TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SPECTATOR FEBRUARY 17, 1919 P. 1
U.S. Base Hospital No. 1., A.
P.O. 784 A. E. F, France.
Editor Spectator:
Please allow me space in your valuable paper for a few words.
I mounted a ship at New York Aug. 20th and landed in Brest, France, Sept. 3rd. Had a good time on the way over, and never got a bit seasick.
I was in only one drive. Went over the top five times and was lucky every time. Was in a town on the Verdun front that we captured at 1:30 a.m. before the fighting stopped, and I got me two prisoners. My company got 42 in all out of the town. They were glad to be captured. We had to cross the Meuse river in skiffs to get to the town. They were not expecting us over as the bridges were all blown up. They told us that the fighting would stop that day at eleven a.m., but we did not believe it. We would not put any confidence in them. Three days later we marched to the rear about seven miles where we were going to rest for a few days in another town, and while in that town I built a bon fire in a hole where a fire had been built before, and in the hole was a shell of some kind which exploded and hit me in the legs, hands and face. I was unable to feed myself for awhile. My wounds have almost healed now. I sure have got a good nurse. If it had not been for the Red Cross us doughboys who were wounded would have had a tough time of it. The Red Cross is fixing to have an Xmas tree here and is going to give us doughboys a pair of half-hose full of presents.
I haven't met up with but one of my old company boys that I was with at Camp Pike. He was taken prisoner. I would almost give my ears to hear from some one in Franklin county, for I have not heard from anyone there since I left Camp Merritt, N.J., so anyone can imagine how I feel sometimes, although it wouldn't do to get homesick for it would do but little good. I do not have the last idea when I will start across the "pond" and am dreading the trip, for the sea is rough now.
This is sure a pretty town, and we boys are having a fine time here too. I am learning to speak French.
I will close, wishing the Spectator and its readers a merry Xmas
Pvt. Jesse Turner.
NOTES: Jesse Turner was born in Redding, Arkansas on July 7, 1895 and died on February 6, 1961. He is buried in the Highland Cemetery in Franklin County. His military headstone identifies him as a Private serving in Co. I, 355 Infantry, 89th Division during World War 1. He enlisted on May 26, 1918 and was discharged on March 25, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
U.S. Base Hospital No. 1., A.
P.O. 784 A. E. F, France.
Editor Spectator:
Please allow me space in your valuable paper for a few words.
I mounted a ship at New York Aug. 20th and landed in Brest, France, Sept. 3rd. Had a good time on the way over, and never got a bit seasick.
I was in only one drive. Went over the top five times and was lucky every time. Was in a town on the Verdun front that we captured at 1:30 a.m. before the fighting stopped, and I got me two prisoners. My company got 42 in all out of the town. They were glad to be captured. We had to cross the Meuse river in skiffs to get to the town. They were not expecting us over as the bridges were all blown up. They told us that the fighting would stop that day at eleven a.m., but we did not believe it. We would not put any confidence in them. Three days later we marched to the rear about seven miles where we were going to rest for a few days in another town, and while in that town I built a bon fire in a hole where a fire had been built before, and in the hole was a shell of some kind which exploded and hit me in the legs, hands and face. I was unable to feed myself for awhile. My wounds have almost healed now. I sure have got a good nurse. If it had not been for the Red Cross us doughboys who were wounded would have had a tough time of it. The Red Cross is fixing to have an Xmas tree here and is going to give us doughboys a pair of half-hose full of presents.
I haven't met up with but one of my old company boys that I was with at Camp Pike. He was taken prisoner. I would almost give my ears to hear from some one in Franklin county, for I have not heard from anyone there since I left Camp Merritt, N.J., so anyone can imagine how I feel sometimes, although it wouldn't do to get homesick for it would do but little good. I do not have the last idea when I will start across the "pond" and am dreading the trip, for the sea is rough now.
This is sure a pretty town, and we boys are having a fine time here too. I am learning to speak French.
I will close, wishing the Spectator and its readers a merry Xmas
Pvt. Jesse Turner.
NOTES: Jesse Turner was born in Redding, Arkansas on July 7, 1895 and died on February 6, 1961. He is buried in the Highland Cemetery in Franklin County. His military headstone identifies him as a Private serving in Co. I, 355 Infantry, 89th Division during World War 1. He enlisted on May 26, 1918 and was discharged on March 25, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD