Putnam patriot., 1917-12-21
CAPTAIN KENT
 IN BASE HOSPITAL
Paris Quiet. Gloomy at Night He Says
Getting Ready for American Boys When They begin "Long Agony Of
 Trench and Hospital
Base Hospital No. g, American ExpeJitionary Force,
 Nov. %. 1917.

Editor Putnam Patriot,
 Dear MT. Editor:
 "l have recently learned that it is due to your kindness that have been receiving the PATRIOT since coming to France, and 1 write to thank you very much for your thoughtfulness. On the whole our American mails have been very satisfactory, and 1 have very much enjoyed all the Put nam news in the paper, which, | am sure, 1 have read thoroughly each time, including the advertisements. 1 am, as you are doubtless aware, unable to write of many things which have happened, as censorship resiric- 1 tions come in the form of orders, hieh feel should be as fully obeyed by us who really censor our own letters, ss by those whose letters we are our selves now censoring.
 This work is largely done at the in- l dinner occupation. 1 think, however, that can properly say that our voy- age across a calm midsummer ocean was uneventful until the last day when there was an hours excitement, entirely without easualties.I happened to be in charge of a colIspsabe canvas life boat, rated to hold fifty-four others, which could never in the world, as far as could see, on investigation of the craft, accommodate it's load, so have never ceased to rejoice that we did not need to put it overheard. My station was also just underneath the port stern gun, which was mount ed on the top gun deck, and did most of the shooting. The noise was deafen. ing and 1 could, Of course, see exactly where the shots landed, but must con- fess that 1 saw nothing convincing in the way of submarine or periscope.
 After two weeks in a Brittany vil- lage, which N as most picturesque, We came to our permanent station. so far as we now know, weh down in Cen tral France and far from the firing line. Here everything is as duiet and peaceful as could be asked.
 have had one wonderful week in Paris, during which | carefully avoid ed hospitals and the like, as there were so many other things l wanted to see more.
 Paris is quiet, in fact gloomy at night with about one.quarter of the street lights burning, but martial. Everywhere it is the uniform, among which ours seems quiet, but liked none the less on that account by us all
 1 have also spent five weeks still further up in northeastern France where I came for the first time in close contact with the human wreck age of this world convuision.
 The "poilus" are so patient and wopderful that 1t is pleasure, and at the same time bit upsetting, to have to care for them, especially when they do not live.
 We are fairly busy and trying at the same time to get everything ready against the time, perhaps next spring, when our own American boys begin the long agony of trench and hospital.
 Three days ago I lost my first case a fine young chap of twenty; native of Iowa. from our arch enemy here, just at this lime-pneumonia.
 Uncle Sam has purchased quiet corner in the local cemetery, and there we buried him yesterday-fiag draped and so far from home.
 We are perfectly comfortable in every respect and have ample food, cooked after our own ways.
 Extensive alterations and enlarge. ments are under way, and we have hopes of seeing this one of our greatest American base hospitals. Certainly the plant we took over, which is en. tirely of stone, should make this pos sibie.
 Our war news is scspiy but 1 see the London Daily Mail fairly regularly.
 Barring excessive cloudy weather the climate is good and have felt en- urely we'll all the time. American news is inspiring and 1 am sure you are all doing wonders.
 Your account of the send-of to the camp at Aver interested me very much indeed, and 1 know your plan of sending the paper to those called away to attend to certain little injus- tices, will bring cheer and comfort to many"
 With renewed thanks,
 James NJ Kent