Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1918-10-24

A. Gibbons to his grandmother, MIS-.
Mary Gibbons, arrived in Baraboo az
fer Mrs. Gibbons death:
August %, 1918.
Dear Folks:
Today is Sunday and as far as
weather is concerned has been most
beautiful. If one were not near the
lines, it would be impossible to be-
Heve that there was war in THIS
wide wide world. l have been out or
the hospital nearly two months and
during that time have had many ad-
ventures.
| was unable to get back to my old
company but think | have done very
well where | am My duty consists
of painting diection signs for the diff
ferent roads behind the lines. or
course, there are times when am
unite close and several times OF late
I have been in towns that the Huns"
were Smelling with long range guns.
We do not feel as though we are get
ting the right treatment unless
"Fritz" happens over and drops a few
bombs each night | had the very
good fortune Of running across my
old company not long ago in wood
I'D near the front. They had just re-
turned from their hitch in the line
and played a fire part IN the last
great offensive | had good chat
with many Of my old friends includ-
ing George Pierce, Henry BeuloW
Row Case and many more from Bara'
hoo. I was most tickled to see Vaughn
and Phil They had many tales to
tell me and it is more than puzzle
to hear them and know that bOth
puIled through without scratch.
RolIin Curtis was hit with machine
gun and is back in hospital. L am
sure he will soon be out as the boys
saw his wound was not serious
used to wonder why grandpa hated to
tell me war stories, but now it is all
very clear. What l have seen and ex-
perienced the last few months is tar
worse than | ever want to have to tell.
MANY of my best friends from Madl-
son have been killed, most of them
with the same shell. Peter Mass or
Madison, who was in the hospital
with me for over two months, and
who l held nearly as dear as broth
err lies not far from where l am now
writing this letter. | have done my
best to make his grave appear civil
lied. Civilization is word that
men near the lines have forgotten;
the watch word is, kill or be killed,
If tho wind Inc
right direction. even the air man
breathes is his enemy. The people
prav for cloudy and rainy weather SO
that the Hun will be unable to
bomb their homes behind the lines
Not long ago l was in small town
right behind the advance, within easy
range of the enemy artillery. Things
were quiet during the day but most
every night the artillery would throw
shells into the place. The night
am referring to, fourteen shells were
dropped and every one was dlrect
hit in the town. Perhaps you Will
think that when | mention shells ]
am referring to small arms. Indeed
not. few houses were hit and all that
renamed OIL Iu0u WIS pctl 10 " IAAS
walls. 1t is the same way with
bombs. A man cannot say he is safe
until he is at least twenty-five or thlr
tv feet under the ground. | have Wis
tied Quentin Roosevelt's grave AND
find that the French have now fixed
it up in very pretty way.
If you have watched the papers o.
late you will readily understand thai
the Americans are not losing tins
since they arrived in France. They
are doing a wonderful work all along
the line and l am sure if it continues
this war is of short duration. AS
write this, the guards are passing
with bunch of prisoners and il looks
denote anything l am sure they arr
all ready to quit. I received nic
letter from Grace Gibbons yesterda,
also a picture which l prize yer.
highly. Vaughn and Phil have aske'
me to send their regards and to lie
YOU know that they think of you OF
ten. I guess to think of the HON
folks, is quite common over here, TO
know | do my share Of it. This Wi
give you my new address so | wan
YOU to be sure and write real otter
Trusting that you are all well an
enjoying yourselves. | remain
Your loving grandson,