The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1918-08-29
Word from Upton
Warriors
Letters and Articles from Young
Tiptonians Who Are Now Wear
ing the Uniform Of Uncle Sam.
~-.ss--.s--aa
FRoM HARYEY n. MIsENHEMER


Harvey N. Misenheimer, formerly
of this city, has written the follow
ing letter to his mother. This
young man is on one Of Uncle Sans
transports,
| Am landed safely in Europe with
out being torpedoed, after a two
weeks trip across the Atlantic. Sure
was glad to get off the boat onto
solid earth again. About all we did
on the boat was sleep and eat, and
the scenery was pretty monotonous.
We had fine weather all the way over,
and was glad to find that ] could
get by without being seasick. Some
Of the fellows had it pretty bad the
first few days we were out.
We didn't have yery much trou-
Bile with submarines. We would fire
at everything that looked suspicious,
and when we reached the danger zone
we were met by a large convoy OF
destroyers. One day when we were
cut in mid-ocean before reaching
the danger zone) a black object was
sighted on the horizon about 20 miles
away. We had quite an exciting
time with it, firing whole broadsldes
at times. All the gun crew were busy
for about 20 minutes.
We had Abandon Ship nearly ey-
cry day, and carried life preseryers
everywhere we went. On reaching
the danger zone, we went to bed at
dark and got up at A am. Had to
wear our life preservers and carry
eanteen of fresh water at all times.
Sure was glad when we began to
see the French fishing boats and
French aeroplanes, and finally land
was sighted.
Had an awful time trying to wash
nm IN salt water on the boat. The
soap wouldn't lather. and the SAT-
would leave a rough feeling when the
water evaporated. Was glad to get
10 fresh water again here.
NV first glimpse Of the city showed
it was foreign 1t has a high wall
all around it, with forts and battle
ments here and there. The barracks
where am now is one of the Oldest
chateaux in France. It IS used oy
( the u. S. Navy for receiving ship,
under the official title Of ~. 5. ;.
Corola."
The town has almost as many AM
ericans in it as it has French. Before
1 the Americans came, the people were
mostly very poor, but everyone seems
prosperous now Things are cheaper
here than in the states, but we have
! to watch out for being overcharged.
| already know the coinage system
liz is very easy to learn. a. franc IS
worth N 1-2 cents, and there are
100 centines in a franc. If we buy
things with American money they
count a franc as 20 cents in giving
change, but by getting all our money
1 exchanged at the Y. M. G. A., we
don't lose the 2 IL cents.
We get plenty of good wheat bread,
drinking water and a chance to ouy
candy. but the French lose out on
ali three. They eat black bread, and
not having running water IN their
houses, must get it from the street
corners in pitchers. 1t is against the
law to sell them sweets, and If a sail
Or goes on the street eating candy
the kids try to mob him.
Don't know how long I'll stay here
Movbe week. Expect to get boat
If some kind with this as q base
let me know if this letter is cen
sored any. SO can "slow up" II neces-
sarv. Always put "E3C (R)" after
NV name and use the address ! give
until get better one.
\ Am feeling fine and enjoying my
self here. After | get paid I'll have
nothing to wish for. Your son,
Harvey N. Misenheimer. E3C (R)i
lit. s. S. Corola, care Postmaster
New York, N. Y.
pc chalhu and I are still together