James Robert Davis letter to Mother and Others - January 3, 1919
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[Consenvoye] France ] [January 3, 1919] Dear Mother & Others This afternoon I took a walk over Dead mans hill. Brunsworth and I spent about 3 hours on the hill New Years day. you may remember reading about the place when fighting was going on. There isnt any thing left on the hill even the trees are gone and the grass even gave up trying to live there. It is just shell holes with in shell holes - and it looked as tho each hole contained the bones of some poor devil who had fought for the Kaiser or against him. Ive seen a lot of shot up places but this is the worst Ive seen.
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From the hill we could see the Meuse-river winding down the valley and it really made a pretty picture we are camped now on the banks of the river but if she continues to rise we arent going to be camped here long as this track cant stand much more water. But we cant be bothered about a little thing like that. It has rained so much lately that we’d feel uncomfortable if we werent close to water and didnt have mud to walk in. Last we week had news that sound good to me we had orders to move and had the orders been carried out Iwould have been within 50 miles of Prigmore
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We were all congratulating ourselves on getting to go south when another order came along that sent us about 12 miles further north - Some class to that wasnt there - I am learning tho not to believe any thing I hear until we are actually order to do that thing and that is the only way to get a long and live happy in the army. These boys who build up hopes on what they hear are certainly out of luck for you can hear most any kind of news - but you cant move on news good or bad youve got to get those orders and when
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they come youve got to go. you have never said any thing about my books in your letter I got a letter several weeks ago saying they were ready to ship and if Mr Turner sent them you should have had them long before your last letter was written - better asked about them at the depot - I got a letter from Will last week with some pictures of the kid and one of the house - both fine looking tho I wouldnt have guessed either belonged to him if he hadnt said so just the same Iwas glad to get them - you’d better take my Kodak it is in the boxes of stuff I sent you from [Camp Upton] and have some pictures taken of the outfit at home and send me a few
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yourself - Ethel Amy & the kids. started a letter to Mrs Lankford a few days ago but havent finished it yet - but when you get this be sure and call her up and tell her there is a letter on the road. It is nearly bed time here - about 8 oclock - thats about 3 at Marshall - any way you can count it exactly as well as Ican - so I’ll turn in and finish this tomorrow goodnight Jim [January 5, 1919] Just had a good dinner and after Ive finished this Iam going out for a walk Think I’ll take in Dead -
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mans hill again and perhaps hunt for the Crown Princes tunnel - Isaw a lot of dirt that we know came from a tunnel and we think it might be the one named after that guy. One could walk over the tunnel tho and never know he was near it. It is a fine day today a little cloudy but the sun has shown once or twice and that always helps a lot - One who has lived in New Mexico certainly misses the sunshine. Well here goes for the walk hope you are all well and keep well Love to all Jim. Lt JR Davis 816 Pioneer Inf - A.E.F.
Details
| Title | James Robert Davis letter to Mother and Others - January 3, 1919 |
| Creator | Davis, James Robert |
| Source | Davis, James Robert. Letter to Mother and Others. 03 January 1919. James Robert Davis Collection, 1918-1919. 1994.41. National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. |
| Description | James Robert Davis wrote this letter to his mother and other relatives on January 3, 1919. Davis discussed his daily activities and described the destruction caused by shell fire in the area around his camp. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918--Military life--United States; World War, 1914-1918--Occupied territories; Camp Upton (N.Y.) |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; 816th Pioneer Infantry |
| Site Accession Number | 1994.41 |
| Contributing Institution | National World War I Museum and Memorial |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the National World War I Museum and Memorial: (816) 888-8100. |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. |
| Date Original | January 3, 1919 |
| Language | English |