TRANSCRIBED FROM THE VAN BUREN COUNTY DEMOCRAT JANUARY 3, 1919 P. 1
Luxemburg, Nov. 26th.
MRS. H. H. TESTER,
Archey, Arkansas.
DEAR MOTHER:
Just a few lines to let you know I am well. This is my first letter in two weeks as we have been "hiking" to Germany. Am now at Luxemburg. We are having a nice time, if the hiking is hard but I am getting accustomed to that, for I hiked all over France last summer.
You want to know something of my movements since leaving home. Left Camp Beauregard May 29th, and Camp Merritt on June 5th. My ____ I did hate to see the gate close when we went of the dock. Paddled out of the harbor on the 7th and about two hours out I began to get sick, and believe me I was some sick for three days. After that I enjoyed my trip pretty well, but anyway the land looked good, if it was France.
We landed on the 14th and were sent through two or three camps and by July 7th were on the Marne line.Everything was quiet then and I didn't think it was so bad after all--not hearing a half-dozen shells coming over until the night of July the 14th, and then I sure thought there was something doing. More shells fell around there than one can well imagine. They didn't bother me so much then, but every shell I heard afterwards got on my nerves. They don't exactly frighten me, just a dread one has for them.
We followed the Germans on to the Vesle river. Then we went back behind the lines to LeMange, where we stayed three weeks. From there we pulled out for the St. Miheil front, but didn't get into action there because the units ahead of us drove them so fast we could hardly keep up. From here we went to the Verdun front where we saw action and plenty of it. From here we came back to Morley, about one week before the armistice was signed. We left Morley about two weeks ago for Germany and are this far on the way.
This in general tells of my movements. If I were to try to state in detail it would take more paper than I could get hold of here. It surely takes a letter a long time to go. I have written quite frequently, except at one time when I didn't write for about a month. I am in the infantry--one that does all the walking--and fighting. I thought my address explained that.
About all I have seen since I have been here is towns destroyed by shells and the country all around full of shell holes. It is the most desolate scene I ever looked upon. Everything looks so much the same that it is hard to write about it. The villages are all alike--church house in the center, with houses grouped all around. I have never been in the cities where I could see anything.
You know there were forty of us who left for camp together and by the time we got to this country there were only seven of us from home together, and now there are only four of us left. I suppose there are others together in different units. I haven't seen any of the boys from home that I knew before and only three or four from the state. I did see Prentis Reeves when I first came over.
By the time you get this I suppose lots of the boys in the camps back there will be going home. I hope it will not be long until I will be on my way, but everything will be settled before we get back. Will hush for this time by wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Your affectionate son,
Pvt. MONROE C. TESTER
Co. E 38th Inf., A.E.F., A.P.O. _____
NOTES: This letter was written by Monroe Carson Tester to his mother Lida Tester. He was born in Trivett, North Carolina on June 14, 1894.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Luxemburg, Nov. 26th.
MRS. H. H. TESTER,
Archey, Arkansas.
DEAR MOTHER:
Just a few lines to let you know I am well. This is my first letter in two weeks as we have been "hiking" to Germany. Am now at Luxemburg. We are having a nice time, if the hiking is hard but I am getting accustomed to that, for I hiked all over France last summer.
You want to know something of my movements since leaving home. Left Camp Beauregard May 29th, and Camp Merritt on June 5th. My ____ I did hate to see the gate close when we went of the dock. Paddled out of the harbor on the 7th and about two hours out I began to get sick, and believe me I was some sick for three days. After that I enjoyed my trip pretty well, but anyway the land looked good, if it was France.
We landed on the 14th and were sent through two or three camps and by July 7th were on the Marne line.Everything was quiet then and I didn't think it was so bad after all--not hearing a half-dozen shells coming over until the night of July the 14th, and then I sure thought there was something doing. More shells fell around there than one can well imagine. They didn't bother me so much then, but every shell I heard afterwards got on my nerves. They don't exactly frighten me, just a dread one has for them.
We followed the Germans on to the Vesle river. Then we went back behind the lines to LeMange, where we stayed three weeks. From there we pulled out for the St. Miheil front, but didn't get into action there because the units ahead of us drove them so fast we could hardly keep up. From here we went to the Verdun front where we saw action and plenty of it. From here we came back to Morley, about one week before the armistice was signed. We left Morley about two weeks ago for Germany and are this far on the way.
This in general tells of my movements. If I were to try to state in detail it would take more paper than I could get hold of here. It surely takes a letter a long time to go. I have written quite frequently, except at one time when I didn't write for about a month. I am in the infantry--one that does all the walking--and fighting. I thought my address explained that.
About all I have seen since I have been here is towns destroyed by shells and the country all around full of shell holes. It is the most desolate scene I ever looked upon. Everything looks so much the same that it is hard to write about it. The villages are all alike--church house in the center, with houses grouped all around. I have never been in the cities where I could see anything.
You know there were forty of us who left for camp together and by the time we got to this country there were only seven of us from home together, and now there are only four of us left. I suppose there are others together in different units. I haven't seen any of the boys from home that I knew before and only three or four from the state. I did see Prentis Reeves when I first came over.
By the time you get this I suppose lots of the boys in the camps back there will be going home. I hope it will not be long until I will be on my way, but everything will be settled before we get back. Will hush for this time by wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Your affectionate son,
Pvt. MONROE C. TESTER
Co. E 38th Inf., A.E.F., A.P.O. _____
NOTES: This letter was written by Monroe Carson Tester to his mother Lida Tester. He was born in Trivett, North Carolina on June 14, 1894.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD