|
Dearest Mother:-
This is about the longest I have laid off writing since I have been in the
service. You know I have been pretty faithful and have a fairly good
reason for my neglect. In the first week of this time we were moving and I
was on a billeting detail. That is I was among those who went ahead of the
regiment and found billets for them. We had some job hunting places for
the men in some of these villages. Our detail had to find quarters for
over three hundred men each night and not being able to "parley vous" any
too well we had a time of it but made out O.K. You see it was a four day
hike and we traveled one day ahead in a truck so we escaped the long walk.
Couldn't write any that week.
The last two weeks we have been billeted on a large barn and it is rather
chilly. We couldn't have a fire of course, and no lights at night and
during the day it was a bit too cool to sit on a pile of straw and "geschreiben".
Last week I attended another school for rifle instruction and that kept me
busy. Now, however we are better fixed for we have moved into a small room
(five Sgts.) in the rear of the farmhouse. It was used for the farm hands
I guess, and we have bunks and a stove. The stove is a great comfort. It
doesn't snow here but rains all the time and a raw wind accompanies it. We
are in good shape now, having suffered no ill effects from our exposure
and I will write you more often. Yesterday was the first mail from home I
have received for some time. I had nine letters. During the last few weeks
I heard from "Wap" Fretts and Hempy and also from Ben. Then yesterday I
heard from you and Florence and also from Ethel and a few others. I told
you before that I had received the Xmas box and many cards. I don't know
how many friends I have but I surely was remembered.
Well, mother dear, we have taken the first step toward home, I believe. In
about six weeks we expect to be well on our way. You can't imagine how
good those last letters from home made me feel. I have been away from the
outfit, stalling around over the country and it has been miserable with
the rain and mud and sleeping in barns in Jan. is not all flowers. We are
in good quarters now and your letters gave me a new lease. We can buy milk
and food here and things are going fine.
One of my back teeth went bad on me before we started this last hike and
bealed. I had it treated and was to have it filled when we moved. Then,
just for fun, it popped up again. I was in a fine humor! When we landed
here I had it treated again and a temporary filling put in hoping that I
could save it until came home. No use! After it had been filled it bealed
again and while taking the filling out he broke the branch off in the
root. I gave it up as a bad job and Sat. I am going to have that one and
two others pulled.
The dentist says he thinks it best because while trying to save them the
poison from these same bad teeth is not only affecting the others but
continually passing through my system. When I think of all the tooth
trouble I have had and still retain a few old snags. I can’t imagine how
many I had to start with.
Surely was glad to hear that you had received my cable on Christmas. You
must have had a good day after all. That was great reading about Florence
being home too. She'll probably be through when I get back.
We look to stay here another month yet then move toward the coast. Sort of
side tracked, you know. I have the idea that we will be returned just as
soon as possible and I hope that I come ”tout de suite".
When a guy thinks he is on the way back it surely makes him nervous to lay
over in some small dump like this and try to be patient. Last night I was
watching the Madame mix bread here and I became so hungry for some of your
fresh bread and quince preserves that I couldn't get the vision out of my
head for an hour.
I told the bunch last night that when I started back I hoped to get very
sea sick and spit her up for fair, then after recovering and being
thoroughly cleaned out that way I meant to drink salts till I was mustered
out. In this manner I hope to clean the scum from my insides left there by
this Army "slum" and rations. Then when I get back to the real grub again
I'll be ready to go!
This lying around waiting to go is worse than war. No two can agree and it
is one grand succession of arguments and fist fights. The stove usually
gets pushed over about once an evening.
Sergt. Meredith and I got out the other day and went over to Domremy the
birthplace of Jeanne-de-Arc. It is a very interesting place. There is a
beautiful memorial church built for her there. It is still going on and
has been in process of construction for three hundred years. You see they
only build as they get money to build over here. I bought some small
souvenirs to help the cause a little. The paintings are wonderful and the
small town from which this famous maiden came is the scene of great
interest to the many soldiers in this locality.
Hope I can tell you myself about these things soon. I am looking for more
mail today. I'm glad dad is doing so well and sorry to hear about all the
other fellows leaving. Don't think you need worry about me and the mill
work, mother. I’ll get something else before I'm home long. I've had a
pretty easy time of it lately and am filling up a little in weight. The
greatest of all our trials is still the "cootie". (Lice) We can't rid
ourselves of this pest it seems. I have never become the least bit
accustomed to their presence and they near drive me mad at times. Oh!
happy day when I can live next door to that bath room again!
Hope you have heard from Ben and I regularly and that you can all stay
well. I was sorry to hear of the deaths from "Flu" in your last letter. It
was worse than the war and added still another strain on the fellows here.
Every day brought news of deaths at home. "Old man booze" surely must have
had Charles Painter on the run. Poor Devil!
I must close now and will write soon again. Tell Florence Hemp I received
her letter on Christmas and surely appreciated hearing from her. Give my
love to all and I send many kisses to you and hope you will be within easy
reach soon.
|
