TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT AUGUST 24, 1918 P. 9
Dear Dad:
The French captured a spy within our lines a few days ago. He was dressed as a French captain. They were about to (CENSORED). When he gave information regarding other spies.
The Germans made a raid in the (CENSORED) sector, killing a few and taking some prisoners. A number of our wounded was put in a pile, and the beastly, godless Huns that they are, turned liquid fire on them, so to burn them up alive. Thus you see that your hatred is well founded.
Rest assured that while I am no hero, I will die before I will be taken prisoner by such an enemy.
We are camping as of old in small tents and not living in dugouts. Thus you can see we are back to open warfare. As you know, our glorious forces surpass all nations when it comes to the old open warfare.
As it is hard to get much time to myself, I would advise you not to worry even if you do not hear from me even for months at a time.
Even now we are having real autumn weather. I am glad to be able to say that I am still in the very best of health.
By the way, you asked if the doctor got the bayonet. Even if I had been in hand-to-hand conflicts, which I have not, it is impossible to send relics through. We need every weapon we have over on this side.
Will close with love, being ever,
Your devoted son.
Bertram
NOTES: This partial letter was written by Bertram Jacob Vogel to his father Herman Vogel of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The newspaper reported that paragraphs in the letters had been removed by the censor. Bertram was born on June 6, 1889 in Mobile, Alabama and died on April 13, 1969 in Mobile. He is buried in the Springhill Avenue Temple Cemetery in Mobile. His military headstone identifies his as ab Alabama, Cpl. Co K 167 Infantry serving in World War I. He served in the 42nd Division known as the “Rainbow” Division.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Dear Dad:
The French captured a spy within our lines a few days ago. He was dressed as a French captain. They were about to (CENSORED). When he gave information regarding other spies.
The Germans made a raid in the (CENSORED) sector, killing a few and taking some prisoners. A number of our wounded was put in a pile, and the beastly, godless Huns that they are, turned liquid fire on them, so to burn them up alive. Thus you see that your hatred is well founded.
Rest assured that while I am no hero, I will die before I will be taken prisoner by such an enemy.
We are camping as of old in small tents and not living in dugouts. Thus you can see we are back to open warfare. As you know, our glorious forces surpass all nations when it comes to the old open warfare.
As it is hard to get much time to myself, I would advise you not to worry even if you do not hear from me even for months at a time.
Even now we are having real autumn weather. I am glad to be able to say that I am still in the very best of health.
By the way, you asked if the doctor got the bayonet. Even if I had been in hand-to-hand conflicts, which I have not, it is impossible to send relics through. We need every weapon we have over on this side.
Will close with love, being ever,
Your devoted son.
Bertram
NOTES: This partial letter was written by Bertram Jacob Vogel to his father Herman Vogel of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The newspaper reported that paragraphs in the letters had been removed by the censor. Bertram was born on June 6, 1889 in Mobile, Alabama and died on April 13, 1969 in Mobile. He is buried in the Springhill Avenue Temple Cemetery in Mobile. His military headstone identifies his as ab Alabama, Cpl. Co K 167 Infantry serving in World War I. He served in the 42nd Division known as the “Rainbow” Division.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT