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Dear Mother: -
Well it looks like the Army of Occupation for us. Our name appeared in the
list for this army in today's paper and from our orders we expect to move
toward Germany the later part of this week. The 80th has not been
mentioned in the lists for this expedition and from the dope Ben should be
with you soon. I'm glad of this because he has greater interests there
than I and is needed more.
Some of the boys are greatly disappointed upon learning that they are to
turn their faces north instead of west. I am not so disappointed because
in the first place I expected to be on the line all winter, it always
being my opinion that the war would not end till spring. Of course I am
just as anxious to see you all as anyone can be but when I start to travel
I'm happy. That is as long as I'm sightseeing.
We have fairly comfortable quarters and have been busy the last few
evenings improving our minds. We have started a small library in our
section and are getting books from Paris. Our first edition was French
History. Sgt. Meredith (the lawyer I told you of) reads aloud and explains
the deep stuff. He's great on the instructing stuff and we are learning
about the wars this country was involved in and the circumstances before
and leading up to this conflict. Then we have sent in for Robt Service's
Poems and Kipling's verse. Also the Stories of Shakespeare's Plays and
English History. It is a great way to pass the long evenings for you see
it gets dark here at four o'clock. It looks like being a veteran division
meant that we stay here indefinitely. Our Gen. told us Sat. that it would
be at least four months before we headed west. So we are preparing to
settle down for the winter.
I was over to call (Mon) on Art & Eddie Byrne and Donnelly and they are
not especially fond of the outlook. I am not homesick yet (only at meal
and bed times). The mail picked up yesterday and I received many Xmas
cards. You can thank Kate Booker, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lewellyn and Olive Von
Shour for their kind remembrance of me. Also received your letter of the
18th of Nov and one from Uncle Will of the same date. Guess I must be the
real kid in the eyes of my kin, eh?
I have no fear of old king snow and am confident that you'll see me blow
in in good health early next spring. You see we were considered pretty
good at trimming these Huns, (Gen. Pershing himself gives us credit) so
now we have nothing to do but move up and make faces at them across the
Rhine until "peace is concluded".
We are moving from here to Conflous (Sp.) and ultimately to Longrvy (sp),
on the border line of Luxemburg, Belgium, and France. I can let you know
just where I am now and you can follow me on the map. You should be able
to get a good map of France-Europe on a small scale from Rand McNally &
Co., New York and Chicago, I think. If you secure a map showing the small
towns you can follow us. If not, I am sure the library has Atlas maps upon
which you can look us up.
There is nothing to write of now but hope to have some new dope soon. Give
my love to all and tell Florence I have received her letters. Remember me
to Ruth, too.
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