TRANSCRIBED FROM THE DAILY ARKANSAS GAZETTE JANUARY 24, 1919 P. 4
The U.S. Lake Bargue, which I was on, struck a floating mine October 21, 40 miles out of Brest, France, at 8 p.m. All the crew was saved. No one was seriously hurt. I got three burns. An English ship picked up the crew and carried us to Brest the same night.
I was then put on the Lake Erie, and it had been out only two days when it was struck by a torpedo, fired at it by a “sub” on October 24. The crew left the Erie in the lifeboats, and the Germans came and shelled our boats. The entire crew, except five, were killed, so I am one of the lucky boys to escape. It has been hell over here.
I am still on a cargo ship. Hope you enjoy a merry Christmas, for Christmas will not be merry over here. I expect to leave foreign waters about February 1 for the good old U.S.A.
NOTES: This partial letter was written by Alonzo “Lonnie” Pleasant Wofford to his sister Mrs. R.E. Clements. He was born on November 9, 1888 in Faulkner County, Arkansas and died on December 17, 1929 in Houston, Arkansas. He is buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Conway, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as F 1 US Navy serving in World War I.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
The U.S. Lake Bargue, which I was on, struck a floating mine October 21, 40 miles out of Brest, France, at 8 p.m. All the crew was saved. No one was seriously hurt. I got three burns. An English ship picked up the crew and carried us to Brest the same night.
I was then put on the Lake Erie, and it had been out only two days when it was struck by a torpedo, fired at it by a “sub” on October 24. The crew left the Erie in the lifeboats, and the Germans came and shelled our boats. The entire crew, except five, were killed, so I am one of the lucky boys to escape. It has been hell over here.
I am still on a cargo ship. Hope you enjoy a merry Christmas, for Christmas will not be merry over here. I expect to leave foreign waters about February 1 for the good old U.S.A.
NOTES: This partial letter was written by Alonzo “Lonnie” Pleasant Wofford to his sister Mrs. R.E. Clements. He was born on November 9, 1888 in Faulkner County, Arkansas and died on December 17, 1929 in Houston, Arkansas. He is buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Conway, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as F 1 US Navy serving in World War I.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT