TRANSCRIBED FROM THE POCAHONTAS STAR HERALD OCTOBER 4, 1918 P. 3
Ft. Morgan, Ala.
Dear Sir:
If you will allow me space in your good paper, I will let the people know where I am.
I was first sent to the A and M College, where I met with a fine bunch of boys. After finishing our course there, we were separated and sent to various camps. Quite a bunch came to this camp. We arrived in Mobile at 1:30 a. m. and could not find a place to sleep. Our lieutenant went to the Soldiers and Sailors Club, and could only get twenty beds, so we went in and began to pile up on the floor like calves or sheep.
Believe me, if all of Mississippi and Alabama is like what I have seen of it, I would not give one acre of Arkansas for all of it; and I have seen a good deal of the two states.
Our work here is altogether new, but, it is still pertaining to the same thing, in one way, and that is to put Kaiser Bill down in the lowest pit, and blow him so high, they will never find a fiber of him; and I want to be one to march through Berlin with the Stars and Stripes floating in the air. So come on boys, don’t stand back; now is your chance. Your country needs you. Uncle Sam takes good care of his boys, and it does not matter where he sends you, he will feed you and give you a bed. You will also find friends wherever you go. The other night I met Clarence Purvis, whom I had not seen for five years. He is a fine looking soldier boy.
I will close with best regards to all back home.
Joe Wilson
Co. 5, C. A. A.
NOTES: Joe Thurman Wilson was born on January 8, 1893 in Mack, Arkansas. He died on December 22, 1972 and is buried in the Corning Cemetery in Corning, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Pvt. serving in the US Army in WWI.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD
Ft. Morgan, Ala.
Dear Sir:
If you will allow me space in your good paper, I will let the people know where I am.
I was first sent to the A and M College, where I met with a fine bunch of boys. After finishing our course there, we were separated and sent to various camps. Quite a bunch came to this camp. We arrived in Mobile at 1:30 a. m. and could not find a place to sleep. Our lieutenant went to the Soldiers and Sailors Club, and could only get twenty beds, so we went in and began to pile up on the floor like calves or sheep.
Believe me, if all of Mississippi and Alabama is like what I have seen of it, I would not give one acre of Arkansas for all of it; and I have seen a good deal of the two states.
Our work here is altogether new, but, it is still pertaining to the same thing, in one way, and that is to put Kaiser Bill down in the lowest pit, and blow him so high, they will never find a fiber of him; and I want to be one to march through Berlin with the Stars and Stripes floating in the air. So come on boys, don’t stand back; now is your chance. Your country needs you. Uncle Sam takes good care of his boys, and it does not matter where he sends you, he will feed you and give you a bed. You will also find friends wherever you go. The other night I met Clarence Purvis, whom I had not seen for five years. He is a fine looking soldier boy.
I will close with best regards to all back home.
Joe Wilson
Co. 5, C. A. A.
NOTES: Joe Thurman Wilson was born on January 8, 1893 in Mack, Arkansas. He died on December 22, 1972 and is buried in the Corning Cemetery in Corning, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Pvt. serving in the US Army in WWI.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD