TRANSCRIBED FROM THE PINE BLUFF DAILY GRAPHIC JULY 18, 1918 P. 8
We stayed just long enough where we were (when we were first located in France) to get things fixed fine, and then we got started to moving and now we’re here. Those who have a deep felt grudge against the Huns will soon be able to put their feeling into action. Before we left we got up a mess of fifteen of the non coms of the detachment, including two of the sergeants of the corps of interpreters and two others who can talk French. We would draw our daily rations for fifteen and have it cooked and served for us in a house according to our order and not as we had to take it.
I also managed to draw a billet back there and was pleased enough with it, for it was scrupulously clean and the madame was very solicitous that I had a few extra attentions, for which she got an expected “souvenir” when I left. The bed was very small, and wasn’t as big as the kids’ bed, but was pretty wide so I could lie from the southeast corner and get in. It seemed to have been an afterthought. There was a space something over five feet between two walls, so a few boards were used to put up a side and a bottom.
There was nothing to the little town we were in outside of a few small cafes where we could get a drink within certain hours and quantities. I don’t ever forget how one night I was going to show how much French I knew and be sure the mademoiselle understood me. So I made my best efforts, and expected a “wee wee” for my pains. Instead she said, “I got you Steve.” I don’t think there is any use trying to learn this language for they manage to sell us what we want somehow.
I am glad we left there, and the trip here in box cars) is one I’m glad I had. It was a great trip and the scenery was a wonderful improvement over what we had seen before. I’ve seen enough of France now to know there are parts over here I’d like to live in. The French box cars are about half a long as ours and the capacity is 36-40 “h’ommes” (men) or 8 chevaux (horses). Because we were to spend the night only thirty of us with packs and rations were allowed to get in one car. They are superior to ours for passenger service in that the sides have big openings and the floors have good cracks for ventilation. I retired to my berth early and chose a strategic position before the enemy rushed upon the ground. My rain coat, blanket and shelter half (each man carries half a little “pup” tent) were my base of supplies, and regardless of a flat wheel, there was comparatively little uneasiness felt in my sector. About 1 a.m. we made a halt, and many of our band fell out for coffee which was served by the station, and in their absence I improved by situation and defended it successfully against all comers until dawn, when hostilities ceased.
We detrained at a fine town and stayed two days. I wouldn’t have minded staying there, but the only Germans we could find thereabouts were prisoners. They were either men boys or old men poor appearance pleased me, and it seemed that they were not displeased at all over being prisoners. While in this place I went through a big old cathedral, and it was wonderful to me how such pieces of beautiful architecture can be built through several generations. It’s awful to think how many of these and other works of art the Germans have destroyed.
Just before we left our first base, the advance party of the division to relieve us arrived. It was a national army (draft) division from the South. I can’t tell you the number nor where its from, but the general appearance of this bunch is fine. Our national army is a far better organization than the regular army or national guard, for a better class of men waited to be drafted than volunteered. I ran cross several men in this outfit that I had known at the University of Virginia.
I made a few miles of this on an English lorrie (what we call a truck) with our office equipment. We passed some of our troops on the march, and I’ll tell you it’s a fine sight to see one long line of fine marching Americans taking their equipment too. We’ve got a heavy pack, but some of these troops made fifteen miles that day and they were singing and whistling, still keeping their lines in fine order. The American Army is much better than many will admit and it will give a good account of its self. It may be as a matter of policy, but the English and French papers every day mention the brave and plucky Americans and the good showing they have already made.
Now we’re here and the division quartermaster’s men are finding their jobs hard ones. The transportation and supply ends have plenty to worry them, and the finance end is snowed under. We got one month behind to start with by most of our troops being on the move about the first of May and so didn’t get paid for April. Then we’ve been on the go so much in May and June that we got behind another month. We ran into some finance boys of another division who’ve been here some time, and they said it took them six months to catch up and be even with current business. I’ve got work that I like and good officers, so I don’t mind having the work on my hands. There’s just one feature that disagrees with me. “Apes le guerre (after the war) the regular army divisions will be sent home after national army and the national guard. And after we do get home the finance department of the quartermasters corps will be the last to get out, so I may be gray haired before I ride the slow train in Arkansas again. There’s one thing certain—I am going to take off some time, re-tame myself and enjoy the civilized world again.
There is no telling what will happen to a man or his health in the army, but if I get out in as good condition as I’m in now I’ll owe lots to the life I’ve had in the army. I haven’t weighed since I left America, but my face is full, and I feel fine and am enjoying living, as much as it can be enjoyed under the circumstance. Still I’m ready for the Dutch to get licked as soon as possible, and I’ll know how to appreciate the fine home I had.
The General here has a Cadillac limousine, and the horn has a very familiar sound. I can hardly realize that I have driven one so many miles, and a real auto ride is almost a forgotten thing. When I heard the horn for the first time I knew unmistakeably that there was a Cadillac about and when it climbed the hill and showed up it was the prettiest sight I’ve seen in France.
Today I wrote a check for Thomas Dobbins, Captain Medical Reserve Corps. About the first week of February, when I was in the Bank acting as teller during the noon hour, he came in with a government check from the Q.M. at Fort Riley, and I cashed it for him. Little did I think that in four months I’d be writing his checks for him. He’s Jennie Dobbins brother and was born in Pine Bluff.
I’ve got a billet now overlooking the main street. The only objections is that about five hundred trucks pass through every night (night being their best time to travel) but I guess I’ll get used to them soon.
For the censor’s benefit I’ll stop now. You may write as long as you care to me, for he does not worry with incoming mail if you thought he did.
Frank
NOTES: Frank Holland Triplett was writing to his father, C. H. Triplett president of the National Bank of Arkansas. He was born May 23, 1895, Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas and died August 18, 1980, Pine Bluff. He is buried Bellwood Cemetery, Pine Bluff. He tried to enlist four time in various military services but was finally accepted for service in the Quartermaster Corps. He was serving in the Paymasters Corps at the time of the letter. He was described as being of medium height and build with brown eyes and dark hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
We stayed just long enough where we were (when we were first located in France) to get things fixed fine, and then we got started to moving and now we’re here. Those who have a deep felt grudge against the Huns will soon be able to put their feeling into action. Before we left we got up a mess of fifteen of the non coms of the detachment, including two of the sergeants of the corps of interpreters and two others who can talk French. We would draw our daily rations for fifteen and have it cooked and served for us in a house according to our order and not as we had to take it.
I also managed to draw a billet back there and was pleased enough with it, for it was scrupulously clean and the madame was very solicitous that I had a few extra attentions, for which she got an expected “souvenir” when I left. The bed was very small, and wasn’t as big as the kids’ bed, but was pretty wide so I could lie from the southeast corner and get in. It seemed to have been an afterthought. There was a space something over five feet between two walls, so a few boards were used to put up a side and a bottom.
There was nothing to the little town we were in outside of a few small cafes where we could get a drink within certain hours and quantities. I don’t ever forget how one night I was going to show how much French I knew and be sure the mademoiselle understood me. So I made my best efforts, and expected a “wee wee” for my pains. Instead she said, “I got you Steve.” I don’t think there is any use trying to learn this language for they manage to sell us what we want somehow.
I am glad we left there, and the trip here in box cars) is one I’m glad I had. It was a great trip and the scenery was a wonderful improvement over what we had seen before. I’ve seen enough of France now to know there are parts over here I’d like to live in. The French box cars are about half a long as ours and the capacity is 36-40 “h’ommes” (men) or 8 chevaux (horses). Because we were to spend the night only thirty of us with packs and rations were allowed to get in one car. They are superior to ours for passenger service in that the sides have big openings and the floors have good cracks for ventilation. I retired to my berth early and chose a strategic position before the enemy rushed upon the ground. My rain coat, blanket and shelter half (each man carries half a little “pup” tent) were my base of supplies, and regardless of a flat wheel, there was comparatively little uneasiness felt in my sector. About 1 a.m. we made a halt, and many of our band fell out for coffee which was served by the station, and in their absence I improved by situation and defended it successfully against all comers until dawn, when hostilities ceased.
We detrained at a fine town and stayed two days. I wouldn’t have minded staying there, but the only Germans we could find thereabouts were prisoners. They were either men boys or old men poor appearance pleased me, and it seemed that they were not displeased at all over being prisoners. While in this place I went through a big old cathedral, and it was wonderful to me how such pieces of beautiful architecture can be built through several generations. It’s awful to think how many of these and other works of art the Germans have destroyed.
Just before we left our first base, the advance party of the division to relieve us arrived. It was a national army (draft) division from the South. I can’t tell you the number nor where its from, but the general appearance of this bunch is fine. Our national army is a far better organization than the regular army or national guard, for a better class of men waited to be drafted than volunteered. I ran cross several men in this outfit that I had known at the University of Virginia.
I made a few miles of this on an English lorrie (what we call a truck) with our office equipment. We passed some of our troops on the march, and I’ll tell you it’s a fine sight to see one long line of fine marching Americans taking their equipment too. We’ve got a heavy pack, but some of these troops made fifteen miles that day and they were singing and whistling, still keeping their lines in fine order. The American Army is much better than many will admit and it will give a good account of its self. It may be as a matter of policy, but the English and French papers every day mention the brave and plucky Americans and the good showing they have already made.
Now we’re here and the division quartermaster’s men are finding their jobs hard ones. The transportation and supply ends have plenty to worry them, and the finance end is snowed under. We got one month behind to start with by most of our troops being on the move about the first of May and so didn’t get paid for April. Then we’ve been on the go so much in May and June that we got behind another month. We ran into some finance boys of another division who’ve been here some time, and they said it took them six months to catch up and be even with current business. I’ve got work that I like and good officers, so I don’t mind having the work on my hands. There’s just one feature that disagrees with me. “Apes le guerre (after the war) the regular army divisions will be sent home after national army and the national guard. And after we do get home the finance department of the quartermasters corps will be the last to get out, so I may be gray haired before I ride the slow train in Arkansas again. There’s one thing certain—I am going to take off some time, re-tame myself and enjoy the civilized world again.
There is no telling what will happen to a man or his health in the army, but if I get out in as good condition as I’m in now I’ll owe lots to the life I’ve had in the army. I haven’t weighed since I left America, but my face is full, and I feel fine and am enjoying living, as much as it can be enjoyed under the circumstance. Still I’m ready for the Dutch to get licked as soon as possible, and I’ll know how to appreciate the fine home I had.
The General here has a Cadillac limousine, and the horn has a very familiar sound. I can hardly realize that I have driven one so many miles, and a real auto ride is almost a forgotten thing. When I heard the horn for the first time I knew unmistakeably that there was a Cadillac about and when it climbed the hill and showed up it was the prettiest sight I’ve seen in France.
Today I wrote a check for Thomas Dobbins, Captain Medical Reserve Corps. About the first week of February, when I was in the Bank acting as teller during the noon hour, he came in with a government check from the Q.M. at Fort Riley, and I cashed it for him. Little did I think that in four months I’d be writing his checks for him. He’s Jennie Dobbins brother and was born in Pine Bluff.
I’ve got a billet now overlooking the main street. The only objections is that about five hundred trucks pass through every night (night being their best time to travel) but I guess I’ll get used to them soon.
For the censor’s benefit I’ll stop now. You may write as long as you care to me, for he does not worry with incoming mail if you thought he did.
Frank
NOTES: Frank Holland Triplett was writing to his father, C. H. Triplett president of the National Bank of Arkansas. He was born May 23, 1895, Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas and died August 18, 1980, Pine Bluff. He is buried Bellwood Cemetery, Pine Bluff. He tried to enlist four time in various military services but was finally accepted for service in the Quartermaster Corps. He was serving in the Paymasters Corps at the time of the letter. He was described as being of medium height and build with brown eyes and dark hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT