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My Dear Parents:-
Nine days more and the day will be here which heretofore I have always
spent at home. One of our fellows received his Xmas box today and we were
amazed at the size of it. We filled up pretty well on chocolate buds and
cigars and passed a vote of thanks to the ones at home and also another
that we were lucky enough to be here to receive it.
We can't be thankful enough because we were soon in for hell on this
front. Then when you think of what we have gone through to gain the ground
we did and not only that but take a map draw a line where we stood at the
end of the war. Now imagine, if you can, millions of men facing each other
across this line each side backed by thousands of cannon and all that
belongs to modern warfare. Thus read the history of how the ground was
taken, foot by foot, and men like Murphy, Ramsey, Humphries and the rest
going down at every step. When you have done this take the maps of today
showing our Triumphal march into Germany at no cost of human life then
figure how many of us would have been left had we been forced to wrest
this territory from them. We should be thankful!
There is no one who did not see - actually see -such a massive machine as
hundreds of thousands of fighting men make that can realize the
stupendousness of the operation. At Chateau-Thierry it is estimated we
faced 300,000 Huns across the Marne. That is why I say one must actually
see what enormous operations are at work to keep this many men fighting.
There is no need of me writing our history, however, because better men
have already done that. The Phila Evening Bulletin has written us up from
our arrival to the end of the war. The articles began on Nov. 18, 1918. By
writing this paper you can read all about our travels. I have read several
of the installments and they are very straight articles.
Yesterday I went over to spend the afternoon with the bunch at the 110th
Supply. Fratz and I usually go there at least once a week for a feed. We
spent the time talking politics, army gossip and picking out the slackers.
After supper Major Bryce came out in his car to say goodbye and to know
what to tell the folks at home. He left for Mt. Pleasant today. Lucky boy!
He is a fine looking soldier and was well liked. Nothing but credit is due
him.
Well we are surely in doubt now because no one knows what is to become of
the "Red Fighting" or the "Iron Division". We were told that we are no
longer in the Army of Occupation and that PA politics are hard at work.
Also it is rumoured that Pres. Wilson etc. will visit our humble village
about Friday. He is looking over the ruined places in France and he surely
has a lovely specimen in the form of this pile of debris. St. Michel is
near here and it is famous for its ruins. We may see the parade after all.
This means we line up along the road and stand waiting a few hours like we
did last Spring when Gen. Pershing came round.
I was the recipient of a few more Xmas cards today and my collection is
growing. We have been slighted on the letters the last few weeks but hope
for better delivery soon. I have had your letters of the 27th of Nov. but
now so many of them. We are preparing for a great Xmas celebration if we
are here on Xmas. If we go North to Metz or Luxembourg one of our French
officers claims he can supply the girls, hall and music for one big dance.
Please extend condolences to Mr. and Mrs. McCullough. They surely will
miss Joe. Heard yesterday that Danny Kelly had died. He was another good
friend of mine from Mt. P.
Stay well now and pass up the rumours and wait. We gotta come back some
day. Give my love to Aunt Lil and Annie and all the rest. I love you all
more than I can tell you and get so anxious to see you at times that I
fairly paw the earth. Tell dad to pass 'em around till he's tired.
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