TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SPRINGDALE NEWS AUGUST 9, 1918 P. 8
Dear Sister and Brother:
I received your letter today. When they commenced to call off the mail I thought that I ought to get several letters but yours was the only one I got.
I am well as usual. We got here last evening. It rained all night and it looks as though it might still continue. We came about 13 miles yesterday evening, but we didn't have to hike with our packs on. We had quite a nice trip coming across.
Our American boys and the Australians are sure making the Hun strain every effort to hold his lines at all. This war will be over in 8 or 10 months at least. Maybe sooner, if we can get about a half million Americans to go "over the top" at once. I hope we get into it soon, for there is nothing like going "over the top" and getting them while they yell "kemerad," or run. Jerry is going to feel our strength this fall and winter or early next spring.
I went up town last night and had quite a nice time with some of the French maids. I can talk a little French and understand it quite a bit.
I won't be home for Christmas or New Year's, but maybe will be for next 4th. I would love to be there and get some good home cooked stuff, instead of this canned bully beef. It sure is some stuff.
It gets lonesome as h--l here unless you have got a little French girl to sit on your knee or some letters to read. I saw more home-like women yesterday than I've seen since I left the States. My! but the boys would go crazy if they were to see a real good looking American Red Cross nurse. Jerry hasn't been over for quite a while. I guess he is too busy fighting at other places.
Tell my friends "hello" for me and tell them that we are going to give Fritz h--l in a very short time. I am just itching to get to him. The closer you get the closer you want to get. The Australians and Americans went over the top the 4th. I wanted to go but our time hasn't come yet. We carried our gas masks with us all the time when we were at the last place, but we don't carry them here. We carry our guns, though, no matter where we go. I hope we don't have much weather like this. It's not so very deep, but it doesn't sleep good, and doesn't look well on your clothes.
I guess I am about one of the first from our part of the country to get in active service, except Ward Cannon. I am about the first of the civilians or volunteers to get here. I must go now. It is about time, I guess. Write all the news and a long letter to your loving brother,
John.
NOTES: Welch was from Spring Valley, Arkansas was writing from France.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Dear Sister and Brother:
I received your letter today. When they commenced to call off the mail I thought that I ought to get several letters but yours was the only one I got.
I am well as usual. We got here last evening. It rained all night and it looks as though it might still continue. We came about 13 miles yesterday evening, but we didn't have to hike with our packs on. We had quite a nice trip coming across.
Our American boys and the Australians are sure making the Hun strain every effort to hold his lines at all. This war will be over in 8 or 10 months at least. Maybe sooner, if we can get about a half million Americans to go "over the top" at once. I hope we get into it soon, for there is nothing like going "over the top" and getting them while they yell "kemerad," or run. Jerry is going to feel our strength this fall and winter or early next spring.
I went up town last night and had quite a nice time with some of the French maids. I can talk a little French and understand it quite a bit.
I won't be home for Christmas or New Year's, but maybe will be for next 4th. I would love to be there and get some good home cooked stuff, instead of this canned bully beef. It sure is some stuff.
It gets lonesome as h--l here unless you have got a little French girl to sit on your knee or some letters to read. I saw more home-like women yesterday than I've seen since I left the States. My! but the boys would go crazy if they were to see a real good looking American Red Cross nurse. Jerry hasn't been over for quite a while. I guess he is too busy fighting at other places.
Tell my friends "hello" for me and tell them that we are going to give Fritz h--l in a very short time. I am just itching to get to him. The closer you get the closer you want to get. The Australians and Americans went over the top the 4th. I wanted to go but our time hasn't come yet. We carried our gas masks with us all the time when we were at the last place, but we don't carry them here. We carry our guns, though, no matter where we go. I hope we don't have much weather like this. It's not so very deep, but it doesn't sleep good, and doesn't look well on your clothes.
I guess I am about one of the first from our part of the country to get in active service, except Ward Cannon. I am about the first of the civilians or volunteers to get here. I must go now. It is about time, I guess. Write all the news and a long letter to your loving brother,
John.
NOTES: Welch was from Spring Valley, Arkansas was writing from France.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD