The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1918-12-06
From Corporal Tom Long
Oct. 14th, 1918.

VIII enueaVof TO get rev lines
written. We have been so busy
that when there is any spare time it
is used getting little "shut eye"
The weather is little disagree
able at times but we manage to get
around some way. We were issued
leather vests the other day, also
overcoats. didn't draw a coat tho,
as | have already salvaged one. l
have enough clothes now to fill
trunk.
think Sis is right about the war
being over before another year but
dead wrong about us stopping here
a year after it is over. We would
get home in row boat sooner than
that.
AS to my French-must say we
haven't picked up very much in the
past three months, so | am afraid
it will be sad disappointment
when l come home, on that score.
Yes, we were on the same boat
with Cobb. thought l told you
that when | told you to read the
article. He has written several
since, | believe, and they describe
things very we'll.
had the pleasure of seeing the
French threshing their crops this
fo II opJ II &c curo opo;oo+ Tho ,,,o,,
they do things. Some of them use
small engines, others use tread
mills, making horse do the work
by walking on an endless platform.
All the villages have commun-
ity wash place. The women almost
stand on their heads to wash.
Never have seen them use hot water
but l suppose they want to Hoover
ize on fuel.
| am sending you piece of
, Boche aeroplane that we had the
pleasure of seeing go down near one
of our positions. 1t isn't the only
=, one | have seen go down but it is
the only one l have piece from.
Wish could send you the rest of it
. but am afraid it would take up too
. much room.
Suppose you will be surprised to
hear that | am corporal but it is
= fact. Since the 23rd of Septem-
ber | draw $40 month, so you see
| will have lot of "kale" some day.
October 23rd.
Will drop you a line to let you
know what to send for Xmas. They
gave US blanks to fill out yesterday
K and suppose they are already on the
It road. You know we can only get.
S one chance year now so it pays to
!. take advantage of it. had a card
e mailed to Joday by fellow named
e Barber. Candy will fill that bill.
Il He didn't have anyone to send it to
II so | told him | would get the
e goods" for him.
: Everything is going fine with us.
It We are still hammering and l think
e it will have the desired effect one of
!: these days. The Boche are sure get
'' ting it in the right place for once.
= 1t must be hard for them to give up
+ their homes here on the front. At
J. present some of US are living in one
II of their dugouts and it is sure a
+ bear. 1t must be 35 feet under
5 ground, all ceiled up and we'll ven-
u tiated. They even had electric
lights but before they moved they
disconnected the wires. | would
hate to put in the time they have
building them. Would rather
# spend the time fighting and get it
# over with.
as Most of the boys are having lot
.e of fun scrapping "cooties." don't
,e think they like me for have only
is had one so far. | changed clothes
IF today-the first time for quite
II awhile-but couldn't find anything
but plenty of dirt.
made raise of four large cans
of carnation milk today, also some
cigars and jam, few days ago.
i, The milk cost US about As cents a
n can, but prices mean nothing in our
l., young lives.
- | must close for this time. Love
. to all. E. I. Long, 14S U. S. F. A.,
= A. E. F.