Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-10-31
OUR BOYS
OUR COUNTRY'S SERVICE

The following letter has been re-
ceived by one of his Newport friends,
from Corp Owen Sanborn. now chief
scout of the Iiason and Reconnaissance
Detail of Battery A. Sd Field Artillery,
under date of Sept. Is, 1918:
Dear Friend: l wish to let you and
the other ladies' of the Newport Ped
Cross know of the wonderful work that
the Red Cross are doing for us boys
over here. l was sent to one of the
American base hospitals with some M
portant papers for the officer in charge.
had a few days to wait before return
ing to my regiment and was wondering
where l was to make my home white
here, when found the Red Cross and l
knew then that I had real home. /
am staying at this rest station. l will
tell you just what a rest station is; fret
there is very nice lunch room where
one can get a real home meal for very
little money. md if a soldier does not
have the money, he is taken care of
free. l want to make it plain that SOL
dier is always welcome at Red Cross
station whether he has money or not
Then there is Il very fine reading room
with plenty to read and lots of gam IS
to play and good music, and at night
beds are furnished free. The lunch Is
always open and troops going through
on trains are given hot coffee and
lunches free. 1t Is wonderful and I
cannot find words that will express he
appreciation of the American soldier for
the work that the ladies of the Red
Cross are doing for our comfort The
ladies around the station always nave
smile and a word of cheer for every
one, they are always trying to make
the soldiers happy and comfortable and
every American soldier be he an officer
or an enlisted man. would give his IKE
for any member of the Red Cross. Tile
Red Cross ladies are the bravest and
noblest women in the world and :he-e
is not man in the army that will not
agree with me. I have been in The
army for some time, as you know,
and have always appreciated the
work Of the Red Cross, but never
in my life SO much as do now.
Here I am a long ways from nv
unable to speak French Gee, but I was
glad to locate the Red Cross!
will now tell you about something else.
received both of your letters and Was
very glad to hear from you. 1t does mo
good to know that I have real :,ue
friends in Newport. was pretty will
boy when I was around Newport AMI
for you people to stick to me as yoa
have is something that 1 never will fo-
get. ! Joined the army so 1 could show
the people Of Newport that there was
little good in me, and. before God, |
will do my duty il it costs me nv life
and if I ever come back 1 will come
with honor
BY the time that you receive this I
will be in the thick of the big drive
Regards to all Of the family, and best
wishes and regards to the ladies' of TIE
Red Cross. ] remain a friend in trltn
Owen
(Mr. Sanborn is one Of four brothers
who are now in the U. s. Service).
The following letter was received re-
Gently by Mrs. Eta Grover Peatrie OF
Fairfield from he- son Albert, who is Il,
active service in France
Aug. IS, 1918
Somewhere in France.
My Dear Mother:
Just few lines to try and cheer you
up a bit 1t is s.45 now, and I just -.
up few minutes ago. and after 1 mad
washed and shaved began to think CT
you and how nice it would be if / were
at home this fine Sunday morning. 20 I
thought 1 would write to you anyway.
We are having a good time in this
place and where We stay it is beautiful,
The sun has got good start now. AMI
as it shines down upon the beautiful
earth. and the high walls which SUI
round it. and are all wreathed with
nice green running vines, it makes
very pretty picture to look at. wish
you could all see it.
The weather here is quite warm now
but that is due to our being down SO
far south.