TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SPECTATOR FEBRUARY 18, 1919 P. 4
France, Dec 29, 1918.
Mrs. Sylvester Voyles.
Dear Brother:
I received your welcome letter the other day and was sure glad to hear from you, as it had been so long since I had received any mail that I hardly knew what a letter looked like. But anyhow I am well at present and hope you are all the same.
I sure would like to see you and have a long talk with you and tell you a bout this country and a real war-wrecked land.
I was up at Grandpre when the last battle was fought, when the division I am in sent over a 72-hour barrage with thousands of guns of all sizes and the whole earth seemed to shake under terrific explosions. In the city of Grandpre there is not a single building left standing, even the church is laying in ruins. I now have several souvenirs of Grandpre and believe me, I sure would not care to part with them. I have both French and German souvenirs.
That city was the scene of one of the most fierce and bloody battles on the western front. It is situated just north of Verdun. I was as close as I care to be, to feel safe, and know much more than I care to find out any more by experience. But now it is all over and the only thing I want is orders to go home, and you can safely bet that if ever get my feet safely on the American shore once more, the Statue of Liberty will have to turn around to ever get another look at me. No more Europe for this kid. I have seen all I care to see.
Well, brother, I sure would like to see you, but I have an idea that, although I will return to the States with a New York division, they are sure to send me to California on a troop train, so I am afraid I wont get a chance to see you for a couple of years unless you go to California too.
I had a trip planned through that country for last summer, but I was in the army and that upset all my plans, and put me a few years late, but I am going through the country before long. Maybe when I start back to California I can get a chanse to see you, probably a Kansas City, for a few hours anyway.
Well, Vessy, take good care of yourself and we will meet some time somewhere. If I should be mustered out of the U.S. service at New York I will visit you on my way west, and I am sure nothing would please me better. but I don't have the least idea when I will leave this country bound for the U.S.A. It may be a month or maybe two months.
I am working in a machine shop every day. I belong to the Q.M.C. I am a motor cycle repair man and it is a fine job. It is very interesting work. I can handle any kind of a repair job, it makes no difference what the trouble might be.
Well, brother, tell your wife and children hello for me, although I don't remember ever seeing her, but anyhow I will send my hearty good wishes for a merry Christmas and a happy New Year and a very long and happy life to come. I am writing by candle light and my writing is so poor I don't suppose you will be able to read any of it, so I will close for this time. Hoping to hear from you soon, I remain as ever your loving brother,
Mechanic Warren Voyles.
M.P.O. 755. A.E.F., France.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
France, Dec 29, 1918.
Mrs. Sylvester Voyles.
Dear Brother:
I received your welcome letter the other day and was sure glad to hear from you, as it had been so long since I had received any mail that I hardly knew what a letter looked like. But anyhow I am well at present and hope you are all the same.
I sure would like to see you and have a long talk with you and tell you a bout this country and a real war-wrecked land.
I was up at Grandpre when the last battle was fought, when the division I am in sent over a 72-hour barrage with thousands of guns of all sizes and the whole earth seemed to shake under terrific explosions. In the city of Grandpre there is not a single building left standing, even the church is laying in ruins. I now have several souvenirs of Grandpre and believe me, I sure would not care to part with them. I have both French and German souvenirs.
That city was the scene of one of the most fierce and bloody battles on the western front. It is situated just north of Verdun. I was as close as I care to be, to feel safe, and know much more than I care to find out any more by experience. But now it is all over and the only thing I want is orders to go home, and you can safely bet that if ever get my feet safely on the American shore once more, the Statue of Liberty will have to turn around to ever get another look at me. No more Europe for this kid. I have seen all I care to see.
Well, brother, I sure would like to see you, but I have an idea that, although I will return to the States with a New York division, they are sure to send me to California on a troop train, so I am afraid I wont get a chance to see you for a couple of years unless you go to California too.
I had a trip planned through that country for last summer, but I was in the army and that upset all my plans, and put me a few years late, but I am going through the country before long. Maybe when I start back to California I can get a chanse to see you, probably a Kansas City, for a few hours anyway.
Well, Vessy, take good care of yourself and we will meet some time somewhere. If I should be mustered out of the U.S. service at New York I will visit you on my way west, and I am sure nothing would please me better. but I don't have the least idea when I will leave this country bound for the U.S.A. It may be a month or maybe two months.
I am working in a machine shop every day. I belong to the Q.M.C. I am a motor cycle repair man and it is a fine job. It is very interesting work. I can handle any kind of a repair job, it makes no difference what the trouble might be.
Well, brother, tell your wife and children hello for me, although I don't remember ever seeing her, but anyhow I will send my hearty good wishes for a merry Christmas and a happy New Year and a very long and happy life to come. I am writing by candle light and my writing is so poor I don't suppose you will be able to read any of it, so I will close for this time. Hoping to hear from you soon, I remain as ever your loving brother,
Mechanic Warren Voyles.
M.P.O. 755. A.E.F., France.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD