Connecticut western news. [volume] (Salisbury, Litchfield Co., Conn.) 1871-1970, 1918-12-26
PRIVATE ADAM WRITES
AN INTERESTING LETTER
Was Among First Hundred
Americans In
Alsace
Dear Mother:

Dear Mother:
Have put off writing for few
days because, I now have more TO
say that will interest you. Was in
Mulhausen, Alsace today. 1t is sure
trip / will never forget. If you
lock it up on the map you will find,
it is a city that has been under the
German rule since 1870.
My being close to the front since
June has enabled me to make this
trip. A few American soldiers had
been in the town ahead of US, but |
can truthfully say l was within the
first hundred to make it visit. 1t
is hard to write and do justice to the
enthusiasm and gratitude these peo-
pie show u. S. soldiers.
consider them a much better
class of people than the French
have seen back in the interior. The
streets are clean, the people appear
better educated, "a large per cent
being able to speak English), their
dress is heater and especially their
sanitary conditions are far superior.
/ Suppose after the u. S. soldier
ceases to Me a curiosity he will be
treated with respect but not the adj
nairation that is now shown him.
We travelled in truck, forty of
us in all, down through the principle
streets, which are hung with Allied
flags and big placards on which IS
written ssVive H. France. One man
from the crowd in the street who
recognized the uniforms shouted
"Hurrah for America. A French
military band was playing near
where we unloaded but they soon
lost their audience for curiosity
pulled the people our way. They
would ask if we were British, Italian
but it was hard for them to believe
when we said Americans" Occa-
sionally some one would point with
their finger and exclaim american,
American" Never thought | would
ever be as popular as that.
Was low on coin but bought my
self pipe which I'll prize very
much when I get home.
1t seemed strange to be walking
on the same side walk with German
soldiers when you stopped to think
that two weeks earlier your life
wouldn't have been worth nickel
con those same streets. Saw several
teirls wearing the dress that is char
acteristic Of Alsace. They looked
very pretty.
The people as whole looked very
prosperous. but oh boy their food is
worth it's weight in gold, They
serve the black bread we've heard so
u 4@11
In going over we crossed No Mans
Land and several deserted villages.
They are at present repairing and
making the roads passable. All that
remains of trees around the front
line trenches are the bare stumps.
Between the trenches are tons and
tons of wire and the ground is full
of shell holes. 'aa
It sure must be fine sensation
to lay in trench and hear those
shes D4lf.k4ng jest ahead. The
nearest experience I have had with
shells was watching them break in
town Il mIe atay one afternoon.
often however during German
bonbardi1s ,sh lis have passed over
head. Of 81 the weird sounds you
can think of. The best one is the
whistle of she'll at midnight.
Woula not hive told you all this
only things are qaiet now and L
know you WON'T very.
Guess Malcolm came into the
game rather late. Expect to be
moved in & few days but will write
the first chance that comes.
Lovingly,
Kenneth.
Merry Christmas and