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The following was written by and used with the permission of my good friend, Travis Holt. Thank you again, Travis!

NOUS RESTERONS LA
"We shall remain here."

It was October when I ran across his name.
I was looking into some young men who had served in the 'Great War,' World War I, from our home county. My 2nd great grandfather, Otis Holt, served in the 162nd Depot Brigade, but, luckily, never left the state. However, some local boys were not so lucky.

As I looked into the stories behind these names in our local history, I found a listing for a young man buried at Smith Cemetery that I had never heard of before. A short search turned up who he was, and that he was killed in the War. After looking over the picture of his stone online, I was surprised to find that it wasn't his stone at all, but a stone for his young siblings that died early.

So, this brave young man may not have had a stone at all! Or, was he actually buried here at all? I began looking into the history behind a name I had never heard before. This is the story of Private Garrett Campbell.

On December 23, 1895, Jeremiah M. and Martha Isabell (Smith) Campbell welcomed a healthy young baby boy into the world at Mt. Judea, Arkansas. He was a fair haired, blue eyed baby that would grow into a medium built young man, according to his registration card.

He grew up in Vendor, Arkansas, his family home, and lived to see his family grow to large proportions, with many brothers and sisters being born throughout his young life. His youngest brother, Jay, was born in 1913, shortly before the Great War would sweep Europe.

However, as a young farmer in Vendor, the sound of war in this far off locale likely didn't mean much to a young man such as himself. He was far too busy just trying to scratch out a living in the hard scrabble Ozark hills of his home.

However, the drums of war would grow louder still yet, and soon they echoed even in the most remote Newton County valley. Soon, Uncle Sam called for young men to go thousands of miles away and engage in mortal combat for the sake of their nation. Or, at least that's what the politicians told them.

But, we cannot fault the bravery or patriotism of Garrett. He stepped up in a difficult time and offered himself to go. He was living in White Township in Vendor, Arkansas when he registered for the draft. Boards were appointed to screen men and judge their fitness for military service. June 5, 1917, a twenty-one year old Garrett was registered. The War, so long discussed in papers and on radio, had finally arrived in Vendor, AR.

Though records of Garrett's service are spotty, I suspect he was enlisted in the Arkansas National Guard (likely the 1st Arkansas Infantry), which reported to Camp Beauregard in Alexandria, Louisiana, for training on July 18, 1917. Upon reaching Camp Beauregard, all units were stripped of state designations and assigned new ones, with the 1st Arkansas becoming the 153rd Infantry.

In October of 1917, measles struck the Camp and the men were kept from drilling. They were transferred to the 'active' list in January of 1918. By March of 1918, the men had received new Enfield rifles.

Due to losses at the front, around 5,000 men were offered the chance to deploy early. Among the men who accepted was, I believe, Garrett.

He would be assigned to the 7th Infantry of the 3rd Infantry Division, American Expeditionary Force (AEF). The 7th was activated on November 21, 1917, just seven months after the declaration of war on April 6, 1917.

Garrett's time as a soldier would be eventful, but tragically short. He departed from New York on June 12, 1918, on the ship Nevasa. His departure papers state that he was, indeed, in the 153rd Infantry and also feature a note reading 'Co. 7 Camp Beauregard June Auto Repl Draft Infantry.' This note confirms that Garrett was an 'automatic replacement draft,' which means he was scheduled to replace a loss at the front due to battle casualties.

Meanwhile, in April, 1918, the Third Division had arrived in France. The long awaited fighting would begin shortly, and the American 'Doughboys' would be tested, and severely.

By May of 1918, the French had been pushed back to within 50 miles of Paris. However, the German casualties had been great, and the Allies were receiving American units in ever increasing numbers. The American units included Garrett's Division, which shortly after it's arrival (of which I can find no exact date) would take part in an event that would earn the Division it's famed nickname.

If Louisiana was far from home, France must have seemed an alien planet. This country boy from the hills of the Big Creek Valley was now thrown into a world of military commands, gunfire, rolling bombardments and the deafening silence that was only penetrated by the shrill whistle: the order to go 'over the top' and charge the enemy. The mud, blood and intensity must have been overwhelming for this brave young man. Still, he soldiered on, with all his comrades around him doing their best.
The Germans were bloodied and bruised, but had made much headway. They still had plenty of fight, and planned a two-pronged offensive around Rheims, in an effort to capture that place and finally defeat the Allies, capturing as much ground as possible in the process. When this assault was launched on July 15, 1918, it was a massive and desperate effort.

However, the Allies knew that something was coming, and they had prepared. To the east of Rheims, the German offensive fell far short of its objective due to heavy fighting, but on the west side it succeeded in pushing across the Marne River near Chateau-Thierry, where it was halted by French and American units, including the Third Division. Though some French units were flanked and began retreating, General Joseph Dickman, commanding the Third, sent a message to his French counterparts: "Nous resterons la." This translates to "We shall remain here." (some sources say it translates to "We stand here!") Here, under heavy fighting that stalled the German attack, the Third gained its nickname 'The Rock of the Marne,' and the quote from General Dickman is still the motto of the Division to this day.

By the 17th of July, the German offensive had been stopped, but still the fighting continued on. Garrett, far from his home, had fought courageously.

However, Garrett would not see the successful end of this battle. On July 15, 1918 Garrett was killed in action. Death claimed him at the onset of the three-day combat. Silence took over where the roaring of guns and screams of wounded and adrenaline fueled men once rang. Here, in the mud and confusion of France, far from where he once relaxed from the plow handles, listening to the bubbling of Big Creek as it flowed over the rocks near his home, Garrett would lie, still. He was the only casualty from Vendor in the 'Great War.'

Back home, the water still bubbled over the rocks as his family worried what might happen to him. Radios (still very rare in the Valley) and newspapers told of massive offensives and counterattacks, and the mounting casualties were printed in the papers announcing sad news to families all over the nation.

The Daily Arkansas Gazette of September 28 had a sadly recurring news item: the casualty lists as reported by the AEF. In this issue the heading featured a small box which read: 'ARKANSAS IN LIST: Killed in action: B. Carpenter, Barber; Garrett Campbell, Vendor; George W. Looney, Augusta.' Further down Garrett was again listed, this just stating he was a private in the army, simply reading 'Garrett Campbell, Vendor, Ark.'

The family likely got a telegram from the government, relating their sorrow and regret in the death of their young son. The family was devastated, no doubt. The typed letters meant very little to the grieving families. No doubt, the rest of their lives were altered now by this tragedy. Once, when Garrett was brought up, proud families talked of him and his hard work ethic; now, there were only tears or downcast looks as they related his tragedy. Life continued on in the Big Creek Valley, as it had for generations before, but with one less brave young man.

I was confused if Garrett was brought home or left buried near where he died. I knew after World War II, many were returned, as I had a cousin who was reinterred at Smith. However, this was very rare with veterans of World War I. The 'Newton County Cemeteries' book by Aunt Oleta doesn't list him, and the Newton County Family History, Volume I, states under the history of Peter Calmus Campbell (Garrett's grandfather): 'Garrett, born 1898, was killed in World War I and is buried just outside of Paris, France-the Campbell/Edgemon Post in Jasper is named for him.' So, here was the first definite answer I had to where he may lie. Whoever had added the memorial for him at Smith Cemetery was mistaken.

I reached out to the Campbell-Edgmon Post in Jasper, and they were extremely helpful in finding any information on Garrett. They sent me a short, hand written history of the post, which read:
'The first attempt to organize a Legion Post in Jasper was in November, 1919. The Post was first known as Jasper Post No. 93. Sometime in the early 1920's the name was changed to Campbell Edgmon Post in honor of Garrett Campbell, the first Newton County soldier killed in World War I, and Hessie Edgmon of Mossville who was killed in October 6, 1918 in the Argonne Forest.'

So, Garrett was not just the only Vendor casualty of the war, but also the first Newton County soldier to be killed in the 'Great War!'

After searching some more, I found the memorial for many AEF servicemen killed in action located at Belleau, Department del'Aisne, Picardie, France, entitled 'The Aisne-Marne American Memorial.' Among the rows of names is 'CAMPBELL G. M.-PVT. 7TH INF 3RD DIV JULY 15 1918 ARKANSAS.' So, here was the only memorial for this brave young man, around five thousand miles from his home.

I wrote the National Archives but heard no response for some time. On December 19, 2023, the day I picked up Garrett's stone, I came home to find a letter from them in the mail. The first page stated that records were not available, but said they had enclosed copies of what little they had. As I turned to the second page, I was absolutely floored at a typed letter that gave the complete description of what happened to Garrett! In a letter dated July 14, 1919, from the 'Commanding Officer, Company G., 7th Infantry' to the 'Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces.' It reads:
'Subject: Recommendation for the Distinguished Service Cross.
1. Recommend Private Garrett, 1589428, Campbell (deceased) Company G, 7th Infantry, for the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary gallantry in action near Flossoy, France, 14 July 1918.
2. Pvt. Campbell gave proof of unquestionable courage and heroism when, tho shelters were numerous, he advanced steadily forward thru heavy machine gun fire with entire disregard for his own personal safety. Determined that the enemy should not cross, he succeeded in reaching the Marne but was killed by machine gun fire then in the execution of his duty. His courageous example inspired his comrades to make the stand that held against repeated attacks.
44 witnesses of the above act.
Jesse W. Pratt, 2nd Lieut. 7th Infantry.'
I was stunned! Pvt. Campbell was one of the men who helped to inspire the stand that would give the 7th it's motto! I was also bothered by the statement that his death date was July 14, instead of July15. However, I find it odd that the memorial in France states the 15th, and the first day of the Marne fighting is considered the 15th, as well. perhaps this was an oversight? I wasn't sure. The letter was considered by the Decorations Board on June 3, 1942. The next page is merely the bottom of the letter, but the third page gives another revelation, this one a bit disappointing:
'W.D., Washington, D.C., (date) June 3, 1942.
1. The board having been properly convened and organized, has considered the record in the case of Garrett Campbell, Private ASN 1589428, Company "G," 7th Infantry.
2. By decision of a majority of this board, the above-named individual is not recommended for the award of the DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS for act of July 14, 1918.
3. Reason for disapproval: The deed performed is not considered to have been an act of extraordinary heroism in action within the meaning of the law governing the award of the Distinguished Service Cross.'
Here, the board and I would disagree, and strongly. However, as much as I would love to find some way to get Pvt. Campbell an award for his heroism after all these years, the best I could do was remember, and to give him a marker so he could be remembered here at home!

Seeing as he had many family buried here at Smith Cemetery, I thought it only fitting that he have a memorial here. A small memorial for a brave young man who died so far from home, never to see the hills of his home again. One more sacrifice in a long line of sacrifices made selflessly by brave young men. One more empty chair at his family's home. One more sorrowful end to a young life tragically taken. One more sad story that still whistles in the wind of the Big Creek Valley, where his family still resides.

As I place the stone near his young siblings in the old section of Smith Cemetery, where so many of his family lie, I step back and just for a second I think I see him; standing in the edge of the field near where I stand near his new stone. A young man in overalls and worn hat, resting from hard work at the plow. He is overlooking the nearby left fork of Big Creek and listening, once more, to the rhythmic bubbling of the water as it makes its way to Big Creek that flowed through so much of his early life. He seems to lean back a bit in the late evening sun as he studies the trees around him, taking it all in.

Now, he is home and remembered where he sprang from. He is back from the war-torn fields of France. Back from the long journey to his final destination in a foreign land. Back from a grueling training center in Louisiana. Back to being here in the beautiful and peaceful Big Creek Valley. He fell near the Marne, and though his body may rest in France, he will always be remembered here, in the Big Creek Valley from which he sprang from.

I walked the cemetery on November 4, 2023 with my dad, and selected a spot for his stone, near the marker for his siblings that died young. Here I would install it on December 22nd. I was beyond honored to be able to do this small act of remembrance for this young man.

Far away, amid the whistling shells and bullets in a war torn European country, a young man from the Big Creek Valley displays heroism that would help turn the tide of a War and alter the course of history. His commander stated "We shall remain here." His body is still there as a testament to that statement and his loyalty. Here, in the Valley where shadows approach the end of the day, I see that young man turn and head down towards the creek for the last time, dressed in his uniform and sadly leaving all he knows. He turns and waves goodbye to his family, like so many other souls, never knowing if he would come home. He didn't, but we still remember him.
Amid the old rows of stones of our people in the Smith Cemetery at Big Creek there now stands a new marker to a life cut short. The memory remains here. His honor remains here. His legacy remains here. He is our people, and, like his commander once said, 'we shall remain here' just as our people always have.

Rest in peace, Private Campbell. Thank you. 

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The Campbell-Edgmon American Legion Post 93 in Jasper, Arkansas was named for Garrett Campbell and Hessie Edgmon. Jasper is the county seat of Newton County where the boys were born and grew up.
Both young man were in the army and serving in France during World War I and were killed an action there.
They are both buried in France, their bodies were never recovered.

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Entered US Army Jun 5, 1917

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You died so very far from your home…

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