New Britain herald., 1918-05-01
HOPKINS OBSERVES
 MAR. l7 IN TRENCH
Local Soldier Tells Of Action in FranCe-MeetS Several Friends

Miss Elsie Hopkins of West Main street has received an interesting let ter from her brother, Private Will liam Hopkins of Company l, in VI Nhich he tells of the arrival of Monograph, donated by C. l.. Pierce 6l company and expresses the keenest appreciation. He also tells in an in terestlng way of life in the trenches and of meeting a number of other New Britain boys with different units. The letter follows:
 Somewhere in France,
 April 3, 1918. My Dearest Sis Eli
 This is my first opportunity to Y rite for some time. Although there f. great deal to write about I cant think of what to put in the contents of letter. Now, before I go any further El, I don't want you to think J have been sick because Pm feeling fine. It's a mystery to me how some Ct these fellows get sick. Just after wrote last, I think 1t was about the 14th of March, we expected to have a nice long rest and furlough. But, El, I suppose you have by this time heard about the turn of the tahles-which resulted in Us being rushed back into the trenches. It Was quite a surprise to us, but this life is made up of all kinds of sur prises. We'll we didn't mind it for we had experience. We were on the line St. Patrick's Day, the 17th of 1reland,' and we had quite a cele- Ia,-- ff~,, shell gas attack which lasted prac- ttcally twenty-four hours with but g. few minutes interval-but they got receipt, El, for every shell they threw across.
 Eoche lines. Our company sent out combat patrol consisting of an of ficer sergeant two corporals and about 20 men. We went through our wire, across No Mans Land" through the Roche wire and then as near to their trenches as possible without entering them. We could plainly hear the sounds of voices and working parties pounding behind the lines. But it's lucky thing for the Eoche that we didn't come in con- tact with their patrol because l can just imagine what would have hap pened.
 I just happened to think El, that a year ago St. Patrick's Day I took a trip to New York and from there over to Newark, N. J. It has proven quite a roaming day for me. Next wear at this time I may be exploring the wilds of Africa.
 Present From C. l.. Pierce
 After being out of the trenches a week and our expectations all based Oil a nice furlough for the second time we were greeted with the same surprise as the first time. Your last letter I received El, was the one con- taining the picture of mother and Gather and some of mothers birth day flowers in the envelope. Pm going to carry both of them with me wherever I go. I also received sev- eral other letters of yours and LiPs but haven't had time to answer them. But they are always looked for and appreciated just the same. In one of our last camps we struck, we were greeted with a, pleasant surprise from old New Britain. in the form of an army and navy model Edison-do- mated by the C. L. Pierce O. to Co. boys. Gee, it's pip, El, with about twenty of the latest records; that is, they are new to us.
 It sure will furnish many an even lng's enjoyment and all of us feI- lows do treasure it. Whenever you happen to be passing by there, just crop in and convey our thanks to them.
 Well how is the old burg? I inn agine it is somewhat deserted by now I suppose Central Park and City hall are still located in the same p!ace-and who is the new mayor? suppose Quigley will win again. well politics is out Of the question ever here--and mayors, etc, are a 1 thing of the past According to the ! sounds around here just now 1 take it for granted that the is still in progress and there is plenty doing around here. Oh, yes, very lively gas and shrapnel shells are only a siGe attraction here and so long as they keep so far away-we should worry. You know I'm just the kind nat does a lot of worrying anyway. Sees New Britain Boys. l Has Ernie left the states yet for somewhere lover here?' He must be ! SClllp guy Uy llllS lIil1e DCCduSt III every letter he says he's getting fat ter. There seems to be all kinds of l chances for promotion lover here' at 1 he present time and I'm soon going l 70 make 8 stab at getting up to him. 1 Eddie Ogren has been sent to school l to work for com mission. You have 1 t. work for what you get over here. 1 Eddie Hintz, Crean and the rest of l the fellows are all feeling fine. l was talking to Feet" Overstrom and ] Thom pson a few days ago and they