Title: Defenders of Democracy
Author: Anonymous
Release date: September 30, 2012 [eBook #40905]
Most recently updated: October 23, 2024
Language: English
Credits: Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images
generously made available by The Internet Archive.)
This book is made possible by the generous co-operation of the officers of the West Point Manufacturing Company and Lanett Cotton Mills. It is the result of the combined efforts of the War Service Station in each mill locality to pay at least a feeble tribute to the gallant doughboy who enlisted in the cause of right and democracy. It is hoped that, as the years pass by, these crusaders and their posterity may find an increasing interest in this memorial to their heroism.
Also, it has been thought advisable to preserve a record of the accomplishments of all those patriotic forces which contributed their part towards the successful termination of the greatest conflict in history.
It would not be amiss to call particular attention to the War Service Stations, under whose leadership was fostered practically all of the patriotic work consummated by those at home. That these Stations were a comfort to our boys—in their interest and solicitude for them—is attested by the letters reproduced.
Delivered before Congress April 2, 1917
I have called the Congress into extraordinary session because there are serious, very serious, choices of policy to be made, and made immediately, which it was neither right nor constitutionally permissible that I should assume the responsibility of making.
On the third of February last, I officially laid before you the extraordinary announcement of the Imperial German Government that on and after the first day of February it was its purpose to put aside all restraints of law or of humanity and use its submarines to sink every vessel that sought to approach either the ports of Great Britain and Ireland or the western coasts of Europe or any of the ports controlled by the enemies of Germany within the Mediterranean.
That had seemed to be the object of the German submarine warfare earlier in the war; but since April of last year the Imperial Government had somewhat restrained the commanders of its undersea craft in conformity with its promise then given to us that passenger boats should not be sunk, and that due warning would be given to all other vessels which its submarines might seek to destroy, when no resistance was offered or escape attempted, and care taken that their crews were given at least a fair chance to save their lives in their open boats.
The precautions taken were meager and haphazard enough, as was proved in distressing instance after instance in the progress of the cruel and unmanly business, but a certain degree of restraint was observed.
The new policy has swept every restriction aside. Vessels of every kind, whatever their flag, their character, their cargo, their destination, their errand, have been ruthlessly sent to the bottom without warning and without thought of help or mercy for those on board—the vessels of friendly neutrals, along with belligerents.
Even hospital ships and ships carrying relief to the sorely bereaved and stricken people of Belgium, though the latter were provided with safe conduct through the proscribed areas by the German Government itself and were distinguished by unmistakable marks of identity, have been sunk with the same reckless lack of compassion or of principle.
I was for a little while unable to believe that such things would in fact be done by any government that had hitherto subscribed to the humane practices of civilized nations.
International law had its origin in the attempt to set up some law which would be respected and observed upon the seas, where no nation had right of dominion and where lay the free highways of the world.
By painful stage after stage has that law been built up, with meager enough results, indeed, after all was accomplished that could be accomplished, but always with a clear view, at least, of what the heart and conscience of mankind demanded.
This minimum of right the German Government has swept aside under the plea of retaliation and necessity, and because it had no weapons which it could use at sea except these which it is impossible to employ as it is employing them without throwing to the winds all scruples of humanity or of respect for the understandings that were supposed to underlie the intercourse of the world.
I am not now thinking of the loss of property involved, immense and serious as that is, but only of the wanton and wholesale destruction of the lives of non-combatants, men, women and children, engaged in pursuits which have always, even in the darkest periods of modern history, been deemed innocent and legitimate.
Property can be paid for; the lives of peaceful and innocent people cannot be.
The present German submarine warfare against commerce is a warfare against mankind. It is a war against all nations.
American ships have been sunk, American lives taken, in ways which it has stirred us very deeply to learn of, but the ships and people of other neutral and friendly nations have been sunk and overwhelmed in the waters in the same way. There has been no discrimination.
The challenge is to all mankind. Each nation must decide for itself how it will meet it.
The choice we make for ourselves must be made with a moderation of counsel and a temperateness of judgment befitting our character and our motives as a nation. We must put excited feeling away.
Our motive will not be revenge or the victorious assertion of the physical might of the Nation, but only the vindication of right, of human right, of which we are only a single champion.
When I addressed the Congress on the twenty-sixth of February last, I thought that it would suffice to assert our neutral rights with arms, our right to use the seas against unlawful interference, our right to keep our people safe against unlawful violence.
But armed neutrality, it now appears, is impracticable. Because submarines are in effect outlaws when used as the German submarines have been used against merchant shipping, it is impossible to defend ships against their attacks as the law of nations has assumed that merchantmen would defend themselves against privateers or cruisers, visible craft giving chase upon the open sea.
It is common prudence in such circumstances, grim necessity indeed, to endeavor to destroy them before they have shown their own intention. They must be dealt with upon sight, if dealt with at all.
The German Government denies the right of neutrals to use arms at all within the areas of the sea which it has proscribed, even in the defense of rights which no modern publicist has ever before questioned their right to defend. The intimation is conveyed that the armed guards which we have placed on our merchant ships will be treated as beyond the pale of law and subject to be dealt with as pirates would be. Armed neutrality is ineffectual enough at best; in such circumstances and in the face of such pretensions it is worse than ineffectual; it is likely only to produce what it was meant to prevent; it is practically certain to draw us into the war without either the rights or the effectiveness of belligerents.
There is one choice we cannot make, we are incapable of making: we will not choose the path of submission and suffer the most sacred rights of our Nation and our people to be ignored or violated. The wrongs against which we now array ourselves are no common wrongs; they cut to the very roots of human life.
With a profound sense of the solemn and even tragical character of the step I am taking and of the grave responsibilities which it involves, but in unhesitating obedience to what I deem my constitutional duty, I advise that the Congress declare the recent course of the Imperial German Government to be in fact nothing less than war against the Government and people of the United States; that it formally accept the status of belligerent which has thus been thrust upon it; and that it take immediate steps not only to put the country in a more thorough state of defense, but also to exert all its power and employ all its resources to bring the Government of the German Empire to terms and end the war.
What this will involve is clear. It will involve the utmost practicable co-operation in counsel and action with the governments now at war with Germany, and, as incident to that, the extension to those governments of the most liberal financial credits in order that our resources may, so far as possible, be added to theirs. It will involve the organization and mobilization of all the material resources of the country to supply the materials of war and serve the incidental needs of the Nation in the most abundant and yet the most economical and efficient way possible. It will involve the immediate full equipment of the Navy in all respects, but particularly in supplying it with the best means of dealing with the enemy’s submarines. It will involve the immediate addition to the armed forces of the United States already provided for by law in case of war at least five hundred thousand men, who should, in my opinion, be chosen upon the principle of universal liability to service, and also the authorization of subsequent additional increments of equal force so soon as they may be needed and can be handled in training.
It will involve also, of course, the granting of adequate credits to the Government, sustained, I hope, so far as they can equitably be sustained by the present generation, by well-conceived taxation. I say sustained so far as may be equitable by taxation because it seems to me that it would be most unwise to base the credits which will now be necessary entirely on money borrowed. It is our duty, I most respectfully urge, to protect our people so far as we may, against the very serious hardships and evils which would be likely to arise out of the inflation which would be produced by vast loans.
In carrying out the measures by which these things are to be accomplished we should keep constantly in mind the wisdom of interfering as little as possible in our own preparation and in the equipment of our own military forces with the duty—for it will be a very practical duty—of supplying the nations already at war with Germany with the materials which they can obtain only from us or by our assistance. They are in the field and we should help them in every way to be effective there.
I shall take the liberty of suggesting, through the several executive departments of the Government, for the consideration of your committees, measures for the accomplishment of the several objects I have mentioned. I hope that it will be your pleasure to deal with them as having been framed after very careful thought by the branch of the Government upon which the responsibility of conducting the war and safeguarding the Nation will most directly fall.
While we do these things, these deeply momentous things, let us be very clear, and make very clear to all the world what our motives and our objects are. My own thought has not been driven from its habitual and normal course by the unhappy events of the last two months, and I do not believe that the thought of the Nation has been altered or clouded by them.
I have exactly the same things in mind now that I had in mind when I addressed the Senate on the twenty-second of January last; the same that I had in mind when I addressed the Congress on the third of February and on the twenty-sixth of February.
Our object now, as then, is to vindicate the principles of peace and justice in the life of the world as against selfish and autocratic power and to set up amongst the really free and self-governed peoples of the world such a concert of purpose and of action as will henceforth insure the observance of those principles.
Neutrality is no longer feasible or desirable where the peace of the world is involved and the freedom of its peoples, and the menace to that peace and freedom lies in the existence of autocratic governments backed by organized force which is controlled wholly by their will, not the will of their people. We have seen the last of neutrality in such circumstances.
We are at the beginning of an age in which it will be insisted that the same standards of conduct and of responsibility for wrong done shall be observed among nations and their governments that are observed among the individual citizens of civilized states.
We have no quarrel with the German people. We have no feeling toward them but one of sympathy and friendship. It was not upon their impulse that their Government acted in entering this war. It was not with their previous knowledge or approval.
It was a war determined upon as wars used to be determined upon in the old, unhappy days when peoples were nowhere consulted by their rulers and wars were provoked and waged in the interest of dynasties or of little groups of ambitious men who were accustomed to use their fellow men as pawns and tools.
Self-governed nations do not fill their neighbor states with spies or set the course of intrigue to bring about some critical posture of affairs which will give them an opportunity to strike and make conquest. Such designs can be successfully worked out only under cover and where no one has the right to ask questions.
Cunningly contrived plans of deception or aggression, carried, it may be, from generation to generation, can be worked out and kept from the light only within the privacy of courts or behind the carefully guarded confidences of a narrow and privileged class. They are happily impossible where public opinion commands and insists upon full information concerning all the nation’s affairs.
A steadfast concert for peace can never be maintained except by a partnership of democratic nations. No autocratic government could be trusted to keep faith within it or observe its covenants. It must be a league of honor, a partnership of opinion.
Intrigue would eat its vitals away; the plottings of inner circles who could plan what they would and render account to no one would be a corruption seated at its very heart. Only free peoples can hold their purpose and their honor steady to a common end and prefer the interests of mankind to any narrow interest of their own.
Does not every American feel that assurance has been added to our hope for the future peace of the world by the wonderful and heartening things that have been happening within the last few weeks in Russia?
Russia was known by those who knew it best to have been always in fact democratic at heart, in all the vital habits of her thought, in all the intimate relationships of her people that spoke their natural instinct, their habitual attitude toward life.
The autocracy that crowned the summit of her political structure, long as it has stood and terrible as was the reality of its power, was not in fact Russian in origin, character or purpose; and now it has been shaken off and the great, generous Russian people have been added in all their native majesty and might to the forces that are fighting for freedom in the world, for justice, and for peace. Here is a fit partner for a League of Honor.
One of the things that has served to convince us that the Prussian autocracy was not and could never be our friend is that from the very outset of the present war it has filled our unsuspecting communities and even our offices of Government with spies and set criminal intrigues everywhere afoot against our national unity of council, our peace within and without, our industries and our commerce.
Indeed, it is now evident that its spies were here even before the war began; and it unhappily is not a matter of conjecture, but a fact proved in our courts of justice, that the intrigues which have more than once come perilously near to disturbing the peace and dislocating the industries of the country have been carried on at the instigation, with the support, and even under the personal direction of official agents of the Imperial Government accredited to the Government of the United States.
Even in checking these things and trying to extirpate them we have sought to put the most generous interpretation possible upon them because we knew that their source lay, not in any hostile feeling or purpose of the German people toward us (who were, no doubt, as ignorant of them as we ourselves were), but only in the selfish designs of a Government that did what it pleased and told its people nothing. But they have played their part in serving to convince us at last that that Government entertains no real friendship for us and means to act against our peace and security at its convenience. That it means to stir up enemies against us at our very doors, the intercepted note to the German Minister at Mexico City is eloquent evidence.
We are accepting this challenge of hostile purpose because we know that in such a Government, following such methods, we can never have a friend; and that in the presence of its organized power, always lying in wait to accomplish we know not what purpose, there can be no assured security for the democratic governments of the world.
We are now about to accept gauge of battle with this natural foe to liberty and shall, if necessary, spend the whole force of the Nation to check and nullify its pretensions and its power. We are glad, now that we see the facts with no veil of false pretense about them, to fight for the ultimate peace of the world and for the liberation of its peoples, the German peoples included: for the rights of nations great and small and the privilege of men everywhere to choose their way of life and of obedience. The world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty.
We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion. We seek no indemnities for ourselves, no material compensation for the sacrifices we shall freely make. We are but one of the champions of the rights of mankind. We shall be satisfied when those rights have been made as secure as the faith and the freedom of nations can make them.
Just because we fight without rancor, without selfish object, seeking nothing for ourselves but what we shall wish to share with all free peoples, we shall, I feel confident, conduct our operations as belligerents without passion and ourselves observe with proud punctilio the principles of right and of fair play we profess to be fighting for.
I have said nothing of the governments allied with the Imperial Government of Germany because they have not made war upon us or challenged us to defend our right and our honor. The Austro-Hungarian Government has, indeed, avowed its unqualified indorsement and acceptance of the reckless and lawless submarine warfare adopted now without disguise by the Imperial German Government, and it has therefore not been possible for this Government to receive Count Tarnowski, the Ambassador recently accredited to this Government by the Imperial and Royal Government of Austria-Hungary; but that Government has not actually engaged in warfare against citizens of the United States on the seas, and I take the liberty, for the present at least, of postponing a discussion of our relations with the authorities at Vienna. We enter this war only where we are clearly forced into it because there are no other means of defending our rights.
It will be all the easier for us to conduct ourselves as belligerents in a high spirit of right and fairness because we act without animus, not in enmity toward a people nor with the desire to bring any injury or disadvantage upon them, but only in armed opposition to an irresponsible Government which has thrown aside all considerations of humanity and of right and is running amuck.
We are, let me say again, the sincere friends of the German people, and shall desire nothing so much as the early re-establishment of intimate relations of mutual advantage between us—however hard it may be for them, for the time being, to believe that this is spoken from our hearts. We have borne with their present Government through all these bitter months because of that friendship—exercising a patience and forbearance which would otherwise have been impossible. We shall, happily, still have an opportunity to prove that friendship in our daily attitude and actions toward the millions of men and women of German birth and native sympathy who live amongst us and share our life, and we shall be proud to prove it toward all who are in fact loyal to their neighbors and to the Government in the hour of test. They are, most of them, as true and loyal Americans as if they had never known any other fealty or allegiance.
They will be prompt to stand with us in rebuking and restraining the few who may be of a different mind and purpose.
If there should be disloyalty, it will be dealt with with a firm hand of stern repression; but, if it lifts its head at all, it will lift it only here and there and without countenance except from a lawless and malignant few.
It is a distressing and oppressive duty, Gentlemen of the Congress, which I have performed in thus addressing you. There are, it may be, many months of fiery trial and sacrifice ahead of us. It is a fearful thing to lead this great peaceful people into war, into the most terrible and disastrous of all wars, civilization itself seeming to be in the balance. But the right is more precious than peace, and we shall fight for the things which we have always carried nearest our hearts—for democracy, for the right of those who submit to authority to have a voice in their own governments, for the rights and liberties of small nations, for a universal dominion of right by such a concert of free peoples as shall bring peace and safety to all nations and make the world itself at last free.
To such a task we can dedicate our lives and our fortunes, everything that we are and everything that we have, with the pride of those who know that the day has come when America is privileged to spend her blood and her might for the principles that gave her birth and happiness and the peace which she has treasured. God helping her, she can do no other.
Corp. Joe F. Adams Company F 167th Infantry |
Pvt. George Alexander Company E 167th Infantry |
Pvt. Loyd Allen Company F 167th Infantry |
Pvt. Will T. Anderson Company C 106th Am. Train | |||
Pvt. Clyde Andrews Company B 3d Infantry |
Pvt. Chas. H. Barnett Battery C 6th Field Artillery |
Corp. Harry Bachelor Company F 167th Infantry |
Pvt. Claude Barnett Bakery Co. 357 | |||
Sailor George Bankston U.S.S. Rhode Island |
Pvt. Jesse Berry Company C 106th Am. Train |
Pvt. Earl Beal Battery F 53d Artillery C.A.C. |
Pvt. Edgar Blakely Medical Corps | |||
Sgt. James Blackmon 19th Division Supply Train |
Corp. Mark B. Blackmon Company C 106th Am. Train |
Pvt. Willie H. Brewer Company G 2d Training Reg. |
Pvt. Earnest G. Brewster Company 39 157th Depot Brigade | |||
Pvt. Eddie E. Buchannan 1st Company 1st Army Corps School Det. |
Sgt. Thos. H. Cason Company C 106th Am. Train |
Pvt. George Caldwell Company B 324th Infantry |
Pvt. Merritt E. Carlisle Company L 327th Infantry | |||
Corp. Henry Carlisle Battery E 21st Field Artillery |
Sgt. Jno. G. Chapman Quartermaster Corps |
Pvt. T. G. Clements 2d Provisional Depot Battalion |
Sgt. Maj. Guy Coffee Hdqtrs. Company 384th Infantry | |||
Tipton Coffee Y. M. C. A. |
Wendell Coffee Ph. M.1 U.S.S. Kentucky |
Sgt. Ewell Coffee Company B 17th Engineers |
Corp. Harvey R. Collins Company B 6th Repl. Reg. Inf. | |||
Pvt. A. Fennimore Cox Company F 167th Infantry |
Pvt. Jesse W. Coleman Company B 151st Mach. Gun Btn. |
Pvt. Hoyt Crowder 3d Company Developing Btn. |
Corp. Lester D. Crowder Company F 167th Infantry | |||
Cook O. W. Culpepper Company I M.T.C.R.U. 307 |
Pvt. Leroy Daniel Hdqtrs. Company 167th Infantry |
Pvt. Elijah Daniel 6th Company Development Btn. |
Pvt. Robert Dailey Battery E 117th Field Artillery | |||
Pvt. Winfred L. Deloach Battery C 7th Field Artillery |
Pvt. Huburt Denham Battery D 117th Field Artillery |
Pvt. Radney Dobson Company H 161st Infantry |
Pvt. Gay Dunn Company B 48th Mach. Gun Btn. | |||
Pvt. A. E. Fincher 2d Provisional R.R.C. |
Pvt. George Fincher Company B 359th Infantry |
Pvt. Isac Free Mach. Gun Company 167th Infantry |
Pvt. William E. Freeman Company F 167th Infantry | |||
Pvt. Wesley Foster Company F 167th Infantry |
Pvt. Will H. Gill Company C 321st Infantry |
Corp. Tolbert H. Gray Company F 167th Infantry |
Corp. Ben W. Griffeth Company B 34th Engineers | |||
Pvt. Allie Griffin Company E 123d Infantry |
Pvt. J. B. Grier Company G 321st Infantry |
Pvt. Alver Gunn Company E 7th Engineers |
Pvt. John B. Gunn Battery F 117th Field Artillery | |||
Pvt. Richard Hadaway Company E 167th Infantry |
Pvt. Brinton Hall Company H 161st Infantry |
Sgt. Will H. Hammock 20th Company 156th Depot Brigade |
Pvt. Robert Hammock 65th Company 6th Group M.T.D. | |||
Pvt. L. Clyde Harmon Bakery Co. 326 |
Pvt. Grady Harmon Company 7 Infantry Repl. Unit |
Pvt. Hobson H. Harmon Supply Battery 56th Field Artillery |
Pvt. Phillip H. Heard Company D 66th Engineers | |||
Sgt. James Heard Company A 59th Engineers |
Roland Shaefer Heard Yeoman 3 c. 8 U.S. Navy Yard Charleston, S.C. |
Corp. Buford Heggood 118th Infantry Band 59th Brigade |
Pvt. Hobson Heggood Post Military Band Edgewood Arsenal | |||
Pvt. F. M. Heggood 118th Infantry Band |
Pvt. Emmit Henderson Company G 165th Infantry |
Corp. S. Calloway Herring Company F 167th Infantry |
Pvt. Charles Frank Hill Battery C 3d Field Artillery | |||
Corp. John J. Seymore Company C 106th Am. Train |
Musc. David Holloway 167th Infantry Band |
Pvt. Minor Hood Company D 106th Am. Train |
Pvt. Jack Howard Company 17 5th Reg. U.S. Marine Corps | |||
Pvt. Jno. M. Howarth S.A.T.C. Auburn, Ala. |
Pvt. Reuben J. Jennings S.A.T.C. Marion Inst. |
Pvt. John Johnson Company A 106th Engineers |
Sgt. Frank P. Jones Company F 167th Infantry | |||
Pvt. Oscar King Company C 54th Mach. Gun Btn. |
Pvt. Belah King 5th Company Coast Artillery |
Pvt. Marion W. Knight Quartermaster Corps |
Pvt. Joe W. Knight Marine Guard Naval Radio Station | |||
Pvt. John C. Leonard Casual Co. 63 162d Depot Brigade |
Pvt. Hobson Lewis Company E 3d Infantry |
Pvt. Evans McGhee Company C 3d Infantry |
Pvt. Gip. L. McGhee 23d. Infantry | |||
Corp. James McGlon Company H 167th Infantry |
Pvt. Jesse McGlon 64th Engineers R.O.T. |
Pvt. Curtis McNaron Company L 115th U.S.G.N.A. |
Pvt. Brant F. Maguire 13th Company 5th Platoon | |||
Pvt. J. T. Manley Battery D 117th Field Artillery |
Pvt. Luther Martin 39th Company 10th Training Btn. 157th Depot Brigade |
Pvt. Earnest R. Mitchell Hdqtrs. Company 152d Depot Brigade |
Pvt. Lofton Mitchell Company E 106th Am. Train | |||
Pvt. Cluster Morgan Company M 70th Infantry |
Pvt. Edd L. Newby Company F 167th Infantry |
Pvt. Walter Newsome Company A 168th Infantry |
Corp. Eugene Oliver Company H 167th Infantry | |||
Pvt. Calvin Parker Company F 167th Infantry |
Pvt. Henry M. Parker Quartermaster Corps |
Sgt. Watson Phillips Quartermaster Corps |
Sgt. George C. Pryor Medical Dept. 6th Engineers | |||
Corp. William C. Raines Headquarters Band 116th Field Artillery |
Pvt. Willie Rogers Company A 321st Infantry |
Pvt. Charles E. Sanders Motor Truck Co. 332 |
Pvt. Charles Sedinger Company D 6th Infantry | |||
Pvt. Jimmie Seymour Company A 101st Infantry |
Pvt. Thomas M. Simms Company E 307th Engineers |
Pvt. Grady Smith Medical Dept. 157th Depot Brigade |
Pvt. Joe Smith Company F 167th Infantry | |||
Pvt. Ollie Smith Company C 321st Mach. Gun Btn. |
Pvt. John W. Stewart Company H 43d Infantry |
Sgt. James Stearns Battery C 117th Field Artillery |
Pvt. Harvey D. Stephens Company C 321st Mach. Gun Btn. | |||
Corp. Eugene Stiff Company G 122d Infantry |
Pvt. Charles Tally Hdqtrs. Troops 314th Cavalry |
Horseshoer Thomas Tally Battery D 117th Field Artillery |
Pvt. Lomas Thomaston Company A 1st Infantry Regl. and Trn. Btn. | |||
Corp. Thomas Thomaston Company F 167th Infantry |
Pvt. Hugh Turner Company D 19th Btn. U.S.G.N.A. |
Pvt. James Ward Company F 167th Infantry |
Corp. Quincer W. Whittle Company B 116th Supply Train | |||
Pvt. Ocie T. Wilbanks Company E 20th Engineers |
Pvt. Colvin Wilbanks 71st Company 6th Group M.T.D. |
Pvt. Robert Williams Company F 167th Infantry |
Sgt. Jesse Von Williams Company F 167th Infantry | |||
Sailor Charles Winningham U.S.S. Camden Detail League Island Navy Yard |
Charles H. Yarbrough Ph. M.3 Bay Ridge Rec. Ship |
Pvt. Dan H. Hart Company H 123d Infantry |
Pvt. Carl Smith Company H 123d Infantry | |||
Corp. William D. Purcell Company A 306 Ammunition Train |
Pvt. Walter Geter Company 21 R.R.D. |
Pvt. Chester D. May Company F 167th Infantry |
Corp. Eugene Herring Company C 106th Am. Train | |||
Pvt. Robert Hollis Company K 16th Infantry |
Pvt. James E. Robinson 8th Field Artillery |
Pvt. Hobson Cummings S.A.T.C. Auburn, Ala. |
Pvt. Walter Peppers Company 39 New Receiving Camp | |||
Pvt. Jim B. Morris Hdqtrs. Company 115th Field Artillery |
Roll of Honor
‡ Killed in action † Died of disease * Photo
*Adams, J. F. Allen, Marshall Alexander, Ben *Alexander, George *Allen, Loyd *Anderson, Will †*Andrews, Clyde Andrews, J. C. Aughtman, John ‡*Bachelor, Harry Baker, William *Bankston, George Barnett, Claude Barnett, Charles H. Barton, Tebe *Beal, Earl *Berry, Jesse *Blackmon, James *Blackmon, Mark *Blakely, Edgar Boggs, James G. Bowling, I. L. *Brewer, Willie H. Brewster, Earnest G. Brown, Jesse Brumaloe, C. C. *Buchannan, Edward E. *Caldwell, George *Carlisle, Henry ‡*Carlisle, Merritt Carmichael, George Carmichael, Jim *Cason, Thomas *Chapman, John *Clements, T. G. *Coffee, Ewell *Coffee, Guy *Coffee, Tipton *Coffee, Wendell *Coleman, J. W. *Collins, Harvey R. ‡*Cox, Fennimore *Crowder, Hoyt ‡*Crowder, Lester D. *Culpepper, Orein W. Cummings, Hobson *Dailey, Robert *Daniel, Elijah *Daniel, Leroy *Deloach, Winfred L. *Denham, Huburt *Dobson, Radney *Dunn, Lonnie G. East, Albert *Free, Isac *Freeman, William E. *Fincher, Eugene *Fincher, George ‡*Foster, Wesley *Geter, Walter *Gill, Will *Gray, Tolbert H. *Grier, Joe B. *Griffeth, Ben W. *Griffin, Allie *Gunn, Alver T. *Gunn, John B. *Hadaway, Richard *Hall, Brinton *Hammock, Robert L. *Hammock, Will H. *Harmon, Clyde *Harmon, Grady *Harmon, Hobson *Hart, Dan *Heard, Phillip *Heard, James E. *Heard, Shaefer *Heggood, Buford *Heggood, F. M. *Heggood, Hobson *Henderson, Emmit *Herring, Eugene *Herring, S. Calloway |
*Hill, Charles Frank Hill, Charlie *Hollis, Robert *Holloway, David *Hood, Minor *Howard, Jack *Howarth, John M. Jenkins, Hamp *Jennings, Rube J. *Johnson, John *Jones, Frank P. Kendrick, John *King, Belah *King, Oscar *Knight, Marion *Knight, Joe Knight, Horace Kynard, O. D. *Leonard, John C. *Lewis, Hobson J. Lewis, Edd Manning, E. Martin, Clarence *May, Chester D. *Mitchell, Earnest *Mitchell, Lofton *Morgan, Cluster *Morris, Jim B. *Maguire, Brant F. *Manley, J. T. *Martin, Luther *McGhee, Evans McGhee, Gip L. *McGlon, Jesse *McGlon, James *McNaron, Curtis Neese, Kenny *Newby, Edd L. *Newsome, Walter Norman, Raemon *Oliver, Eugene *Parker, Calvin *Parker, Mose Henry Peppers, Walter *Phillips, Watson *Pryor, George C. *Purcell, William D. *Raines, William C. Robinson, James E. Robinson, Oscar *Rogers, William *Sanders, C. E. Sands, L. C. *Sedinger, Charles *Seymore, James *Seymore, John J. *Sims, Thomas M. *Smith, Carl *Smith, Grady *Smith, Joe *Smith, Ollie *Stearns, James *Stevens, Harvey D. Stevens, Otis *Stewart, John W. *Stiff, Eugene *Tally, Charlie *Tally, Robert ‡*Thomaston, Thomas *Thomaston, William L. *Turner, Hugh *Ward, James *Whittle, Quincer *Wilbanks, Colvin *Wilbanks, Ocie T. *Williams, Jesse Von *Williams, Robert *Winningham, Charles Winslett, R. D. *Yarbrough, Charles H. |
Colored
Askew, Frank Brock, Bill Collins, Jim Collins, John Chappel, Dock Cheery, Abraham Dallis, Willie Duncan, James D. Duncan, John Duncan, Will Duncan, Lindsey Fitspatrick, Henry Gates, Richard Gipson, Charlie Gordon, W. M. Goss, Jim Goss, Napoleon Greenwood, Enoch Greer, William A., Jr. |
Harris, Hosea Hill, Clarence Hill, Stanley Huguley, Dock Jordon, Edd McKinley, Jeff Oliver, Wesley Oneal, Alva Roberson, Early Scott, Lee Smith, Elijah Towles, Willie Trammel, Luther Watkins, Robert Weston, Gilbert Weston, Willie Winston, Jeff Winston, Zack |
Extracts of Appreciation
“To know that the people at home are squarely back of us just doubles our determination to lick the Boche.... Our first Battalion was the first American troops to capture prisoners without the aid of the French or British.”
David Holloway
July 8, 1918
“I beg to inform you that there are boys here from the largest cities in
the country who have been here a long time and never have received as much
as a card from the numerous organizations in their home cities while I
have had letters from Lanett Service Station and only been here a month.
The boys all admit that they have to take off their hats to Lanett for the
spirit the folks at home show in backing up the boys.”
Hobson G. Heggood
“And if it so be I will stand on the vine clad hills of sunny France and
give my life for a cause that is just and right.”
Evans McGhee
June 14, 1918. Eagle Pass, Texas
“Our motto is ‘Over the Top and give them H—’ and you can take it from me
that is just what they are doing. Our boys are fighting like our
grandfathers fought back in the sixties and they are making for themselves
a name which will never be forgotten.”
Dave Holloway.
September 21, 1918. Musician, 167th Inf. Band, Somewhere in France
“And I am glad that I have such a patriotic town to back me while I do a
little to help beat the Beast of Berlin.”
Sgt. Eugene C. Stiff.
July 23, 1918. Company 9, 122d Infantry
“I wish to thank you for the interest the Service Station is taking in me
and I am sure all the boys from dear old Lanett feel the same as
myself.... We had three battles with the ‘Subs’ on my last trip and I am
proud to say we got three ‘Subs’ out of three battles.”
Chas. H. Yarbrough.
On Board U. S. S. Zeelandia
“We drove the enemy out of places that looked impossible for it to be
done, tunnels and under hills and mountains several hundred feet deep, but
believe me we went in after them without any mercy and finally got them
going so fast we had to put doughboys in motor trucks and hook the
kitchens on behind to keep up with them.”
Thomas M. Sims.
November 30, 1918. Company E, 307th Engineers
“Again I offer you a rising and unanimous vote of thanks for your kind
letters. Number 10 reached me this week and did me more good than a check
for $50.00 would.... You will have to admit that when the world wanted
Germany licked they sent over the A. E. F. (After England Failed) and
three days after I reached the front the second time, the Kaiser packed
his trick clothes, threw his crown into the garbage pail, put on his
rubber boots and let himself out the back door.”
Corp. W. D. Purcell
November 21, 1918
“You have no idea how we love to hear from home and to feel that you
remember us. We can fight a heap better when we’re reminded once in a
while that our loved ones are helping us by keeping us in touch with home
and sacrificing in numerous ways that we may be more comfortable.”
George Bankston
July 16, 1918. The Rhode Island
“It is just beginning to seem like 1919 to me and it will be a happy year
I am sure because it means that I am coming back to the only country on
earth with all my feet and hands still attached to me.
“Don’t close the station until all of us are out of France. I would miss your letters and I want to see all the folks at the station and thank them for their backing and the interest taken in the boys.”
Corp. Wm. D. Purcell
January, 1919. Somewhere in France
“My chum called to me and we counted two hundred air planes going over to
Germany and they were all in sight at one time and they made me think of a
flock of wild geese back in the States.”
Alver Gunn
October, 1918. Somewhere in France
“I thank God I am an American and will go down with my comrades if the
good Lord so wills that I go that way.”
Extract from letter dated August 27, 1918, from Thomas Thomaston, Company F, 167th Infantry, who was killed before his letter reached the Service Station.
“Yesterday was Christmas and believe me we had some dinner—turkey, pies,
California cake, dressing, mashed potatoes, celery, tangerines, cigarettes
and one cigar and a few other things I did not know any name for—and that
makes me think, I thank you many, many times for the Christmas box. You
could not have sent anything that would have pleased me more and I assure
you it was appreciated by myself and friends.”
Corp. Wm. D. Purcell
December 26, 1918. Co. A, 306th Am. Train
WAR SERVICE COMMITTEE, Lanett
J. I. Warner, chairman
Lillian Warner, secretary
J. L. Weldon
J. H. Horrarth
J. A. Simmons
RECEPTION ROOM. WAR SERVICE STATION. Lanett
WAR SERVICE STATION, Lanett
RED CROSS WORK ROOM, Lanett
Managing Committee of Lanett
Geo. H. Lanier Geo. S. Harris R. W. Jennings J. H. Howarth J. J. Jordan
TEAM No. 1 Geo. S. Harris, Captain J. D. Anderson John Knowles Edgar Mitchell W. W. Wallis John King John Simmons TEAM No. 2 R. W. Jennings, Captain John I. Warner W. H. Gray Britt Veazey Geo. Heard TEAM No. 3 D. A. Jolly, Captain Tom Swan P. Sorrell W. Hollis Geo. Cromer B. Pennington TEAM No. 4 W. S. Leatherwood, Captain C. E. Lunceford H. E. Mathews A. J. Weldon J. N. Barrow TEAM No. 5 Tipton Coffee, Captain Rev. D. M. Joiner G. F. Partridge E. J. Gilbert R. D. King TEAM No. 6 D. J. Crowder, Captain J. T. Aughtman H. C. Hamilton C. E. DeLoach Sam Jones TEAM No. 7 Lewis Wright, Captain C. M. Brady G. B. Avery Clyde Blakely Geo. Lanier TEAM No. 8 Samuel Hayes, Captain K. Kitchens Patrick Sullivan Keil Howell Neal Holstun TEAM No. 9 W. F. Sims, Captain E. R. Cummings John Brewer Jno. Strickland Smith Lanier TEAM No. 10 Dawson Swint, Captain W. W. Whitson Sam Goodman Ray Coffee Arthur Hagedorn L. S. Philips |
TEAM No. 11 J. J. Jordan, Captain W. H. Knight J. H. Stevens Tom McClendon U. S. Waters TEAM No. 12 John Hagedorn, Captain C. C. Wilbanks Lee Heyman C. W. Milford W. R. Harrison TEAM No. 13 Dr. J. L. Weldon, Captain Dr. Whatley J. H. Allen Carl Crouch H. M. Gay TEAM No. 14 T. L. Crouch, Captain V. M. Wood Amos Priester J. A. Wheeler O. K. Waites TEAM No. 15 O. A. Bonner, Captain Harvey Weldon Luther Boyd Wm. Z. Taylor O. C. McClendon TEAM No. 16 R. C. Stanfield, Captain J. T. Winningham A. C. Lynn S. T. Jones TEAM No. 17 James Wallace, Captain Emory Coffee W. H. Wright E. P. Rutland Parker Horn A. L. Smith TEAM No. 18 J. C. Berry, Captain Jesse Laudermilk Dr. McCulloh Homer Wilbanks Bob Harrison TEAM No. 19 W. L. Osborne, Captain Ed Rainey W. H. Harvey J. E. Ridgeway John Harrison |
Committee of Ladies
TEAM No. 20 Mrs. Geo. Harris, Captain Mrs. C. W. Warner Mrs. J. L. Weldon Mrs. Dawson Swint Mrs. Britt Veazey TEAM No. 21 Mrs. J. H. Howarth, Captain Mrs. Patrick Sullivan Mrs. Willie Grey Mrs. D. A. Jolly Mrs. C. E. DeLoach TEAM No. 22 Mrs. Chas. Stevens, Captain Miss Cordelia Micou Miss Estelle Heard Mrs. Homer Wilbanks Miss Ruby Pearce |
TEAM No. 23 Mrs. Geo. H. Lanier, Captain Mrs. John Hagedorn Mrs. Lee Heyman Mrs. Morris Darden Miss Katie Smith Mrs. Jamie Johnson TEAM No. 24 Mrs. John King, Captain Miss Flora Clyde Warner Miss Helen Howarth Miss Florence Weldon Miss Hatty Knowles TEAM No. 25 Mrs. S. L. Hayes, Captain Mrs. Adah Stevens Miss Gertrude Crowder Miss Grace Stevens Miss Frances Wallace |
Committee Report
Second Liberty Loan | $1,650.00 | |
Third Liberty Loan | 53,700.00 | |
Fourth Liberty Loan | 55,850.00 | |
Victory Liberty Loan | 30,300.00 | |
Total | $141,500.00 | |
United War Work Fund | $2,451.00 | |
First Red Cross War Fund | $1,822.56 | |
Second Red Cross War Fund | $5,294.00 | |
War Stamps | $104,707.00 | |
Salvation Army Drive | $313.40 |
From Lanett Red Cross
Sweaters | 38 | |
Sox, pairs | 23 | |
Pajamas, pairs | 21 | |
Towels | 44 | |
Bed shirts | 78 | |
Bandages | 65 | |
Comfort kits | 5 | |
Convalescent robes | 6 | |
Refugee garments | 1006 |
Letters written to boys in Service | 1972 | |
Letters received from boys in Service | 423 | |
Other letters written | 291 | |
Number of packages forwarded | 57 | |
Number of visitors at War Service Station | 2515 | |
Total now in Service: white 164, colored 37 | 201 | |
Number of Bulletins mailed | 2648 | |
Killed in action | 6 | |
Died of disease | 1 | |
Wounded | 16 |
Sgt. Curtis Avery Amer. Military Com. Q.M.C. |
Pvt. Herbert Avery S.A.T.C. |
Pvt. John J. Baker Company C 39th Infantry |
Corp. J. C. Barnes Company I 167th Infantry | |||
Corp. D. H. Barnes 5th Aero Squadron Rep. |
Pvt. Floyd Blackwelder S.A.T.C. |
Capt. J. I. Bowles Company E 106th Supply Train |
Pvt. James Bridges Company H 167th Infantry | |||
Pvt. Hoyt A. Canady Company K 167th Infantry |
Pvt. John Carmack 7th Co. 13th M.P.C. Embarkation Center |
Pvt. Elige Champion Battery E 117th Field Artillery |
Pvt. Claudius H. Cole (Marine) Balloon Det. H.A.F. | |||
Pvt. J. W. Conway Company C 151st Mach. Gun Btn. |
Sgt. Cliff Conway Company F 103d Infantry |
Pvt. Marion L. Connell Company A 48th Mach. Gun Btn. |
Pvt. Geo. Cottle Battery D 18th Field Artillery | |||
Roy D. Coulter Marine |
Sgt. Jones S. Davis Base Hospital 21 |
Pvt. Jakie S. Edge Company K 1st Pioneers Inf. |
Pvt. H. H. Elloit 20th Co. 5th Tr. Btn. 156th Depot Brigade | |||
Corp. Howard S. Fling Company I 167th Infantry |
Pvt. Kenon Foster 11th Infantry Nov. Repl. |
Pvt. G. W. Hollis Cas. Company 43 162d Depot Brigade Tent Area 4 |
Sgt. John F. Hollis Squadron 488 Const. | |||
Pvt. Clyde Huff Company I 167th Infantry |
Floyd Hughey U.S.N. |
Pvt. Reuben Howell Company I Development Battalion |
Pvt. T. B. James 40th Co. 10th Tr. Btn. 157th Depot Brigade | |||
Pvt. J. M. Jarrell Battery D 129th Field Artillery |
Pvt. Walter Jarrell 4th Prov. Company |
Pvt. Adolphus Johnson Oversea Casual Co. 24th Camp Pike. A.R.D. |
Pvt. Burl D. Jones Company E 167th Infantry | |||
Wag. R. L. Jones H.S. Company 106th San. Tr. |
Pvt. Hiram A. Keel Company B 52d Infantry |
Pvt. Geo. Kemp Battery C 6th Field Artillery |
Pvt. Mac Lackey 4th Provisional Co. | |||
Sgt. T. B. Lanier Bakery Co. 366 Quartermaster Corps |
Corp. C. M. Lawhorn Company H 167th Infantry |
Pvt. J. C. Lyons Company I 167th Infantry |
Corp. W. F. McCarley Company I 167th Infantry | |||
Pvt. Wm. P. Mangrum Company H 167th Infantry |
Pvt. Wilfred O. Mangrum Company D 17th Infantry |
Pvt. Rance A. Milam Company I 327th Infantry |
Pvt. Otis B. Newman Company M 331st Infantry | |||
Pvt. N. D. Phillips 243d M.P. Co. |
Pvt. Frank Pitts Company H 167th Infantry |
Pvt. Horace L. Pratt 801. 343 Q.M.C. |
Pvt. Harold Pritchard S.A.T.C. | |||
Lee Ruff U.S. Navy U.S.S. Von Stubin |
Sgt. J. C. Sewell Company E 106th Supply Train |
Corp. J. R. Sharpe Company B 102d Infantry |
T. A. Simms U.S. Navy U.S.S. Mt. Vernon | |||
Pvt. Alva Smith 17th Co. 5th Tr. Btn. 157th Depot Brigade |
Pvt. L. C. Smith S.A.T.C. |
1st Lieut. A. C. Smith 301st E. Remount Sqd. |
Pvt. E. L. Spivey 22d Co. 6th Tr. Btn. 157th Depot Brigade | |||
Corp. J. H. Stephens Bakery Company 2 Q.M.C. Det. |
J. S. Sledge U.S. Navy U.S.S. Louisiana |
Pvt. Thomas H. Still Company C 161st Infantry |
Bugler C. T. Terrell Company I 167th Infantry | |||
Pvt. Thomas M. Aikens Battery D 18th Field Artillery |
Pvt. Bennie Thomas Marine |
Pvt. Thomas G. Tyson Company I 6th Infantry |
Wag. John T. Wallace Supply Company 11th Infantry | |||
W. L. Warren U.S. Navy U.S.S. Oklahoma |
Pvt. Sam J. Warren Cas. Company 63 162d Depot Brigade |
Pvt. Kyle Waters 327th Field Hospital 307th San. Train |
Pvt. Roy Watkins Machine Gun Co. 56th Infantry | |||
Clinton Waters U.S. Navy U.S.S. Rathhurn |
Pvt. John D. Whatley A. & B. School Camp Sevier, S.C. |
Pvt. John Deward White Hdqtrs. Company 321st Infantry |
Pvt. Olin Whitlaw Cas. Company 33 Cas. Detachment 162d Depot Brigade | |||
Corp. Paul W. Smith Company G 1st Pioneers Infantry 2d Btn. H.Q.I. |
Pvt. Floyd White Company D 23d Infantry |
Pvt. Joe Word 122d A.C. 106th San. Train |
Pvt. Bernard Manley Company A 113th F.A. | |||
Pvt. N. B. Murphy Student Marine Training Corps |
Private A. E. Beaird Company I 327th Infantry |
Roll of Honor
‡ Killed in action † Died of disease * Photo
Adcock, Coy *Aikens, Thomas *Avery, Curtis *Avery, Herbert *Baker, John J. *Barnes, D. H. *Barnes, J. C. ‡Beard, A. E. *Blackwelder, Floyd *Bowles, J. T. ‡*Bridges, Jim *Canady, Hoyt A. *Carmack, John *Champion, Lige *Cole, Claudius H. *Connell, Marion L. *Conway, Clifford *Conway, J. W. *Cottle, George *Coulter, Roy D. Crowder, Lee ‡Dabbs, H. L. *Davis, J. S. Deloach, Birdie E. Deloach, O. D. *Edge, J. S. *Elloit, Homer H. *Fling, H. S. *Foster, Kenon Foster, Rufus M. Garrett, Carl Hestley, Dan M. *Hollis, G. W. *Hollis, J. F. *Howell, Reuben *Huff, Clyde *Hughey, T. F. Humphrey, Jewell *James, T. B. *Jarrell, J. M. *Jarrell, Walter *Johnson, Aldolphus *Jones, Burl D. *Jones, Robt. L. *Keel, Hiram H. *Kemp, George Kennington, Grady Kennington, Jake |
*Lackey, Mac *Lanier, T. B. *Lawhorne, C. M. Lindsey, O. L. *Lyons, J. C. *Mangrum, Wilford ‡*Mangrum, Wm. P. Manley, Bernard *Milam, Rance Murphy, N. B. *McCarley, W. F. *Newman, Otis B. *Phillips, Denson *Pitts, Frank *Pratt, Horace L. *Pritchard, Harold *Ruff, Lee *Sewell, J. C. Sharpe, A. E. *Sharpe, J. R. *Simms, A. T. *Sledge, J. S. *Smith, Alva *Smith, A. C. *Smith, Cooper Smith, Elish Smith, Ernest *Smith, Paul W. Smith, John Will *Spivey, E. L. Spivey, Forrest *Stephens, J. H. *Still, T. H. Taunton, Jesse Taylor, C. Z. *Terrell, C. T. ‡*Thomas, Bennie *Tyson, Thomas *Wallace, John T. *Warren, Sam *Warren, W. L. *Waters, Clinton *Waters, Kyle *Watkins, Roy W. ‡*Whatley, John D. *White, Floyd *White, John D. *Whitlow, Olin *Word, Joe |
Colored
Boyd, Charlie Boyd, Ocie Brooks, Amos Brooks, Jessie Brooks, Willie Lee Chambers, John Cooper, Jeff Copeland, George Gibson, B. C. |
‡Haffner, Richard Littlefield, B. K. Mason, John Mitts, John Oliver, Wesley Reese, John T. |
Extracts of Appreciation
“The people here are different from any other section of France. Their customs and dress are very peculiar, in fact, reminds me very much of the people of Holland. They wear wooden shoes and have a dialect all their own. French people from the more up-to-date parts of France have difficulty in speaking to and understanding them. The country is flat and marshy, and windmills like those of Holland can be seen. It is very pleasant in summer but in the winter I think it must be very cold, for already it is getting very cold at night and in the morning. I do not think we will be here long, though I do not know where we will go from here. Perhaps where the big guns roar and the bombs drop from the skies. Well, we have been anxious to go up front, and no doubt our chance will come some day. We have been doing some mighty important work back here in the S. O. S. but it is the nature of an American to want to be where the excitement is thickest.”
J. F. H.
October 8, 1918
“This helmet was picked up on the morning of October 16th as we were
returning to the rear from a convoy in the heart of the Argonne, near the
village of Cheppy. The wearer who had fallen earlier in the day was an old
soldier perhaps sixty-five years old and belonged to the 419th Division of
the Saxon Bombardiers. More than a hundred German and American Troops lay
dead within sight.
“The probable cause of his death was high explosive, as he was torn up very badly.
“In an area of two square miles many hundred of these could have been gathered. I took an interest in this one on account of its high polish for camouflage purposes, something new to us at that time.”
A. C. S.
“We spent quite a different life from this in the English waters where we
put in many monotonous months waiting for the Hun to come out. We were
sorry he came out the way he did for we were just aching to exchange
broadsides with him.
“My ship convoyed one-half million troops through what is called the ‘Submarines’ Graveyard,’ off the coast of Ireland, during the months of September and October.”
W. W.
January 1, 1919
“The boys in the outfit I belong to were the first to cross the Meuse
River and were in the first lines when the guns stopped firing at 11
o’clock on the 11th day on the 11th month in the year 1918.”
J. T. W.
December 21, 1918
“I now belong to the Army of Occupation. We are going through what is to
my thinking the prettiest country yet. My battery has hiked some four
hundred and twenty-five kilometers since we fired our last barrage—and
believe me, that was some barrage—‘The Million Dollar One’. It will take
a long time before I forget it. I stood on a hill and watched and
listened. IT WAS GREAT. I guess about ten or twelve regiments of the
American Artillery and I don’t know how many of the French took part. The
best of old Heinie’s guns were being used. If he knew the sound of them as
well as we did, he knew that we were firing his OWN guns at him. They have
a very peculiar and creepy sound, see?”
G. F. K.
December 4, 1918
“I had the pictures struck yesterday. And to show you how much speed there
is here in France—for this is an instance of real speed—
“The guy who runs the shop pounded me on the back and said, ‘Bon, bon-apres un mayr photo finie’. Anybody that has to put up with that kind of lingo and fight this war has sure got some job. Well, after tearing out about all of my hair and using three different Franco-American dictionaries I finally managed to get this out of the scraps, ‘Good, good, after one month, picture finished’.
“Remember that was only yesterday.”
C. H.
October 25, 1918
“If this letter reaches you safely you can say it came through from the
infernal regions, for if there was ever a ‘Hell’s Half Acre’ this must be
it. Put your finger on the biggest forest in France and say I’m there. Six
weeks like a rat, three of which is like a whirlwind sweeping through
Hades day or night, no rest, but forever watching, waiting, working by
candle light deep down in a dug-out, or no light at all. This certainly
cannot last much longer. It does us good to know there is one place where
everything is like it used to be. I certainly am glad SHAWMUT is still
natural and hope someday soon to get back there and take up my work where
I left off.”
A. C. S.
“I wish to express my sincere appreciation of the personal letter service
which has been rendered me. It is the wonderful and unselfish spirit of
the folks back home, which has made the men of the A. E. F. willing and
eager to ‘carry on’.”
J. S. D.
December 22, 1918
“I was sitting on my bunk trying to write these few lines, when my bunkie
jumped up all at once and said a few words (I can’t tell you what he
said). At first I thought that he was shot but I found out what the
trouble was, only a ‘cootie bite’.”
D. H. B.
September 23, 1918
“If there is one thing that stands out preeminently in a soldier’s daily
schedule across the sea, as to helpfulness it is ‘that letter’ or little
bit of news from home (America). If you good people who are carrying on
the work of the ‘Home Guards’ could see the eager faces of the Yanks at
mail time, as they congregate for mail distributions, I am sure you would
agree that time spent in writing to ‘Over There’ boys, is at least
appreciated to the fullest.”
J. H. S.
September 22, 1918
“I appreciate having my name on the list at the War Service Station very
much. I enjoy the Bulletin from the first to the last and hope I’ll never
miss one as long as the war lasts.”
H. A.
October 6, 1918
“I was indeed surprised, a few days since, to receive a letter from you
good people of my old home town reminding me that you still remember me
and appreciate the effort that we boys are making to do our ‘bit’ for the
just and righteous cause in which we are all enlisted.
“Your promise to write us from time to time of the items of interest at home especially gratifying, for local news nowadays, possesses far more interest and diversion for us than does the doings and happenings of the remainder of the ‘great, wide, beautiful, wonderful world’.”
C. T. T.
July 10, 1918
“It makes one feel good to know that he is remembered back home, not only
by his parents, but by his friends as well. You don’t know, you can’t
know, just how much good you are doing and just how it makes us feel when
stationed at a remote camp, where we know no one, to get a letter from
friends at home, who are interested in us. It makes us feel as though
nothing on earth could prevent us from winning this war—and we shall
win.”
R. D. C.
June 21, 1918
“We leave this port the tenth of December and proceed nine hundred miles
off this coast and meet President Wilson and his party, who are coming
over to the Peace Conference on the George Washington, convoyed by the
super-dreadnaught, Pennsylvania, and six destroyers.
“There are nine big dreadnaughts in our fleet lying here who will go out and convoy them to Brest, France.”
W. L. W.
December 8, 1918
WAR SERVICE STATION, Shawmut
WAR SERVICE COMMITTEE, Shawmut
G. C. Wagnon
C. A. Singleterry
J. T. Hollis
Geo. W. Murphy
Mrs. Jack Plaut, ass’t sec’y
J. R. Edwards
Mrs. Mary M. Bugg, sec’y
RED CROSS WORK ROOM, Shawmut
RECEPTION ROOM, WAR SERVICE STATION, Shawmut
Committees
Y. M. C. A. DRIVE Subscription, $338.35 RED CROSS CHRISTMAS MEMBERSHIP DRIVE Edwards, J. R. Murphy, G. W. Whitehead, J. L. Subscription, $100.00 RED CROSS WAR FUND DRIVE Bugg, Mrs. Edwards, J. R. Wagnon, Mrs. Whitehead, J. L. Subscription, $1,186.00 RED CROSS CHRISTMAS ROLL CALL Bugg, Mrs. M. M. Jones, T. T. Kemp, Mrs. F. S. Subscription, $150.00 UNITED WAR FUND DRIVE Cole, Loyd Crowder, J. J. Crowder, Walt Herring, Dr. Hollis, J. T. Johnson, E. J. Jones, T. T. Kemp, F. S. Murphy, G. W. Pritchard, Mrs. P. Singleterry, C. A. Underwood, W. L. Wagnon, G. C. Walls, J. S. Subscription, $1,944.10 ARMENIAN RELIEF FUND Subscription, $101.50 SALVATION ARMY DRIVE Subscription, $100.70 |
SECOND LIBERTY LOAN Jones, T. T. Murphy, G. W. Murphy, O. G. Singleterry, C. A. Wagnon, G. C. Subscription, $1,750.00 THIRD LIBERTY LOAN Crowder, J. J. Edwards, J. R. Hollis, J. T. Johnson, E. J. Jones, T. T. Kemp, F. S. Kemp, Miss Grace Murphy, G. W. Murphy, O. G. Singleterry, C. A. Wagnon, G. C. Walls, J. S. Underwood, W. L. Subscription, $24,350.00 FOURTH LIBERTY LOAN Crowder, J. J. Edwards, J. R. Hollis, J. T. Johnson, E. J. Jones, Mrs. T. T. Jones, T. T. Kemp, F. S. Murphy, G. W. Murphy, O. G. Pritchard, Dr. P. Singleterry, C. A. Underwood, W. L. Wagnon, G. C. Walls, J. S. Whitehead, J. W. Subscription, $25,200.00 VICTORY LOAN CAMPAIGN Subscription, $10,500.00 WAR SAVINGS STAMPS Subscription, $10,500.00 |
Total | ||
Liberty and Victory Loans | $61,800.00 | |
War Saving Stamps | 10,500.00 | |
United War Fund | 1,944.10 | |
Membership and Subscription Red Cross | 1,436.00 | |
Y. M. C. A. | 338.35 | |
Salvation Army | 100.70 | |
Armenian Relief | 101.50 |
Committee Report
Number of boys who left for Service from Shawmut | 111 | |
Number of colored boys | 14 | |
Number of boys discharged before War Service Station started | 5 | |
Number of boys whose address was unlocated | 10 | |
29 | ||
Number of boys on writing list | 82 | |
Number of boys who died in Service | 7 | |
Number of boys known to be wounded | 20 | |
Number of boys who have written to War Service Station | 61 | |
Number of visitors to Station | 2950 | |
Number of letters sent to boys in Service | 1267 | |
Number of other letters mailed | 464 | |
Number of Bulletins mailed | 1650 | |
Number of packages forwarded | 125 | |
Number of letters received from boys in Service | 283 | |
Number of pieces of mail sent out from War Service Station | 3188 |
From Shawmut Red Cross
T bandages | 91 | |
Bed shirts | 48 | |
Triangular bandages | 103 | |
Abdominal bandages | 79 | |
Sweaters | 116 | |
Sox, pairs | 11 | |
Refugee aprons | 20 | |
Helpless case shirts | 12 | |
Pajamas, pairs | 20 | |
Refugee dresses | 10 | |
Comfort bags | 5 | |
Refugee shirts | 5 | |
Convalescent robes | 10 | |
Garments to Belgian and French refugees | 482 | |
Towels in shower | 125 | |
Influenza masks for influenza epidemic | 1000 | |
Garments in Christmas box | 160 | |
Inspection of boys’ Christmas boxes. |
Junior Red Cross
Collected 1917-1918 | $60.00 | |
Collected 1918-1919 | 50.00 | |
Sweaters | 6 | |
Hospital blanket | 1 | |
Sox, pairs | 15 | |
Utility bags | 10 | |
Monthly hospital booklets. |
Grady Allen U.S.S. Susquehanna |
Pvt. William F. Bailey Battery E 117th Field Artillery |
Pvt. Charles Bailey Battery D 117th Field Artillery |
Pvt. James Arthur Bates 38th Co. 10th Tr. Btn. 157th Depot Brigade | |||
Pvt. William A. Blanks Hdqtrs. Military Police |
Pvt. Walter Blackwell 57th Company M.T.C. |
Lieut. J. Mem Bohannon Company I 167th Infantry |
Pvt. Walter T. Bohannon Cavalry Camp Remount | |||
Bugler Henry J. Brannon Battery F 50th Artillery C.A.C. |
Douglas Brittingham U.S.S. Pennsylvania |
Pvt. Poet Canady Company C 321st Infantry |
Pvt. Alsberry Carlisle 9th Company 167th Infantry | |||
Pvt. Johnnie E. Carriker Truck Company 2 106th Am. Train |
Cook Eddie L. Crawford Hdqtrs. Troop 4th Division |
Pvt. Robert R. Crawford Company A 29th Mach. Gun Btn. |
Pvt. J. Ben Crenshaw 57th Company M.T.D. | |||
Pvt. Amos M. Crenshaw Cas. Company 465 |
Pvt. Roy Culberson Company H 328th Infantry |
Pvt. Ocie Lee Deloach F.R.S. 327 |
Pvt. Richmond Earles Company 5 H.Q.R.S. | |||
Pvt. Joseph A. Fobus Battery E 117th Field Artillery |
Pvt. Rufus M. Foster 327th Field Hospital 307th San. Train |
Luther Frazier Sub Chaser 204 |
Pvt. W. A. Fuller Supply Co. 321st Infantry | |||
Sgt. Jessee L. Glass A.P.O. 927 |
Pvt. Keener Gray 3d Prov. Company O.A.R.D. |
Pvt. Austin M. Hornsby Hdqtrs. Company 17th Infantry |
Pvt. Ronald E. James Battery D 114th Field Artillery | |||
Pvt. Olin Johnson Company D 89th Infantry |
Pvt. James Lee Johnson 21st Company R.R.D. |
Cook Ellis Joseph Base Hospital |
Pvt. Oscar W. Kent 260th Company 130th Btn. M.P.C. | |||
Hugh S. Bates Naval Training Station |
Pvt. Ocie Laney Supply Company 10th F.A., A.P.O. 740 |
Sgt. Thomas Landreth Company F 17th Infantry |
Pvt. S. H. Lauderdale 69th Company 6th Group | |||
Sgt. Homer McClendon Company B U.S.A. Gen. Hosp. 36 |
Sgt. Sam McDonald Company F 167th Infantry |
Pvt. Benjamin F. McGarr Battery F 7th Field Artillery |
Pvt. William C. Manning Company B 47th Reg. T.C. | |||
Eulos Moon U.S. Naval Air Station |
Clarence Morris U.S.S. Cincinnati |
James M. Newton U.S.S. Anniston |
Pvt. Will O’Neal Cas. Company 61 162d Depot Brigade | |||
Pvt. Amos Orrick Troop A 14th Cavalry |
Pvt. Fred Perryman Company M 49th Infantry |
Pvt. Luther Shelnut Cas. Company 43 162d Depot Brigade |
Pvt. Walter Lee Smith 4th Company O.A.R.D. Automatic | |||
Pvt. Douglas M. Smith Hdqtrs. Company 57th Infantry |
Pvt. G. F. Tankersley Battery E 117th Field Artillery |
Pvt. Zachery Thompson 71st Company 6th Group M.T.D. |
Pvt. J. O. Threadgill 17th Company 162d Depot Brigade | |||
Ellis Waller Naval Training Station Reg. 4 Sec. 9 |
Sgt. Luke Wesson Supply Company 167th Infantry |
Pvt. Walter H. Whatley 3d Ordnance Guard Co. |
Pvt. Johnnie Williams Bakery Company 358 | |||
Pvt. Tommy Young Company G 2d Training Regiment |
Roll of Honor
† Died of disease ‡ Killed in action
Allen, Grady Bailey, Charles Bailey, William F. Bassett, Bryant Bates, Hugh S. Bates, James Arthur Blackwell, Walter Blanks, William A. ‡Bohannon, J. Mem †Bohannon, Walter T. Boon, Grady Brannon, Henry J. Brittingham, Douglas Canady, Poet Carlisle, Alsberry Carriker, Johnnie E. Crawford, Eddie L. Crawford, Robert R. Crenshaw, Amos M. Crenshaw, J. Ben Crowder, Otis Culberson, Roy Daniel, Eugene R. Deloach, Ocie Lee Earles, Richmond Earles, Schusler Fobus, Joseph Adie Foster, Rufus M. Foster, Walter Lee Frazier, Luther Fuller, W. A. Glass, Jessee L. Gray, Keener Hornsby, Austin M. James, Ronald E. ‡Johnson, James Lee |
Johnson, Olin Joseph, Ellis Kent, Oscar W. Landreth, Thomas Laney, Ocie ‡Lauderdale, S. H. Manning, William C. Moon, Eulos Morris, Clarence McClendon, Homer McDonald, Sam McGarr, Benjamin F. Newton, James M. O’Neal, Will Orrick, Amos ‡Perryman, Fred Roberts, Andrew Shelnut, Luther Smith, Charles M. Smith, Douglas M. Smith, Walter Lee ‡Stanfield, Charlie D. Stephens, Albert E. Tankersley, George F. Thompson, Zachary Threadgill, J. O. Tyson, Fred Waller, Ellis Wesson, Luke Whatley, Walter H. Williams, Johnnie Young, Tommy |
Colored
Brooks, Jess Finley, Alton Ison, Guss |
Taylor, Guy Taylor, Manual Winston, Frank |
Extracts of Appreciation
“I appreciate all the letters which you have written to me and it certainly livens a fellow up and makes him feel good to receive all the news from home and know just what is being done.”
“I am proud to be represented in the service flag.”
“Am glad to hear from you and to know that you are doing such wonderful work for the boys.”
“Thanking you all for the joy that comes with your ever welcome letters.”
“I want you to tell your fellow members in the War Service Station that as a man in the service I can heartily appreciate the work you are doing for the benefit of the men in the service and I think it is a splendid thing.”
“Please accept my sincere thanks for all the letters, magazines and other things you have sent.”
“Thanking you for remembering me and wishing you much success with your work.”
“Am sure this system will prove a success as the boys will all appreciate the work of the Service Station.”
“I am grateful to you and proud of our War Service Station.”
“I am sure the good work that the Langdale War Service Station is doing for the boys in the service is very much appreciated. No one has an idea what it means until they are in the Service and are remembered as we are by the Service Station.”
“Can assure you that your letters and all good work is more than appreciated.”
“My best wishes for a prosperous Station, but then how could it be otherwise when it is for the good of Democracy and especially for the Liberty of these dear old ‘United States’.”
“I am not going to try to thank you for all the good news and letters I received when I reached port, this time. It was just grand.”
“If you could visit this place once, my dear friends, you would know what a good place the U. S. A. is. Everything is out of date, even the women are all curious looking.”
“It may be six or eight months before I get back to dear old Langdale. Of course it seems very hard to stay, but if my country needs me I am willing.”
WAR SERVICE COMMITTEE, Langdale
W. H. Enloe, chairman
W. T. Draper
A. C. Boyd
C. M. Moore
W. L. Clark
Miss Ollie Gardner, secretary
RED CROSS WORK ROOM, Langdale
WAR SERVICE STATION, Langdale
INTERIOR WAR SERVICE STATION, Langdale
Committees
Subscriptions to First Liberty Loan were through the bank and we have no record of them. SECOND LIBERTY LOAN Subscription, $5,000.00 THIRD LIBERTY LOAN L. Lanier, V.-Chairman of Chambers Co. W. H. Enloe, Chairman of Langdale Subscription, $40,600.00 FOURTH LIBERTY LOAN L. Lanier, V.-Chairman of Chambers Co. Carl. M. Moore, Chairman of Langdale Subscription, $14,900.00 UNITED WAR WORK CAMPAIGN A. C. Boyd, Chairman of Langdale Subscription, $1,797.75 Y. M. C. A. Subscription, $625.00 VICTORY LOAN CAMPAIGN W. H. Enloe, Chairman Subscription, $10,100.00 |
FIRST RED CROSS WAR FUND W. H. Enloe, Chairman of Langdale Subscription, $2,353.02 SECOND RED CROSS WAR FUND L. Lanier, Chairman of Chambers Co. W. H. Enloe, Chairman of Langdale Subscription, $2,390.03 WAR SAVINGS STAMPS A. C. Boyd, Chairman of Chambers Co. Geo. T. Johnson, Chairman of Langdale Subscription, $32,000.00 LANGDALE CHAPTER RED CROSS Mrs. L. Lanier, Chairman FOUR-MINUTE-MEN Carl M. Moore, Chairman A. C. Boyd W. H. Enloe W. L. Clark W. T. Draper SALVATION ARMY DRIVE Carl Moore, Chairman Subscription, $160.00 |
Total | ||
Liberty and Victory Loans | $70,600.00 | |
Membership and Subscription Red Cross | 4,743.05 | |
Y. M. C. A. | 625.00 | |
Salvation Army | 160.00 | |
United War Fund | 1,797.75 | |
War Saving Stamps | 32,000.00 |
Committee Report
Letters written boys in Service | 894 | |
Letters from boys in Service | 263 | |
Miscellaneous letters written | 564 | |
Number of parcels or packages forwarded | 363 | |
Number of visitors at Station | 1623 | |
Boys leaving during month for Service | ||
Total number in Service | 74 | |
Number of Bulletins mailed | 1153 | |
Killed in action | 4 | |
Died of wounds | 1 | |
Died of disease | 1 | |
Wounded | 2 |
From Langdale Red Cross
Sweaters | 56 | |
Sox, pairs | 166 | |
Triangular bandages | 326 | |
T bandages | 292 | |
Abdominal bandages | 255 | |
Bed shirts | 92 | |
Hospital shirts | 10 | |
Refugee aprons | 45 | |
Refugee dresses | 20 | |
Pajamas, pairs | 24 | |
Operating robes | 12 | |
Refugee garments | 1202 | |
Bath towels | 100 | |
Shoes, pairs | 13 |
Junior Red Cross
Triangular bandages | 50 | |
Refugee garments | 167 | |
Cash | $5.00 | |
Scrap books | 30 | |
Barrels of nuts collected | 4 | |
Pounds of tinfoil collected | 15 | |
Property bags | 20 |
Pvt. Edwin Abernathy Company F 321st Infantry |
Pvt. Young T. Abernathy Company B 46th Engineers |
Pvt. Albert Carl Austin Company F 3d Training Regiment |
Pvt. Sam A. Bradshaw 325th Ambulance Co. 307th Sanitary Train | |||
Corp. James P. Bradfield Company C 1st Gas Regiment |
Ensign Frank L. Branson Naval Flying Corps |
Seaman Alvin F. Bradfield U.S.S. Shaw |
Pvt. Calvin G. Bradfield Company E 1st Regiment Engineers | |||
Pvt. Herbert Bradshaw Detached Infantry Adj. Gen. Office Georgia |
Pvt. John W. Brittain Company C 45th Mach. Gun Btn. |
Pvt. Thomas A. Broome 2d Battery R.A.R.R. |
Pvt. Claude L. Carter Company H 26th Infantry | |||
Pvt. Leonard Carter Company D 307th Engineers |
Pvt. Y. Toxie Chambley Company C 321st Infantry |
Pvt. James E. Combs S.A.T.C. Infantry |
Pvt. Homer D. Chambley Battery D 70th Field Artillery | |||
Pvt. Leonard M. Chapman Mach. Gun Company 321st Infantry |
Pvt. E. T. Combs Quartermaster Corps Naval Aviation T.C. |
Pvt. Forest Davis Company 39 Recruiting Camp |
Pvt. Nello M. Dixon Company H 167th Infantry | |||
Pvt. I. Grady Dixon Hdqtrs. Troops 82d Division |
Pvt. Leon Duffey Company A 165th Infantry |
Pvt. Terry Aubrey Dunn Company H 167th Infantry |
Pvt. Robert Ennis Hdqtrs. Company 55th Infantry | |||
Pvt. J. T. Franklin Bakery Company 365 |
Cook Curtis R. Gauntt Battery B 321st Infantry |
Sgt. Wm. P. Gilliland Company E 106th Am. Train |
Pvt. Charles W. Glass Company F 151st Infantry | |||
Pvt. Jno. V. Haerenborgh R.R.D. No. 3 |
Sailor Jos. E. Hall U.S.S. —— |
Pvt. R. E. Wilson 634 Aero Squadron |
Pvt. Henry Hodnett Company 17 5th Receiving Btn. | |||
Pvt. Arthur Hollis Battery D 117th Field Artillery |
Pvt. Thomas E. Kinney Company E 106th Sup. Train |
2d Lt. H. B. Kirkpatrick 21st Company Infantry Reserve Corps |
Pvt. Jessie E. Landers Company E 1st Development Btn. | |||
Pvt. Polie L. Lilly Battery D 114th Field Artillery |
Pvt. Will McIntyre 21st Company R.R.D. |
2d Cl. Fmn. B. F. Martin U.S.S. Newton |
Pvt. W. Evin Martin Company I 327th Infantry | |||
Corp. T. E. Middleton 106th Trench Mortar Battery |
Pvt. Johnnie Moore 19th Company 5th Training Btn. 157th Depot Brigade |
1st Lt. J. C. Morgan 233d Amb. Company 9th Sanitary Train |
Sailor Carl Newton U.S.S. Orion | |||
Pvt. Walter Nichols 7th Regiment M.P. School |
Pvt. George W. Norrel Battery D 18th Field Artillery |
1st Cl. Fmn. C. Oliver U.S.S. Patterson |
Yeoman T. M. Piper U.S.S. Baltimore | |||
Pvt. Rubin Powell Ft. Oglethorpe, Ga. |
Pvt. Geo. W. Reaves Company A 51st Infantry |
Pvt. Wm. D. Satterwhite Company D 20th Mach. Gun Btn. |
Pvt. Tom W. Smith Field Remount Sqd. 33 | |||
Pvt. John T. Smith Field Remount Sqd. 330 |
Pvt. John L. Smith Company D 321st Infantry |
Pvt. Fred L. Stalnaker 76th Group 6th M.T.D. |
Corp. W. L. Stalnaker Company D 161st Infantry | |||
Pvt. C. D. Stalnaker 64th Company 16th Receiving Btn. |
Pvt. Henry Taunton Company D 5th Mach. Gun Btn. |
Pvt. Jesse Taunton Company M 182d Infantry |
Pvt. Dewey Taylor Company C 20th Mach. Gun Btn. | |||
Sgt. Henry Guy Taylor Supply Company 2d Infantry |
Pvt. Cephas Taylor Company B 3d Regiment |
Pvt. William C. Taylor Battery B 149th Field Artillery |
Pvt. Homer E. Thomas Company G 161st Infantry | |||
Pvt. T. Howard Turner Company B Development Btn. |
Pvt. Emmett Welch 5th Company Air Service |
Sgt. Harvey A. Welch 106th Mobile Ordnance Repair Shop |
Pvt. Joe Wessinger Battery F 114th Field Artillery | |||
William M. Whittington Company I 167th Reg. 42nd Div. |
Pvt. A. C. Williams Aero Squadron Roosevelt Field |
Corp. James E. Williams Battery E 117th Field Artillery |
Pvt. G. Harold Williams Company B 17th Engineers | |||
Pvt. Oscar L. Williams Headquarters Company 321st Infantry Band |
Pvt. John O. Williams Company C 1st Division Battalion |
Roll of Honor
‡ Killed in action
Abernathy, Edwin Abernathy, Young T. Austin, Albert Carl Bozeman, Hugh Bradfield, Alvin F. Bradfield, Calvin G. Bradfield, James P. Bradshaw, Herbert Bradshaw, Sam A. Branson, Frank L. Brittain, John W. Broome, Thomas A. Bryan, C. Jesse Carter, Claude L. Carter, Leonard Causey, R. M. Chambley, Homer D. Chambley, Y. Toxie Chapman, Leonard M. Combs, Elisha T. Combs, James E. Davis, Forest Dixon, I. Grady Dixon, Nello M. Duffey, Leon ‡Dunn, Terry A. Ennis, Robert Franklin, J. T. Gilliland, William P. Gauntt, Curtis R. Glass, Charles W. Haerenborgh, John V. Hall, Edgar Hamer, Ernest Herron, R. A. Hill, A. L. Hodnett, Henry Hollis, Arthur Jackson, Erby L. Kinney, Thomas E. Kirkpatrick, Harold B. |
Landers, Jesse E. Laster, Willie Lilly, Polie L. Martin, B. Frank Martin, W. Evin Middleton, Thomas E. Mills, George J. Moore, Johnnie Morgan, James C. McIntyre, Will Newton, Carl Nichols, Walter Norrel, George W. Oliver, Claude Powell, Rubin Piper, Tally W. Reaves, George W. Roberts, James B. Satterwhite, Wm. D. Smith, John T. Smith, John L. Smith, Thomas W. Stalnaker, Charles D. Stalnaker, Fred L. Stalnaker, Willie L. Taylor, Cephas Taylor, Dewey Taylor, Henry Guy Taylor, William C. Taunton, Henry Taunton, Jesse Thomas, Homer E. Turner, Thadius H. Welch, Emmett Welch, Harvey A. Wessinger, Joe Whittington, Wm. M. Williams, A. C. Williams, G. Harold Williams, John O. Williams, James E. Williams, Oscar L. Wilson, Robert L. |
Colored
Alexander, John, Jr. Burdette, Walter Burton, Bob Dukes, Abe Ford, Otto Ford, Robert Gates, G. G. Heard, Fisher |
Heart, Ernest Heel, Lewis Howard, Jeff Hutchinson, Willie Moody, Bob Pettillo, J. L. Ross, Jim Ware, Erley Wilkins, Sam |
Extracts of Appreciation
“It’s a tough proposition; it’s a terrible thing, but we know that some blood has to be spilled and we are willing to let it flow for the cause and the best country on earth.”
“I am always overjoyed to hear or receive news from my dear friends at home.”
“The French people go wild over the U. S. boys. One can’t get lonesome or homesick, they treat you too good.”
“I am still on the destroyer, Shaw, and we hunt ‘subs’ most every day.”
“’Tis needless to say that the letters and Bulletins which I received today brought one grand little message and a feeling of comradeship into my heart. I appreciate them very, very much and I enjoy them more and more.”
“I don’t want to quit until the job is finished.”
“Your encouragement, our bullets, and it’s all over.”
“I am happy that it fell my lot to serve for our grand and noble country in her fight for Democracy.”
“I hear that we are going to France. I am just ‘crazy’ to go.”
“Your letters have given me a great deal of pleasure and I can imagine the joy they cause the fellows who have gone across.”
“I have been living under the ground since I have been on the front. Don’t know how I would feel if I could get into a house again.”
“If it wasn’t for the Red Cross, the Y. M. C. A. and the Service Station, I don’t see how we could get along.”
“I have been in action and I feel more than ever that there must be no peace without victory and every soldier I have met shares that feeling.”
“You would feel a deep new tender feeling for France and her people if you could see them carry the Stars and Stripes so proudly, and note the feeling toward the American soldier.”
“Well, they say that we have had a war in France and that it has come to an abrupt close. Isn’t it strange how easily and how swiftly we put a serious crimp into the great German mass? I can’t realize it—it seems a long dream.”
“I have been in England, France, Belgium, Luxemburg, and on the line of Germany since I have been in Europe.”
“Since the Armistice we have been on quite a long hike; followed the great and final retreat of the Kaiser’s grand army. We are stationed now a few kilometers beyond the River Rhine, on a hill overlooking the city of Coblenz.”
“Sorry that the other boys didn’t get to see France; they missed the real fun, a trip that they wouldn’t ever forget.”
WAR SERVICE COMMITTEE, Fairfax
P. C. Ramsey
J. L. Bowles
A. G. Pope
R. E. Smith, chairman
Ozella Bradshaw, secretary
P. T. Sparks
RED CROSS WORK ROOM, Fairfax
WAR SERVICE STATION, Fairfax
INTERIOR WAR SERVICE STATION, Fairfax
Committees
FIRST LIBERTY LOAN Some subscribed, but no organized work done. SECOND LIBERTY LOAN F. L. Branson, Chairman C. Kirkpatrick P. C. Ramsey Lon Combs J. E. Howell Subscription, $1,500.00 THIRD LIBERTY LOAN F. L. Branson, Chairman R. E. Smith P. C. Ramsey C. Kirkpatrick J. E. B. Martin Vana Combs Subscription, $33,700.00 FOURTH LIBERTY LOAN R. E. Smith, Chairman C. Kirkpatrick P. C. Ramsey J. E. B. Martin Lon Combs F. P. Bradfield Subscription, $25,700.00 FIRST RED CROSS FUND F. L. Branson, Chairman P. C. Ramsey Lon Combs J. E. B. Martin Miss Maud James Subscription, $1,200.00 SALVATION ARMY DRIVE T. G. Stanfield Miss Maud James Subscription, $140.00 |
SECOND RED CROSS FUND R. E. Smith, Chairman P. C. Ramsey J. E. B. Martin C. Kirkpatrick Lon Combs F. P. Bradfield Subscription, $2,150.00 Y. M. C. A. C. Kirkpatrick, Chairman R. E. Smith J. E. B. Martin Vana Combs J. E. Howell Subscription, $572.75 UNITED WAR WORK CAMPAIGN R. E. Smith, Chairman F. P. Bradfield Vana Combs J. E. B. Martin P. C. Ramsey Subscription, $1,740.00 WAR SAVINGS STAMPS J. E. B. Martin, Chairman J. M. Brown J. L. Bowles D. W. Simms R. E. Smith P. C. Ramsey A. G. Pope Subscriptions, $17,700.00 VICTORY LOAN CAMPAIGN F. L. Branson D. W. Sims Jack Davis J. C. Dawe Subscription, $14,800.00 |
Total | ||
Liberty and Victory Loans | $75,700.00 | |
United War Fund | 1,740.00 | |
Membership and Subscription Red Cross | 3,350.00 | |
Salvation Army Drive | 140.00 | |
War Saving Stamps | 17,700.00 | |
Y. M. C. A. | 572.75 |
Committee Report
Total number of letters written to boys in Service | 1158 | |
Total number of letters received from boys in Service | 205 | |
Total number of other letters written | 447 | |
Total number of packages or parcels forwarded | 326 | |
Total number of visitors at War Service Station | 1232 | |
Total number of boys in Service | 101 | |
Total number of Bulletins mailed | 1496 | |
Total number killed in action | 1 | |
Died of disease or wounds | 1 | |
Total number wounded | 6 |
From the Fairfax Red Cross
Bed shirts | 36 | |
Helpless case shirts | 40 | |
Convalescent robes | 4 | |
Pajamas, American | 5 | |
Triangular bandages | 48 | |
T bandages | 8 | |
Abdominal bandages | 4 | |
Comfort bags | 5 | |
Pillow cases | 12 | |
Sheets | 24 | |
Hand towels | 206 | |
Bath towels | 100 | |
Wash cloths | 24 | |
Table doilies | 60 | |
Tray cloths | 24 | |
Aprons, women’s refugee | 12 | |
Dresses, children’s refugee | 22 | |
Housegowns, women’s refugee | 6 | |
Morning blouses, women’s refugee | 6 | |
Petticoats, women’s refugee | 12 | |
Helmets | 3 | |
Mufflers | 5 | |
Sweaters, sleeveless | 24 | |
Socks for soldiers | 52 | |
Influenza masks for home use | 600 | |
Total weight of garments donated for refugee boxes, pounds | 881 | |
Total number of Christmas boxes packed for soldiers | 28 |
Junior Red Cross
Triangular bandages | 36 | |
Towels | 72 | |
Wristlets | 6 |
Pvt. W. C. Anthony Headquarters Company 321st F.A. Band American Ex. F |
Pvt. Roy B. Anthony 28th Company 157th Depot Brigade Camp Gordon, Ga. |
Pvt. Marvin Baker 82d Field Artillery Battery A Fort Bliss, Tex. |
Pvt. Fonzy O. Barnett Company B 46th Engineers American Ex. Forces | |||
Pvt. Archie L. Blackmon Hdqtrs. Troop 8th Cavalry Marfa, Texas |
Pvt. Joe Chappell M.G. Repl. Co. 1 Amer. Ex. Forces |
Pvt. John Gay Company I 123rd Infantry Amer. Ex. Forces |
Pvt. Tyler Grant Base Hospital Ward 19 Camp Sevier, S.C. | |||
Pvt. Fred Hunt U.S.A. Training Det. Auburn, Ala. |
Pvt. Crew Hunt U.S.A. Training Det. Auburn, Ala. |
Pvt. Elbert E. Lewis Company B 30th U.S. Infantry Amer. Ex. Forces |
Pvt. Jasper J. Lewis Hdqtrs. Company 56th Infantry Amer. Ex. Forces | |||
Pvt. Joe McCann Battery D 118th Field Artillery Amer. Ex. Forces |
Pvt. Levi McKinney Company E 12th Infantry Camp Hill, Va. |
Pvt. James D. Milner Company 5 Depot Brigade Camp Wheeler, Ga. |
Pvt. Jesse B. Milner Company 8 Repl. Camp Camp Wheeler, Ga. | |||
Pvt. Glenn Milner Company C 321st Infantry Amer. Ex. Forces |
Pvt. R. O. Ogletree 32d Div. M.P. Amer. Ex. Forces |
Pvt. Nute Paschal Battery C 54th Field Artillery Camp Travis, Texas |
Pvt. Henry Paschal Company I 148th Infantry Amer. Ex. Forces | |||
Pvt. William G. Prather Battery E 117th Field Artillery Amer. Ex. Forces |
Sgt. Maj. L. L. Scales 1st Battalion 328th Infantry |
Pvt. Dock Smith Company H 107th Infantry Amer. Ex. Forces |
Pvt. Arnold Waller 53d H.A. Batt. D Field Artillery Camp Travis, Texas | |||
Pvt. Logan Ware 19th Co. 5th Tr. Btn. 157th Depot Brigade Camp McClellan, Ala. |
Pvt. Watson Ware Development Det. Camp Sheridan Montgomery, Ala. |
Pvt. Luther E. Williams 36th Company 3d Gr. M.T.D., M.G., T.C. Camp Hancock, Ga. |
Roll of Honor
Anthony, Roy B. Anthony, Waymon C. Baker, Marvin Barnett, Fonzy O. Blackmon, Archie Chappell, Joe Gay, John Grant, Tyler Hunt, Crew Hunt, Fred Lewis, Elbert E. Lewis, Jasper Milner, Glenn |
Milner, James D. Milner, Jesse B. McCann, Joseph McKinney, Levi Ogletree, Raymond O. Paschal, Henry Paschal, Nute Prather, William G. Scales, Sgt. Maj. Luther L. Smith, Dock Waller, Arnold Ware, Logan Ware, Watson Williams, Luther E. |
Extracts of Appreciation
“They can have England, France, Belgium, Luxemburg and Germany, I have seen them all and spent some time in each, but give me the old United States.”
Raymond O. Ogletree
“I will tell you of my first experience in a dugout. When we arrived here
it was raining, so I crawled into a dugout for the night. In the meantime
shells were landing regularly. I unrolled my pack and went to bed and I
had no more than got settled when Fritz sent some large ones over. As I
was a new man at the trade it was hard for me to get to sleep, but finally
I did and sometime in the night he sent a large one over which made a
direct hit on my dugout. I jumped almost out of bed. It rained so much
during the night that I was almost floating when I awoke the next morning
and it took me nearly all day to dry out all of my stuff.”
Raymond O. Ogletree
“Speaking of Christmas, we had a pleasant one considering the place and
times. There are twenty-seven children in the town where we are now, the
same place we were during the holidays. We had a Christmas Tree for them,
so I suppose we made several little hearts happy.”
Glenn Milner
“I don’t know whether I will get the first German helmet or not, but I am
going to do my bit over there. I shall take it all like a man and fight my
best for Old Glory.”
Joe McCann
“I wish I were in good health and could do my bit over there along with
the other boys.”
Tyler Grant
“It’s very nice of the Riverview War Service Station to offer a prize to
the first boy who captures a German helmet. I’d like to have a chance at
the Kaiser and get the one he wears.”
Marvin Baker
“I don’t know how to start to thank the good people of Riverview for the
hearty Christmas greetings through the Bulletin. I will say this much,
they are the best ever. I send my best regards to everyone.”
Archie Blackmon
“You don’t know how much I appreciate the kindness of the Riverview people
while we are over here chasing the Germans as fast as we possibly can.
You, no doubt have heard of the big American drive that is now going. I
must say that the old U. S. boys are making it hot for those Dutchmen just
now. I have been transferred to the band, so I am hoping to play a piece
for the boys to march through Berlin soon.”
Waymon C. Anthony
“I want to say that if all the boys in the Service appreciate, as I do,
what the folks of Riverview are doing for our benefit, the work is a great
success. The letters you send certainly are interesting to me. They keep
me in very close touch with what is going on at home.”
Waymon C. Anthony
“I think this is one of the grandest lives a boy can live if he will do
his best. I am proud to be a soldier and I hope that it won’t be long
before I can go over sea to do my part. I feel like we are fighting for a
cause that God would have us fight for. I had much rather go over the top
than have it always said of me, ‘He was a slacker’. That’s enough said
about that for we are going to get the Kaiser some old way.”
Roy B. Anthony
“I am sorry I didn’t get over to help the boys. I don’t feel like I have
been in the Service at all, but I have done the best I could. I think
those who went oversea are the ones that should have all the praise for
winning this war.”
Roy B. Anthony
“We are here training to fight for the old flag and we will not give up
until the last one is dead.”
Watson Ware
“A German garden was captured by our boys a few days ago, so we are living
high on cabbage, turnips, etc. You should see what fine homes the Germans
had in their dugouts: electric lights, bath rooms, pianos and all such to
make life pleasant. I want to tell you, however, that they are not
spending much of their time playing pianos and taking baths now, for our
boys are giving them all the music they are looking for, and then some.”
Waymon C. Anthony
“For the sake of my country, I am anxious for the day to come when I shall
have the opportunity of going over the top to capture the helmet that you
mentioned in your last letter, not for the $50.00 reward, but for the sake
of my country and the people who are dear to me. I trust that when the war
is all over I can go back home and truly say, ‘I have done my all’.”
Committees
WAR SAVINGS STAMPS R. H. Bledsoe, Jr., Chairman E. I. Oliver B. B. McGinty Arthur T. Goggans Subscription, $7,000.00 RED CROSS DRIVE B. B. McGinty, Chairman Miss Amber Liles Miss Marion Webster Subscription, $2,712.00 Y. M. C. A. Subscription, $700.00 UNITED WAR WORK CAMPAIGN R. H. Bledsoe, Jr., Chairman Miss Amber Liles Subscription, $1,183.00 FIRST LIBERTY LOAN No subscription SALVATION ARMY DRIVE B. B. McGinty, Chairman Subscription, $105.00 |
SECOND LIBERTY LOAN R. H. Bledsoe, Chairman B. B. McGinty C. L. Gibson J. M. Milner W. W. Williams W. R. Williams W. J. Bradfield C. A. Goggans Subscription, $1,800.00 THIRD LIBERTY LOAN E. I. Oliver, Chairman M. A. Smith T. J. Goggans R. H. Bledsoe, Jr. B. B. McGinty Subscription, $18,000.00 FOURTH LIBERTY LOAN R. H. Bledsoe, Jr., Chairman Subscription, $7,000.00 VICTORY LOAN CAMPAIGN R. H. Bledsoe, Jr., Chairman Subscription, $7,000.00 |
Total | ||
Liberty and Victory Loans | $33,800.00 | |
United War Fund | 1,183.00 | |
Membership and Subscription Red Cross | 2,712.00 | |
Y. M. C. A. | 700.00 | |
Salvation Army | 105.00 | |
War Saving Stamps | 7,000.00 |
WAR SERVICE COMMITTEE, Riverview
C. A. Goggans
C. L. Gibson
R. H. Bledsoe, chairman
B. B. McGinty
J. T. Smith
Miss Amber Liles, sec.
WAR SERVICE STATION, Riverview
RED CROSS WORK ROOM, Riverview
INTERIOR WAR SERVICE STATION, Riverview
Committee Report
Number of letters written to boys in Service | 382 | |
Number of other letters written | 243 | |
Number of Bulletins mailed | 508 | |
Total | 1133 | |
Number of letters received from boys in Service | 138 | |
Number of packages or parcels forwarded | 27 | |
Number of visitors to Station | 532 | |
Number of packages or parcels forwarded | 78 | |
Killed in action | None | |
Died of disease or wounds | None | |
Wounded | 1 |
From the Riverview Red Cross
Abdominal bandages | 70 | |
T bandages | 50 | |
Triangular bandages | 51 | |
Shirts | 14 | |
Sox, pairs | 13 | |
Sweaters | 29 | |
Belgian aprons | 14 | |
Little aprons | 14 | |
Comfort kits | 10 | |
Petticoats | 5 | |
Pajamas, pairs | 20 | |
Boxes of refugee clothing | 3 | |
Towels | 75 |
GEORGE H. LANIER
Vice-President and General Manager
West Point Manufacturing Company
Lanett Cotton Mills
“Whose deep and abiding interest made the
War Service Stations and this memorial possible”