Lamar County, Mississippi Genealogy and History

 

Pamela J. Gibbs County Coordinator

Everette Carr - State Coordinator     Bill White - Assistant State Coordinator


 

WPA History of Lamar County, Mississippi

THE WORLD WAR

      On the 18th day of June, 1916, President Wilson issued his call for troops to quell the Mexican border troubles. In response to this call Mississippi offered for service five independent battalions and several companies of the State National Guard which were formed into the First Regiment of Mississippi Infantry. Major George C. Boskins was selected as Colonel of the Regiment and Major E. B. Boyd as Lieut. Col. Having thoroughly organized and drilled the regiment they were ordered to report to the Commanding General of the Southeastern Military Department of the United States at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, where it arrived on October 19, 1916. It was placed under different divisions until March 19, 1917 when it was ordered to Jackson to be mustered out of service. On the morning of March 27th the troops were officially mustered out and paid off with the exception of a few men. But at 1:00 o'clock on March 27, 1917, the Adjutant General called up Colonel Hoskins and issued an order calling the regiment into service again at once. In less than 10 days every member of the regiment was again on duty in Jackson, Miss. The regiment remained in Camp until the United States declared war and orders were received to guard the public utilities of the state. In August, 1917 the Commanding Officer received orders to report with the regiment to Col. Newwill of the National Park, Vicksburg, Miss. for duty at the Jubilee to the Blue and Grey. The regiment left Jackson for the hike on September 29th and marched near Clinton where they went into camp. During the night of that date, while thus encamped in an old field, the First Mississippi Regiment received orders from Washington designating the former National Guard Regiment of State Troops as the 155th Infantry in the Federal Service.

AT HOME DURING THE WAR


        During the World War thrift stamps were sold at the Post Office, after a person bought $5.00 worth of these stamps they were exchanged for a war savings stamp. Those stamps were sent to the postmaster and were sold to the people.
        Liberty Bonds were sold through the banks by a County Committee, headed by Mr. R. L. Bennett, then the cashier of Lamar County Bank of Purvis.
        These records are not available as to the amount of Bonds sold during the war. We are proud to say that Lamar County sold more than their quota. Application was made at the bank for bonds, paying for it if the person so wished, or as they wished. I heard one man say that this was when the installment plan started
        During the war Lamar County had what was called a local draft board. The duty of this board was to pass on the prospective men who were to be drafted. Serving on this board were, Chairman T. C. King, (deceased), Dr. S. E. Rees, (deceased), and A. Q. Broadus. All citizens of Purvis, Miss.
        The Legal Advisory Board was composed of the Lawyers of Lamar County, they were, Chairman T. W. Davis, Purvis, Miss. John A. Yeager, Lumberton, Miss., J. T. Garraway, Purvis, Miss., J. F. Cooper, Purvis, Miss., J. W. Shanks, Sumrall, Miss., A. Q. Broadus, Purvis, Miss., T. C. King, Purvis, Miss. (deceased). T. E. Salter, Purvis, Miss. (deceased).
        In asking those veterans who took an active part in the battles of the World War, to tell of their exploits, very few will tell anything as they seem to be looking on the war as a bad dream that they want to forget.

MEN WHO TOOK PART IN BATTLES


        Those men who took part in the battles are:

1. C. F. NAMIE: Private, 52d AEF. Artillery. Six months actual service overseas on front. Gassed Champaigne during the time of St.Mihiel offense and Argonne Woods.

2, MCRAE MCGRIFFIN: B. B. Battery, 6th Field Artillery, 1st Regiment. He was in every major battle the Americans fought in but would not give any of the details.

3. WILLIS MCNEASE: Private, 116th Inf. He went "Over the Top" seven times, he was never captured or wounded, but has gassed lungs. He states that the nearest he came to being wounded was when he was crawling in "No Man's Land" and his overcoat collar was shot off. He served ten months and nine days. Mr. McNease and 20 comrades spent 4 days in a dugout in the trenches almost to their knees in mud and water. He was in one hand to hand fight that lasted three minutes. He states that at one time they buried 12 soldiers in a shell hole and they had no more than covered them up when a German shell blew them out. During the battle of Verdune Mr. McNease kept his clothes on 21 days and nights. After the battle they walked 12 miles to the village of Verdune and had a few days rest.

4. WILL AVERY: private, took active part in the following battles, but wouldn't give the details. July 25th to September 23, 1918, defensive of Center Route Alsace. October 8, 1918, Battle of Malborough Hill. October 1918 Mellivale Corn. October 11, 1918 attack on Baisod Government. October 16, 1918 battle of Grande Mountain. October 23 attack on Bois Bellieu.

5. OSCAR BLACK: Corporal, Chemical Warefare Service. He stated that they manufactured gas 52 times stronger than mustard gas. They were required to sleep in their gas masks; the danger was greater from this than being on the front. In the beginning of the war 300 men were in the department and when the armistice was signed there were only 50 men mustered out.

6. HUB HARTLEY: Private, 29th Transportation Corp., 29th Co. also Co. C. of 28th Inf. 1st Division. AEF. He states that his company arrived on the war scene in June 1918. This company was the first of the Americans to go "Over the Top". They captured Cantgincy. This was a daylight battle. The attack being made at eight o'clock May 28, 1918. The company was supposed to be relieved in 14 hours but they were not relieved until 72 hours of hard fighting. They had captured 400 prisoners, forcing 250 out of a tunnel. There were dead Germans and Americans all over the ground. Mr. Hartley states at four o'clock that same afternoon as several officers were killed and wounded he took an officers placed and helped to reinforce the dead and wounded. On June 12, 1918 he was wounded by a shot through the right thigh, his buddy Garner Herrin was killed. Mr. Hartley won two medals, the Purple Heart for being wounded and a Silver Star for gallantry.

7. ALBERT ELLIOTT: private, 117 Ammunition Train, was in the following battles. Champaign Marne Defensive, Epides North to Cherry Chartuser Toul Sector, August 30 to September 11, 1918. St. Mihiel Offensive, Seicheppy September 12 to 16, 1918. 4 Toul Sector September 16 to October 1, 1918. 5 Meuse Argonne Offensive October 3 to November 11, 1918.

8. SAMUEL T. SHELTON: Corporal, Battery B 64th Coast Artillery ATF.

9. PRESTON LANE: private, Co. 305 Machine Gun Division 77 AEF. Mr. Lane states that he was in the field under 72 hours barrage in Battle of Muse Argonne. Saw actual fighting. The whole company was mustered gassed, in Less Lettes. Mr. Lane states that this Co. really suffered for food, their supply being attacked by Germans. As the Germans were in retreat they lost a number of loaves of bread in the mud and that the Americans picked this bread up and ate it with wild sugar beets.

10. GEORGE RAYBORN: private, AEF.

11. RICHARD RAYBORN: private, AEF.

12. CARL STRAHAN: Sargent, Headquarters Area Corp.

13. DENNIS WHITSETTE: private, 38th Division, Co. B. 152 Inf.

14. GEORGE LEGG: Private, Co. A. Supply Co. Division. AEF.

15. SCOTT SLIMP: Private, 317 Field Artillery. AEF.

16. A. M. MILSTEAD: Private Co. D. 151 Inf. 28th Division AEF.

17. JOHNNY AVERY: Private, Auree Advance AEF.

18. ALBERT BECK: Private, Co. 168 Inf. 42 Div. AEF.

19. JOE CAGLE: Private, Co. E. 128 Inf. Meuse Argonne Sector.

20. M. MILSTEAD: Private, Meuse Argonne, AEF.

21. L. D. FULMER: Private, 29th Transportation Corps, AEF.

22. ED COLEMAN: Sargent, 138 Field Artillery, Battery C. AEF.

23. R. W. WORSTER: Sargent, 138th Field Artillery, Battery C. AEF.

24. M. O. BLACKBURN: Co. A. 10th Engineers, AEF.

25. FLOYD BREAZEALE: Private, 49th Inf. Co. Y AEF.

26. CAP TIMMERMAN: Private, 155 Inf. Machine Gun Co. AEF.

27. JAKE BYRD: Private, Replacement Troops.

28. W. A. CARRUTH: 1st. Lieutenant, 155 Inf. AEF.

29. LEON DULIN: Sargent, 155 Inf. AEF.

30. LUTHER HATTEN: AEF.

31. G. W. RUSSELL: AEF.

32. EUGENE SUMRALL: AEF.

33. ALBERT SUMRALL: AEF.

34. SEABORN SUMRALL: AEF.

35. J. W. THOMPSON: AEF.

36. D. D. BOUNDS: AEF.

37. JOHN D. DAVIS: AEF.

38. D. PITTS HINTON: Capt. 8th Co. 4th Battalion 162 Depot Brigade. Remained in USA.

39. W. W. CAYTEN: private, medical corps.

40. CHESTER C. CARROLL: Aviation Corp.

41. DRUE BOWEN: private, Baker Co. No. 8. USA.

42. O. E. ROUSE: Private, AEF.

43. GLOVER HARVEY: private, USA.

44. J. C. SMITH: Private, USA.

45. JULIUS SMITH: Private, USA.

46. H. L. SWAN: Private, AEF.

47. U. S. DIAMOND: Private. USA.

48. CHARLIE BOUNDS: Private, AEF

49. CHARLIE KEE: Private, AEF.

50. G. S. BYRD: Private AEF.

51. GEORGE BOUND: Private, USA.

52. TILLIS LEE: Private, USA.

53. BUFORD SLADE: Private, USA.

54. CLARENCE DAVIS: Private, USA.

55. LOVOFF ALEXANDRIA: Private, USA.

56. M. D. PIERCE: Private, USA.

(The next page of this list begins with number 81. At least one and probably two pages are missing here.

81. JOHN A. JOHNSON: US Navy, Ships Alert, Fredrich and O'rian

82. TOM MCCANN: Convoy Duty. 13 trips across, combat with German submarine.

83. JAY COOK: US Navy, overseas.

84. G. D. PYLANT: US Navy, overseas

85. WELDON TYNER: US Navy, overseas

86. OSCAR BOND: US Navy, overseas

87. CARL MOORE: US Navy, overseas

88. L. C. BRIDGES: US Navy, overseas

89. GEORGE ROBERTSON: USA Navy.

90 WILL JACOBS: USA Navy.

91. HUGH JACOBS: USA Navy.

92. JESSIE COWAN: Private, AEF.


ARMY UNITS FROM LAMAR COUNTY

(This is transcribed as it appears in the history.  I have been told that the number is incorrect and that some of the other information is confused or wrong.)

155th Regiment Information:

        During the World War the National Guard or the 155th Regiment were mustered into Federal Service at 1 o'clock, March 27, 1917/ Adjutant General called upon Colonel Hoskins and issued an order calling the Regiment into Federal Service again. In less than ten days the regiment was on duty, in Jackson and remained on duty in Jackson until they received war orders to guard the public utilities of the United States. Troops were sent to different points of the state. During the latter part of 1917 the 155th Regiment did guard duty in Cato Parish, La., guarding the oil fields. They eat from there to Beaureguard, La., went through a series of intensive training. The 155th Regiment went overseas with the 39th Division and was made a replacement outfit, in November 1918, and was placed with a regiment of the 41st Division.

        This 155th Infantry was disbanded on November 11, 1918 as casualties and went to head-quarters of the 41st Division- and was assigned for duty, and still stands as the 155th Regiment.

NAMES OF ENLISTED MEN

 

1. 52ND FIELD ARTILLERY AEF
        Private C. F. Namie -- served six months over seas on front. He was gassed, Champaigne, during the time of St. Mihiel offense and Argonne Woods.

2. 6th FIELD ARTILLERY AEF
        Private McRae McGriffin, B. Battery 1st Regiment. He was in every major battle the Americans fought, but would not give details.

3. COMPANY F, 1st DIVISION
        Private Gillem S. Byrd--served overseas from the 4th month 1918, to the 8th month 1919. He went over the top four times, was in battles, Mounted Nayon, Assine Masie St. Mihielm Muse Argonne, Army of Occupation. Won the Purple Heart for being wounded.

4. COAST ARTILLERY BATTERY B
        Corporal Samuel T. Shelton AEF.

5. 305 MACHINE GUN CO. DIVISION 77
        Private Preston Lane AEF

6. 8th COMPANY 4TH BATTALION 162 DEPOT BRIGADE
        Captain D. Pitts Hinton -- remained in USA

7. MEDICAL CORPS
        Private W. W. Cayten USA

8. AVIATION CORPS
        Private Chester Carroll USA

9. BAKER CO. NO. 8
        Private Drue Bowen USA

10. PRIVATES WHO REMAINED IN THE USA OF WHICH WE HAVE NO RECORD

Glover Harvey

 Doc Byrd

 C. H. Bishop

J. C. Smith

Jake Byrd

Julius Smith

C. E. Baxter

U. S. Diamond

 Jack Johnson

George Bounds

 Leland Slade

 Tillus Lee

Dolph Smith

Buford Slade

N. E. Thompson

Clarence Davis

 Joe Brinkman

 Laroff Alexdria

H. L. Swann

M. D. Pierce

Sollie Rayborn

Lucius Davis

Jim Rutledge

 George Holston

Aubrey Thomas

C. S. Johnson

Jessie Jone Freeman

Jake Johnson

Poley Lee

Jimmie Jones

Vardie Whiddon

Albert Rayborn

Ike Morange

Mark Rayborn

 Edd Stuart

Algie Tunnison

Ernest Entrekin


11. US NAVY SHIPS

        John A. Johnson

        Tom McCann-- was on Convoy Duty 133 trips across, combat with German Submarines.

         Richard Polk--Santiago. Was on board when the ship sank



12. (Illegible)


Carl Moore

George Robertson

Hugh Jacobs


L. C. Bridges,

 Will Jacobs

Gillem B. Bounds as S 2 C F. 3-c 72C



13. U. S. S. CHAGINE, AMERICAN COUNSIL, TAMPICO, MEXICO

        Private Eddie Williamson



14. 138th FIELD ARTILLERY BATTERY C. A.

        Sargent R. W. Worster



15. CO. A. 10th ENGINEERS

        M. O. Blackburn



16. COMPANY Y 49th INF.

        Private Floyed Brazeale AEF

17. 116TH INF.

        Private Willis McNease

        Private Will Avery



18. 29th CO. 29th TRANSPORTATION

        L. D. Fullmer

        Private Hub Hartley: He was also in Co. C. of 18th Inf. 1st Division AEF.



19. 117 AMMUNITION TRAIN

  Private Albert Elliott--was in the following battles. Cahmpa Nare Defensive, Epides North to Cherry Chartusen, Toul Sector, Aug. 30 to Sept 11, 1918. Toul Sector, Sept 16 to Oct. 1, 1918. Meuse Argonne, offensive Oct. 3 to Nov. 11, 1918.



20. CO. 50 AMBULANCE

        Private Zimmerman AEF

        Sargent Ed Coleman AEF

        1st Lieutenant W. A. Carrouth--Replacement Troops

        Sargent Leon Dulin---

        Homer Waitts--Students Training Camps, Hattiesburg



CO. D. 1st MISS. REGIMENT

William O. McCann Private

Lester V. Scarborough Corp.

 John B. Bynum Corp.

 Henry D. Moore Corp.

Clifford Messer Corp.

 Luther Ruble Cook

Orey Brewton Private

 Grady Dulin Private

Marshall Holifield Private

 Clarence Holoman Private

Hatten Messer Private

 William J. Messer Private

Elisha R. Bond 2nd Lt.

 Marcus Mitchell Private

Joe Pittman Private

Levi Renfro Private

Arthur Runnels Private

 Elliot Sanders Private

Lawrence Sandford Private

Ellis T. Scarborough Private

Seymour Slade Private

T. J. Tisdale Private

Dewey Welborne Private
   

CO. G 1ST MISS. REGIMENT

Rowan S. Barefoot Private

 Arthur Dubose Private


William E. Stuart Private

Jessie Thompson Private


CO. K. 1ST MISS. REGIMENT

James L. Lee Private

Andrew J. Hutto Private


Jewell McLendon Private

Leland Ray Private

 
John Bethea Private

 Willie Cobb Private


Otho Rouse Private
   


CO. A 1ST MISS. REGIMENT

Homer Hudson Private

Ben T. Rawles Private



CO. L 1ST MISS. REGIMENT

?. P. Moragne Private

James E. Watts Private



22. CO. A. 152 INF. 38TH DIVISION

        Private Dennis Whitsett

23. CO. A. SUPPLY CO. DIVISION

        Private George Legg

24. 317 FIELD ARTILLERY AEF
        Scott Slimp

25. CO. B 151ST INF. 38TH DIVISION AEF
        Private A. M. Millstead

26. 168 INF. 42ND DIVISION AEF
        Private Albert Beck

27. CO. E. 128 INF. AEF
        Private M. Millstead -- Muse Argonne, Sector

28. STUDENTS TRAINING CAMP, HATTIESBURG, MISS.

?. B. Cook

George Boone

Obed Pace Chick Polk

Ellis Patterson Julius Slade

Emmett Allsworth Forest Williamson

M. L. Crook George Cain

Red Tunnison

 


CO. L. 1ST MISSISSIPPI REGIMENT
        Private D. C. Darcy

30. 61ST ARTILLERY H. C. OGRS. CO. AEF
        Private Ava Williamson

31. 145TH FIELD ARTILLERY
        Private Ted Lee AEF

32. CO. A. 306 ENGINEERS 81ST DIVISION
        Private Osma Whitsett

33. 137TH FIELD ARTILLERY, BATTERY F
        138th Regiment Cyclone Division
        Private Edgar Slade AEF

34. SERVED OVERSEAS--NO OTHER RECORD(all privates)

George Russell

Eugene Sumrall

Albert Sumrall

Seaborn Sumrall

I. W. Thompson

George Rayborn

Richard Rayborn

John Avery

Luther Hatten

Charlie Kee

Charlie Bounds

Joe Cagle

Ben Shraeder

   


35. 334 FIELD ARTILLERY,BAND HEADQUARTERS
        D. D. Bounds, Private

36. TROOPS G. 1ST MISS. CAVALRY, 39TH DIV.
        John D. Davis

37. 150 INF. 38TH DIV. MISS. CORP.
        John Cleveland Jacobs, Private

38. CO. 17 OFFICERS TRAINING SCHOOL U. S. ARMY
        Will Pigford, Private

39. BATTERY F. FIELD ARTILLERY
        Van Cook, Private

40. CO. E. G. 114 AMMUNITION TRAIN
        Chalmers Smith, Private AEF

LETTERS


        The following letter was copied from the "Booster" (Lamar County), Purvis, Miss., October 31 and was written by Butler V. Avery, Company "A" 315 F.S.B.A.E.F., Wednesday, September 11th, and Saturday, September 14, 1918, to the folks at home:

Dear Folks:

        Had to pinch myself this morning to see if I was altogether, Last night we got orders about eight o'clock to pack up and move out. Knew we were going closer to the front but not exactly how far. As it happened we come seven kilometers leaving us only two Ks from the square-heads line.

        The seven Ks mentioned above had about as much to them as one would care to take part in, all the way up the roads were blocked with troops of every description. Shelling was very frequent. It took us from nine to 2:30 a. m. to make this short distance, our time being spent dodging shells mostly. Often while our truck was stopped for them to finish a place in front a shell would hit just in the rear, at the side, etc.

        They gave us a warm reception upon our arrival here, also about the time we finished unloading out sets, packs, etc., they started in, darned if I don't believe till yet the first one scraped my helmet. They poured them to us by the dozens, hitting in every direction. All of us were brand new in the burg and didn't know anything at all about where the dugouts were, we located them pretty pronto, however. I am certainly anxious for our artillery to open up on that bunch for I am sure of the outcome.

        The few of our bunch that was with me kept unusually calm of course that kept me down quite a bit but I think all of us pretty nearly had to think of a story I once heard of Mutt and Jeff while they were on the border. Probably you have heard it too.

        They continued their shelling off an on all last night. Even sent us over a few for dinner today. I don't mind them any more, though. We are located in an especially made shell proof room, walls and top are very thick of logs and stone. Have a telephone, electric lights, and is fixed up in a pretty decent way. Our bunks are here and we have two messengers.

        I am anxious to see the ball start rolling because I know how easily we can walk over them. I didn't know there was so many vannon in the world as I have seen coming up here for the last week or so, - will wait until after the show to finish this. If I don't finish it you will know I wasn't here at the end.

Saturday 14th

        Haven't had time to touch this. Entirely too much going on, and work, Hey Howdy, we have made a peach of a drive and have had thing going our way from the start. Race house and a mule is a good comparison.

        At one o'clock to the minute and the morning of the 12th our barrage started, some barrage, the earth fairly shook. We were behind the light artillery but the heavy was behind us and in fact all around us, some of the naval guns was as far as five and six kilos to our rear.

        In my station we all knew six hours ahead when the fireworks would start and I went off duty at 8 o'clock went to sleep, but told the op to be sure and wake me up a little before one. He was too busy I guess to wake me but about three seconds after one I was wide awake. I don't want to hear any prettier music than the sound of those guns, I knew old Fritz was getting a little further up the road.

        One's imagination who has never seen a barrage can't compare with the reality. It's worth risking your life to be in a drive. The whole sky was in flames, our guns fairly shook the earth. From our guns in the rear you could hear the shells go over and could easily distinguish the gas shells from the common explosives, and at first could see them explode on the Germans, but they soon took to their heels. Fritz returned our shots for hardly an hour then he was as quiet as a dumb person- you know that is pretty quiet. Five o'clock was the appointed time for our boys to go over the top, of course, at that time we were all on our toes, a fellow couldn't help but wish he was a dough-boy and going over with them. Some of our men who were near the front ("C" Co. men) did volunteer and go over with them. One of my best friends in that co. went over with the infantry and got killed. Such as that is what makes a fellows blood boil and makes him want to discard the headgear of a wireless set, a thousand miles from action, grab a musket and get into the thick of the thing.

        Starting where I left off just before five o'clock our barrage as was expected got speedier and sounded like machine gun fire. It was certainly interesting to watch after the boys went over, about every fifteen or twenty minutes you would see a certain rocket go up to notify our artillery to raise their barrage, meaning of course that the Germans were retreating at a good clip; what is more interesting still is the fact that they have been on the run to this hour from the time we started after them.

        At nine o'clock of the morning we started the drive we had reached our objective for the whole day, about 9:30 the prisoners came rolling in. Saw one bunch of 900. Looked like a whole army coming down the road. There were men of every description. Some looked to be boys of 13 or 14 and some about 50 or 60, while some were in their prime. They all seemed to be glad they were captured. A few that could speak English said they were tired of the war and saw they had no chance of winning. They seemed to be afraid of the American fighting and from the looks of this battle it pays them to be. We were in a fine position to keep up with the whole thing. During the battle everything is sent in the clear. There is no time to incode and decode messages. So we kept up with the other division also. Went up to "No Man's Land" yesterday morning. It was certainly a sight. You could hardly walk without stepping on the dead. There was by a large number more Germans than Americans. I saw lots of things that if I had read in a paper I would have take it for a Sunday's morning story. The boys coming back with the prisoners, etc., have some awful tales to tell. One told me he captured several German boys that looked to be under 14, chained to their artillery guns. Said they were just standing there nearly frightened to death and not trying to fight .

        I could write on this a year and not finish. I am not allowed to tell you where I am but refer you to the Times Picayune of September 13th and 14th and you will know exactly. If they print it like the Paris Herald they certainly have it straight.

Love,
Butler V. Avery, Co. A. 315 F.B.A. AEF

Reference: Booster, October 31, 1918.


Dear Mother:

        It will not be too long before I come home to you, the same pure boy that I was when I went to war. I am longing to get back to the states, so I can have a home once more. I am so sorry that you are so sick. Will help nurse you. Will not write much at this time, just send this clipping, keep it for me. You will see what we have here yet. I am still at this hospital helping the doctors and nurses.

H. H. McDonald

        The clipping is as follows:

SICK AND WOUNDED HAVE VALETS ON TRIP HOME

        Twenty-five kilometers from Ft. Nazarie at the top of a hill overlooking the broad lazy river, which makes that town possible as a base port, are 9000 members of the AEF ticketed "to the states without delay".

        But G. H. A. wouldn't think of sending them without valets for these men can't be bothered with baggage, or packs or rifles, or any of the trying incidents in connection with their trip homeward. For them the winter weather, not even the chow lines of the embarkation camps, hold no terrors. They will be shown places in a train at their present station, and with perhaps an overnight stop at Kerhon, if they leave France by way of Brest they will go directly aboard a transport.

        They are the wounded doughboys and casuals, honored men of the AEF, and they are now at Savenay, which is unknown except for the fact that it is the largest and finest clearing house for all those who have been unfortunate enough to stop a piece of metal flung over by the enemy or unlucky enough to get so sick that they are slated for the states. The trip across the Atlantic will develop into a palatial ocean voyage. There will be privates and lieutenants, even Captains to spring to their commands for steamrugs when they loll in the sun. Three meals will be brought to them each day if they only say, "Boy I am ready to eat."

        (Illegible) hospitals... to make Cavenay the greatest medical center in France today. Hundreds of motor ambulances, trucks and touring cars...in and around the building 24 hours every day. All with one purpose, to speed up the transport of the wounded to the states.

        34,000 enlisted men, 500 nurses, together with many officers are required to keep the center moving. Besides this number there are 800 corporals who are eagerly waiting to be assigned as valets for these returning men. Also there are approximately 140 officers designated "chiefs of convoys" who will perform this function.



To Dear Brother Matthew:

        I take much pleasure in writing you this letter about myself. I am now in the ordinance department. This is the branch of the army that supplies the soldiers with all the property that is used by a man in uniform.

        The regulation number of men in a regiment is one Sargent, one corporal and six privates on detailed service from Division Ordinances. I am with the (illegible) infantry Ration Cloths and my (illegible) are with the Supply Co. This means it is for me to handle the property that comes to the regiment.

        We have one private was in the hospital and one Corporal is in the states and was gassed on the (illegible) front.

        I have seen many wonderful things which is impossible to explain in a letter. You cannot realize what a war consists of until you serve your time in the line. I will certainly be proud to get back in the good old U. S. A. where I will be a free man again.

        You cannot imagine the prices of things over here, for the French are scarce of money as well as food and clothing. Fruit is out of reason, a small orange costs ten cents. Grapes are $2.30 per lb. A small can of sardines costs 50 cents.

        The French take the Americans to be millionaires and make paupers of them. Some times I wish that a soldier didn't have to buy a thing of them for they just rob us in every possible way. Ninety percent of the money paid to the American Soldier is spent with the French, the remaining ten percent with the thievish Y. M. C. A.

        There is over a million American soldiers sleeping in (illegible) when French will permit it, the officers take up all of the vacant rooms in town.

        You can talk with any one who has been in the trenches and over the top. They will tell you that an infantry man has to contend with. Going over the top is not as easy done as said. Neither is it a dream or a joke. Both sides catch hell. Well I can tell all about that when I get home. This is no time to talk.

        I have so many friends in the division, yet I get lonesome.

Priv. W. B. Cobb

INTERVIEWS

        Most of the veterans did not wish to talk. Some of them have been gassed and are too nervous to give information as memories of their past experiences in the war make them "go to pieces". Very few relatives remember correct dates and names. Only a few had letters and papers. The general attitude is to forget what happened "over there".

RICHARD "COTTON" POLK--(deceased) U. S. A. NAVY, ON SHIP SANTIAGO

        In talking with friends and comrades of "Cotton" Polk we learned that he was on Ship Santiago 22 months and was on it when it was torpedoed by German submarines. He was afloat seven hours in the ocean, his clothing was so heavy that he pulled it all off and the sun blistered his back. When they were almost exhausted they were sighted by an aeroplane from New York, which sent a ship to their rescue.

        Mrs. Polk, his mother, is old and feeble and could hardly give the information clearly. She has no record of his service.


GILLEM S. BYRD, WORLD WAR VETERAN


        On interviewing Gillem S. Byrd, World War Veteran. He refused to give any of the facts concerning his life "over there", other than his discharge record. He said that he wears a No. 3 shoe and that while in service was given a No. 11. This was what probably kept him from "running away". He was wounded in his right eye, some stitches having to be taken. Although he went over the top four times he refused to give any details. So many others could tell such lurid tales, often made up, that he was afraid his wouldn't sound convincing.


HE FOUGHT IN FOUR WARS. AN AGED VETERAN WHO BREAKS ALL THE RECORDS


        Uncle Billy Johnson of Purvis, Miss., William Johnson, familiarly knows as Uncle Billy is a well known farmer living near Purvis, Miss. There are several hundred farmers residing in the same section. But what distinguishes Uncle Billy from his neighbors is his extreme old age, and the fact that he is a veteran of four wars, something which can hardly be said of any other living man. He is 91 years of age and is looked up to with great reverence by all the inhabitants of Marion County. A commercial representative who visited Purvis in his travels recently got from the old gentleman a sketch of his war record with some of the incidents that occurred during his military life, which cannot but prove interesting reading. It is best told in his own language.

        "My first military service was in the war between the United States and Great Britain in 1814. I was quite young then, reckless and full of vigor. The first battle of any consequence that occurred after my enlistment was the one which saved the City of New Orleans from destruction at the had of the British and which brought Gen. Jackson to the front and landed him in the Presidents chair. This is all well known history and I will not dwell upon it."

        "The next military service I saw was the Florida Indian War away back in the thirties. This war occurred here among our home people and it is all familiar history, but what I want to tell you about is the war between the United States and Mexico, the horrors and the true history of which has never been fully known in the United States. How well I do remember that memorable day that we stormed the Heights of Chepultepec and virtually ended the war. The morning of the battle opened still and calm, with a hot sun pouring down upon us. The greasers had fortified themselves and planted heavy batteries on top of the walls. Immediately in front of the wall was a ditch twelve feet wide and sixteen feet deep in water. You can well imagine what terrible odds our small army had to contend with. We made the attack early but was repulsed with a terrific fire from the big guns on the walls. Again we reformed our lines and charged but each time met that deadly fire. Our commander, Gen. Scott, saw that if we kept up our charge in the hope of storming the heights without first silencing the funs we would all have been unmercifully butchered and left a prey for the buzzards and wolves upon the battlefield."

        "A council of war was held and it was decided to offer a reward of $5,000 to any man who would suggest a plan to silence the batteries of the Greasers. I immediately volunteered my service to accomplish this task, without any reward, but my plan was ridiculed by the commanding officers. I insisted that it be tried, at last before being condemned Gen. Scott, after a few minutes of deep thought, drawled out, :well young man, if you have the nerve we will try it but you will certainly be killed. I hurried off to my pack mule and procured the uniform of a Mexican major, which I had captured on a former battlefield, and put it on over my regular blue uniform. After providing myself with rattail files and a hammer I returned to Gen. Scott, who ordered that the lines be reformed. Riding in front of the line on a white steed, the general doffed his hat and requested the chaplain, a short, heavy-set man with a few scattered chinchalla, as the boys, to make the BLESSING OF THE DEITY. The Chaplain, who hailed from Texas, was a natural born fighter and he carried a musket on the battlefield and conducted religious services at night. He laid down his gun and stepping forward a few paces raised his hands heavenward and delivered a prayer that a great many of the boys claimed gained the victory for us. As near as I can remember his words ran something like this, "Oh, Lord, Thou art all powerful and can control the destinies of all men. We implore your blessings and ask forgiveness for any misdeeds that we may have committed. We are now about to join battle with vastly superior numbers of the enemy and Heavenly Father we would like mightily for you to be on our side and help us; but if you can't do it for heaven's sake don't go over to the Greasers, but just lie low and keep quiet and you will see one of the toughest fights you ever saw in all your natural life. Amen"

        "The patriotic invocation was met with a yell from our soldiers that shook the foundation of the mighty wall where the Greasers were fortified. We charged at a double quick and when some distance from the parapet I started on my desperate plan ( It makes me shudder now to think of it). I dashed away from our lines for the big battery which was causing all the trouble. Several of our soldiers fired a volley over my head, while a number of others gave chase. While the astonished greasers on the wall were watching the exciting race yelling at me in Spanish every step. They forgot to reload the guns and in a few seconds more I had cleared the ditch at a bound, scaled the wall and was right up among the enemy and going on in my work by spiking the fuse holes of the guns before they caught on to our ruse. But it was too late, just as I was spiking the last gun a villainous looking gun wiper made a savage thrust at me with a saber, but our brave boys clearing the wall saved my life by running a bayonet through his body. I came out of the war with a slight flesh wound."

        "General Scott offered me the money but I declined. I afterwards received letters from President Polk and the Secretary of War asking that I accept the reward, but I refused. I afterwards received a gold medal for bravery which was stolen by Federal soldiers during the late war. I served two years in the confederate army and would have carried a musket all through the conflict but I was taken sick with swamp fever near Vicksburg in 1863 and was sent home"

        Mr. Johnson's War Record is well known history in South Miss. During the lifetime of Jefferson Davis, Uncle was a frequent and welcome visitor at the Beauvoir Mansion. He was drawing a pension from the Nation Government for his service in the three wars in which he followed the Stars and Stripes and he lived comfortably and enjoyed life on his farm, six miles west of Purvis.

        He was tall, slender and well kept for a man his age, he was quite retiring in his nature, he had a terror of notoriety and this is no doubt the cause that led him to settle in the lonely pine forest.

        He still retains the letters from President James Polk and Gen. Scott commending his bravery and it took hard work too persuade the old gentleman to allow the reporter to get a glance at the documents.

Reference: Lumberton Head Block, August 6, 1890.

W. P. A. Table of Contents
 

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