We Will Return to Work As Soon as Uncle Sam Releases Us, Humphrey Writes from France, 1919

From The Badin Bulletin, March 1, 1919

The Colored Village: From Overseas to Mr. L.S. Grandy

American Expeditionary Force

January 15, 1919

Dear Sir:

Tonight, while my light is not shining very good, I can’t see very well, but however your letter was received on the 14^th and it found me well, and was also glad to hear from you. Know I am with all the old boys from Badin, and I told all the boys about our town, Badin, and all the old boys say that they will be on the job as soon as Uncle Sam turns us loose. Old Sam Johnson is with me, the one that used to come to the office and get boots in the other fellow’s name—I suppose you can remember him. He was cock-eyed, he worked on the mountain with Mr. Whitlock. He said give Mr. F.O. Culp his regards. He said he is going to get his bunch of men for the crusher, so I will try to get all that I can for you, and I hope it won’t be much longer before I can see some of my old friends in the dear old U.S.A. once more. Oh! it seems like it has been twelve months since I saw a colored girl. I haven’t had a shoe shine since I been in France. Oh, it is hard, but fair. Remember me to Mr. and Mrs. Cowart, and the rest of the office men. Tell Mr. Cooper and Mrs. Chapel and Tommie, look out for me; I will be home soon.

Yours,

Wm. Humphrey

Company “A”, 3113 Labor Battalion, A.E.F., France