World War I Letters of Russell County, January 31, 1919

The following letter originally appeared in the January 31st issue of the Lebanon News:

"A Lebanon Boy Writes From Germany

American Expeditionary Forces,
Office of Assistent Provost Marshal
42 Division
Ahrweider Germany, Dec. 25, '18

Mr. E. R. Combs,
Lebanon, Va.

Dear Uncle,

Your letter of November 20th, just received, and I agree with you in regard to the end of the war. Of course, we came over here with only one aim - to win the war and talk about it afterwards, but I, as well as everybody I know over here, am glad that it is all over and that we got off with as few casualties as possible. I was very sorry to hear that Lawrence Robinson had been killed, but some of us had to pay the price.

I understand that the President is now in France, but I do not think he has ever been in Germany. I have heard that he does not intend coming up here. I am glad he came over and feel sure that peace terms will be drawn up much quicker with him present, and that's what I'm looking for, as I am of the opinion that the "Rainbow" is bilted with the Army of Occupation until everything is straightened out. Since the march and the hardest part of the work is over, I am glad we were put in the Third Army, or Army of Occupation, as most of us would have felt slighted had we been left out and sent back in France to await the final wind-up. We had a pretty long march from Bugency France through Belgium and Luxembourg into Germany, but most of the time we had good weather and very good roads. We were thirty days on the march, of course we rested at a few places five or six days, but I guess Sherman has nothing on us for marching. We started November 14th and finished up here on December 16th.

I have heard a good deal of stuff about the 10th C. A. C. expecting to come over here to do guard duty, while we were being sent back home and mustered out, but I'm afraid they are guessing too much, as I feel sure we have enough troops in this country to do the guard duty, even if all of the Divisions that were in the front lines were sent home. Out of the 60 Divisions, not more than one third of them every got close enough to hear the guns, much less get into action. Looking at it in this light, I guess C. D. and Bill will have to put off their trip to France and Germany. Am expecting to receive a letter every day saying they have been mustered out of the service. They are perfectly welcome to the trip and the guard duty also, but I guess it isn't reasonable.

So far, I have not heard of any friction between US and the German civilians. They do as they are told and tell us how glad they are that the Americans are occupying this particular part instead of the French or English, and on the French and English from they are tell them the same thing. I don't care how much they say they like us, I won't believe it, as I do not see how I could like an invading Army, no matter how considerate. We are treating them better than I ever thought we would. We do not ask for anything unless we pay them for it. Of course we requisition, but they will get their money. Almost all of the men have returned, that is the ones that live on this side of the Rine, and we do not bother them so long as they leave off their darned old green uniform. But I guess we don't love our enemies like we ought to.

Have been hearing all kinds of dope about coming home and every time the date set comes around is just 40 days more. The latest date for sailing is Jan. 17th. Have heard that we are to go on down the Rine and sail from some port in Germany and that we were going back through France also. I don't care which, so long as we go. My, but I would feel like a millionaire on one of those Hommer 40, Chevaus 8 ([...] long), again. Last spring and summer re rode them so much that it was almost a second nature and I guess I am going to hunt up a real box car to come one on. Passenger cars are not in my line any more. we have some real box cars over here with two wheels under each end and U. S. A. in big red letters on them. They make me homesick every time I see one.

Talking about making me homesick, but while we were at Apremont, just before the final showdown, and American train came into a town about four or five miles back that had a real N. & W. passenger train whistle on it. I'g get up anytime to see that train it had been a little closer. I'd dear that whistle and immagine No. 8 comin' in.

Your nephew
ELLIS HARGIS

P. S. Stanley Hargis and Pete Shomaker are both stirring and are as usual."

World War I Letters of Russell County, January 31, 1919

The following letter originally appeared in the January 31st issue of the Lebanon News:

"RECOVERING FROM WOUND

General Hospital No 2

Fort McHenry,
Baltimore, Md. Jan. 14 1919

Dear Sister,

Your letter received today, was glad to hear from you and glad to know you are all well. As for myself I am O. K. and I think I will be out soon. I don't think I will be discharged before February or March, but if I don't get my discharge soon I will try to get a pass and come to see you all.

Well Mary, I did not get hurt very bad, just got my fingers broken and blood poison set up and I had a lot of trouble. I came very near losing my hand, but I am about well now. Sister I don't know how bad Craig was hurt, I saw him the day that I was going into the lines in September. I got hit the 30th day of September and I have been in the hospital ever since I landed in U. S. A. the 11th day of December.

Mary, many thanks for the $5.00 because I haven't any pay since July and I haven't had any mail since about the first of August. I went into the lines the 1st of August, at Albert, France, and then to the Verdun front. I was in the town of Verdun and it is all shot down, just like all towns in the war zone - they are all shot to pieces. I had some things to bring back with me but they were stolen from me. Tell Bob I intended bringing him a helmet, but could not as everything that I had was stolen.

Your brother,
G. G. Worsham"

Settlement of the Accounts of Joel Campbell, Deceased, 1851

Settlement of the Estate of Joel Campbell dec'd

The Accounts of William Campbell administrator of the Estate of Joel Campbell deceased being before me for settlement, and having advertised at the Courthouse door according to law, the following statements of his accounts is made.

Receipts.

Balance in his hands and standing against him by previous settlement of his administration accounts, June 27 1845 $17.79

Various other debts collected for the estate as per list herewith filed 160.87 3/4

Amount of an account settled with Wilson Elliott 15.31 1/2

                                                    $193.98 1/4

Disbursements.
Account paid J. H. S. Fugate a Constable for serving warrants	1		60
Account allowed Wilson Elliott (see above)	2	15	31 1/2
Account paid James Presley	3	9	9
Tax ticket for land for 1849	4		45
Debt paid Isaiah Fuller, as per receipt	5	14	13
Tax ticket for land 1848	6		45
Commissioner' ticket for transfer of land to heirs	7		75
Account paid Scoffield Maddox	8	1	50
Sheriff's ticket paid J. F. McElhenney	9		75
Note executed to James Gilmore, paid Cummings Gilmore	10	18	19
Receipt from Cummings Gilmore for money collected on a receipt for notes, by intestate	11	14	89
Amount paid on Constables receipt from Joel Campbell to D. Sergant, paid J. F. McElhenney	12	48	50
Balance of a note paid Henry Campbell senr.	13	10	30
Account paid same	14	3	70
Clerk's ticket paid	15		18
Account paid John W. Hendricks	16		16
Receipt for money paid N. B. Gray	17	9	71
Account paid Anderson Hendricks	18	4	82
Receipt for money paid Jesse Vermillion	19	1	17
Account paid James W. Hendricks	20	10	00
Tax Ticket paid J. F. McElhenney for 1845	21		45
Account paid Joseph Tod, as per receipt	22	8	08
Do do	23	9	09
Amount of Disbursements forwarded		$182	27 1/2
Account paid Richard T. Fields	24		80
Account paid Henry Harman, as per receipt	25	2	17
Tax ticket paid Johnston Howard S. R. C. for 1846	26		45
Clerk's ticket paid	27		18
Cash paid John C. Ferguson on Constable's receipt executed to him by intestate.	28	42	037
Cast paid Hopkins & McElhenney, as per receipt	29	10	00
Amount paid on a Receipt to John Scott	30	8	78 1/2
Account of tax paid on a deed admitted to record	31		50
Receipt for money paid Charles H. Monk on Account of Obedience Elliott's Estate	32	8	09
Account due Dickenson & Kernan	33		75
Cast paid on a note to Andy F. Hendricks	34	24	58
Cash paid J. F. McElhenney on a note executed to Snider V. Caldwell	35	4	87
Cash paid Thos. J. Riley on a Constables Receipt	36	2	57
Account paid Green C. Fields	37		83
Cash paid on a receipt for notes put into hands of dec'd to collect for Boyd & Vermillion	38	15	00
Cash paid on a similar receipt to T. C. M. Alderson & Co.	39	63	02
Tax ticket paid R. Boyd D. S. for 1850	40		45
Do do paid same	41		76
One half fee for recording deed to John & H. Campbell			75
		$369	82 1/2
Recapitulation		$369	82 1/2
Amount of Disbursements		193	98 3/4
Leavning an Amount paid behond his receipt of		$175	83 3/4

Given under my hand this 22d day of September 1851.

James P. Carrell, Commissioner

Russell County, to wit: This day James P. Carrell made oath before me a justice of the peace of said County, that he has been engaged four hours in taking the above account. Given under my hand this _____ day of ____ 1851. J. P.

At Russell October Court 1851.

This Settlement of the Administration accounts of William Campbell on the Estate of Joel Campbell deceased was reported to the Court, and there being no exceptions thereto, it is ordered that the same be recorded.    Teste,

James P. Carrell, C. R. C.