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Dear Sis:-
We had a rest of two days after we were relieved from our 67 days under
shell fire. We had some real exciting times in that period. It was the
longest any Division of U.S. troops had spent under fire. We were on our
way to the rear to rest and recruit up when the order came that brought us
back to the front again in another sector. It is very mountainous in this
region and covered by one of the largest forests in France. Beautiful
country! Last night there was a full moon and I don't think I ever saw
such a wonderful night. The roads run straight for miles and the giant fir
trees on either side are all the same heighth. Just a land of silver thru
the woods. It has Indian Creek beat a thousand ways. We are in a fine
dugout in the side of the hill and there are few signs of war visible in
this place. We have bunks, a fireplace, and are fixed better than at any
time since we came to this country.
It was surely a grand feeling to know that we were out of danger from
shells if only for a few days, altho it was so quiet we couldn't sleep.
And eat! I had two days to do this and believe me I set up a record for
myself. We bought our own stuff and had the old women in the town cook for
us. I had everything from roast duck to cantelope. In one day another
fellow and I devoured six dollars worth of meat alone. But now we are
eating with your Uncle Sam again. On our way back I met Hump again and
later that day we ran across Howard Fischer. I showed him your pictures
that Grace sent to me and which I want to keep along always. He told me of
Marians’ marriage and I think he said his other sister was married too. He
is a big fellow and surely is a picture of health. He didn't get wounded
or hurt nor did Hump or Stauffer. We have been most to lucky to last.
I'm so glad you had such a long stay at home. You had a great time I'll
bet. Then it was good dope for Grace too, from her letter. Her letter was
the best letter I ever read. So full of feeling and good stuff that I am
saving it. It is the kind of a letter written by the kind of sister every
fellow should have. Your mail reached me the first day I was out of the
fuss and was a great tonic for the long hike that followed. I must tell
you about the little fox terrier I brought along back. He was a dog just
about "Bunnies" type and fell in with me the first night out. There were
eight of us tramping through an old torn up town and for some peculiar
reason he attached himself to me. He marched right along and we were doing
as high as twenty miles a day so we named him- “Guts". He surely had "
guts” too. He slept with me every night and I was surely in love with the
little beast. In our last march tho he had so much traffic to dodge and so
far to come that he was just about all in when we reached camp at noon. We
slept together that afternoon and started out again in the evening. We had
gone only about one kilo when he got under a truck and was so badly done
up that I took my pistol and tapped him on the head. It was funny to see
the effect his accident had on that bunch of fellows who have been
watching men suffer worse deaths all summer. Even took the Capt. down, for
he had got so as to leap right up front when he said "fall in”. If I could
have him now we would let go on the new pets here, which are rats.
He was the only thing I collected and the boys in the first platoon called
him “Lockard' s souvenier". That's the tale of a dog.
Another good piece of news is that Hump and I will soon be together again.
One of our fellows went to the hospital so I spoke for Hump and the Capt.
is arranging for his transfer. I'll be glad when he gets over because his
job in the line Co. is too hard and too dangerous, and besides we have a
good bunch here and he'll be more at home. I am going into the trenches
with the French for a while for more instruction as an observer, and have
my Poilee uniform on now. Some Frenchy! Well, sis, I'll not go on to tell
you of the war because I'm saving that till I come back. Surely it is the
greatest life imaginable but not the easiest by any means. I must close
now for “tempus fugits”. Lots of love to all
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