Miss Florence Lockard
420 Aiken Ave.
E.E. Pittsburgh, Penna.
c/o Hom. Hosp.

Dear Sis:-
This is just a note to let you know that I have come out of another drive [Editors note: Argonne] with no marks to tell of what I have been through and am glad of it. As much as you seem to like the hospital I want to fight shy of them all. I have sent all the news home and I know you will hear it from them.
It was a hard go this last time in and many of the boys went down before the fierce fire from the Hun machine guns. I had a knot raised on my bean from a glancing bullet and a few scratches on my face from another that struck a tree near me and exploded and that was all. We were met with fierce gun and shell fire from the Boche rear guard at every turn and I am confident that the prayers you are all offering up for me above pulled me through. After I was struck I lay, unconcious for some few minutes exposed to their fire and none of it finished me. That is why I know that some power generated by the prayers of my loved ones in the good old USA looked after me. I was only out of it for one day however and then went on and stayed in until relief came.
We are staying in a small cottage in this small town and there is an old lady here who cooks for us. I am in fine fettle this evening because today I was recommended for furlough and promotion. Leave it to me kid. I'll have those bars on my shoulder and a Sam Browne belt yet. Your letters have all reached me and came just at the right time to be properly read and re-read. Hope you get through your last term easily and soon I'll write you a real, nice, long, letter. Till then I'll send you oceans of love and kisses.

 

Your loving Brother,
Walter

P. S .Humphries is wounded and in the hospital. He got two "blighters". One bullet swept his chin away and another went through his chest. Haven't heard from him.
W.