Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1918-02-08
UNDER The COLORS
Soldier Boys Write Home From
Hospital and Field

- The following is a letter received
by Mrs. Helen Folsom, East Con.
cord, from her sou in the 102nd
Machine Gun Battalion, Somewhere
in France:
Somewhere in France,
December 25, 1918.
My Dear Mother:
Christmas day is nearly over and ]
have stayed in my billet pretty nearly
all day, have not been away from
here only just to eat.
| received two boxes from you
last night and I was as tickle d to get
them as a kid is with a new toy.
have kept that new pipe a going
nearly all day. have not got all
the boxes you have sent me yet but
will get them later all right | think.
You see | am writing on the new
paper you sent me; | am very glad
you thought of that and l want you
to thank all the folks who sent me
presents.
We had a pretty good feed this af-
ternoon of mashed potatoes, turkey,
dressing, cranberres, squash, nuts,
apples, bread and butter and coffee.
That wasn't bad feed was it? We
are getting enough to eat. You said
you heard we wasn't getting enough
to eat, have been. This is the first
Christmas | haven't been at home,
isn'tit? Well it is about 7:30 o'clock
here, if | was at home now proba-
bly, would be up at the church now.
suppose they are having a tree. |
don't see why you have not got let
ters from me oftener than you have,
| have written every week and some
time twice a week, but Think they
have been held up at the censor's.
| have received two bundles of pa
pers today and | have been reading
them. How are you feeling this
winter and have you had your annual
cold yet? We are all feeling fine here
and have not had much of cold yet
and am in hopes not to. You wanted
me to number my letters; | don't
know how many have written but
can call this number l if you want
me to. Have you got that money
order | sent home last month yet?
did not have to pay anything on
those boxes. | may write Mr..
Whites people later when | get
time. Fred has been visiting me to-
day and-we have been smoking
cigars. | had rather have tobacco
or cigars now than cigarettes, l
think. Are the drafted bunch still
at Aver? | suppose they think it
was quite an honor to be drafted
don't they? Are you staying with
Aunt Stella now? Give her my love.
| received letter from Katie Grant
the other day.
Well, it will soon be 1918, won't it?
am getting to be pretty old man,
don't you think so? | must close and
go to bed for it is my bed time. Now
take care of yourself and don't
worry about me too much for | am
all right. Will say good night and go
to bed. With love,
Ross Folsom,
Cob, 1O2nd Machine Gun Battalion.
The following letter was received
by Miss Elsie Petrie from her
brother who enlisted with the ma
rines:
January II, 1918,
Paris Island, S. C.
Dear sister Elsie:
Just line to let you know | got
the stuff 0. K. They were dandy. l
got a comfort kit from the Red
Cross and was glad to get it.
We drew our Winter field" uni
forms the other day; they are forest
green color and we look fine in them.
1t is quite warm here. We were
really uncomfortable yesterday noon
the weather was so warm. We ran
around in shirt sleeves so expect it
is some different than old Vermont.
| am in the best of health and
have a fine appetite. You should
see me store away the "oats." Oat.
meal in the morning but we get no
milk on it and it is "a good deal like
soup but is slightly sweetened, and |
bet ] eat as much as all of you at
home do together. Some times we
get rice which is also good but can