TRANSCRIBED FROM THE PRESCOTT DAILY NEWS APRIL 17, 1918 P. 4
Dear Mr. Matthews:
I wrote you recently, but thought it too poorly written to mail, but will do better with this one.
It is now 10:20 o’clock p.m. There it is only 4:00 o’clock p.m. Strange, isn’t it. When the sun goes down here it is noon there.
I am sitting by the table in the sick ward of the hospital writing this letter by a lantern light. One of our men is on night duty and sees after the ward by night, but I am responsible in general, so am sitting up awhile tonight.
We have seven patients in the bed now. None of them are very sick, though. I like the work fine.
The censor will not permit me to tell much about the country or soldiers. France is an old looking place. More like an old turned out apple orchard than anything I think of now. hTe people wear black a great deal, but after all they are not so different to Americans, except in talking. But then, some of them can speak good English. I have learned but little French yet. The people are very courteous to the soldiers of America.
I was glad to find a letter from you when I arrived here: would have answered sooner, but have been “frustrated.” Hope you keep well. I am well. Have not felt bad a minute since I left America.
We had a battle with a “sub” on the way over, but come out victorious. I will tell you about it when I get back, for I am not allowed to say much about it here.
Some say the war will be over soon. I hope so, for I can leave here satisfied now.
The weather is beautiful here. The grass is green.
Good night: write soon,
Yours very truly,
CALVIN TOMPKINS.
NOTES: John Calvin Tompkins was born on August 31 1988 in Prescott, Arkansas and died in 1949. He is buried in the Rose Hill Burial Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He departed for Europe on February 17, 1918 onboard Ship #50. He was serving as a Sgt. in the Sanitary Department 35 Regular Engineers. He departed Brest, France on October 19, 19 onboard the America. He was serving as a Sgt. in Casual Co #5290.
TRANSCRIBED BY JACQUE HOWARD
Dear Mr. Matthews:
I wrote you recently, but thought it too poorly written to mail, but will do better with this one.
It is now 10:20 o’clock p.m. There it is only 4:00 o’clock p.m. Strange, isn’t it. When the sun goes down here it is noon there.
I am sitting by the table in the sick ward of the hospital writing this letter by a lantern light. One of our men is on night duty and sees after the ward by night, but I am responsible in general, so am sitting up awhile tonight.
We have seven patients in the bed now. None of them are very sick, though. I like the work fine.
The censor will not permit me to tell much about the country or soldiers. France is an old looking place. More like an old turned out apple orchard than anything I think of now. hTe people wear black a great deal, but after all they are not so different to Americans, except in talking. But then, some of them can speak good English. I have learned but little French yet. The people are very courteous to the soldiers of America.
I was glad to find a letter from you when I arrived here: would have answered sooner, but have been “frustrated.” Hope you keep well. I am well. Have not felt bad a minute since I left America.
We had a battle with a “sub” on the way over, but come out victorious. I will tell you about it when I get back, for I am not allowed to say much about it here.
Some say the war will be over soon. I hope so, for I can leave here satisfied now.
The weather is beautiful here. The grass is green.
Good night: write soon,
Yours very truly,
CALVIN TOMPKINS.
NOTES: John Calvin Tompkins was born on August 31 1988 in Prescott, Arkansas and died in 1949. He is buried in the Rose Hill Burial Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He departed for Europe on February 17, 1918 onboard Ship #50. He was serving as a Sgt. in the Sanitary Department 35 Regular Engineers. He departed Brest, France on October 19, 19 onboard the America. He was serving as a Sgt. in Casual Co #5290.
TRANSCRIBED BY JACQUE HOWARD