The Yale expositor., 1918-12-12
OUR SOLDIER BOYS.
Letters From and Items Concerning Yale
Boys Who are in the Service of
Their Country
France, Oct. 27, 1918.

France, Oct. 27, 1918.
Dear Mother and Sisters:-
AT the port of embarkation / was
loaded on an English ship and set
| sail for an unknown land bidding
adieu to the Statue of Liberty but
not once having the thought of fear
in me.
1t being in the middle of summer
the water was calm and at night the
sea was most beautiful but it was
then that | was inclined to be more
lonesome.
The trip was uneventful with the
exceptions of two of my comrades
on neighboring ships passed away
and were lowered to their watery
graves and one youth becoming over
burdened with grief ended his troub-
les by plunging headlong into the
briny surf, the rescuers came and
made very brave attempt but all in
vain. Things passed along very
smoothly until we neared the foreign
shore and then came a few skirmishes
with the enemy's sea demons but we
outwitted the Bosch" and landed
safely in an English seaport.
We were then escorted to an Eng
lish rest camp, which was very beau
tiful, but somewhat different than
the ones we left in the States"
We visited several of these camps,
and it was in one Of these that we
in practice marches passed over
some of the ground which Caesar
once trod upon. We visited several
Of the ancient and noble buildings
consisting Of cathedrals and halls. In
one | saw King Arthur's round table
also a bronze statue of Queen Vic
toria. Our stay in the last rest camp
became brief and we were ordered
to move, this time by rail- and it
was during this movemant that
sent you King Georges message one
of which was given to every Sam
mie."
AT the end of this journey we
worked practically all night, trans
ferring our baggage from train to
ship but our mess sergeant having a
taste for nick-nacks, rewarded the
boys we'll for their work. We were
then escorted from noted England to
Sunny France by our own marines"
and let me assure you that it was a
speedy trip
instead of our money became con-
fused, but we we're welcomes by all
the natives as far as we could under
stand.
Off board the ship we were again
marched to another rest camp, for
only a short while, and then again
becoming the railroad ~pests" tthis
time in side door pullmans" we trav-
eled many mile sthrough Sunny
France enjoying the beautiful seen
cry and at last arriving at our desti-
nation, which we welcomed gladly
and being the first American soldiers
in the vicinity we were given hear
ty welcome and their doors were
thrown open to us, the civilians de-
priving themselves, gave us quarters
consisting from barns to beautiful
"chateaus" or castles.
AT present our work gives us
chances to see much of the wonder
full country, which to a great extent
is vineyards, but some grains and
vegetables are grown here the same
as at home
AT present the rainy season is in
full bloom and the natives say she
always lasts like this for four months
but sometimes she forgets for a day.
| cannot "parley-Voo" French to any
advantage, but through the use OF
my hands, head and feet, | can make
them understand.
AS the fire is growing cold and
the candle very short | will bid you
all happy good night and best
wishes
A loving son and brother,
MECH. FORD J. ROBBINS,
Co. F, 33Sth Infantry,
American T.. F.. France.