In the following letter, my grandmother wrote my grandfather who was on jury duty. Jennie Austin, Eldred, to C.M. Austin, Monticello, N.Y. September 25, 1918 Dear Mort, Received your letter tonight and will write a few lines. You have been … Continue reading
McKinley Austin, 11th U.S. Inf., France, to Jennie Austin September 19, 1918 Dear Mother, I was glad to hear from you. I have been busy lately and have not written as I should. I am well and feel as if … Continue reading
Montfaucon, France, October 12 and 13, 1918 McKinley’s outfit arrived in the vicinity of Montfaucon on October 12. They suffered casualties as a result of heavy shelling from enemy guns the next day. The 11th Infantry took up a position … Continue reading
My grandfather Irwin Briggs, a medic, went to the front lines to get the wounded and the dying during the St. Mihiel battle. He would also help at the next major battle, the Meuse-Argonne. This is a photo of some … Continue reading
Mac Austin’s brother Raymond finally was able to enlist. Raymond served in the Panama Canal Zone. (The Austins weren’t the only family to have more than one son in WWI.) Raymond Austin, Camp Gaillard, Panama Canal Zone, to Mort and … Continue reading
McKinley, France, to Jennie Austin, Eldred August 9, 1918 Dear Mother, I hope you will pardon me for not writing sooner. But when I had paper, I did not have time and when I had time, I could not get … Continue reading
The S.S. Tuscania was a luxury liner named after a town in Italy. She was torpedoed February 5, 1918, by the German U-boat, UB-77 while carrying 2,013 American troops to Europe. Over 200 people were lost, mostly American troops. —worldwar1.com … Continue reading
Jewell Hamilton, Vandervoort, Ark., to McKinley Austin January 8, 1918 Kind friend, Saw your address in “Lone Scout,” and thought I would write. Hope this will find you ok. How do you like the army? I have several friends who … Continue reading
Ila White, Duraham, Okla., to McKinley Austin January 7, 1918 Soldier Boy, After seeing your name in the “Lone Scout” which your brother sent in, I thought I would write to you. Many of our brothers and friends are called … Continue reading
