Clayton Woodman Bartleson
Edward S. Bartleson was born Apr. 23, 1865 to John Wesley Bartleson & Susanna R. Ewer. He married Anna C. Pulliam, and died Jan. 1, 1942. (Children: Eva, Grace, Clayton, Lulah, Edwin. Clayton killed in World War I.) (notes of Eva Pearl Bartleson)
Family photo of Clayton W. Bartleson.
See father’s Notes for 1900 & 1910 Federal Census entries.
Clayton Woodman Bartleson of Screamerville, Spotsylvania Co., Va. registered for the draft at Spotslyvania Co., VA on 5 June 1917. He was 21 years old, born 7 October 1895 in Spotsylvania Co., Va., single, Caucasian, had no impairments nor exemptions. Occupation Farming, assisting Father at his farm, near Hicks Store, Va. Described as medium height & build, grey eyes, black hair, not bald, no impairments. Number 280, Reg. No. 40. (Ancestry.com* - image of World War I Draft Registration Card) Signature on card:
LETTER FROM FRANCE
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Private Bartleson, of Spotsylvania, Writes His Mother From Overseas.
Private C. W. Bartleson, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Bartleson, of Spotsylvania, writes the following interesting letter from France.
My Dear Mother–
Your long looked for letter came to hand last Sunday and was glad to know you were all well, that is all the pleasure of importance that we get in the army. We are more excited when we see the “mail man” coming than to see the pay master. Remembrance of our dear relatives and friends is dearer to us than all of the money Uncle Sam gives us.
I enjoyed Lieut. Rowe’s letter very much. America is well represented in Italy, but as for my part I am glad that I am in France instead. There are a number of other nations fighting in the war, but only three countries furnish the battlefield. They are: Belgium, France and Italy. France is the one that will suffer the most destruction of the terrible lengthy war. Germany, the curse of the world, will receive none compared with that of France. The flying men are responsible for most of this destruction, I agree with Lieut. R. when he said that “not only angels wear, and fly with wings.” I will say in addition that the bravest dare-devils of the world are used when it comes to flying and fighting in air of the present time and the infantry men are very grateful to them for their service.
Recently we served a short period on the resistant line, very close to the front, but we had no scraps with the “Huns”, only artillery and airplanes bothered us. We are now back in camp.
Capt. Goldsmith, our company’s commander, has been transferred. We now have a newly made Capt. who has served in the “Regulars” several years before coming into this army, so you see we have an experienced commander. I am not quite sure whether he will stay with us long or not.
Sunday
This is Sunday and the weather is very unfavorable, but hope it will not rain for it makes it son muddy around our tents.
I went out on a pass last night for a couple of hours to a small village. Everything is awfully dull, no amusements of any kind, very–different from that which I have been accustomed. I bought a can of peaches, one of apricots and of milk, a box of shredded wheat, etc. So you see I am going to have a feast (?) today–altho quite different from our “home feasts.” It isn’t often we have a chance to get such things here.
I am sending a card in this envelope. I hope that it will not be defaced.ope that it will not be defaced.
One Week Later.
We moved after I wrote the first of this letter and have not had chance to mail it until now. I like here better than any place we have yet been.
With lots of love for all, I remain your loving son,
Clayton.
Address: Private C. W. Bartleson, Co. A. 318 Inf., American E. F., France
(Daily Star, Fredericksburg, VA, Reported 1918.10.10)
Clayton W. Bartleson died1 October 1918 in France. He was a Private in Company A, 318th Infantry, U.S. Army. He entered the service at Ray, VA. His Service Number was 1 851 489. No other details are available, due to a fire on 7/12/1973. (National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records, Washington, DC.
Clayton W. Bartleson died 1 October 1918. He entered the service from Virginia. He is buried at Plot D, Row 16, Grave 31 at Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne, France. (American Battle Monuments Commission web page)
Clayton W. Bartleson of Rayo, Spotsylvania, son of Mrs. Anna C. Bartleson & brother of Mrs. Leonard F. Pierson, was on today’s casualty list. (Daily Star :3, Reported 1918.11.08)
Killed in Action–Mr. Bartleson Dies in France.
Hicks’ Store, Va., Nov. 12.
- This community was shocked to hear of the sad death of Mr. C. W. Bartleson, who died in action in France. Mr. Bartleson was much beloved in his neighborhood and was a favorite with all.
(other items of local news)
- Mrs. Grace Kent, of Clifton Forge, and Mrs. L. F. Pierson, of Fredericksburg, were called home to be with their mother, who is quite ill from the shock, caused by the news of the death of her son, C. W. Bartleson, in France. (Daily Star :2, Reported 1918.11.13)
CLAYTON W. BARTLESON
PVT. 318 INF. 80 DIV.
VIRGINIA OCT. 1, 1918
(Grave Marker (enhanced) at Plot D, Row 16, Grave 17 in Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial, Rumagne-sous-Montfaucon, Departement de la Meuse, Lorraine, France. From www.findagrave.com)
IN MEMORY OF
CLAYTON W. BARTLESON
CO. A, 318TH INF, WORLD WAR I
ARGONNE CEM, MEUSE, FRANCE
OCT. 7, 1895 - OCT 1, 1918
Memorial stone*, Shady Grove Methodist Church, Spotsylvania, Spotsylvania Co., VA
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Memorial Plaque in front of Court House at Spotsylvania, VA
