The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1918-03-22
get The Free Press now and enjoy

get The Free Press now and enjoy
it very much and also got several
magazines from someone.
This afternoon when l came into
by billet or place where / live, the
room was full of chickens and big
rooster was perched on my bunk. 1t is
peculiar how people live over here.
They seem to keep the chickens, cows
and horses right in the houses. You
should have seen me chasing them
out I had quite a time and the old
lady who owns the house came run
ming in. l guess she thought l was
trying to catch one for my supper.
Another funny thing-everyone in
town it seems keeps pigs and they
herd them like sheep. An old lady
comes around every morning with
horn and dog. She blows the horn
to let the inhabitants know it is time
to turn the hogs out and she takes
them out to pasture or somewhere.
The people are peculiar in their ways
being mostly the peasant class. You
know in France they do not have
farm houses every one lives in little
town and go out to their fields and
work keeping their stock etc., in
town. The towns as a rule are only
a few kilometers apart, a kilometer by
the way is five eighths of a mile.
Don and several other fellows just
came in and had to talk to them a
while. How are you all at home?
Well 1 must close now for tomorrow
always comes too soon. Much love
to all at home, Your son, George.
February 10, 191S-My Dear Moth
err: This has been an ideal Sunday,
and now after all is dark and Don
and l are in our billet, / will try to
interest you with this letter. We
have somewhat worn table to write
on. 1t is covered with oil cloth and
a candle that was. We are unable
to get kerosene for our lanterns as it
| is very scarce in France. And as a
rule find it hard to get candles. 1
received those trench candles from
the st. Johns parish in the box they
sent me. Well Don is at one end of
the table pounding on a typewriter he
borrowed to write several letters.
suppose he is writing home. We have
our place fixed up pretty good, We
managed for small stove and gath
cred up enough wood to keep the
place fairly warn. The weather has
been fine here and today the sun was
out all day, it is just like May weather
back home and think you people are
suffering from the cold more than
we are.
We all got up earlier than usual
this morning but would inspect our
regiment at 1:3O p. m. and we had to
be ready sphinx and spank. The place
was in pretty much of rush this
| morning men shining. shoes, brushing
clothes, shaving, making up packs,
polishing saddle equipment, washing
wagons, automobiles, ambulances, etc.
! immediately after dinner we lined up.
l being in headquarters was right up
in front and the companies lined up
/ in back of us. The color sergeants
were out with the star and stripes
waving in the warm breeze. 1t was
a great sight all the men wearing
their helmets or tin hats full field
/ equipment, that is heavy pack, con-
sisting of two blankets, shelter tent,
pins, pole and rope, bacon can, con-
diment can, suit underwear, two pairs
| sox, toilet articles, SlickerS, two gas
masks, cartridges belt or pistol, extra
pair shoes, and other small things
such as canteen filled with water
mess kit, cup, etc. Sure enough. AT
100 four large touring cars drove uI
and tall grey haired man very erect
and solder stepped out followed by
about ten other officers, colonies,
majors, captains, etc. All men were
at attention and the voice of our ad-
jutant gave the command present
arms, prepare for inspection. The
general went down the line inspecting
every mans equipment and all per-
sOnal cleanliness. Not a move was
made for about twenty minutes when
finally the command at ease was CIV
en-. Then attention again, squads left
and down the road we went and were
dismissed. Our regiment looked fine
and we can all be proud of it. / have
seen General Pershing on several oc-
casions, but this was the first inspec-
ton by him. They all got in their
cars again and whizzed away to in
spect some other organization. / was
left guide of our detachment. We
were all very much pleased with the
inspection and l am sure the general
could see we are anxious to go to it
We are anxious to see what the bOche
have to offer. We all seem to think
the war will soon be over and we
hope so.
After the inspection 1 took a Ions
walk out into the country with ''Doog'
and the subject mostly talked over Wa
home We get lots of enjoyment talk
ing over old times ana what we used t
do and what we expect to do when w
get back. We had mail call this evenin
but not single letter for me. but l III
not down hearted. We have to get USE
to waiting in the army you know and
am patient, for l know when l get m
everyone at home? 1 do hope you ar
well
| hear there is a shortage of coal il
the states, is it really as bad as the pa
pers say? Oh, l forgot to tell you
| received another box from you severe
white wooden socks, soap, towels, etc.
was very glad to get it all, the box wa
in good shape and the cakes were fine
one was from Mrs. Palmer, l though
that was her cake in the big box yo
sent. At least 1 wrote and thanked he
for the wrong cake, but that doesn
make any difference, does it?
Monday is big day for the censc
! because everyone writes letters Sunday
or at least three quarters of the men,
am enclosing, several pictures of mySel
not very good but they We're taken i
: again soon. Good night dear. your low
, ing son, George.
February II, 191s.-My Dear Folks a