Daily Kennebec journal., 1918-08-24

lie following letter has been re-
ceived from Earl Hammons, better
k1.own as Pete" 2 former member
Of the Belfast Band, and one of the
we'll known Hammons brothers of
this city.
Somewhere in France. July s. 1918.
Dear Charles. Mildred, Clara and
Gere:-
received your most welcome letter
tonight and was sure most pleased
tc get It you bet. The reason /
haven't written before is that paper
is sort Of short but tonight one Of tn
French 2ldiers came up with some
and we bought it, for one franc, 20
cents in cur money. Also got a pa
per from ,.ome and believe me it did
read good and I want one every week.
This has been most beautiful day
and great night to sleep. Take it
from me, when I get back home, ]
shall never sleep inside in summer
time. When you wake up after
sleeping out of doors your head is
clear and you feel so much better.
Tell anyone and everyone to write
me. old boy am so glad to get
their letters.
had dandy supper tonight. Beef
stew, apple jam, four slices OF bread.
and a nice cup of coffee. This morn
ing we had rice bread, fried ham and
coffee. So you see we live good.
have been drilling to-day, and to-
morrow we are ;-oing to give an ex-
hibition drill against the 4th platoon
and believe me- old Pete will do the
manual of arms in style. Sunday is
wash day, so then I take my little
goods and shake leg and go to it.
I wish you were here to see the love-
ly sunsets they are wonderful. Well.
the band is playing tonight and they
have just finished the Missouri waltz,
the one Marjorie and like so well.
Get it for the Belfast band and play it
for old Pete. | hope she is we'll and
full of the good old spirit. Don't
worry, old boy, about me fooling with
the girls. l am here to do my bit for
dear old Uncle Sam and will do more
than my share il l can, and we will
maks old Jerry hike when we break
loose. How's Mr. and Mrs. B.? Tell
Mr.. B. l asked for him and also that
when I get back l will shake with
him and we will smoke the good old
Feter Schuyler and also have a fly
ing trip in his car. Is Husky driving
for him? I can't have any pictures
taken. for you see they don't allow
that here. so you see l shall have to
wait until l return. We will have a
pay day soon and we will make the
forest ring with cheers. We surely
will have some sport. Most Of the
boys in my bunch are from Dakota,
the Great Lakes, Texas and the
Southern states. Black is with us,
and Merritt from Brooks. (The Black
he speaks of is Simon Freeman Black
who has since been reported killed in
action}. He is O. 4. too. The fell
low I room with is,-weN 7 don't
mean room with, bunk with,--is from
Michigan, ne is a fine chap and We
sing duets most every night. How is
the Band? Would like to play with
you once more. l still have my watch
and it is running great sty1e. Shall
never forget the old Third Maine.
We have a nice band and we have
concert nearly every night. How
wish l could have got into it. 1t is
some hard to stand by and listen to
this one when went to play so badly.
Sometimes almost grab the horn out
of the hand Of tho Elbo player.
Here comes Jerry over in his buzz
plane. The band has just started the
18th Regiment march and it sure
sounds good TO hear it.
hope you will be able to read this
but l have had to write very fine in
order not to use much paper. Love
and kisses and sweet dreams to you
all and write soon and often to
Frvt Earl Hammons.
Co. L. seth Inf. A. F.