The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1918-01-31
WINE FLOWS FREELY THERE
Wine More Abundant Than Water in
French Villages Soldier Gives Inter
esting Account of First Thanksgiv-
ing of U. S. Soldiers in France.

The American Batteries &re beating
the French record for the lumber o.
shells fired in o minute each day. I
was talking to the French instructor
the other day and he said that he WAS
pleased and astonished with the way
which we have taken to the French
75's." This is one CT the interesting
things told in o letter from epaal b,
Durling, formerly Of Konosha, hut row
a member of Battery E OF the l49th
Field Artillery of the Rainbow Divis.
ion, serving with the Expelitionary
Force under General PerishinG In
France. The letter is written to his
parents, Mr. and Mrs. During and
his sister, Of Kenosha.
Thanksgiving according to the letter
was a real holiday for the soldiers from
reveille till taps. 1t started with the
announcement at nine O'Clock that the
"ghost would Walk for the soldiers
at ten in the morning. Everybody
was broke, writes the Kenosha soldier,
$50 this announcement created a riot
We were paid in French money and ]
have a pocket book full of francs and
confines. The festivities continued in
the morning with a grand athletic car
nival where French soldiers and Ger
man prisoners were scattered along the
lines to watch the contests of the
American soldiers. In the tests of
strength and skill, so similar TO the old
Greek pentathlon, the battery to which
the Kenosha soldier is attached won
first place and established record
in it's regiment.
And the Thanksgiving dinner! Read
the account and you will be in the
ranks before the holiday comes in 1918.
81 At four in the afternoon says the
letter, eve had our Thanksgiving din
ner and now just listen to this for eats.
Turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing,
gravy, cranberries, cocoa and apple
cobbler We had all we could eat of
it and when tell you that not even
fatty Charles Durling went back for
seconds you will know how much we
had. While we were eating the cooks
walked between the rows Of soldiers,
asking us if we didn t want more and
if everything tasted o. X. We had the
Kitchen and barracks all decorated
with holly, pine and mistletoe They
looked very pretty and we will keep
them decorated during the holidays.
After the meal we were presented with
six packages of cigarettes and some to-
bacco-I sold mine. Altogether we
had perfect day of it am hoping
that Christmas goes just as pleasant
ly,"
Some idea of the value Of the "Y''
to the fighting soldiers is seen in the
letter and will repay every person in
Kenosha who has helped in the support
of the movement. Last Sunday
went to church for the first time since
I left America -, is the way one para
graph of the letter starts. "We had
very nice service and to-day I went
again and enjoyed it very much. The
services are al held at our "Y.'' On
Thursday evening we have a Bible class
which I also attend / and many of
the soldiers always look forward to
these meetings and feel very much bet
ter after attending them.
The account of camp life reads like
page from soldier s diary "The
camp we are in now is going to be per-
manent at least until we are ready to
take our places ON the firing line. We
have it very nice here. The barracks
with a stove in each end are nice and
warm. We have nice beds and also
places for our clothes. There is build
ing where hot water and towles are
furnished for baths. We have washing
machines to wash our clothes in, and I
curt Chalie $ hair and he cuts mine.
We are coming along fine with our
drill and have our target practice on
a big range short distance from here
We eat breakfast by moonlight and sup
per by moonlight; so we have plenty of
moonlight picnics. I am glad you are
buying Liberty Bonds-I have already
noticed the increase in our eats and
you can see that your money is being
well spent.
The letter also tells Indirectly OF
the economic condition of France
f'Wine is more abundant than water
these French villages. In restau.
ant instead Of ordering wine person
las to order water and say no wine.
The villages have no men in them ex.
ept those in uniform. The women run
III the stores and do all the work
chis is a wonderful country around
ere with numerous villages all around
III camp. which We visit on Sundays