TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT AUGUST 10, 1918 P. 13
Well here it is at last. At 4:35 p.m. today I was sworn in as second lieutenant in the National Army. I don't know how to express my feelings, but you can imagine how happy I am. I have worked hard for it. I did not have to go to the trenches at all, but I asked to be sent. I did not want to go through the war as a supply sergeant and be called a bomb-proofer.
I was on detached service and in the front line trenches six weeks after I landed over here. I am glad I made my commission in the trenches.
There were 54 names submitted and only three got by the colonel. That shows how hard it is to get. Just got a nice bunch of mail with five letters from you. If you only knew how happy I am to get your letters you would write lots. It helps for you to just say "hello" and that you are thinking of me. Where did you get the impression that I was in the officers’ training school? I have never been to an officers’ training school.
It was funny about Miss Lyton. I was at that hospital the Fourth of July. Went to a dance but did not see her.
Evidently some of our mail was lost as I have no letters dated between May 15 and 30. Your letters jumped from 6 to 11.
I wish I could find words to half way express to you the beauty of this country where we are now. It is simply beyond words. I would give anything if you could see it. I hope I can bring you and Marvin over here after the war.
Tomorrow I am going to one of the beauty spots of the world. I'll get some post-cards for you and bring them home. Not allowed to send them. We had a nice trip. Had just one hour before leaving and jumped in a side car and ran over to see Bowdie Martin. You tell Mrs. Martin he is healthy and looking fine. It sure seemed good to see him.
Have a real bed with pillows and sheets and everything. Seems so unusual, I'm afraid I'll wake up and find myself back in the barn. The only trouble is these French beds are too short.
They are all right for people five feet. The room I had yesterday was dandy, but the bed was too short so I traded with a short officer and got a long bed. Nice big house set back in a yard full of roses and a big wall around. It belongs to a priest. He has gone to war and his housekeeper is here alone. She is about 65 and worries herself because I can't talk French. The other lieutenant here talks French like a native. I'll go down stairs and she will start telling me something and when she sees I don't understand she tears back upstairs and brings down the other officer to tell me what she says. she is awfully good, though, and mends our socks and sews on buttons.
I'll be glad when I get back and can stroll down Main street with you, I'll have to get city-broke, though. I know I'll be afraid of street cars.
Well, I sure spilled the beans. Went to eat yesterday and sat down on a newly painted bench. The only pair of pants I had with me. Left everything where I was before. Had to borrow a pair from an officer six inches shorter than I. I sure looked a sight. The old lady fixed them up for me O.K. She sure is good to us.
Went to a famous lake yesterday. Was talking to a good looking girl and asked my friend how to say " Will you have dinner with me?" and he told me how to say "Will you take a cold bath with me?" He is a fine fellow but I won't let him interpret for me any more.
I am sending you some pictures taken in my trench clothes. Well, Mamsie dear, don't worry about B. A. Write often. Letters count more than anything. Tell every one of my friends hello for me and I would love to write the whole bunch if I only had time. Kiss Marvin for me. Lots and ots of love for the whole family, but most for you.
NOTES: Blake Archer Williams was writing to his mother, Mrs. Sherman Williams. He was born on December 17, 1891 in Little Rock, Arkansas and died on November 25, 1942 in Little Rock. He is buried in the Mt. Holly Cemetery in Little Rock. He enlisted as a private and moved up through the ranks and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant after six months of service. He was described as being 6 ft tall and weighed 174 lbs with hazel eyes and dark hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Well here it is at last. At 4:35 p.m. today I was sworn in as second lieutenant in the National Army. I don't know how to express my feelings, but you can imagine how happy I am. I have worked hard for it. I did not have to go to the trenches at all, but I asked to be sent. I did not want to go through the war as a supply sergeant and be called a bomb-proofer.
I was on detached service and in the front line trenches six weeks after I landed over here. I am glad I made my commission in the trenches.
There were 54 names submitted and only three got by the colonel. That shows how hard it is to get. Just got a nice bunch of mail with five letters from you. If you only knew how happy I am to get your letters you would write lots. It helps for you to just say "hello" and that you are thinking of me. Where did you get the impression that I was in the officers’ training school? I have never been to an officers’ training school.
It was funny about Miss Lyton. I was at that hospital the Fourth of July. Went to a dance but did not see her.
Evidently some of our mail was lost as I have no letters dated between May 15 and 30. Your letters jumped from 6 to 11.
I wish I could find words to half way express to you the beauty of this country where we are now. It is simply beyond words. I would give anything if you could see it. I hope I can bring you and Marvin over here after the war.
Tomorrow I am going to one of the beauty spots of the world. I'll get some post-cards for you and bring them home. Not allowed to send them. We had a nice trip. Had just one hour before leaving and jumped in a side car and ran over to see Bowdie Martin. You tell Mrs. Martin he is healthy and looking fine. It sure seemed good to see him.
Have a real bed with pillows and sheets and everything. Seems so unusual, I'm afraid I'll wake up and find myself back in the barn. The only trouble is these French beds are too short.
They are all right for people five feet. The room I had yesterday was dandy, but the bed was too short so I traded with a short officer and got a long bed. Nice big house set back in a yard full of roses and a big wall around. It belongs to a priest. He has gone to war and his housekeeper is here alone. She is about 65 and worries herself because I can't talk French. The other lieutenant here talks French like a native. I'll go down stairs and she will start telling me something and when she sees I don't understand she tears back upstairs and brings down the other officer to tell me what she says. she is awfully good, though, and mends our socks and sews on buttons.
I'll be glad when I get back and can stroll down Main street with you, I'll have to get city-broke, though. I know I'll be afraid of street cars.
Well, I sure spilled the beans. Went to eat yesterday and sat down on a newly painted bench. The only pair of pants I had with me. Left everything where I was before. Had to borrow a pair from an officer six inches shorter than I. I sure looked a sight. The old lady fixed them up for me O.K. She sure is good to us.
Went to a famous lake yesterday. Was talking to a good looking girl and asked my friend how to say " Will you have dinner with me?" and he told me how to say "Will you take a cold bath with me?" He is a fine fellow but I won't let him interpret for me any more.
I am sending you some pictures taken in my trench clothes. Well, Mamsie dear, don't worry about B. A. Write often. Letters count more than anything. Tell every one of my friends hello for me and I would love to write the whole bunch if I only had time. Kiss Marvin for me. Lots and ots of love for the whole family, but most for you.
NOTES: Blake Archer Williams was writing to his mother, Mrs. Sherman Williams. He was born on December 17, 1891 in Little Rock, Arkansas and died on November 25, 1942 in Little Rock. He is buried in the Mt. Holly Cemetery in Little Rock. He enlisted as a private and moved up through the ranks and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant after six months of service. He was described as being 6 ft tall and weighed 174 lbs with hazel eyes and dark hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT