so often for I have too much to do. Will be right glad to answer any letters any one wishes to write me.
I guess most of the boys are in camp by now but I hope they won’t have to come over but if any one does tell them to have good hopes of returning for courage is all it takes.
If you want to know about the battle of the Marne just ask any doughboy that got through, he can tell you. We are having some drive now and we are doing great work. If this keeps up for another month war will surely be over. I think that I will go back to the front line soon, but may not. We didn’t have it so hard this time and got through fine and dandy. Will close, write me often.
Your loving brother,
Heber.
NOTES: Heber Tate was born at Alpena Pass, Arkansas on October 4, 1894 and died on December 21, 1977. He is buried in the Alpena Cemetery in Alpena, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a 1st Serg. In the US Army during WWI. He departed for France from Hoboken, NJ on June 6, 1918 onboard the Manchuria. He was a part of Co. 4, Camp Beauregard June Automatic Replacement Draft Infantry. He enlisted on October 2, 1917 and was discharged on September 2, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS
With the A. E. F. France,
Aug. 12, 1918.
Dear brother Will:
Will write you again today. I am just back from the front line. Things are still in our favor more than ever. We have driven them back so far that they are getting back closer to their own country. I would like to tell you how we picked them off but that will take too much space but I have already gotten more of them than they can get of me. I am in great hopes that you will never have to come over. I have been on the French section of the line so look and see what the French and British are doing. I know you have been keeping in close touch with the way the war has been going.
If I live a million years I shall never forget the battle of the Marne. I am in great hope of the war closing between this and Christmas but if it don’t you can count on another year. I can’t begin to tell you how things are over here but they are pretty tough at times. I will be glad when I begin to hear from you all. Suppose you all are enjoying life fine and I am sure crops are good. I am hoping to see you all before the roses bloom again.
We may get several days rest this time but I don’t know yet. I thought we would before but didn’t. I was in the front until they were driven across the next river, don’t remember the name. We were in close quarters once and when they said, “There they come” we went over the top and I never saw boys so anxious to go; we weren’t long in putting them back. I have great stories to tell you of the Marne valley for it would be great sights for you.
Tell Mary hello for me and that I would like to see her. Would like to hear from there real often but I can’t write so often for I have too much to do. Will be right glad to answer any letters any one wishes to write me.
I guess most of the boys are in camp by now but I hope they won’t have to come over but if any one does tell them to have good hopes of returning for courage is all it takes.
If you want to know about the battle of the Marne just ask any doughboy that got through, he can tell you. We are having some drive now and we are doing great work. If this keeps up for another month war will surely be over. I think that I will go back to the front line soon, but may not. We didn’t have it so hard this time and got through fine and dandy. Will close, write me often.
Your loving brother,
Heber.
NOTES: Heber Tate was born at Alpena Pass, Arkansas on October 4, 1894 and died on December 21, 1977. He is buried in the Alpena Cemetery in Alpena, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a 1st Serg. In the US Army during WWI. He departed for France from Hoboken, NJ on June 6, 1918 onboard the Manchuria. He was a part of Co. 4, Camp Beauregard June Automatic Replacement Draft Infantry. He enlisted on October 2, 1917 and was discharged on September 2, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS