My Dear Mother,

I thought I would write you a few lines as I have not written you a personal letter since I have been away. I know this is the hardest time of your life and I realize it is nature for us all to be grieved about parting but we must look at it in a brighter way. I know one thing and that is your prayers have been for me all these years of my life and especially since I have been in the army and I feel grateful to my Maker for having such a mother. I firmly believe that the One that does all things well will guide me through this safely. That I may return home again to be with my loved ones again. There is one thing I will ask you all to do and that is to go on as best you can and don’t bother about me. I will tell you the truth. The people back home are worried lots worse than the boys here now. It is possible that the boys that are going now will never see the war. I have heard several officers say that we would never see any real service. I believe this war is just about over for the German are being driven farther back every day. Now though I realize that this is harder on you at home to live while the war costs for everything is so high, but I am glad you all have such nice chance for a  good crop this year. Well I will close. Hoping you all will not worry any more than you can help and don’t cross a bridge till you get to it. I am all right for the time being at least. Your loving son

Sam
Co. C 155th Inf.
Camp Beauregard La.

Camp Beauregard La.
May 24 1918

Dear Daisy and all,

How are you all feeling this beautiful May morn? I am feeling fine. I rec’d your welcome letter yesterday. Daisy you don’t know how glad I am that the crops and everything is doing so well and that you all have got them worked out. I will tell you the truth. I have not seen but one patch of corn this spring and haven’t seen a bit of cotton. Daisy I don’t know now when we will leave this place. We are liable to leave any day or it may be a week. Daisy I sure did a good letter from Ria yesterday. She told me that they were out home Sun. and sure did brag about the nice crop that you all had now. Daisy I would not be surprised if I didn’t help gather that crop. May, but it is sure hot down here. It is as hot here now as it is in July there. Well Daisy it is about time to mail this. I will close. You all had better put the return on the letters that you send me. When we leave here I will write a letter on the train and have someone to mail it.

Love and best wishes to all.

Sam

Camp Shelby Miss
June 9 1918

Dear Homefolks,

How is all of you and Allie? I am feeling tough now. I have taken my second shot for typhoid yesterday but I am better now than I was yesterday. I received your letter and was sorry to hear that Pappy stuck a nail in his foot ……. We have a good show here nearly every night free of charge. We didn’t have to drill yesterday. We have water works here and have showers both once a day when we are well. I have to many clothes to take care of and will send home some more of that stuff that I brought with me here soon. Tell Allie I will write him when I feel better. I got a letter from Mamie and Norbin yesterday. I will write a longer letter when I feel better than I do now. Best Wishes

Merle

R. Co. 17 Detention Camp

Camp Shelby Miss.
June 15 1918

Dear Homefolks,

I rec’d. your most welcome letter the 14th and am glad to hear that you are well and getting along fine with your crop and that it is doing so well. I did not drill any Friday but worked some around the camp. Some days we drill from five to seven hours. They will let you fall out when you are sick. Could you see the flying machines good or was they too high? It is about twelve miles from here to Hattiesburg. I don’t like this place and nobody else don’t. I don’t sleep more than four to six hours a night but it don’t take much sleep for me here. You ask me if it was hot here. Its hot part of the time but there is a fine breeze of wind here nearly all the time. I sold my watch for six dollars but I have still got eight dollars and seventy five cents that I brought down here with me. We are going to move from the detention camp right away so put your return on my letters. We drilled some this morning but I don’t think we will drill any this afternoon. I have had one letter from Longina Bethay since I got here. If you want to know anything, just ask questions and I will answer them the best I can. You all are letting to much of my news go on the wire. You know what I told you. With love and best wishes from

Merle
R. Co 17 Detention Camp
Camp Shelby
Hattiesburg Miss.

p.s.
I guess Carl is staying at the barn lots since the first of June.

Camp Shelby Miss.
June 17 1918

How are all of you by this time? I am well and hope you all the same. We got moved this morning and this is a better place than the detention camp was. There are two boys from Itawamba County in the tent with me. You said that my cats were fat. There are three at the detention camp that I left and they would play and run. I got holt of one of them and he was fine. I have been expecting a letter from Henry and Mamie for two or three days. How is the crop? Do you need rain? It is dry here. This is a sandy and poor place here. It is too poor to raise an army on. How is the melon patch and tomatoes? Write me soon. With love to all.

Merle

Co. D 138th M.G. Bn.
Camp Shelby Miss.

Camp  Shelby Miss
June 20 1918

Dear Homefolks,

How are all of you? I am fine and have a good home here and have the kind of officers they are all good to us. We went out on a hike Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning about one hour to each hike. Wednesday I saw one patch of corn, the first I have saw since the 29 of May. We have Tuesday evening off and all day Saturday and Sunday. Last Tuesday there was a flying machine came here and in lighting he struck a post and broke the left wing off his machine. And Wednesday we was taking physical exercise and saw another one coming and the lieutenant let us stop and watch it. It went behind the clouds two or three times and it landed here and it is still here. It flew all the morning landing about once every hour. There was one more started here and fell. There was two men in it and they got killed. I went to the moving picture show last night and it was good. We have all kinds of good shows and music and ball games and lectures here. I just can’t see them all. Wednesday I went out and watched some fine machinery at work and saw the flying machine on the ground. The captain said that we would not be here long. I don’t think that we will be here three weeks at the most. I don’t know where we are going but some of them think that we are going to cross the pond in to England. I am ready to go anywhere they want me to. I am having a good time here now and am going to have, don’t matter where I go. So don’t worry about me at all for I am all right. Be careful what you write to me about troop movement. I can’t help but feel proud of myself because I don’t gamble and never did and don’t expect to nor smoke cigarettes and haven’t got any loathsome disease. The boys in the next tent are rolling dice now and some of the boys in my tent gamble every night and I go to the YMCA and let them go to it………..

Merle

Camp Shelby Miss.
June 28 1918

Dear Brother,

I have just recd your letter and was glad to hear that all was doing well. I am well doing fine. We are not drilling this morning. We had an inspection of tents and clothes. There is six boys in my tent from Illinois and one from this tate. This is the fourth tent that I have stayed in since I have been in the army. You asked me if I could go to Hattiesburg, I don’t know when I can go now.

I am making it here all right and for God’s sake and my sake, don’t come down here to see me. I may stay in the army and be killed, it wont hurt me like leaving my folks. So I w ill make it fine at all times if you will stay away.

With love your Brother

Merle

Camp Shelby Miss
July 1 1918

Dear Homefolks,

How is all this fine weather. I am fine. How is Mammy by now? I have just come in from the rifle range. We had a big rain here this a.m. and had some hail. I have been looking for a letter from you all for two or three days. I haven’t got any news at all this time. I have been to supper since I started this letter and as I came by first sergeants tent I got the registered letter you sent me and was glad to get it but was sorry to hear that Mammy is not well. Tell Pappy not to come to see because I am going to get a furlough sometimes if I can.
You may think that I am not well, but I am and not doing much work now. Are you all not getting my letters. I am writing you all often. I am getting my mail now.

Yes I got Wallace’s letter. I sent one to Carl. Did he get it? Tell Mammy not to worry about me for I am all right. I don’t know whether Lee Burns is here or not. I don’t need anything but a fountain pen and I sure do need that.

You said the melons would be ripe the 8 of this month. I saw some melons in Hattiesburg 9 days ago. You said that my cats was fat. A few days ago there was a cat here and I caught it in my tenty and put him on my cot. He was a dandy. He would sing and rub me.

Nearly every body likes pets. The stable sergeant has two little goats. They said that the news came in on the wire that Mexico has declared war on the U.S. But I think it is a mistake. I had better close for this time for I want to go to the swimming pool tonight and go in bathing. I don’t think that we will move soon for I hear that the officers have got new orders to keep us here. I am writing you every few days and if you don’t get them I am not to blame. So write me often.

I am your true soldier son and brother

Merle Riley

Camp Shelby Miss
July 3 1918

Dear Homefolks,

I read your letter and was glad to hear that all was better and hope you will all keep well. I am well and am happy as a rooster with his first spurs. I am going to Hattiesburg tomorrow. I could have got a pass this evening until Friday morning but I did not want it that long.

The sergeant said we could go to New Orleans if we wanted to. I hope you had a good time the fourth as good a time as if me and Sam was there. I hope he will have a good time too. I guess he will. You said that it was cold there. I liked to have froze to death almost Monday night and last night. It came a storm Monday evening just before this company and done lots of damage and hurt some people and stock. I have been out on the range this a.m. and you ought to see the machine guns shoot.

We had a singing this morning on the drill field. The whole battalion was there A.B.C. and D. company. A YMCA man comes out of the drill fields once every week and leads in the singing. He is a regular monkey. I am sending some of the music he sings. Look it over good.

I guess that Bengie traveled going to Tupelo like him and Mandy did when he got the fish bone in his throat. I was on barn detail Tuesday and me and the sergeant and four boys wen tout on a hike on mules. We went to McLayrin and had a good time and lots of corn and truck patches and two good looking girls and the trip was some sport. I could write ten pages but I am so full of  ??? that I cant sit still long enough to write much. I am going to the YMCA tonight so I will write some more the next time.

With all kinds of love

From Merle

July 5th 1918
Camp Shelby Miss.

Dear Henry and Ria,

I recd. Your letter and was glad to hear that you was well and that the crops are fine.

I am almost as fleshy as ever. I thought that I had fell off in weight lots but I weighed in Hattiesburg yesterday. I only weighed 205 lbs. So you may know that I am not doing much work.

The people of Hattiesburg sure did give us soldiers a good supper yesterday. It was nice of them.

They had the picnic out at the park. I went out from Hattiesburg to the park in an auto but went back in a street car.

I guess you think I do not want to see you all the way I wrote to you but I have studied it over and any time that you want to come here, come ahead on Saturdays or Sundays.

You need not be surprised at me calling you over the phone to meet me at Okolona any Friday or Saturday for I can get a pass, I think. If not, a furlough. I am at the YMCA now and have got to write Mamie a few lines and it wont be long until the show starts.

With Love
From Merle

Camp Shelby Miss.
July 8 1918

Dear Daisy,

I just rec’d. y our most welcome letter and was glad that you are all well and have got a fine crop and good fruit and tomoatoes. I have tomatoes and most every thing to eat. I eat a bait of watermelon the 4th. I went to Hattiesburg on the fourth and had a good time. I went to the park to a picnic. Went from Hattiesburg to the park in an auto and went back in a street car. The people gave us a nice supper free. My back does not bother me any at all but you need not say anything about it and the heat does not bother me any. I take a bath once every day or two. You need not worry about me having anything to do with crooked girls because I never will. We went out on this combat range this morning and had a good time. I did not have much to do but lay around in the shade. Tell Wallace that I will reward him well for seeing after Little Barb, Little Lead and Big Lead and Snoop and Bobtail. I will give him something that he will be proud of in November. I will write Carl a few lines. There is boys in here that has not got any brothers at all and no fathers and some here that has a wife and children. The boys have been coming in here the last few days by the lots from Arkansas. There is 8 thousand new men here…. I will ring off for this time.

With love from

Merle

Camp Shelby Miss.
July 10 1918

Dear Homefolks,

I recd. Your letter today and was glad to get it and am glad to hear that you are getting letters from Sam. I am going to write to him just as soon as I can get a good chance for I want to write him a good cheerful letter. This leaves me well and o.k. I am looking for Henry and Pappy and Wallace tomorrow. I have got my pass now to go to Hattiesburg. I am getting behind with my writing. Have been so busy the few days. I haven’t got any news this time worth writing. If I am not mistaken, I saw Murrel Kizzine Friday morning. Is he here or not? Robert Pennal is in a company not far from me. I went to see him a few days ago. I will try and write more next time. So write to Sam every day or two but you need not expect him to answer all of your letters for he can’t. I am glad he is in the machine gun company for it is the best branch of the army. So write me soon.

Merle

Camp Shelby Miss.
July 15 1918

Dear Homefolks,

I recd your letter this a.m. and was glad to get it and to know that all was well. I am well at this date. I am hiking every day and drilling and going to a show or lecture every night. We had an officer to make us a talk that has fought 2 yrs in this war. His talk was sure fine.

I am glad Norbin and Pappy enjoyed their trip down here. I enjoyed their visit here. I don’t know whether I could meet Wallace and Longie  or not. If I was them I would not try it for it cost so much to come here and I might be gone from here any hour. It is almost impossible for me to go home unless I had me a airship for I don’t have any idea how it is here and there is no use of me trying to explain how it is here. As I come back to camp Friday night I got up with a bunch of boys coming here from Washington D.C. I haven’t got any news this time to write so I will close for this time. Tell Farris I will answer his letter when I get time.

Merle

Camp Shelby Miss.
July 17 1918

Dear Homefolks,

I haven’t much to do and thought that I would write you a few lines. This leaves me well and ok. And have moved into another tent. This is the 6th tent that I have lived in since I have been here. We had the best show last night that I most ever saw. I went to see Murrel Kizzine Friday night also saw Jannet Powel and Pruet Edwards and Ross Tart. They have the biggest time in the detention every night out of Negroes. They sing and box. I think I have got some good tent mates now. I was made a first class private the 15th of this month and will get three dollars more each month. News is scarce and it is time for dinner and I will go for this time. With love to all.

Merle

July 19, 1918
Camp Shelby Miss.

Dear Home Folks,

I recd your letter this morning and was glad to hear that you are all well and have so much good to eat and a good crop of fruit. I have fruit most every day and can get melons most any time that I want them. You can give Miss Lizzie one of my best pictures that you have but don’t let any body have any of the sorry ones. I got my fountain pen ok and I tried it as soon as I got it and it did fine. I sure am glad of it and sure appreciate it. I value it next to my pillow and you know I value it high. I guess Bessie is satisfied at last. I guess Mr. B. is wondering if he can make half of a bale of cotton without her. There is boys coming in here from the counties that joins Lee Co. and I am going to see them Sunday if I can get off.

I guess Bengie is having spells with his heart. Now aint he. You know he thought that would never bother him. I am well and ok. We are going to have inspection tomorrow and I guess I will have to go for this time. I told you that I was going to send some money to the bank but as I have put it off this long I will wait until next pay day as it wont be long off.

If Miss Lizzie is still there give her my best regards. We do not get no more Wednesday evenings off and don’t look too much for me for I may not get off until later on. I got a letter from Mamie and she said that they had Allie hired. He just can’t leave the family can he. But Allie is one out of ten thousand and don’t never mis treat him for he has been good to us. I haven’t got anything new to write so I will go. I am at the YMCA and they are going to have a big concert tonight and it is going to start in a few minutes as this is the third time that I have started to quit this letter three times. I guess I had better close this time.

With Love to All
Merle

July 25, 1918
Camp Shelby Miss.

Dear Lillie,

I recd your letter today and was glad to hear that everything is on the boom. I am well and ok. I did not get my peaches that Wallace sent me but can try sending me another one and have it insured. But I don’t know whether I will be here long enough or not to get it because we sure are going to leave here soon but I don’t know where we will go. We may go to Russia. It will be a long nice ride if we do. I don’t blame Carl and Wallace for having a good time while they can for Carl will be in the army in less than a year’s time and Henry will too but I don’t think that tit will last long enough for Wallace to have to be in it. Tell Wallace that there is  (a) young pet con here and he ought to see him play. You all are getting rich aint you selling so much stuff. I am glad that you are getting such good prices for your stuff. I got the best letter from Longie and Agnes and Gather yesterday that I have got in a good while. Longie said something about buying little Ned. Sell him if you don’t need him. Say little ___ sleeps with Wallace. I guess she is a big cat now. I guess Snook keeps her fast on  Mammy’s chickens don’t she. (ha). Sam is all right. His letter or card is I guess got lost on the way. The allies are doing some good fighting now and are driving the Huns back. I think this war will soon be over. Did Morris get to come and see you all before he left? Don’t tap the bee gum too often for I want to help rob it after the war is over. But we are going to rob the Kaisers bee gum before we quit this war. Tell Daisy to take time to write me if she can think of much to write. Lillie, I want you to write Fletcher Bethay and tell him where I am at and tell him the branch of service I am in and tell him to continue to give checks for my Woodman dues until the first of January.

It is raining here some. Have you had plenty of rain there? How is the cotton going? We went out on a hike Tuesday evening and I saw some cotton. It was good considering the land. I did not see any sign of weevils in it. Was it too dry for the corn to do good and fill out? Write me and tell me all about each patch of the crop. How is the flat field corn and the Jim Neal corn? You aught to make as much corn as we ever did. Tell me if Benjie passed the examination. He would not live in the army one month with the heart trouble. I went to see the Lee County boys Sunday that came here the 19th. I am at the YMCA and we are going to have preaching here in twenty minutes. The preacher has been across the waters and will tell us about some of the places over there. I am feeling good and fine. Put your return on all of your letters that you send me from now on. I will for for this time.

With Love
From
Merle

Camp Shelby Miss.
July 28 1918

Dear Homefolks,

How are all of you this cloudy day? Ok I hope. This leaves well and ok. I thought I would write you a few lines as I have got plenty of time. I have just come in from town. I stayed there last night. I had a good time. Went to the show last night. We have had three field inspections here last week and are getting my over sea clothes and equipment and I think we will leave here right away. Tell Wallace he ought to have been with me in Hattiesburg and helped me feed the white rabbits and fox squirrels and coon in the park. The coon put me in mind of Big Lead. I came back to camp in an auto. I have not much news to write so I will close for this time. I had a good letter from Mamie and Henry this week. I am at the YMCA and we have a phonograph and a piano and we have good singing here. We have good song books that have old songs in them such as When the Roll is Called up Yonder and Little Brown Church in the Dale. I sing as big as any of them and enjoy it too. With love from your brother

Merle

Camp Shelby Miss.
Aug 1 1918

Dear Homefolks,

I have just rec’d your letters and sure was glad to get them and I will try to answer them all in one letter. I am well and ok at this date. It rained here this morning and it is still cloudy. I was on guard Wednesday and Tuesday night. Guarding is not such hard work. You are just on two hours and off for four for twenty four hours. We are getting plenty to eat and are going to have ice cream and watermelons and chicken for Sunday and the YMCA is going to give us a melon feast Sat. evening. When we leave here we are going to get $5.00 to spend for something extra to eat on the way over there. We are going to have the best time of our lives on the way. We had Doctor Chastain’s brother here from Mexico last week. He preached to us. I never did get my box so you can get pay for it and it is all right about the fruit for I don’t care anything much about it any how. I voted before I left Tupelo. I voted for J.E.R. You asked if you wanted my checks sent to me or not. No keep them for me there. I am sending you some more pictures but they are not much good. The sun was shining in our face. I am sorry to hear that Dr. Burnes wife is dead. I got a letter from Farris Riley today and will answer it tonight or tomorrow. How do you like Pat Harrison since you have heard him speak. I voted for him too. I am still having a good time. I go to the show and preaching every night almost. We have about three sermons every week and Bible study every Sunday. As I can’t think of much to write this time I will close for this time. So write me often for I may be here several days. Yet may be fifteen days but put your name and address on my letters. I will get forty dollars a month when I get to France but I want get all of that until I get back home. Write me soon.

With love from

Merle

Camp Shelby Miss.
August 2 1918

Dear Lillie,

I recd your good letter this morn. And was glad to hear that all are well. I am well and busy all the time. I have been working in the kitchen today. We had fish today for dinner and ice water and lemon ade and lots to eat and I am full as a tick almost. It is raining here right now. I am going to try to find Sam when I get across. They have got part of our stuff packed to go. You need not worry about me being cared for, for I will. I have got a fine wool overcoat and rain coat and a good wool suit and gloves and socks. I got a letter from Longie Bethay today and I will answer it soon. He sure does write me some good letters. This company is getting the best name of any company in this battalion. This army is a regular education to anybody for you can’t imagine what all we have to learn. The army will be a fine place for anybody after the war is over. Us boys sure do have some fun playing jokes on one and another. It is not like you would think. It is they are not rough. They don’t throw shoes and stuff like we heard they did. I haven’t go any news at all to write this time and I want to go to the show tonight. So write me another long letter. Tell Wallace to keep my gun oiled and cleaned good and we will hunt some more when I get back home after this war is over. I will go for this time.

With Love and Best Wishes to All

Merle

Camp Shelby Miss
Aug 24 1918

Dear Homefolks,

I recd yours some days ago and was glad to get it. This leaves me well as usual. I got my razor ok and was glad to get it, but I have a good safety razor that the govt. issued to me. I have wrote Sam one letter and I am going to write him one right now. I have been on guard last night and to day but I am off now. We have had some easy drill this week. We went in swimming twice this week. The allies and Americans are doing  good fighting now and if they keep it the war will soon be over. We signed the pay roll yesterday and will be paid off in a short time and I will send some more money home. I haven’t got anything worth writing so I will close for this time. I can’t tell when we will leave here. It may be a long time. You can’t tell. Ans. soon.

Merle

Camp Shelby Miss
Aug 26 1918

Dear Homefolks,

How are all by this time? I am well. I recd your letter today. I was surprised to here that you had sold a bale of cotton. I am glad that the cotton is good. I have not done anything this p.m. much but go in swimming. But we are going to take a long hike tomorrow and may be gone for two days.Has Sam ever done any fighting yet? I don’t guess he has. If I could get off to help gather the crop I could do more work than I ever done in one fall in my life. Have you ever got any of the trench and camp papers that I have sent you? I haven’t got any news at all to write. I am glad that the corn crop is good. I believe we will make as much corn as we ever did in one year for we had in so much land. I have more clothes and junk than I want to take care of and I am going to get some more in a short time and I will send you a list of what Uncle Sam has gave me in a short time. I know you would like to know. I will close with love to all.

Merle

Sept 6 1918
Camp Shelby Miss

Dear Lillie,

I recd your letter today and was glad to get it but was sorry to hear that Uncle Bob is not doing any good. I am well and not doing much work now. I am glad that you are getting your cotton out and guess you got my picture and money o.k. I went to see Anderson Patterson and the Mattox boy last week. I sure was glad to see them and they come to see me too. I am making it fine so don’t you worry about me at all for I will make it o.k. My farm papers come but they are all disapproved so don’t let that worry you at all. I don’t expect you to answer this letter for it is too short to answer. I will write you again soon. With love and best wishes to all.

Merle

Lynchburg Va.
Sept 12 1918

Miss Daisy Riley,
Nettleton, Miss.

Dear Miss Riley,

No doubt you will be surprised at getting this. Just read this little note enclosed here and you will see how it comes about.

I was at the station here Sunday afternoon when your brother passed on a troop train and threw this little note out to me. So, as you can see, I am making the best of it. For I know you are always anxious to hear about our soldier brothers and friends.

I haven't any brothers in service yet but have one to go soon. But let us hope this war will soon end and all of them will be home again.

Love and best wishes

Miss Beulah Mason
2005 8th St.
Lynchburg, Va.

Please write to my sister, Miss Daisy Riley Rt. 2 Nettleton, Miss. and tell her that I passed here having a good time.

Merle

Digital Images of the above letter and note

Camp Shelby Miss.
Sept. 12 1918

Dear Homefolks,

I rec’d. your letter yesterday and sure was glad to get it. I also got one from Allie Williams. He told me that Uncle Bob was dead but Robert Pennal had done told me and he also said that Grady Burt had been to see him and tried to find me. I am sorry that I did not see him. I sure am glad that you treated Uncle Bob so well and buried him nice for you will be paid for it. I guess you think that I have stole some of that junk that I sent home but I did not. Some of the boys in my tent lived so far off that they gave me part of that junk and I thought it might be of some use to you. I have sent everything home but a fine cat that is here and you need not be surprised to see him come in any day (ha! ha!) for I know you need him. You ask me if I am doing much work. I am not doing anything much at all. I am glad your cotton is fine. I believe you will agree with me that when Lee County lost me it lost one of its best farmers. You ask me when I am going to leave here. I am not allowed to write that to any body but it wont be months nor weeks but you know you can’t tell just when. Tell Wallace to have the best time possible and when I get back we will take things in. We will hunt all winter and Sam will be with us. Let me know when you need some more shell money. I knew why you did not write me sooner for I know how it is there with so much to do. You need not think that I am worrying and don’t you worry either. There has been a couple of boys killed themselves here but I would not do that if I knew I would push up the daisies in France in less than three months. So be good and don’t worry about me. With love to all.

Merle

Camp Shelby Miss.
Sept. 13 1918

Dear Homefolks,

How are all this fine day? I am well and hope this finds you the same. I got a letter from Henry and he said that you had heard from Sam and that he is well. I sure was glad to hear from him. I am expecting to have a good time now for awhile and I don’t want you all to worry about me and I will write to you the first chance and when you hear from me, write me all the news. I haven’t got any news at all this time. I hope you get your crop gathered ok. With love and best wishes to all.

Merle

Camp Mills New York
Sept. 14 1918

Dear Homefolks,

I will try to tell you a little about my trip. I sure did enjoy it. I never done as much waving in my life as I done on my way here. I waved my old hat, my handercheif and hand and the people would wave at us just the same, especially the girls. We woke up in New York hollowing and waving. We got on a ship at Jersey City, New Jersey and I saw all kinds of ships. We went under the Brooklyn Bridge. I also saw the Statue of Liberty which I have read about but did not know that I would see it. If you could have seen me on the upper deck of that ship waving my old hat you would have though I was very well satisfied. We stayed on the ship for two hours and crossed over to New York and got on the train and came out to camp. This is a fine place here. This camp here is on Long Island. You can get the U.S. map and find this island. In Alabama I saw lots of sights, mines and manufacturing plants and big rocks and in east Ala. I saw lots of cotton. It was good considering the land. Georgia is mostly hills and pine bushes but there is some fine scenes in that state. We passed through South Carolina in the night. I was on guard two hours in S.C. I went on guard at Greenville. North Carolina is a poor state. Virginia is poor too but it has lots of tobacco and some corn and cotton. We went through Washington in the night and also Maryland in the night. Delaware is a fine state with lots of towns and fine houses. Pennsylvania is a fine state with big towns. New Jersey is a fine state with lots of towns. New York City is some sight and so is New Jersey City. The Red Cross ladies met us at several cities and gave us apples and chewing gum and lots of stuff. Some of them sure was good looking too. A YMCA man came all the way with us here. There is an aviation camp here and I can see six machines flying now. They have been flying here all day long. Just lots of them. I have not done anything much at all today. Did you all get the cards I sent you while I was on my way here? If you will answer this letter as soon as you get this I may be here long enough to get it. Write me all the news you can. I will go for this time. With love to all.

Merle

Co. D 138th M.G. Bn. 38th Div.
Camp Mills New York

Selles sur Cher France
Sep 19 1918

Dear Homefolks,

I will answer your welcome letters that I received. I rec’d. two of them Mon. 16 and one today and also one from Norbin. I was indeed glad to hear that all were well at the time you wrote. I am well and getting along the best kind. Well today is a year ago I reported at Tupelo but I am sure you had thought of that many times. I must say that I have been farther and seen more in that time than I ever expected to see. You know that time has seemed longer to me than any year of my life but I cannot but feel that this war will end er’ another year comes and goes. Well I am mighty glad Pappy went to see Merle before he left. I feel pretty sure he is here somewhere in France or on the way by now. I hated to hear of his coming but we can only look to the bright side of these things and trust in the higher power to give peace to the3 world and send us back safe again to our U.S. I w ill do my best to locate him and we might get together which I hope we can. You wanted to know if I knew where any of the home boys were. Norbin S. send me O.O. Johnson’s address today and I am going to write him soon as for any of the other home boys I do not know where any of them are. Well I am glad to know that the prospects are so good for a good harvest. I have thought of a lot of good old things back there this summer. Especially Wallace and the watermelons. Say! How is Uncle Jim and all our kin folks? You never do say a word about them. Have they, Farris or Bengie, Clyde, Edger or any of that bunch yet? Is it possible our family is the only one fit for service? Well as I have said before I am in a good place and with a possibility of staying here all winter. Well it is getting late. I had better close. Don’t be worried about us. Give my best regards to all and don’t think for a minute that I do not think of the ones at home every day. With love and best wishes

Sam Riley

148th M.G. Bn.
American E.F.

Camp Mills NY
Sunday Morn.
Sept 22 1918

Dear Homefolks,

How are all this fine day? I am well. We are having some cold weather here. We have a stove in our tent and I got your letter yesterday and one the day before. They went to Shelby and come on here to me. I also got one from Mamie and Bro. Brisco. I haven’t seen Kizzine in a long time since he has been assigned to his company. I don’t guess he got your letter. Robert Pennal is here. I saw him last night. Mammy will get her money that Sam sent her for you can depend on the Red Cross and YMCA people. If I was Carl I would stay out of the army as long as I could and if I saw I was going to have to go I would join the Navy if possible. I appreciate that hundred dollars you put in the bank for me but if you need it you know where it is and all the rest I have got. Tell Wallace not to go to sleep the next time and write me more. It must be dry there if all the wells are dry and ditches. I know you will have a tough time making up molasses away from home. We have had lots of rain here since last Monday. Say Little Lerd is lazy. He says he don’t have to be smart. Say Allie is worrying about having to go to the army. That is the only thing that will keep him away from there and of course he will leave all his property for Daisy (ha! ha!). I guess you have lots of fun about him and his property being left with Daisy. I went to town last night. It is just a short distance from here. The name of the town is Jamaica. I went over to the aviation field and watched them fly and light. I do enjoy it. They get way up in the air and cut capers. As the mail will soon leave, I will close. I am going to preaching this morn. With love to all.

Merle
Co D 138th M.G. Bn. 38 Div Camp Mills NY

Camp Mills NY
Sept 28 1918

Dear Lillie,

I rec’d. your letter the 27 and was glad to get it. I have been on guard but I am off now. I am glad that you all are getting along so well with your crops. Me and one of the boys in this company got a pass and I went to Coney Island. We had a nice time. That sure is a fine place. I counted 46 flying machines yesterday at one time flying. I sent Lillie a book with the pictures of New York in it. Did she get it? I have just rec’d. a letter from Mamie. I am sending a couple of pictures in this letter. I thought you might want them. I can’t think of anything else to write this time so write me every chance.

Love to all

Merle

Selles Sur Cher France
Oct 8 1918

Dear Homefolks

I rec’d. your welcome letter yesterday. Was indeed glad to hear that all were well. This leaves me well. I rec’d. two letters from you last week. I think I am getting all the letters you have written me but I get two or three letters from you at the same time. It isn’t necessary to write me but once a week. I had a letter from Merle this week and one last week. He is still in Camp S. I also had a letter from Allie W. He told me about Uncle Bob’s death. It was indeed sad news to me but he was a good man and now he is through with this world of trouble. I know all you homefolks did all you could for him during his illness. Well I am glad to hear that you are moving along with the work so well and also glad the family is blessed with good health and I am thankful for my good health. Well it is getting late. I will close with a heart full of love. Your dear son and brother

Pvt. Sam F. Riley

Oct 27 1918

Dear Lillie,

I recd your letter this a.m. and was glad to hear from all of you and to hear that Sam is well and doing so fine. I am glad that Mammy got her money o.k.. The letter I got from you was dated Sept. 30.

I can go to town every night if I want to. I am anxious to see Paris. I know it is a fine place. How many bales of cotton did you make? I will close this time as news is scarce. Write me often. Give my love to all.

Merle

Co D 138 MG BN
American E F

December 1 1918
Vesaignes, France

Dear Homefolks,

I will write and let you know that I am well and o.k. and hope this finds you the same. I have seen lots of this country over here. I have been to Verdun and saw Morris Akers but have not seen Sam yet. If nothing happens I will be there to help plant the crop next spring. Have a big time xmas.

With Love to All

Merle

Co D 103 MG Bn 26 Div
AM.EX.F./France

Selles Sur Cher France
Dec. 28 1918

Dear Homefolks,

Will write you a few lines to let you know that I am well. I received your welcome letter some days ago and was indeed glad to hear that all was well. I also had a letter from Merle last week and he was all ok. He was at Vesaignes when he wrote me. He said that he had seen Morris Akers a few days before be wrote. He was somewhere near Verdon when he saw him. Well I hope you all had a nice time Xmas. We had a big dinner Xmas day but I am sure if we could have been home it would have been much better. I cannot say now just when we will leave France but I don’t think it will be many days. I will sure be proud to put my foot on good old U.S. soil once more and better still at home again. I am not sure but I don’t think the Div. Merle is with will leave when we do but I don’t think it will stay over here long after. Well I will close. Tell J. Henry and Mamie that I write them. Your Dear Brother

Pvt. Sam F. Riley
Co. A 148th M.G. Bn.
American E.F.

p.s.
Don’t be anxious about me for I am very comfortably situated and have plenty good clothing.

Dec 30 1918
Vesaignes, France

Dear Homefolks,

How are all of you getting along by this time. I am well and o.k. I have saw lots of France since I landed over here but have never run across Sam yet but I guess he is well. I can’t think of anything worth writing so excuse this short letter and look for us boys home in a few months. Give my love to all.

Merle Riley
Co. D 103 MG. Bn. 26 Div A.P.O. 709
A.E.F.

p.s. How is all of my pets getting along?

Camp Beauregard La
Jan 19 1919

Dear Homefolks,

How are you today? I have got a genuine case of mumps but I am not much sick. I haven’t gone to the hospital yet. I just took them today. I have had a chance to take them two months and had began to think that I wouldn’t have them at all. Now I don’t want you to be uneasy about me for I will take good care of myself. Sam P. Young got a letter today and his folks heard that you all couldn’t hear from me and that you was a mighty uneasy about me but I have written you a few days ago. It is a mistake that I have been exposed to the meningitis. They haven’t had a single case in this company and it is not so about so many dying with it. The health of this camp is good now. There haven’t been no new cases in two weeks. Well I haven’t got any news so I will close. I will write you again in a few days. Write me real soon and tell me everything and don’t be uneasy about me.

Sam

Co C 155th Inf

Camp Merritt NJ
Feb 28 1919

Dear Homefolks,

As I haven’t heard from you since I arrived will drop you a few lines. I hope you received my telegram ok. I am well and hope this finds you the same. I would have written you before now but have been busy moving. We have moved every day since we’ve been here and haven’t had time. Well we sure had a rough trip coming back across. We left Breas France Feb. 11 and landed 23rd. We were in a 5 days storm on the ocean but thank God we landed safely. Well now I suppose you are looking for a long letter from e and also lots of news, but it has been so long since written a letter without it being censored that I can not hardly write. I don’t think it will be but a few days now till I will be home. I am with a bunch of Miss. boys now and we are leaving for Camp Shelby Miss. tomorrow and it wont be long after we get there till I am mustered out of the service. I did not get to see Merle in France but I had a letter from him a few days ago and he was well. He is in the 26th Division and they are coming home in April. It is sure great to be back in the U.S. again. We were met in N.Y. Harbor by the U.S. Military Band and thousands of people welcoming us home again but I am sure I will get a warmer welcome that that when I get home. Listen, after you get this letter don’t address my letters here. Send them to 109 Casuel Co. Camp Shelby Miss. Well I will close this time. I will write you from the train as we go to Camp S.

With Love and Best Wishes

Sam

March 6 1919
Requeil, France

Dear Homefolks,

I will write you a few lines to let you all know that I am well. I got your letters that you wrote me Feb. 4 and 9 and was glad to get them and to know that all is well. I think this division will sail for home in April. This is the New England div. That I am in. I have not got my home equipment yet but I think I will get it soon. Spring has come over here and the wheat fields are green and some peach trees has done blossomed. No I am not in the army of occupation. It is in Germany. I am glad you got the money that I sent home. What luck did Wallace have hunting with Allie? I can’t think of anything to write.

Pvt. Merle Riley
Co. D. 103 M.G. Bn 26 Div.
AEF
France

Camp Shelby
Mar 14 1919

Dear Homefolks,

I suppose you are looking every minute for me to come in aren’t you? Well I think now that I will get away from here Sat. or Sun. I have already signed my discharge but I don’t know anything about the schedule of the trains so I cannot tell just when I will get home. I received the letter from Henry telling me that you had got my liberty bond and I have got every thing fixed ok now. I am going to pay one month ahead on my insurance. I don’t know yet whether I will keep the insurance after I get out of the army or not. Will I will close. This leaves me well. Hoping to be home soon.

Lovingly
Sam
10th Company
Camp Shelby Miss.
 
 

Part 1
September 8, 1917 - May 20, 1918