New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1918-12-25

times hit the supply wagons and then
too, the wagons would go very slowly
for there were so many big shell holes
in the road. There was more danger
to go on these roads than anywhere
else for the Germans had pretty good
range on them and they very well
knew that supply wagons and amuni-
ton trucks and troops were going back
and forth. 1t was not so very bad
at the front line. It was only those
days when we went over the top that
we lost our men. We always stayed
"a hours on the front line, staying in
the holes with mud and water in them
and forty-eight hours in place a little
ways back on the side of hill. Here we
could walk around when we wanted to
and then we dug holes in the side of
, the hill and used them for sleeping
quarters. These were pretty hard beds
for we used our shoes for a pillow and
blanket and raincoat to cover with.
Some fellows found little straw where
they lay. | found half an overcoat
which | used to lie on. It was pretty
cold to sleep in these holes but we did
not mind it so much as long as it was
dry but several days it was raining and
our clothing was wet all thru and it
was really cold. l tell you those nights
seemed long. We always got up. three
or tour times during the night and walked
around to warm up little This was
dangerous place for the Germans well
knew we were there, and they were
sneiling this place all the time and here
we lost more men than on the front
line. They did very little Smelling on
the front line but we had to look out
lor machine guns and as long as we
stayed IN the holes we were al right
At night was the only time we could
get out and then we had to be careful
Tor they sometimes sent over some rockets
TO light up the whole thing and surely
enough machine gun fire would follow
We certainly had some time up there
and we were all glad to get out of it,
Monday was big day here in
AK Les Bains. The people almost
went wild when they found that out
the armistice was signed and they
had big parade and sang and cheered
and waved flags.
well, | hope it won't take long till
| can come home and then 1 can tell
you some more about what l have seen
and heard and gone thru
Mrs. Michael Ranweiler received a
letter from her nephew Harry G. Brand
written at Veyie- Mouton, France, No
vember Is. He says he did not get
a chance to 60 to the front snl that
was the only thing he regretted. He
also says that the influenza is awful
in France and that he had slight at
! tack but has completely recovered. He
was gun mechanic on one of the big
guns. Continuing, he says: 1--WE have
done considerable shooting but / wish
we could have gotten up and done some
real work.
Il suppose the people are waiting for
their boys to come home soon. I don't
know how long we will be here. yet
1t may be only a few months and It
may be longer. At any rate, l don /
expect to be home before July 1.
The weather here has been fine
lately, with cool evenings and we have
had slight frosts.
Must stop for tonight, My best
regards to ALL HARRY. =
Private Herman Schwantes writes
his mother Mrs. Ida Schwantes
OF this city that he is we'll and happy
and enjoys nothing more than letter
from home. He says: 81 wish I could
be home Christmas with you but |
suppose won't be until next Christmas
but we don't mind as long as we are
well and happy
am still in the same company and
| think | will stay too until the war is
over. My partner now is John Schuel-
Ter from Sleepy Eye Saw Ed Baer in
| the band and talked with him the othe,
day. We always shake hands and fee
much better if we meet again
Nov don't forget that somewhere ii
France there is a Sammy who is waiting
for letter from home.
Private Louis Roesch of Casual Co
No. L, A. p. F. writes to his sister
Miss Mary of this city, under dates q
October 5 and 27. He was at Liver
pool when he wrote the first letter bui
they do not know his whereabouts a
present, not having received any letters
from him since October 81. He writes
7 am over here now and am feelins
all right again. Have been in The
hospital for eight days. When we came
hero | was NOT I,end to tbo oI;,,,,+