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Dearest Mother:-
It has been a long stretch between letters again. I'm sorry for it to but
it really can't be helped. You see we were relieved from our position on
the lines after sixty seven days under fire. The longest hitch any
division has served on the front in the A.E.F. We were relieved during a
heavy rain storm and started back for a rest and to be recruited again.
Over one half of our regiment being lost in those 67 days. The night
before we left we were treated to an air raid by the Hund in addition to
the shell fire. We were in a deep valley and their planes flew up the
revine and from the numbers of bombs dropped I think he must of had a dump
cart arrangement on his machines. These bombs are infinitely worse than
shells because they can't be judged as to their landing place and then
they have a spring on the bottom which causes them to bounce before they
explode. They are viscious things! One bomb which dropped near our outfit
killed 14, wounded 45 and swept a picket line of 28 houses. We didn't have
any dugouts and when he began to drop his lights previous to the
entertainment we were perfectly helpless and believe me, there was some
watching and praying.
Just before I left the line I met up with Graft. He is fat as a pig and
his eye is OK except the pupil is spread to one corner. It disfigures him
but slightly and the sight is good except that he can’t read with it. We
were together for two days. Later I met Hump again. He had just finished
his course at the school and while we were conversing together in the rain
we met up with “Webb” S. and a few minutes later Howard Fischer came
along. He dropped out and we all chatted together for some time. I showed
him all the pictures that Mrs. Williard sent to me and with which I am
very much pleased. They are great! Also saw Wilbur Leightzele, Capt. go by
on a truck. He was Hump’s teacher at school. We had days of long hiking
back to the Marne, which we crossed July 4th. I had a great swim when we
came to our camp there. Some of our hikes were twenty miles in length and
that is some tramp in the rain. It rains and is cold all the time. We
hadn’t been resting but two days when we were called again and now we are
on a different sector and ready to fight again. The rest turned out to be
a myth. Personally, I think the next rest any of us will get will be when
the war is over. Pershing is reputed to have said: "Hell! Heaven! or
Hoboken by Xmas".
We were paid again, the second time since my enlistment and I surely did
eat. We would buy meat and other luxuries and get the old "madame” to cook
them for us. One place another fellow and I hit we had six dollars worth
of meat. Including a calf liver which we bought from the butcher while he
was in the act of skinning his calf. This we had fried with onions (dad's
favorite dish). You can't beat that, can you? Another meal we had sausage,
veal chops, fried spuds and salad. The same day for supper, roast duck,
fried rabbit, spuds, plum pie and canltelopes. That night we moved and in
one way we were lucky to do so because we surely would have foundered
ourselves. Incidentally, I haven't eaten very heavy since. We have the
finest home now we ever found in France.
It is right in a very mountainous country and the scenery is wonderful. We
have a good dugout and our only worry is the “cuties”. They are like the
poor, “with us always “. I am about to enter on a very interesting line of
work. The Sergt and I are going to be placed in the trenches with the
French for more instructions on observation work. We have our French
uniforms and I am some Poilee in this suit of gray-blue. We are leaving
tonight and I expect to learn more about my work and also the language.
Our section has been busted some. One fellow is in the hospital and two
transferred. I spoke for Hump and the Capt. said he would give him the
once over. I’m sure when Hump has talked to him that he will be
transferred. I'll be glad to be with him again and I'm sure he'll be
better off. Our work isn't near so strenuous nor as hazardous as his. He
has had a dangerous time and has been extremely lucky.
Before I left the lines we were shelled one night and they were so close
that the roof of our dugout was blown away. We were forced to vacate and
in the rush I left the testament you gave me there. I missed the loss of
it so much that I went back for it but they wouldn't let me up that way
again for fear of betraying the position and getting a shelling for the
men who relieved us. I got word to them and they mailed me the pictures
and clippings of verse you pasted into it but didn't send the Book. I wish
you would send me another if you can. It could be sent as easily as
papers. Enclosed is the note they sent back with the runner. It is a real
souvenier of the trenches. I was sorry to lose the Testament, it gave me a
feeling of impending ill fortune because it was the only thing I had left
of the stuff I left home with. I still have the one the U.C.T.U. sent me
in the comfort kit. If the PO won’t take the new one, ask the Red Cross.
They’ll get it to me, I’m sure. Your mail has been coming at regular
intervals and the one with the pictures was surely a treat. I put the
cards of the service flag exercises under the glass and could pick out
several people I knew. The girls surely must have had some time. I was in
a town not long ago when a train went by loaded with Ben's outfit. I
strained my eyes to see him but couldn't and they didn't stop. I took for
granted that he was aboard. Haven’t heard from him for some time and will
write to him today. You can give my best to Mrs. Hemp and her parents and
tell them that one of the fellows who works with me worked with “Jack”
Herbert in Kittanning. His name is “Dusty” Cameron. Tell Florence to give
my best to “Hempy”. I wish you would remember me to Aunt Lydia Oglivee
too. She was so kind as to come to bid me goodbye and I’ve never written
to her. Mr. & Mrs. Kling, too. I hope you give them my best each time
along with Mrs. Hilland, J.A.B. I can’t possibly write all these folks but
think of them all, often.
So long as I can I’ll write you every day and now must close, dear mother.
Love to my dad and everyone .
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