TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ROGERS DEMOCRAT NOVEMBER 7, 1918 P. 1
Camp Pike, Ark., Nov. 2, 1918.
Dear Democrat Readers:
WIll try and write a few lines this afternoon. This is a lovely day, cool, but the sun shine makes the day pleasant. This is the day of rest for the boys in khaki, that is if he worked hard enough last night, for Saturday morning we have a thoro inspection and if there is any dirt or rust on your rifle and you don’t look clean and neat, they put you on the wood pile from noon Saturday until Sunday evening, and the next time that happens you get the dirtiest job in camp, such as scrubbing old black, rusty, greasy garbage cans. But the next time seldom ever comes, for the most of the boys stop at the wood pile job and decide they would rather hum around over camp on Saturday evenings and Sundays, than to cut wood. I know that I would for I never did like to cut wood at my own leisure anyway so I have guarded against having my name taken for extra duty so far, and that’s what every true soldier should avoid. Boys, you that are left in civilian life and expecting to be called to the colors soon, I just want to give you some advice and that is, come striving to do your very best: always be on the alert, keep neat and clean above all, obey your superior officers and you won’t be liable to have any trouble. This is the only way to win this war. The day is coming soon where the enemy can’t resist any longer, and he is going to fall, so we should all do our best.
I have rheumatism in my feet now but hope to be on duty soon. The boys are working hard this week on gas mask drill and most all are making good. I put one on in four seconds but didn’t have time, as the old saying is to hunt any bees.
The quarantine is lifted off the camp and we can go to town now, but there is not many boys in camp, as they’re leaving every day for other camps, I don’t know when I’ll leave here. There is talk that we will go to California in a few days. There is but one boy that I know from home, and that is Shade Dye. I see him quite often. He’s only about two miles from here. Earl Green and Hugh Hall are gone some where, but I don’t know where, and if any one will let me know I will be obliged to them.
B. G. TAYLOR,
4th Co., 13th Repl. Tr. B.N.
NOTES: Benjamin Garland Taylor was born in Berryville, Arkansas on February 4, 1891 and died on August 6, 1979. He is buried in the Ruddick, Cemetery in Garfield, Arkansas. He enlisted on July 25, 1918 and was discharged on December 10, 1918.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD
Camp Pike, Ark., Nov. 2, 1918.
Dear Democrat Readers:
WIll try and write a few lines this afternoon. This is a lovely day, cool, but the sun shine makes the day pleasant. This is the day of rest for the boys in khaki, that is if he worked hard enough last night, for Saturday morning we have a thoro inspection and if there is any dirt or rust on your rifle and you don’t look clean and neat, they put you on the wood pile from noon Saturday until Sunday evening, and the next time that happens you get the dirtiest job in camp, such as scrubbing old black, rusty, greasy garbage cans. But the next time seldom ever comes, for the most of the boys stop at the wood pile job and decide they would rather hum around over camp on Saturday evenings and Sundays, than to cut wood. I know that I would for I never did like to cut wood at my own leisure anyway so I have guarded against having my name taken for extra duty so far, and that’s what every true soldier should avoid. Boys, you that are left in civilian life and expecting to be called to the colors soon, I just want to give you some advice and that is, come striving to do your very best: always be on the alert, keep neat and clean above all, obey your superior officers and you won’t be liable to have any trouble. This is the only way to win this war. The day is coming soon where the enemy can’t resist any longer, and he is going to fall, so we should all do our best.
I have rheumatism in my feet now but hope to be on duty soon. The boys are working hard this week on gas mask drill and most all are making good. I put one on in four seconds but didn’t have time, as the old saying is to hunt any bees.
The quarantine is lifted off the camp and we can go to town now, but there is not many boys in camp, as they’re leaving every day for other camps, I don’t know when I’ll leave here. There is talk that we will go to California in a few days. There is but one boy that I know from home, and that is Shade Dye. I see him quite often. He’s only about two miles from here. Earl Green and Hugh Hall are gone some where, but I don’t know where, and if any one will let me know I will be obliged to them.
B. G. TAYLOR,
4th Co., 13th Repl. Tr. B.N.
NOTES: Benjamin Garland Taylor was born in Berryville, Arkansas on February 4, 1891 and died on August 6, 1979. He is buried in the Ruddick, Cemetery in Garfield, Arkansas. He enlisted on July 25, 1918 and was discharged on December 10, 1918.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD