The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1918-11-30
WORLD WAR END
IS DESCRIBED
: BY GUY HARMON
Bennington Boy Writes of Cele.
bratiOn "On the Front"
WILDLY JOYoUL SCENE
James Wood Receives One OF the
First Letters From France Since
Armistice.


from a Bennington boy in France
since the signing of the armistice
has been received by James Wood
from Guy Harmon. The letter was
written on November IL, the day fol
lowing the signing of the armistice
and is a vivid description Of the cele-
bration ION the 'front.' The letter
follows:
Dear Jim,
Was mighty surprised to receive
your letter today but you can imagine
it was an agreeable surprise The
l1th hour--the 11th day-the 18th
month is the time of the ceasing Of
hostilities. We heard the last two
shots OF the war fired from here yes
terday at just 1859 a. m. and as those
two freight cars" as we call the
14inch shells, went flying Germany
ward we all rushed up on the battle
ments of the great fortress and cried,
KAISER, count your men,' Just then
the chimes rang out from the ruined
cathedral--frst time in nearly five
years-since 1914 1t was wonder
ful moment and we all jumped about
like two year olds, Five of our bands
played. followed by British, French,
Senegalese, negroes and American
soldiers with arms locked about each
others shoulders. 1t was indeed a
strange sight One of our boys
climbed to the very top Of the ruined
and lofty wireless tower and unfurled
the Stars and Stripes. 1t was a
moment to be proud of for this was
the first flag to be raised over this
world famed city since the Boche
began their attack upon it in 1914
They left 100000 men 'sown' around
here in various places. A pretty ex-
pensive venture should say
The official flag raising was at 3 p,
M, when the great Gen. Maugin gave
a speech and then mfurled the tri-
color and our flag from tower of
the cathedral to the accompaniment
of thousands OF lusty cheers 1t
made little thrills 80 up and down
your spine in rapid succession.
The lines or trenches Of the Boche
are spread out in fan-shape forma-
ton before us nearly surrounds the
city and fortress. Last night they
were ablaze with fire. Our boys were
shooting up star, shells, airplane
rockets, gas rockets and artillary
flares while the air Just ratified from
the fire of hundreds of machine guns,
rifles and nistols, and everywhere
huge bonfires were burning. 1t was a
sight | never shall forget.
/ fancy you people In dear old Ben,
nington had a large sized celebration
also. Did you not? But did you ever
stop TO realize what it cans to u.s.
No more bombing planes-no more
huge, crashing shells, no more gas
masks nor camouhage at night but
lights everywhere-all you want o.
'em. ooh, what a grand and glorious
feeling The next great question Il
he solved is when are we going to ger
home????
certainly appreciate your splendii
wishes and interest in me JIM
helps out just heaps.
I'm sure ! will dig to the bottom o
that Xmas box for the steel engray
ing. Accept my sincere thanks il
advance for it. I told Dad AM
Mother in yesterdays letter that
was sending you a little keepsake o
this marvellous place for Xmas, 81
here you will find 1t in this medal !
stands for many things in the suffer
ing of this famed spot.
] thank God have come through n
safely as | have for I'm mighty fol
tunate. JIM thus far, as I've been 1
places ! never expected to get out o.
Now il can only get home soon r.
be satisfied to swear by the hom
folks and Mothers cooking for eve
more. I've had enough Kindly el
press my sincere wishes for one {
the brightest Of Thanksgivings Mr.
Wood and yourself have ever hat
We certainly all have much to h
thankful for this year.
Write again when you can and Civ
my best to everybody. got is letter
today and 3 yesterday, all late one
so you see my friends are not n
glecting me.
Just fhe same old
Guy.