TRANSCRIBED FROM THE POCAHONTAS STAR HERALD JULY 26, 1918 P. 5
Camp Beauregard, La.
Dear Mr. Blankenship;
If you will allow me space in the good old Star Herald, I will try to write a few lines this gloomy morning to my good friends of dear old Randolph county, as I love them and feel that I have many good friends there, and deem that they will enjoy reading a letter from one of the home boys, who has gone to fight for our dear country and state, that has stood free for so many years. We mean for it to still remain free and to keep old glory waving.
My dear old father is deceased from all this trouble that we are having to go through with now, but he had five uncles who served in the Civil war and little did he think in his life that he would have a son in war. But I am glad to know that I love my country enough to stand up for her. I had to leave my dear mother, sisters and brothers to help free our country, but we must consider the condition they and all other dear mothers would be in, if we sit down on the stool of do-nothing, that would show we did not care for our country nor our loved ones. So boys, if you want to show your love or colors – when you have to come, just cheer up your dear old mothers and come ahead. Let us win this war! So dear mothers and fathers cheer up, instead of grieving after your boys-encourage them all you can. Just think how many parents have given their boys over to Uncle Sam, who takes good care of them, and perhaps better than some were taken care of at home; and too, it will make a man out of him physically and otherwise.
The following names of boys extend their love and best wishes to their many friends in Randolph county: Moses G. King, John Tarleton, Edward Shratz and Donald D. Jackson. We are in a special company, and believe me, we have some company too. And it makes me feel good to be with my old home boys.
If you have a gray haired mother
And from home you are away,
Sit down and write the letter,
You have put off from day to day.
Don’t wait ‘till her tired footsteps
Reach heaven’s pearly gates.
But show her that you love her
Before it be too late.
Who knows what bitter memories,
May haunt you if you wait,
So make your loved ones happy,
Before it be too late.
With best regards to all my good old friends in Randolph county, I am as ever,
Your loving friend,
Rufe Tyler
153, Inf. Co. G.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY AMY MINGER
Camp Beauregard, La.
Dear Mr. Blankenship;
If you will allow me space in the good old Star Herald, I will try to write a few lines this gloomy morning to my good friends of dear old Randolph county, as I love them and feel that I have many good friends there, and deem that they will enjoy reading a letter from one of the home boys, who has gone to fight for our dear country and state, that has stood free for so many years. We mean for it to still remain free and to keep old glory waving.
My dear old father is deceased from all this trouble that we are having to go through with now, but he had five uncles who served in the Civil war and little did he think in his life that he would have a son in war. But I am glad to know that I love my country enough to stand up for her. I had to leave my dear mother, sisters and brothers to help free our country, but we must consider the condition they and all other dear mothers would be in, if we sit down on the stool of do-nothing, that would show we did not care for our country nor our loved ones. So boys, if you want to show your love or colors – when you have to come, just cheer up your dear old mothers and come ahead. Let us win this war! So dear mothers and fathers cheer up, instead of grieving after your boys-encourage them all you can. Just think how many parents have given their boys over to Uncle Sam, who takes good care of them, and perhaps better than some were taken care of at home; and too, it will make a man out of him physically and otherwise.
The following names of boys extend their love and best wishes to their many friends in Randolph county: Moses G. King, John Tarleton, Edward Shratz and Donald D. Jackson. We are in a special company, and believe me, we have some company too. And it makes me feel good to be with my old home boys.
If you have a gray haired mother
And from home you are away,
Sit down and write the letter,
You have put off from day to day.
Don’t wait ‘till her tired footsteps
Reach heaven’s pearly gates.
But show her that you love her
Before it be too late.
Who knows what bitter memories,
May haunt you if you wait,
So make your loved ones happy,
Before it be too late.
With best regards to all my good old friends in Randolph county, I am as ever,
Your loving friend,
Rufe Tyler
153, Inf. Co. G.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY AMY MINGER