TRANSCRIBED FROM THE BATESVILLE GUARD DECEMBER 7, 1917 P. 5
Dear Folks
I am feeling fine, getting as stout as a mule and can’t sleep a wink after 5:15 every morning. They are not working us so hard but keep us doing something all the time. I worked in the kitchen and have just gotten through. I mopped up the floor, washed a wagon load of dishes and peeled five bushles of potatoes. I hope to get something better than a private, and when I do I will be relieved of this kind of duty. When they get this company well organized I think I will get a good place, at least I am working with that in view. In all probability I will get into the next training camp.
Mr. Hurt, formerly cashier of the Arkansas Bank and Trust Company at Newport, is captain of my company.
Had to do guard duty Friday night. Walked from 9.30 to 1.30 that night and then from 10 until 2 Saturday.
Paul Ward is in Company A. just about 100 feet east of my company. and I see him every day. They have got Bill Rogers in the machine gun company. Their average life in battle is three minutes. Bill says he’s been trying to find out when that three minutes starts, so he will have at least two minutes warning.
All the boys have about recovered from grief over the bursting up of old Company F. I am still in a tent with Joe McCaleb, Bob Bone, Fay Wood, Clede Aldrige, Ernest Bruce and Virgil Butler. Virgil and I are sleeping together.
Virgil has been invited out to a sergeant’s entertainment Saturday night and does not want to go, and I am figuring on going and passing myself off as Sergt. Butler. But when I think of how many hot-headed democratic ancestors I am going to have to assume with his name, I almost balk at the idea. But believe I can stand it for five or six hours.
Don’t worry about me, for I expect to come out of this war alive and with more pep than ever. This is just about what I have needed for ten years, and when I come back I am going to “hit the ball.” This war is favorable to us and when we get about three million Yankees over there all loaded and start toward Berlin they are going to go right on.
Give my regards to friends and keep me posted.
Victor.
NOTES: Victor Martin Wade was writing to his parents of Batesville, Arkansas. He was born in Batesville on February 17, 1889 and died on March 29, 1959. He is buried in the Oaklawn Cemetery in Batesville. He was a lawyer.
TRANSCRIBED BY KATHY GRIMM
Dear Folks
I am feeling fine, getting as stout as a mule and can’t sleep a wink after 5:15 every morning. They are not working us so hard but keep us doing something all the time. I worked in the kitchen and have just gotten through. I mopped up the floor, washed a wagon load of dishes and peeled five bushles of potatoes. I hope to get something better than a private, and when I do I will be relieved of this kind of duty. When they get this company well organized I think I will get a good place, at least I am working with that in view. In all probability I will get into the next training camp.
Mr. Hurt, formerly cashier of the Arkansas Bank and Trust Company at Newport, is captain of my company.
Had to do guard duty Friday night. Walked from 9.30 to 1.30 that night and then from 10 until 2 Saturday.
Paul Ward is in Company A. just about 100 feet east of my company. and I see him every day. They have got Bill Rogers in the machine gun company. Their average life in battle is three minutes. Bill says he’s been trying to find out when that three minutes starts, so he will have at least two minutes warning.
All the boys have about recovered from grief over the bursting up of old Company F. I am still in a tent with Joe McCaleb, Bob Bone, Fay Wood, Clede Aldrige, Ernest Bruce and Virgil Butler. Virgil and I are sleeping together.
Virgil has been invited out to a sergeant’s entertainment Saturday night and does not want to go, and I am figuring on going and passing myself off as Sergt. Butler. But when I think of how many hot-headed democratic ancestors I am going to have to assume with his name, I almost balk at the idea. But believe I can stand it for five or six hours.
Don’t worry about me, for I expect to come out of this war alive and with more pep than ever. This is just about what I have needed for ten years, and when I come back I am going to “hit the ball.” This war is favorable to us and when we get about three million Yankees over there all loaded and start toward Berlin they are going to go right on.
Give my regards to friends and keep me posted.
Victor.
NOTES: Victor Martin Wade was writing to his parents of Batesville, Arkansas. He was born in Batesville on February 17, 1889 and died on March 29, 1959. He is buried in the Oaklawn Cemetery in Batesville. He was a lawyer.
TRANSCRIBED BY KATHY GRIMM