Bamon Hill's Discharge Certificate shows that he was a Wagoner (#2587642) of Evacuation Ambulance Company #Sixteen, Medical Department, United States Army. The certificate was issued in 1927, apparently to replace a lost one. It shows that he was inducted July 15, 1918 at Vienna, GA to serve for period of the emergency and was honorably discharged on July 19, 1919 by reason of demobilization. It shows he had no prior service, no battles engagements or expeditions, received no wounds in action and received no decorations. The certificate shows that he served in France, sailed from the U.S. on August 28, 1918 and arrived back on July 7, 1919. His character on discharge is listed as "Excellent". Following are letters written to Eunice Morgan by Bamon Hill in 1918 when he was away for World War I. Randy Sullivan transcribed them from the originals and attempted to reproduce them as exactly as he could in terms of content, capitalization, spelling and punctuation, so as not to inadvertently change the meaning. Interpretation is provided in italics. Letter was in an envelope postmarked Jul 31, 1918 in Chattanooga, Tennessee addressed to Miss Eunice Morgan, Byromville, Ga. The envelope has two two- cents stamps. Tuesday eve 30, 18 My dear little girlie. I am happie today for I rec'd two letters yesterday one from you The one you wrote me Sat P.M. and one from Minnie you cant imagin how proud I was to get them for it had been exactly 1 week since I had any mail I rec'd one from you the day I left the Detention Camp that was the last mail I had untill yesterday so you see I had a right to feel good guess I will get my mail that is misplaced some time this week as my boss sent our names over to the office to be transferrd hear guess I will have some time reading mail when it all comes in at once. It is real sweet in you to give up your nap at noon to write you. I am longing for the mail to come this eve so I will get the letter you said you would write me Sun. I must say we would drive our Ford down to Camp meeting if I were there and what a glourious time it would be for me. I am like you dont think I want any more camp meeting on the trains as it is to late to be out I am geting use to being in bed early now as I hafto 945 is real early as you know. You asked who I was penching now not any one but myself some times when I am dreaming of you. These boys dont put up with it so you see I might forget how as I have no one to practise on. Child your little boy sure was sick last night got my other shot yesterday my second one and it sure was bad my head like to have killed me lay down on my cot about 6 oclock with shoes on some of the boys come in about 9 oclock and undressed me and put me to bed I never knew any thing much about it as I was suffering so much. The boys are real nice to me seems as every body is good to me I am with 5 other boys never seen them untill moved me in this camp There isnt any strangers in the army tho I am feeling fine today I am through the worst and am glad of it I have one more shot they say it isnt bad so guess I will go to fatwing now I have gained 8 lbs since left home and have been taking my treatments so guess I will gain when I get through. Dear you dont want to see me no wors than I want to see you wish it was in my power to get off and run down to see you all it sure would be a real treat of my life am afraid it will never be soe untill this war is over the Co 44 I left Sat has got their oversea examernation? and all their over sea clothes isude them Sun am sure they will be gone this week two of the boys from Vienna I was with over there is with the Co. they are expecting to leave most any day they say as they are packed-up they leave hear everyday and new ones come in so I am sure I want be hear very long at the best. They tell me I have a soft job hope it is true I want be near the firing line at all will drive my amb. from field hospital to the main Base H. and to the boats will have a dodge to drive I guess that is the kind they use over there they tell me. do you, remmember the last dodge I drove and who I was with the sweetest girl in Ga. I will stop and write Ed Hill if I dont get to sleepy and go to my bunk Waddie (Thompson) is fine was with him Sun P.M he is in motor co. With Love and best wishes for you, as ever yours Bamon, Evac. Amb. Co 16, Camp greenleaf, Chickamauga Park, Ga. Letter is on stationery with a stars-and-stripes covered shield with the words "My Shield" printed below the shield. It's in an envelop addressed to Miss Eunice Morgan, Byromville, Georgia. It's postmarked in Chattanooga, Tenn. On Aug 2 2-30P, 1918 and has one three-cents stamp. Thursday eve Aug 1 18 My Dear little girl guess you have don hear by now that I am recd mail now and it sure is good to get letters again. Let me tell you I rec'd 3 from you to day They boys sure tried to guy me I dont mind it tho for just look who they wer from. I recd the special delivery early this a.m. it come through in one day and night dont see why they cant all come on through like that rec'd one you wrote Tues. just before noon and just after noon got the one wrote mo. So the last was first first was last They all were real sweet to day has been a big day for me rec'd letter from Minnie, Lonnie, Birdie, Mr. Lester, brother in Atlanta also pillow from home so you may know I have had a happie day have just come in from a 5 miles hike all alone on my on free will They dont make me hike any yet. I was out chasing a letter from home rec'd notice come to P.O. to get registered letter and off I went it was well worth the walk to get a big nusio? letter from home any time Minnie can write some good ones. Dear it is real sweet in you to write me every day if you dont I wont think hard of you for I know how it is to write so much for there hasn't been a day since I have been away I havent written one or more letters so you see I dont hate to write any more. Am glad my Bro remembered my little girl in Byromville Ga rec'd long letter from him today the first sure was glad he likes his work said feet were hurting him he had to walk so much I have it on him for I havent had to walk any yet only as I want to dont guess I will hafto do much from now on I have taken gass practice am through it now have got shet of my mask guess you have seen the picture of them they are beauties I was in the gass 20 min with it on where the gass was stronger nough to kill in 3 min with out mask what day think of that we could not tell there was any there untill we got out and removed our mask then we sure could smell it on our clothes stronger to almost nock you down it never scared me any for we sure had a good lecture before we went in so we knowed what to expect as far as eating we have a plenty it is diferent from what I have been use to but you can get use to any thing when you hafto. The worst thing I have run up on is irish potatoes and onions mixed for brexfust that almost got my goat it hasn't happened but once hope it wont never any more while I am hear. Say listen if you dont hear from me again soon dont be alarmed for I may not get to write any more before I leave the officer said for us to do our writing to night for guess we would be confined in camp as long as we are hear they may get diforent orders we have our over sea equipment all ready dont know when we will start. I dont dread it if I can stay with my co for we are a happis bunch and have got the best job in the whole war so dont worry I will have lot to tell when I see you again I hear over there most every day it sure reminds me of my dear little girl in Byromville she liked so much if I can I will send you a card tomorrow so dont worry for I am doing my deauty so look on the bright side of things it may be a falce alarm hope to rec some more letters tomorrow with lots of love for you Bamon Letter is on stationery of the Army and Navy Young Men's Christian Association "With the Colors". At the top of the page, there's a kind of P.S. that reads: Have had some more pictures maid will send you one Tues if am hear and get them. Sun. eve Aug 4 My dearest little girl Wonder what you are doing this fine afternoon for a good time? I have been out to walk with Wattie & we have been taking in the sights have had a real nice time for we dont get to see each other very ofton so you see we can tell each other what we have heard and share our news togeather he is fine dont think he minds the armie said he hasent been blue at all we have such nice place cant keep from liking it. Rec'd your letter this am. You can imagine how proud I was to get it. Seems so good to get mail on Sun. for it makes me think I am real near when I read your sweet letter hope I will continue to get them while I am hear for I know when I leave hear it will be a long wate again such is war Tho cant never tell what the next day will bring forth. Cant get a pass to town so dont guess I will get to go on lookout Mt. While I am hear just think it will soon be 3 weeks since I left home That is some time for a little boy like me to be away from home. I havent been home sick at all and hope I want for there isnt any chance for me to go home so I try not to think of goying. Sure would like to be there if I could stay gi??? I can stay before I get to come home when this crewel war is over will close As it is time for preaching and I want to hear it for you bl??? ??? may be my last Sun. night in Ga So I want to say I was at church the last Sun and Sun night heard a good sermon This one on love it sure was fine hope to hear from you tomorrow. Sincerely yours Bamon P.S. Am feeling fine today my last shot n??? burst? ??? at all about know I had it and I proud I am through with them. Close with a good Pinch Tue P.M. Aug 7 My Dearest I rec'd 2 letters from you this a.m. sure was glad to get them The ones you wrote Sun and Mon. Yes I recd the letters you wrote me hear the special come first you mailed it at 11 I got it at 7 next morning you see it dosint take long if they hussle it right on throughs I havent recd the mail that was last at the Detention Camps dont guess I will for it has been so long dont see why you dont hear from me oftener than you do for I write you most ever day guess some of mine is misplaced to. I recd 6 letters this morning so you know I have had a good time reading the news. Hope it will happen ofton for nothing does me more good than to get mail espacely if some is from my dear little girl I sent you one of my Pictures yesterday hope you will get it if you dont you see Minnie I sent her a dozen They are sorry enough guess they are the best I can have maid in camps cant go to Chattanooga for I am checked out dont guess I will be able to leave camp as long as I am hear I have moved up a notch I am wearing a wheel on my sleeve I am a Wagner about the same thing as a Copral I think so I guess I have a job driving now and will stay with my co now. Think I will go over to Lidal this P.M after retreat That is the town where we got off the train it is in camp we have 2 or 3 towns in camp the size of Byromville They are having vaudival there this week They say it is good. Any thing to while away the time. I rec'd a letter from Lon this a.m. Said he was fine he told me about writing to you I think that is fine keeps it up if you love me love my bro. The Co 44 I was in left for port this a.m. 2 Dooly Co boys went with them they seemed to be blue I told them good bye and wished them good luck told them I hope to meet them in Vienna when we come marching in on that great day. I will stop as I am so hot cant hardly write hope to hear from you tomorrow Sincerely yours Bamon Sat. P.M. Aug 8 My dear little girl Wonder what you are doeing this fine P.M. at work I am sure I am sitting hear in my tent thinking of you I got my last shot this a.m. dont think it will hurt me like the other one for I dont feel at all sick and the other one made me sick before now. Guess things seemes funnie down that way hear most all the boys will leave soon guess it will a spurprise to see a boy down there over 21 soon when does Wain hafto leave hope they will send him heer think this is best camp in state Tho you cant go home you have such good time you dont get blue. I am all alone this P.M. one of boys is a sleep one washing 2 are down at Head quarters making boxes for us to move our stuff in see it is good not to know how to drive and saw See we havnt moved yet dont know just when coming nearer every day tho something to do every day to get ready guess will pack up tomorrow if our things are ready 14 - 16 - got their things this a.m. We went for ours said they wasent ready for us so I got to come back to tent hope they want pack tommorrow for I sure want to go to church for it may be a long time again before I can get the opertunity I am sure you are still goying to church and it is fine to be where it is always I had better hush or you will think I have the blues and it is all a mistake for I am as happy as I can be I am glad I am goying abroad for I will have so much to tell when I come back. Hope the mail will soon for I am looking for a long sweet letter from you I will write you again Sun. Sincerely yours Bamon. The letter was in an envelope addressed to Miss Eunice Morgan, Byromville, Ga. It was postmarked on Aug 10, 19'8, Chattanooga, Tenn. and has three one-cent stamps. Fri noon Aug 9 My Dear little one I rec'd your letter that you wrote me when you was tipsy Ha Ha I sure wish I could have been with you Know you all had a big time guess I could have drank with S?illion if you could'nt. I think it is fine for you to have a good time no use to go with a long face if the War is on do you think; I am still having a good time nothing much to do and I am proud of it es (because?) it is so hot it sure would be bad if I had to drill like some of the boys. I met the train yesterday to see the boys they were 69 got off now from home They were from Macon and Rome Ga Think I will meet the train this P.M again hope I can see the boys if there is any that I know so I can go over Sun and see them guess we will stand review this P.M. and I dread it for it is so hot to stand out there in the field such is armie life not what you want it is what you get I done my washing this a.m. while it was cool you aright? to see me scrubing my clothes and scowering my cot Sat is inspection and I dont want to be confined to Co Street for I like to go off every Sun. Am goying to try for a pass to go to Chattanooga Sat P.M. dont guess I will get it tho for they are very strict on us boys that are checked so leave guess they are afraid we will run away I guess. I know you will be lonesome when your Sis leaves Think she should stay and let you go if you want to it seem like they impose on you a little it is fine to be a pet tho I am missing my petting now guess I will get over it soon. They keep isuing us some things most every day got a U.S. Raisor and brush can carrie it in my C_bag child dont know where I have ever told you how handy my bag is I dont know what I would have done without it for we dont have any where to keep any thing we had a barox bag for a while they maid us turn it in the other day where we got our O.H.? goods hope we will get them back to put our clothes in for it sure is a job to keep them cleen throwing them around I rec'd a letter from F Jenkins this a.m. he told me about he and Bro. fight sure was sorry to hear of it Think it is bad when Bro fight. Guess you have got my grinnie picture by this time think it will be fine to cover the slop bucket to keep chickens out Dont know how much longer we will be hear hope we dont leave before Sun for that is my Birthday I want to spend it in Ga where I have spent 27 of them I will stop Wishing you much joy Sincerely yours Bamon Tue eve Aug 20 1918 My dearest little girlie. I sent you a card this morning hope you have received it and have wrote me a sweet letter for I sure long to hear from my little dearie. I sure have had a time trying to get paper an envelope for we are confined to Co Street cant go to y or canteen for any thing so I have been bunning? most all day to get paper to write you and Mama. So I have been suxcesful so I am writing dont guess we will be confined long. They always do such when they goe to a new place. Child sure wish you had been with me on my trip up hear it was grand and the Red Cross Women are deares. They kep us happy all the way. Why should I not be crazy about them for just look who is a Red Cross my dear little girl child I sure hope it has been as coal down there today as it is hear for it is just grand hear woolen clothes feel fine today. We havent done a thing today but ____? around on the grass in the sunshine and eat 3 square meals so I havent any ??? coming. I sure was glad to meet Wadely again for I was afraid we would not come to the same place but he was the first one I seen when we got to camp so you know I was proud. He is fine hope his mother wont worry for him he seems to liking? fine. I know you sure do miss Carlton guess you will get use to her being gone some time guess her arm got all write that was broken. Sure hope her suxcess. Say dear if you fail to hear from me for a while dont surprised for you cant never tell what will be next in the armie you know. I will write you as ofton as I can. Sure hope I will hear from you and will get my greenleap? mail for I know I have one there from my dearest. I sure hope your sting ___ all ok by now I sure wish I could have seen you jump when he stung guess you thought I was there pinching you did you not? This sure is a beautiful camp hear and just look at its name Cp Hill sounds like Home to me. I must stop as paper is out and I will wate and tell you all the news when I see you after The War is over. Say I have been doing some more washing today my clothes blew off of line Sat and got in mud so I had to do my job over. I will close with lots of love and a big pinch. Yours Bamon Hill, Evac amb co. 16, Camp Hill, Newport News Va. Thursday eve My Dearest Eunice. I am writing you to let you know I am still in camp and guess I will be hear for a good while yet as we never got off with that crowd this morning so I want to hear from you every day I am hear for you know that is the nearest thing to being with you and so I dont think you will mind it for a few days would you? I want write any more this time I want to get this off on this evening mail. Say Waddy is gone I seen him leave this morning by the moon light quite early dont guess I will see him soon from your friend that loves you, Bamon Hill, Evac Amb. Co 16, Camp Hill, Newport News, Va. Letter is on stationery of USA Camp Hill, Newport News, Va. Fri P.M. Aug 23 My dear little girl wonder what you are doing this moment? I have just been doing my washing we went out this morning for a swim gea but it was fine got stringled once on the salty water I didnt mind a little thing like that we can swim out a mild and then it wont be over my head so you see there isnt any chance of getting drowned. They sure was a crowd in this morning must have been 2 or 3 hundred I sure wished you could have see them Captain said he would carry us out tomorrow I sure hope he does for I get tired sitting around so much This is an easy life so live so far all I hate is I cant go to Byromville and home when I want to. Hope I will be able to some day. I dont know how long we will be hear for they will hafto get up a nother convoy before we goe and dont know how long will be. Say do you every swing and think of the good times we use to have out there. I dreamed of some of the good times last night it maid me little home sick this morning when I woke up and found it was only a dream. I thought I was giving you a big Pinch and heard you hollow now does that sound naterell to me I should say it sounded good to hear that voice if it was all a dream. I sure hope I will get some mail this eve for I am wanting to hear from my dear little girl for it seems as if it had been a month since I rec'd the last one Guess you rec'd the one I mailed you Thur I hope so. I sure am sorry Waddie and mysilf are seperated again sure which he was in my co. so we could be together all the way through I have a good Pal tho a Mr. Cordell from Ameriacus he sure is a fine boy I think a lot of him all the boys are fine I will stop will write later Sincerely yours Bamon Evac amb co 16 Camp Hill Newport News Va Letter is on stationery from USA Camp Hill, Newport News, Va. It was in an envelope postmarked in Newport News, Va on Aug 28, 1918 at 3 P.M.. Sun P.M. Aug 25 My dearest. I am just back from dinner we sure had a fine dinner it has been raining all day so we could not get to go out on the river for dinner we eat in the mess hall. The Captin, wife and wifes Sister were out to dine with us gea it seemed good to sit down and eat where there is ladies. Kindly makes me home sick. It has quit raining now hope it want rain no more soon for it sure is a noisy time in hear when all are in. We are still in quarentin dont know how long it will be before we can get out and go over the camps and see the place and go to town. They say it will be 14 days before we can go to town if so dont guess we will get to go for I am most sure we want be hear that long It is a show to see the trainloads of boys that come in hear every day. We are real close to the R.R so we can see them as they pass. Say I havent got any mail yet dont seem like I will get any more guess it takes a long time for mail to go from hear home I hope I will get some letters this P.M. I want a long sweet letter from you Think I would be as happy as I use to be when I could come to see you every Sun night at 845. Time is one hour earlier hear than it is there my watch is still keeping good time dont know how long it will keep it up. Say you keep addressing my mail hear when I leave and it will follow me up so it want be so long before I hear from you. I will stop and write mama. From you little boy Bamon Closed with a good Pinch and a sweet Kiss for my dear Evac Amb. Co 16 Camp Hill Newport News Va. Letter is on stationery from USA Camp Hill, Newport News, Va. Tue A.M. Aug 27 Dear Eunice. I am writing you this morning for I dont guess I will have much time this P.M. for we have got to pack up and you know what that means. Say I read another letter from you yesterday eve and the 2 from greenleaf that you wrote me after I left so you see it doesnt take as long for them to transfur mail from there year as it does from one side of camp to the other down the you may know yesterday was a big day for me Just think of me getting 4 letters at once from my dear little girlie. You can write me right on hear when I am gone and it will follow me I think I havent heard from home yet dont know what is the matter hope I will hear today I know they have written me guess it has got missplaced some where for as you say my sisters are crazy about their bro. And I am proud of it for I sure have sweet sisters They were always good to me and I will never forget them hope they will remember me while I am away. Yes I know both of the boys you spoke of seems they are taking them rather fast for Lester Rhodes just registered before I left home I sure hope they will like for it isnt as bad as some think for I like it and you know I dont like any thing that is bad So you are lonesome are you wish I could be there for a short stay about twice as long as I use to stay and then I wouldnt be ready to go then for I would have so much to tell you that it would take some time if I wasnt so bashful I couldin talk to a lady. We went out on the river at sun set yesterday to a intertainment that was given by 4 N.Y. ladies it was fine music and singing and cinery is so good out there that I am crazy about it. I will stop as I have some more writing to do If you dont hear from me in next few days remember that I am where I cant write so good bye untill you hear again. I am glad the day is at hand Sincerely yours Bamon Letter is on stationery from USA Camp Hill, Newport News, Va. It's in an envelop postmarked Newport News, VA, Aug 28, 3 - PM, 1918. Envelop has a single 3 cent stamp. Tue eve Aug 27 Dear Eunice I wonder what you are doing this evening? I have just been rolling my Pack and am rather warm just now we have got our Packs ready to jump in and goe I think I will be a good hand to move when I get back home I am having so much of it to do think I will know how we have about 50 lbs. to toat that isnt much if you dont hafto toat it to far This is a happy bunch this evening seems like some big holiday. Guess we will sleep standing up to night as we have our blankets roaled up in our roal wish you could see me with my pack on Think it would look like a Pack donkey guess you have seen their Picture Say I had a long letter from home this a.m. I sure was glad to hear from them was afraid would leave before I got it but seems every thing works out nice for your little boy so why should I worry I will stop and get this mailed as the man goes down hope I will get another letter from you this eve when he brings it in for it will be my last chance So always remember that I am always thinking of you. Sincerely yours Bamon Letter is on stationery with an American YMCA logo and the following at the top: On active service with the U.S. Naval Forces operating in European Waters. Dear Eunice guess you think I have forgotton you but it is a mistake for how could I. I recd 3 letters from you to day guess I would have got some of them sooner if I had been hear I have been out seeing some more of the world for the last eight days it sure was great we went up where it sure was cold I almost froze but I dont mind that for the trip was just great. Say I seen Bason? Joesy up there he almost fell out of his chair when I walked in to the y and yelled at him wish you could have seen him. He had been there 3 weeks said it was cold there all the time he is looking well and seems to like fine. I also seen some of the boys from Waddy T co. said he was fine and still at the same place I left him I sure have him? but on places for I have tried them both it is so nice and warm hear seems like home it never gets colder enough to frost hear so you can imagine what a nice place to spend the winter. I guess you all had a big time in the States the 11th it was some time over hear I am sure every body is happy. I hear my bro is sick with Spanish F sure hope he is all ok by now I will stop and write home for I dont get the chance to write every day I want too with best wishes for you. Sincerely Bamon Hill, Evac amb co 16, American E.F. Via New York L.P. Howell, Capt. M.C. Letter is on stationery with an American YMCA logo and the following at the top: On active service with the American Expeditionary Force. December 21, 1918 Dear Eunice guess you think I have forgotten you for not writing sooner but it is a mistake you must remember that I am in France and I have been off from hear over a week on a nother convoy sure did have a good time we were on over a 1000 mi trip this time sure seen some of the nicest land scapes in Europe I think we travelled over a Mt must have been 50 mi over so you can imagine what I seen I was driving a Dodge you can imagin what it reminded me of the last day in Byromville C We got orders just a few moments ago to report for a nother convoy tomorrow dont know when I will get back I will write you when I return for I cant write when I am off from home. I hear we are goying up in Belgium this time if so it will be some time before I return so dont be disapointed if it is some time before you hear from me again. I recd 4 letters when I got hear last night one from you 1 from Annie Mae Hicks and 2 from my sisters I sure was glad to see some letters for it had been so long before since I got one I know you all had a good time at the reception you had Wishing you a happy new year. Sincerely Bamon Hill, Eva amb. Co. 16, A.P.O. 752 American E.F. Via New York L.P. Howell, Capt. M.C. In the stack of letters is an empty envelop addressed to Miss Eunice Morgan, Byromville, U.S.A. Ga. It is postmarked December 25, 7 AM,1918, U.S. Army Post Office M.P.E. S. It has an American YMCA logo in the upper left and above the logo is printed the address 12, Rue d'Aguesseau. Paris Branch. Handwritten partialy over the printed return address (making it hard to read) is: Bamon Hill, Evac Amb. Co. 16, A.P.O. 752, American E.F. In the lower left is a seal that's mostly illegible and the signature of L.P. Howell, Capt. M.C. U.S.A. The following is a transcription of a letter Bamon wrote to his sister Elgenia (he refers to as Tom). It's undated, but was written shortly after her marriage to John Murphy. Dear Tom just a few lines to my new married Sis How are you getting on? We are getting on just fine we sure have missed you all since you left was expecting to see you when John come in but you wasent a long. Now Honey you seeme to think they all are sore at you up hear But we aint Love you just as much as ever for you have been to good to all of us to think other wise just a surprise I guess Sure hope you all come back up with us without you could stay around wher our Baby Sis is for we sure are wanting to see our Aunt Gene as Bud says John was over other night had a hair cutting I think all except Mama & Birdie cuts Papas Hair all looks good I wish you could see my Baby now she is a sport Put her in a pan of water this morning give her a Bath She cried a Bit dresd hur and she went right to sleep. Eunie has plenty milk for it I sure am glad for it would so Bad to use a Bottle Now must Stop as I have got to go to town Love Bamon Transcribed from original letters 08/14/97 by W.R. Sullivan