The Coconino sun., 1918-10-04

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 where more men were killed than at
 the first battle of the Marne or any
 single battle at Verdun.
 Albert Pitts name will be honored
 among those of Arizona's heroes foS
 many years to come as one among the
 first to offer his services to his coun-
 try and one of the first to give his all
 that liberty and freedom might pre-
 vail on earth forever.
 The following letters were the last
 two received from Albert Pitts, of Seligman, who was recently killed in
 action in France. His death occurred
 six days after writing the last one. Company B, l25th Infantry, American Post Office 734, American Exp. Forces, August 20, 1918.
 My Dear Father:
 The following few notes were writ
 ten during the first two trips our or
 ganization made to the front,-the
 quiet front; take me back to it, and
 I'll ask nothing more.
 One day we finally pulled out of a
 small town at about - o'clock. Car
 ried full equipment. The big pack
 has the fellows licked more than a
 hundred German victories. I was so
 worn out when we reached the first
 communicating trench that l didn't feel the slightest thrill. Had been an
 ticipating the excitement for weeks,
 but none was forthcoming. When the
 men were stationed at their posts, was sent back to platoon headquar- ters with message. Then and two other men stood guard over the dug out all night. The lieutenant said he would try to arrange the affairs of the day so we could get a little sleep. l, not being as dumb and stupid as l look, immediately beat it to the front line and told the sergeant to send someone else back to carry the lieu tenants messages; l wanted sleep. Then l found a good dugout and slept for ten hours straight. The extreme fatigue which we encounter at times arouses my temper, but I try to keep in mind the spirit of Marshal Ney; the spirit which takes a man away from the tyranny of the flesh's dic- tates, let's him live for things larger and purer than appetite and sight. After the retreat from Moscow he was found missing. One night ragged, bleeding soldier, with half his heard burned away, staggered into the great headquarters; a cry went up, "Who are you?" and the answer came 'T am the rear-guard of the grand army?"
 Just before arriving at the front l received flock of letters from Har- vey, one from Dad and one from Vic toria. They are uniformly and truly better than no letters at all The American army is never spoken of but as "our boys"
 The last two nights have been given to guarding the line against the Germans. The first night there was brisk firing on each side. Last night was cloudy and quiet. Expected raid; felt great relief when I saw day breaking through the cloud banks. Gained an entirely new view of the war last night when saw the French searchlights at - playing in the sky, looking for Boche. Conceived Franco a weak nation, not an az gressor, defending herself.
 The chuck yesterday was.very punk. The French gave us bread. The at times show themselves in highly unbecoming light, they are selfish to one another, self-sufficient in their own comprehension; they find fault with the French for his alleged gay and dissipated life, but I find that he is not immoral, but quite the con- trary, pure minded. His frankness in many matters has been looked upon by other peoples as an unsoundness indicating laxity in moral conduct. The Germans hide the passions and play of feeling behind their habitually harsh and slow moving natures.
 I have come to enjoy trench war fare; it affords considerable excite ment with very little danger. It does not annoy one to be fired at when eight feet of dirt stand between one and the enemy. Last night I fired my first shot. It is the old story; the per formance pleased me immensely, for we are all potential Homers, in that we still thrill to the story and pros pect of war or love.
 I hoped to write more of the notes to you than here copied; but it is only after supper that l have access to the and generally twilight is nretty thick when I get the machine. You understand we don't use lights ] when this close to the front.
 During the big noise our mail was brought to the very firing line, amone the letters were two from you, in each i of them you speak of the large din ners to be attacked by the rest of the ] family on my birthday. This news was | , matter of great rejoicing to me at hat particular time. for we had noth- ng to eat during the ensuing thirty 'ix hours. The kitchens couldn't keen pace with the infantry, which had the