Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1918-12-20

SOLDIERS LETTERS
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From Saddler M. D. opperman Il

From Saddler M. d. opperman to
his father, J. B. opperman:
A. E. F., Sept. 20, 1918.
Dear Father:
Your much appreciated letter Of
August q Just received and as you
said to write as often as possible II
only a few words, wrote to you q
few days ago and also inclosed let
ter to Marguerite but am afraid they
were never mailed. / also sent you q
cablegram just as soon as ! could at
ter we had made the drive, for !
knew you would be anxious.
All the Baxter boys that took part
came through o. X. Nothing more
than slight wounds. / didn't get q
scratch. Our regiment was the first
to 70 over the top and / guess the
papers have told you long before now
what they did. They lived up to their
states name o. K, as soldiers. We
lost very few men compared with
what the Germans lost. None Of our
boys were taken prisoners whereas we
took thousands upon thousands Of the
Dutch. / shall never forget that first
day of the drive. It gave me that
feeling that only comes once in life
time.
We will be relieved in a few days
and will go back for a rest, which will
be very much appreciated. You don't
get so physically worn out though as
you do mentally, being constantly un-
der fire and the shock from the high
explosives gets next to the nerve CEN
tiers. Even the horses and mules must
be taken away from it for a rest; 1t
affects them the same as it does men.
shall make every effort to visit
the birthplace of my father and
grandfathers. No doubt the very
houses or ruins of them are still
standing. France is a great country
but no so great as our good old U. 5.
A. wouldn't trade an acre Of good
old American for the whole Of France
or any other country.
Yes, ! have had number Of letters
from Marguerite and expect there are
several more on the way over. ! am
certainly proud of Marguerite for the
work she has taken up. / think the
Red Cross is the greatest part Of the
service. A man can do no more than
give his life, but those dear little girls
of the Red Cross give that which
saves the lives and sufferings OF
thousands. was in one of the big
American hospitals. Went there the
4th day of August. Was there only
about two weeks but in that time l
learned to love and look on every one
of those little Red Cross nurses as
near angels. There were over hun
bred boys in the ward that / was in,
all suffering from the effects Of mus
tard gas. Some of them were very
bad. Those little nurses put up big
ger fight than men ever could.
No, am not doing very much
leather work. We don't take time to
do any repairing up here, but / will
have lots of it to do when we get back
for q rest.
Give my kindest regards and best
wishes to Charles and Gay and tell
them l will try to find them to write
them one of these days.
We had to turn our Dutch souvenirs
in yesterday so l won't get to send
you anything now but maybe by the
time we take Berlin we will be allowed
all the souvenirs we can carry.
Tell John and Grace that / haven't
forgotten them and / surely appre-
ciate their good letters; also tell them
that when l write to one at home it
is intended for all, but ! will write to
each of them when ! get more time.
Wishing worlds of love to all, Morris.
Saddler M. D. opperman Supply Co.,
1853 Inf, A. E. F.