Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1918-02-22
SOUTH VERNON.
Soldier Writes Entertaining Letter.


Paul Newton, who makes his home
at Rev. G. +. Tyler's, sends in the
following letter from his brother, Sergt.
Carl r. Newton, Battery +, 18th field
artillery, written in France Jan. Is.
The letter was written to their mother,
Mrs. A. A. Newton, formerly of North
| field, Mass, and now living in Spring
| field, Mass: ...,.
Dear Mother: ,.
Greetings for the New Year will ar.
rive rather late, but 1t cannot be
helped May the New Year bring to
you the happiness that only you dc.
serve. trust you did not WORRY dur
| ing the two weeks you did not hear
| from me OF course, any mother would
| worry aud | hope my card telling of
our safe arrival relieved you some.
| what 1t does not seem possible that
| we are really over here at last. Our
fondest hopes are beginning to materi
alize. After months of anticipation
| we are really in France preparing for
the front. Our trip across the sea was
interesting though uneventful There
was little seasickness, as we had good
accommodations, and splendid weather
Sunrises and sunsets and mirages at
sea are wonderful, and far beyond my
ability to describe, 10 ] will not at
tempt to- Our time passed agreeably
in reading, smoking and promenading
| the decks.
Passing the danger zone, we were
| ready for any emergency, but nothing
unusual happened.
Take it all around, it was just one
more case when another contingent of
American troops successfully defed the
U-boats.
The Old World impressed us with
it's oldfashioned and stately archtec
ture. How unlike our architecture,
ways and customs are these of the peo-
pie over here. The scarcity of men
engaged in civilian occupation, the
solemn appearance Of the women, and
oven the little children, realizing the
seriousness of it all, has made a great
| impression on my life. We were gra-
ciously received, and in France very
| warmly received. Everywhere are the
effects of the three.years war very
evident Still time, the consciousness
| of having done right and the spirit of
the people, will regain in a measure
what they have lost. Our trip to our
barracks was made in box cars.
Every new experience is going to
help us to become real soldiers. Our
quarters are very comfortable, and ev-
erything possible is being done for the
comfort of the American troops. When
we are ready for the firing line, l hope
that America will have no cause to
be other than proud of her represent
atives in France, for we know that
much depends on US as to how the
American people are to be judged dur
ing and after the war. With this in
mind, a perfect military bearing on our
part and strict observance of French
and English laws and customs is being
insisted upon.
We are having considerable fun
learning the French language and mon
ey. AT present we have foot of
SNOW, but the weather is not severe as
yet.
| For military reasons l can tell only
part of our experiences, work, etc.
| will write little every once In a
while, as it will take. several weeks,
possffjfy, for ttSnHt6' reach you. Tell
me everything, and above all tel the
kids to write. am in perfect htalth.
| ... Your loving son,
| CARL.