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My Dearest Mother:-
It may be that I dated my last letter the same as this one but I've just
learned what the right date is. We have been going some as I told you in
my last letter and have just reached a place where we can rest, write, and
clean up generally. It is a great relief, too, take it from me, to be back
again where you don't have to dive into a hole or throw yourself flat
every minute in the day. Oh! they gave us a warm reception alright,
al-right! Got some good fellows knocked off too. Milt Bishop from C’ville,
a good friend of mine, was killed and Ike Stevenson & Capt. Zundell from
Mt. P. I met Fratz again yesterday. We ate supper together and then
started out in search of Humphries. He is back safe and in good shape
except you wouldn't imagine how he looks so dirty and unshaven. He was
always so "tidy" you know. Good stream through here and we are all slowly
cleaning up. Fratz tells me that Jack Kennedy distinguished himself in the
scrap by braining two huns and capturing a machine gun. You can figure the
Fritz that he swings on is a "gonner". This whole division has shown up
well. Daugherty went to the hospital with a slight gas burn. Not serious
at all. Bishop was simply blown to pieces and Zundell had his leg
shattered so that amputation was necessary. He was gas poisoned however
and died. I was sure sorry to hear of them all being so unfortunate. We
all had some close calls but you need not worry now for we are back for a
rest and out of danger again. Surely saw some great sights while we were
up. Air flights every hour of the day and night. Thick as sparrows! I am
keeping a complete diary now altho I believe I could remember some of the
events without writing them down. Humphries met up with young Howard
Fischer the other day. They didn't know each other but somehow Hump
mentioned Scottdale and then Fischer began asking about Bixler and the
rest of the fellows he met at our camp on Indian Creek. Fratz was in a
town sometime ago and started to ask a fellow the way.
When he spoke they recognized each other. It was young Chris Parker from
Pittsburg who worked on the corps ( ? ) at home in the summer. You have
heard me talk of him. He's a Red Cross Ambulance Driver. We are enjoying
ideal weather again. I say that every letter, don't I? You can't imagine
how much difference the sunshine makes on our life here. When the weather
is “murky” everyone is blue but when the sun shines spirits pick up
immediately. I know I feel different. Believe me we are all older, tho
Hump and Fratz look much older and I guess I do too. Staid old bachelors,
see! Last night, we all sat together on a hillside smoking and talking of
the good old days and of the folks back home. Soldiers never talk much
about the war. We only know what is going on in our immediate vicinity.
You people at home can learn more from the papers than we can tell you. On
our way back from visiting Hump Fratz and I stood out in a big field and
watched several Hun planes bombing a town. It’s a great sight to see an
air raid at night.
I'll tell you something of my home here. It is in the cellar of an old
house that is used for a Red Cross dressing station. We have it all
cleaned out and fumigated because the Germans lived here before us and
they surely leave things filthy when they leave. I''ll be a bear at home
cleaning when I come home. I've cleaned more billets out than I can count.
The town we are in is all shot to pieces. Next door is an old church full
of shell holes and now the home of the K of C.
[Knights of Columbus]
They have writing desks in the pews
and distribute chocolate and cigarettes. There is one civilian here. An
old white haired women who sprang up from nowhere in particular. The
narrow winding streets contain more trucks and traffic than Grant
Boulevard. Business goes on day and night and soldiers pass through from
every Allied Country and every branch of the service. Now and then a bunch
of German prisoners are brought in and we collect souveniers. I almost had
an iron cross from the coat of one the other day when an officer stopped
me from taking it. Surely would make a good souvenier. Most of these
prisoners are scared to death because we are Americans and I guess they
are told come horrible tales of how we scalp them, etc. I had a short talk
with one boy. He had been in the States and had worked in Homestead for a
while. Said he was only at the front one day when he was captured. He said
he was glad to be made prisoner because they hadn't enough to eat and no
smokes at all. I collected some German coins from him. Poor devil! Now
that is about all I can tell you so will fill this page with questions,
etc. First how is my dad and how is my family. I surely am glad to hear
from you so often. Your letters are all so full of news and they surely
cheer a fellow up. Those fellows you read about being killed in our
company were from Oil City and Harrisburg. That is where the 112th is
from. There is only one 112th reg. you know. We were in it at Hill 201 and
Chateau Thierry. Lucky, wasn't I to get over in time to be in the second
battle of the Marne? Never forget the night we crossed that stream. Does
Grace hear from Ben often? It puzzles me that your mail reaches me in such
good time and you don't get ours. I am trying a new address out and may
get your mail even more prompt. Haven't had time to write anybody but you
but am trying to get around. Tell dad to give my best to Saughter & Newman
and “Jimmy". Fratz was saying last night how he would enjoy seeing Crago,
"Smoke" Loucks, Anderson & all those guys over here in the 18-40 class.
Give my best to everyone and keep looking for me back. Love to you all
from
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