TRANSCRIBED FROM THE NASHVILLE NEWS MARCH 15, 1919 P. 1
Am at Tours on my way back to Bordeaux. Have been on leave for the past week and have had a goodtime. Have been up to the front. The country is certainly shot up, and the towns absolutely demolished.
Guess I will be sailing for home in a few days. Certainly am getting anxious to get back. Guess I would have sailed before now if I hadn’t gotten the leave.
I am near Tom Tolland now and will go through the town he is located in, but don’t think I will have time to stop off, and he might be on his way home now. Saw Jim Wallis, of Arkadelphia, also Frank Cargile, a few days ago.
I have been to Rheims, Verdun, Paris, Chateau Thierry, to Argonne Forest and through the Champagne sector. Crossed the Hindenburg line and went in the Crown Prince tunnel. Had a great trip. I have seen almost everything in France now. Think I will be in the States by March 10, anyway. Will go on to Bordeaux tomorrow and will be there a week before I sail.
NOTES: This is a partial letter from Captain Jay Toland to his parents, Dr. and Mrs. W. H. Toland of Nashville, Arkansas. He had been in charge of the company from Nashville and Ashdown when they left for the war. Jay Van Toland, Sr. was born on June 15, 1893 at Mineral Springs, Arkansas. He died on September 22, 1951 at Nashville. He is buried in the Nashville Cemetery.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON
Am at Tours on my way back to Bordeaux. Have been on leave for the past week and have had a goodtime. Have been up to the front. The country is certainly shot up, and the towns absolutely demolished.
Guess I will be sailing for home in a few days. Certainly am getting anxious to get back. Guess I would have sailed before now if I hadn’t gotten the leave.
I am near Tom Tolland now and will go through the town he is located in, but don’t think I will have time to stop off, and he might be on his way home now. Saw Jim Wallis, of Arkadelphia, also Frank Cargile, a few days ago.
I have been to Rheims, Verdun, Paris, Chateau Thierry, to Argonne Forest and through the Champagne sector. Crossed the Hindenburg line and went in the Crown Prince tunnel. Had a great trip. I have seen almost everything in France now. Think I will be in the States by March 10, anyway. Will go on to Bordeaux tomorrow and will be there a week before I sail.
NOTES: This is a partial letter from Captain Jay Toland to his parents, Dr. and Mrs. W. H. Toland of Nashville, Arkansas. He had been in charge of the company from Nashville and Ashdown when they left for the war. Jay Van Toland, Sr. was born on June 15, 1893 at Mineral Springs, Arkansas. He died on September 22, 1951 at Nashville. He is buried in the Nashville Cemetery.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON