Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1918-03-28
LETTERS FROM SOLDIER BOYS
Boys in the Railway Engineers
and 1O1st Regiment Tell of
"Overthere"

and 1O1st Regiment Tell of
"Overthere"
The following extracts are taken
from a letter received by Mr.. and
Mrs Frank Riggie from their brother
in the 14th Railway Engineers:
Somewhere in France"
February 6, 1918.
Dear Frank and Iva:
Your letter of October 28th
reached me on December 4th, (long
time ago) a large bundle of Island
Pond papers on January 5th, and
letter "a" dated December 18th
was a close second coming in on
January 9th. You have no doubt
already received my letter written
soon after the smokes arrived. The
Christmas box arrived few days
before or after Christmas chad too
much on my mind to note the exact
date), and it certainly was a great
treat. You will never be able to
imagine the deep feeling of graft
tude and joy that possessed me when
it arrived, and the selection could
not have been better. | sincerely
hope that the future has in store for
me the much desired opportunity to
voice my appreciation for your gen.
erosity. Thanks are not sufficient to
make you understand how much |
really appreciated that Christmas
gift.
The papers Qsland Pond) and
clippings are a treat and thank you
very much for them. 1t does not
matter whether you send the whole
paper or just the clippings so long
as | get the locals. | sure did haye
one grand visit (mentaD around l..
P. with those clippings. Do not send
any other papers because the other
boys have plenty to go around.
John Bunny Olson received one
package from Island Pond that l
know of because he gave me a cigar
and made the remark that it was
from my old chief j. w. F., proba-
bly, the one sent by Kate, Marion and
the staff. He is located some dis
tance from where | am at present,
and do not see him very often except
when business brings us together.
He is a great old scout. Have him
on the telephone occasionally.
Christmas Eve we had midnight
Mass in our Mess hall, and it was in
deed a very impressive ceremony.
The tables were arranged length
wise along each side of the building
Across one end where the altar was
erected, and candles placed about a
foot apart on the tables on both
sides and the entire length of the
building besides several on the altar.
Do not imagine you can picture the
scene from this poor description but
you can probably guess pretty near
what it was like.
You have probably already heard
that l am no longer a member of
Company &c" but in case you have
not will repeat what has become an
old yarn for me. January 14th |
was transferred to the non-commis-
stoned officers staff, the same regi-
ment, and promoted to Sergeant Ma
jor of the 1st Battalion. MY duties
are somewhat different but l am get
ting along fine, and like the work.
Getting late, and | should have
been in between the blankets long
ago therefore will have to shut off.
Please pardon errors as | have
been interrupted a hundred times or
more since | commenced writing.
Kindly remember me to acquain-
tances should any inquire about me.
Love and best wishes to you all.
Hope to have the pleasure of another
letter from you soon.
Your loving brother,
J. l.. Riggie.
Sergeant Major, 1st Battalion,
14th F,npineers Railway