Catoctin clarion., 1918-11-07
Hates Enemy Bombs.
Private Carl FirOr Seeing Great
Sights At Battle Front.

Private Carl Firor Seeing Great
Sights At Battle Front.
Somewhere in France.
September 18th.
My dear Mother:
Today was different day to me from
some that have gone through lately.
received one letter from home dated Aug.
22nd which was the first from Sabillas-
vile for several weeks, so you might
know how glad was. We have been
through some trying times lately. We
have marched through driving rains, and
on one occasion it took three days for my
clothes to dry out properly.
On one of our late marches while COM
ing through shell torn town we were
bombed 1t was a beautiful moonlight
night. We were marching along quietly
when all of sudden we heard the purr
of an arplane. When we made it out to
be an enemy plane we sought shelter, and
while doing so, heard an awful crash,
and so we knew what was up. Well
naturally, we were somewhat frightened
at first. Nothing to our discredit, for l
have talked to fellows who have been at
the front for some time and they say the
worst thing and the one they hate the
most is the bomb that is dropped from
an enemy airplane.
At present we can hear the guns roar,
and see aeroplanes flying all around US.
| am writing this letter down in dug
out which possibly has been used by many
soldiers. Some of the worst fighting has
been around where we are. We can see
old trenches and barbed wire entangle-
ments around us. We have fixed up our
little dugout and have made it as COM
Portable as possible, so we have a nice
little home under the ground. At pres"
ent we have several 75s guarding US. .-r.
Early this morning the booming of the
cannons woke me up, we are getting used
to it.
wrote to Paul (.) several weeks ago
and certainly hope he gets my letter.
II he should get over here Icertainly am
going to look for him, so maybe one OF
these days we may run across each other.
But just wait until the family assemblies
again, the day of jubilee will surely have
come-a time to be always remembered.
Tell Ruth the sweater she knitted for me
has come in fine. and has kept me warm
often when the chilly winds blow and the
rain comes down in torrents. After all,
it certainly was good thing took it
when | did.
We have had no church for more than
three weeks, so sometimes | get bit
irreligious. 1t happens oftentimes in the
army that fellow forgets himself. But
| ask forgiveness from the King of Kings.
Well, it is getting too dark to see; it is
clouding up again, so | will soon have to
stop. We have been having some wet
weather and everything is so muddy, but
we are used to it. We keep little fire
IN the fireplace in our dugout so that we
can keep our home dry and comfortable.
September Goth.
Today is Friday and am down in my
little dug out again. To my surprise |
received four letters last night | read
them before | went to bed but will read
them over many many times. The paper
has not come yet but when it does sure
ly will enjoy reading it.
! don't believe we are going to be here
long. At present ! see little train pull
ing up big shells to the front, also see
guns going up, troop ambulances in fact
everything. This morning it is very
quiet but | do not believe it will be for
long. Tell Whitmer today | went to the
old trenches and saw some bones and
shoes, helmets, ammunition and hahd
grenades. Tell him he ought to see the
trench rats, they disturb some of the
fellows but we have been left alone and
thank goodness we have not had any of
the cooties around our dug out and be-
lieve me we don't want any.
Over on one of the hills opposite US is
large graveyard right along the road.
Goodness only knows how many are buried
there, they claim this has been the scene
of some of the hardest fighting.
have not much more to tell excep,
that am in the best of health, have hac
very little trouble with my feet so far.
Remember me to all the church people
and tell them | think of them often; tell
them to write and will try and answer
Send some snapshots. Write often.
Lots and lots of love to all,
Affectionately,
Private Carl Lawrence Firor,
3l5 Ambulance Company
2Od Sanitary Train A r. r