19th Tr. Btry. F.A.C.O.T.S.
Camp Zachary Taylor Ky
Oct. 13, 1918
Dear Flora:
The nice birthday
remembrance was received yesterday
and you cannot know how much
I appreciate them.
It is pretty warm here now and
I will not need the Helmet just now
but no doubt it will render splendid
service before this is over, and
the Wristlets will be needed soon.
I appreciate them more for the
spirit in which they are given
and because they are made with
your own hands. A present like
that means a lot of time as well
as expense has been sacrificed.
Please accept my heartfelt thanks.
I shall celebrate my birthday
tomorrow I guess by working as
many hours as I am years old,
Letter, Benjamin Clark, Camp Taylor, KY to Flora Hamilton
Date Original
1918-10-13
Creator
Benjamin Clark
Historical Note
Benjamin Franklin Clark was born in Enders, Arkansas, and taught school in Vilonia, Arkansas, prior to being drafted in 1918. His service during World War I included training at Camp Pike (Pulaski County, Arkansas) and Camp Taylor (Kentucky). Clark was honorably discharged November 28, 1918, and returned to teaching. During the war years, he corresponded regularly with Flora Hamilton of Enders.
Description
In this letter, Clark discusses the training he is doing in artillery school, providing a look at the intensive preparation a soldier received. He also discusses the Spanish influenza situation in the camp, providing details on the sick and the precautions taken.
Physical Description
5 pages, 6" x 9"
Subjects
War; Correspondence;
Staff Comments
This letter is a great account of the training American soldiers were receiving prior to sailing for France, and for describing the atmosphere in the training camps. He also provides details of the Spanish influenza epidemic that swept through the county in the fall of 1918. While this incident tends to become a footnote in the overall story of the war, Clark provides amazing detail of his experiences with it within the camp. -Lauren Jarvis
Letter, Benjamin Clark, Camp Taylor, KY to Flora Hamilton, Clark-Hamilton Papers, MS581, Box 2, File 86, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas
Rights and Usage
Use and reproduction of images held by the Arkansas State Archives without prior written permission is prohibited. For information on reproducing images held by the Arkansas State Archives, please call 501-682-6900 or email at state.archives@arkansas.gov.
19th Tr. Btry. F.A.C.O.T.S.
Camp Zachary Taylor Ky
Oct. 13, 1918
Dear Flora:
The nice birthday
remembrance was received yesterday
and you cannot know how much
I appreciate them.
It is pretty warm here now and
I will not need the Helmet just now
but no doubt it will render splendid
service before this is over, and
the Wristlets will be needed soon.
I appreciate them more for the
spirit in which they are given
and because they are made with
your own hands. A present like
that means a lot of time as well
as expense has been sacrificed.
Please accept my heartfelt thanks.
I shall celebrate my birthday
tomorrow I guess by working as
many hours as I am years old,
