Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-12-04
OUR BOYS
= Write from
OVER THERE

Two Augusta boys, brothers, Harry
r. and John r. Hopkins, are both
somewhere in France" with the old I'd
Maine Infantry. now the 1880 kesi-
ment, and each has recently written
home interesting letters. Says Harry
In part:
Somewhere in France Nov. II, 1917.
Dear Fred:
Today being Sunday, will take time
for a few lines. The weather here Is
damp and rainy all the time and just
the kind that would not be good for
anyone's disposition, but we are pretty
comfortably situated in this small
town, plenty of work. plenty to eat ana
good warm clothes to wear. have not
heard from home now since leaving the
states, almost two months, but nave
received some papers, month or more
oid-and they were welcome.
We had 10 days in camp in Eng.
land and what | saw of the country l
liked very much: it is very pretty.
But don't ever talk to me about Eng
lish railways. Why, we are as far
ahead of them in America as an ocean
liner Is ahead of a sailing boat and
everything else in proportlon-oid-
fashioned and antiquated. used to
like to walk among the villages and
they are close together there and go
into a public place and watch the diff
ferent characters. These may be good
countries to live in, but believe me, If
| ever get back where the Stars and
Stripes wave over everything. they can
have the whole Eastern hemisphere
and Furthermore, the next time l see
an honest to- goodness bath room, |
will know for sure" that | am in
America.
Well, Fred. to be serious, we are on
the ground and due to go in before
long l will be home before this time
next year. by the way the thing is go
ing, and this scientific slaughter will
be over. These Germans, or Beaches
as they call them over here, meaning
Square heads" are good fighters at
long range and game to the core, but
take them in close order and bayonet
fighting, they are 'yellow"-hence the
reason for so many prisoners. In one
place where we stopped l saw hun
dreds of them. all ages and sizes.
They tell US they are perfectly salts
fed to stay where they are and not 20
back to the front But. they are
treacherous lot at the best.
No big battles are being won or lost
just now, (Nov. ID but slowly and
gradually they are being pushed back
every day and the spring will end il
all. Some even go far as to say by
Christmas, but / don't think as early as
that. You may take it from me that
don't want to make that trip across
Abe brook" again until it is all over
ii is too risky. ] honestly think that
Is days coming over We're the longest
| ever experienced. 1t is no joke to
wear life belt all the time.
OF course. we viii all be glad when
il is finished and we are on our way
back to Gods Country. but we will
have TURKEY on THANKSGIVING day.
so that will help. Tobacco is the one
thing that is valuable here and while
I have not suffered for any az vet.
hope there is some coming along soon.
as mine is getting low and the English
and French stuff lis not in it, with
ours Cigarettes and plug smoking is
the best to send.
] may as we'll wish you all q merry
Christmas in this letter. as I imagine
you will get it about that time.
HARRY.
Sergt. Fl. X. Hopkins.
Supply Co. 1881 Inf,
sgd Brigade. Goth Div,
American Expeditionary Forces.