no envelope
Hdq. Co., Bat. 112, Regt. Inf.
Stationed at: AEF

 
Dearest Mother: -
Well we are stopped for a few days to rest. We had some train ride after we left the boat. Passed through some beautiful country. You can't imagine how this war has manifested itself in this country. All you can see is old men, young boys and the girls doing all the work. We are quartered in fine style and the feed is still coming from Uncle Sam. Can't tell you how long we will be here yet. Talk of war gardens, you see them here alright. Prettiest farms I ever saw. Everything is so clean and neat. Some trains though! Crawl in one side and out the other you know. The railroads are the same as you often described them. We are in a pretty place and the weather is wonderful. Received a great send-off when we landed. Surely stirs you to pity when you see the real war look on these people. I'll have to wait till I'm on the road home to get seasick for I missed it on the way over. Gee! I miss those daily letters from home. We haven't heard mail call for what seems like a year now. We will be in touch with each other again soon I hope and then things will be better. Were you disappointed to here (sic) of me leaving without a furlough. They didn't give anyone a pass so you see we are all in the same fix. Perry & Millen seem to be able to work a drag on the leave question. Well we are not so far from Gibby and the rest now. I told you I had a letter from him and Ehing at Hancock. They have never been in a scrap yet. I guess from that that we are still a long way from the front line. Let me tell you that from what I’ve seen already this saving plan is no joke and if you will permit me to offer a slight hint I'd say start now. Save everything. Of course Mother, I know you never wasted a whole lot but then I hope this thing never hits the States like it seems to have hit them here. How is Dad holding out on the old work again? Does he ever have any more trouble with his only affliction. Losing so much weight I thot might hurt him that way. I don't think Ben & the rest will ever see this side to fight. It's a nasty job but there are just about enough “Yanks” to do her up quick now. I'm glad S'dale showed up so well in the Liberty Loan & Red Cross work. All the YMCA are in the women’s hands over here and they surely work. By the way we get good tea instead of coffee now. You can buy two cups for a two-pence. I'll close now, mother and write you again tomorrow. Best love to all and let me know what and how everyone is doing. Tell dad I’ve seen some 'bloody well" big steel works here.
 

 Love,
Your loving son.