TRANSCRIBED FROM THE JONESBORO DAILY TRIBUNE, OCTOBER 2, 1918 P. 3.
Newport News, Va.,
Sept. 15th, 1918.
Dear Folks:
I will write a letter tonight before I go on the streets. I am back all safe and sound once again, and have only four letters from home but the New York mail comes again tomorrow and perhaps I will get some more. I am glad you are all well. I am certainly blessed with health, but had a chill on the way over and was in bed one night and day. My temperature was 103. We had a little excitement coming back this time but no harm done. About 6 o’clock, August 29th, we sighted a periscope but didn’t get to fire on it as it submerged so quickly. We had general quarters and all the crew and passengers went to their boats and was ready to lower them any minute. When we are in the war zone we have general quarters several times a day so as to be ready to save ourselves any time. We brought back a big load of wounded soldiers this time and they had all been over the top. They were pitiful looking, some with their legs and arms shot off, some were blind and several were burned and disfigured by liquid fire. That is awful stuff. When it hits the face it burns the ears and nose off and puts the eyes out. I remember one poor fellow who lost his ears, eyes and fingers. One of the Red Cross nurses on the ship was his sister. And I would just have to cry when I would see them sitting out on deck talking and her waiting on him. “O well, such it was” as Sherman said. I thought sure I would be transferred this trip but I will make another as the troops are coming aboard and we will be ready to leave on Sunday, so you can count the days I am gone and know when to look for me back. It will be twelve days at least each way and six days in port. I met one of the Stalcup boys in our last load. He had been on the ship four days before I knew he was with me. He said he was almost sure he had seen me running around deck several times but couldn’t get a chance to stop me. I don’t know his first name but was glad to meet some one I knew. He has been in the army ten months. I will try and get off this packet next time and get a few days leave and go to see Mrs. Hoyt. If you ever write her tell where I am and that I may be out to see her pretty soon. I am glad Elva has gotten her a school at Lepanto. Hope she makes good and tell sis to keep on writing her cheerful letters. She and Elva always keep me feeling pretty good. Well as it is “chow” time I will quit for this time. Hope to find you all well on my next arrival. Lots of love and kisses to you from your sailor boy and brother.
Russell.
NOTES: Russell Waldrop was writing to his parents, Mr. and Mrs George Waldrop. He was from Nettleton, Arkansas, Craighead County. He enlisted on April 9, 1917 and was serving on the USS Zeelandia at the time of the letter. He had made nine trips across the ocean when his letter was written. He was born August 1897.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT.
Newport News, Va.,
Sept. 15th, 1918.
Dear Folks:
I will write a letter tonight before I go on the streets. I am back all safe and sound once again, and have only four letters from home but the New York mail comes again tomorrow and perhaps I will get some more. I am glad you are all well. I am certainly blessed with health, but had a chill on the way over and was in bed one night and day. My temperature was 103. We had a little excitement coming back this time but no harm done. About 6 o’clock, August 29th, we sighted a periscope but didn’t get to fire on it as it submerged so quickly. We had general quarters and all the crew and passengers went to their boats and was ready to lower them any minute. When we are in the war zone we have general quarters several times a day so as to be ready to save ourselves any time. We brought back a big load of wounded soldiers this time and they had all been over the top. They were pitiful looking, some with their legs and arms shot off, some were blind and several were burned and disfigured by liquid fire. That is awful stuff. When it hits the face it burns the ears and nose off and puts the eyes out. I remember one poor fellow who lost his ears, eyes and fingers. One of the Red Cross nurses on the ship was his sister. And I would just have to cry when I would see them sitting out on deck talking and her waiting on him. “O well, such it was” as Sherman said. I thought sure I would be transferred this trip but I will make another as the troops are coming aboard and we will be ready to leave on Sunday, so you can count the days I am gone and know when to look for me back. It will be twelve days at least each way and six days in port. I met one of the Stalcup boys in our last load. He had been on the ship four days before I knew he was with me. He said he was almost sure he had seen me running around deck several times but couldn’t get a chance to stop me. I don’t know his first name but was glad to meet some one I knew. He has been in the army ten months. I will try and get off this packet next time and get a few days leave and go to see Mrs. Hoyt. If you ever write her tell where I am and that I may be out to see her pretty soon. I am glad Elva has gotten her a school at Lepanto. Hope she makes good and tell sis to keep on writing her cheerful letters. She and Elva always keep me feeling pretty good. Well as it is “chow” time I will quit for this time. Hope to find you all well on my next arrival. Lots of love and kisses to you from your sailor boy and brother.
Russell.
NOTES: Russell Waldrop was writing to his parents, Mr. and Mrs George Waldrop. He was from Nettleton, Arkansas, Craighead County. He enlisted on April 9, 1917 and was serving on the USS Zeelandia at the time of the letter. He had made nine trips across the ocean when his letter was written. He was born August 1897.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT.