Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-12-15

corporal George ~. IalDOt, n former Hal
lowell boy, is most interesting, as it de-
scrbes conditions over there more fully
than letters which have been previously
received from boys Of the old 81 Maine
France. Nov 49, 1917
Dear Friend:
We have been in France nearly u
month now. though We have seen very
little of it outside our own little village.
1t is quite a little place and some of the
customs strike us as peculiar, to say the
least. The drainage system is ~ood in
its way, surface drainage, but many
strange odors result, and as far as sani-
tation goes it would strike horror to the
heart of the American average citizen
The washing and laundry work or the
town is done almost entirely in special
house in the middle of the village. There
there are long shallow tanks with a spec
iaf shelf around the edges to work on. ana
the water is running and changing all the
time; lighted all evening by electricity
SO that a great deal of the work is done
then. Soap is very scarce with these peo-
pie now so they have to make up for it
by the use of much elbow grease
They plan with great efficiency all their
work. Their manure piles are banked ~
neatly on the very edge of the street ami
Say, we've had some weeks of wet
weather too Very pleasant I assure YOU.
don't dare go any farther in describing
the common occurrences and sights a.
you might think l was going too far or
stretching things. in fact being indecent.
Some are very ludicrous believe me
The people are very good hearted and
treat us as we'll as they know how ana
can. And when you think what they hav.
been through you've got to hand them
something The battle line has been
rather near here in the past and they
have received all kinds of treatment from,
all kinds Of soldiers Russians, English,
Canadians. etc, and some Of our men are
far from being what they should some
seem to think that because they are so
far from home they are licensed to go as
far as they like.
We had a good passage over tha hrrc,,
was with travelling on one of the m
to-date liners and l was lucky enonph II
go first class. A dandy" trip. if a bit
roush on the nerves once in a while. We
had rotten weather while in England,
and were CHARTERED under canvas on some
low ground 1t raihed eight of the 10 DAYS
there and was a regular slough then
about two weeks steady rain here The
last week has been fine and we have fully
appreciated it.
While In England went to London for
a day and half. 1t is wonderful place
without doubt, but give me the L.. S.
for there are many places there just as
good or little better War conditions
prevail there now Of course, and you see
all kinds OF soldiers wherever you go. In
fact you see soldiers everywhere over
here, soldiers from all over the world.
The English soldiers seem rather jealous
or sore towards US, but then other men,
Canadians, South Africans, New Zealand
ers, Australians, appeared very glad to
see US coming, and put themselves out to
be agreeable % us.
At one place we saw a bunch of Ger
man prisoners at work They laughed
when they saw us, and told their guard
that they were not taken in a. easily as
that. and that those men, (rneaning us,
were only Englshmen dressed differently
to fool them. Peculiar form of Joke isn't
It?
am trying to speak French but It Is
slow work
Write II you have time. Give nv re-.
CARDS to Mrs Moulton and her parents.
Sincerely,
Cpl. GEORGE K. TALBOT
Hdq. Co. 103d L. S. Inf.
Am. Ea. Forces