The twice-a-week Twin Falls times. (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1916-1918, 1917-12-04
Somewhere in France,
October Is, 1917.

October Is, 1917.
Dear Folks:
Today has been a red letter day for
the soldiers. Our first division, com
posed of the first troops to set foot
on French soil, all seasoned, trained
soldiers, passed in review for Mar
shall Joffre and General Pershing. Be
iieve me, 1 am proud to belong to the
first regiment of the first brigade, of
the first division. We will be the
first to go into action, and the first
TO show the world how Americans
can fight.
Early this morning we formed in
the company streets, and the regi-
ment marched in full field equipment
to a big plateau, where the other regi-
ments formed one by one. Four regi-
mental bands played the Marsellaise
while General Joffre and General
Pershing marched past us. Then the
good old Star Spangled Banner was
played, and every man. | am sure was
filled plumb up to the throat with
feeling 1t would stir the blood OF
any real American. At the word OF
command the troops swung into col
INNS of companies, and marched past
the reviewing pOst-each company sa-
luting on arriving opposite General
JOffre. There were a lot of movie
machines in action, and I suppose you
will see the pictures in the states be-
fore long. eve have). l don't sup
pose you will be able to pick me out.
/ was in command of the second half
company of the third battalion, imme-
diately behind the colors of the 10th
Infantry.
After we had all passed in review
the officers fell out and we had the
great honor of being personally pre-
scented to General Joffre. He shook
hands with each of us and spoke a
few words of French to each. | shook
hands with General Pershing also.
Then General JOffre made a speech
which was translated by an American
officer. The marshal is a grand old
man. The French pOilus call him
Grandpere Joffre
l have been very busy this last
week. My company commander has
been on leave of absence and l have
been in command of 81" company for
the past three days. but he returned
this a. m. and took the responsibility
off my shoulders
The regimental judge advocate was
taken sick last week, and due to a
shortage of officers, the job fell to me
l tried two cases Saturday in the spe-
cial court-martial. and one this after
noon after we returned from the re-
view. A judge advocate corresponds
to a prosecuting attorney He holds
up the governments end of the case
It is new work to me, and l have to
study like the deuce on my cases.
/ have still another job, that OF
battalion intelligence officer. AS soon
as we go into active service on the
front lines l will be detached from
the company and will be on the bat
talon staff, directly under Major
Craig. The work will be very inter
esting, scouting. patrolling, observing
and obtaining information of the en-
envy in every possible manner. | will
have picked detachment of the very
best and keenest on-commissioned
officers and men under me.
Did I tell you that two of Roose-
velt's sons are in my division? Ted
dy Jr., is a reserve major, and Archie
is a reserve second lieutenant.
haven't seen Teddy but l see Archie
often. He is a tall, slim. awkward
chap. have heard that they are both
good officers.
We have been having very bad
weather, cold and rainy. There has
not been day or night since we have
moved to this town, that it hasn't kept
up that monotonous drizzle. The men
are pretty well housed however, and
we are quite comfortable I have a
fire in my little fireplace every even
ing.
am anxious to hear from Frank