TRANSCRIBED FROM THE MOUNTAIN WAVE FEBRUARY 7, 1919 P. 2
Sexfontaines, France, Dec. 22, 1918.
Editor Mountain Wave:
I will write you a few lines to let you know that I am all O. K., and that you will have an idea of what is going on. This is an awful funny climate—raining all the time, with the exception of a day now and then. We have had a little snow, and expect to wake up some morning snowed under.
Well, I guess everybody is looking for the boys home. It will sure be one proud day when we all get back to the good old U. S. A. Hope this finds you all well and kicking. Guess you are fixing for Christmas. I wish I could be with you all, but guess I will have to wait and celebrate them all when I get back.
Well I got a lot farther than I thought I would, but it is all over now. We had quite an experience, anyway. One was sure lucky to get out and not get hurt. I was transferred to the 77th Division on October 20th, on active service, and was on the run till the 11th of November, found us hot after the Dutch; then we fell back, and then up for a few more days, then a hike to Sexfontaines—12 days’ hike. We spent Thanksgiving Day hiking. We went 22 miles that day. I sure will make up for it when I get home.
I could write a lot more, but will wait and tell it later. So, wishing everybody a Merry Xmas and a Happy New year, I remain, your friend,
PVT. BANKS W. WHEELER,
Co. E., 306h Inf., 77th Div., A. E. F.
NOTES: Banks Woodburn Wheeler was born on March 28, 1895 in Long Pine, Nebraska and died on May 16, 1973. He is buried in the Sulphur Springs Cemetery at Wileys Cove, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a US Army private in WWI. He was a self-employed farmer living in Searcy County Arkansas when he registered for the draft. He departed for France on August 16, 1918 onboard the Karoa. He was serving in the Camp Pike July Automatic Replacement Company #9, Infantry at the time. He returned to the US from Brest, France onboard the Mt. Vernon on April 17, 1919. He arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey on April 25, 1919. He was a private in Co. E, 306th Infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS
Sexfontaines, France, Dec. 22, 1918.
Editor Mountain Wave:
I will write you a few lines to let you know that I am all O. K., and that you will have an idea of what is going on. This is an awful funny climate—raining all the time, with the exception of a day now and then. We have had a little snow, and expect to wake up some morning snowed under.
Well, I guess everybody is looking for the boys home. It will sure be one proud day when we all get back to the good old U. S. A. Hope this finds you all well and kicking. Guess you are fixing for Christmas. I wish I could be with you all, but guess I will have to wait and celebrate them all when I get back.
Well I got a lot farther than I thought I would, but it is all over now. We had quite an experience, anyway. One was sure lucky to get out and not get hurt. I was transferred to the 77th Division on October 20th, on active service, and was on the run till the 11th of November, found us hot after the Dutch; then we fell back, and then up for a few more days, then a hike to Sexfontaines—12 days’ hike. We spent Thanksgiving Day hiking. We went 22 miles that day. I sure will make up for it when I get home.
I could write a lot more, but will wait and tell it later. So, wishing everybody a Merry Xmas and a Happy New year, I remain, your friend,
PVT. BANKS W. WHEELER,
Co. E., 306h Inf., 77th Div., A. E. F.
NOTES: Banks Woodburn Wheeler was born on March 28, 1895 in Long Pine, Nebraska and died on May 16, 1973. He is buried in the Sulphur Springs Cemetery at Wileys Cove, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a US Army private in WWI. He was a self-employed farmer living in Searcy County Arkansas when he registered for the draft. He departed for France on August 16, 1918 onboard the Karoa. He was serving in the Camp Pike July Automatic Replacement Company #9, Infantry at the time. He returned to the US from Brest, France onboard the Mt. Vernon on April 17, 1919. He arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey on April 25, 1919. He was a private in Co. E, 306th Infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS