The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1918-12-20
INTERESTING LETTER
FROM PRIVATE GRUBBs

AS~S-A A@cAs
On May 18th of this year we had a
Mothers Letter Day, but today has
been designated at Fathers Letter
Day, so l will in just a few words
tell you of some of my experiences
and of our successes in this great
war.
Almost a year has passed since I
left the good old state of New York,
and really it seemed almost impos-
sible for us to have accomplished such
great results in such short time.
Two days from this will make one
year since / bid farewell to the stat.
ne of liberty with no assurance OF
seeing it again, and I'll tell you that
it is awful to be in such suspense for
so long a time. We travelled all OF
the night before, and as ] was on
guard all the way to the port, and
owing to the severe weather, and no
heat in the cars, came near freez-
ing and was almost sick when
boarded the transport, retired rather
early, slept very we'll as l had not
slept any for two nights, awoke the
next morning to find myself out well
into the briay deep, and also discov-
cred that ] was awfully seasick, and
this is one time when / fully believed
that I would cash in" as I've never
been so sick before. We had an aw
full nice Thanksgiving dinner but we
were too sick to enjoy it, although
most of us had the nerve to go down
into the mess hall and try to eat
some Of it, and about the time we all
got our dinner, the alarm was given
that sub was after US, and talk
about stacking tables! We stacked
them while making our exit We
were on the water for twelve days
and l ate but little till just two or
three days before we landed On
the morning of the twelfth day we
were able 10 see land in the distance,
and, Oh. how good it made us feel.
AS soon as daylight came. several
airplanes came out 10 meet US. We
remained on the boat for three days
after landing. and | thought those
three days the most miserable of my
trip. Late in the afternoon Of the
third day We we're ordered 10 unload
from the ship and We next loaded into
"HOmmes forty and cheveaux Fights"
without the least idea as to our des-
tination. and after spending about
twe1ty-four hours in the box cars,
we arrived at this place, and were
directed TO our future residence
which were some old thrown away
looking nuts without floors of any
kind, and were left just as the horses
usually leave q stable We were so
awful tired and worn out from our
four thousand mile journey that the
appearance of our quarters were the
least OF our troubles at that time,
and / take il for granted that you
have seen the hogs retire in the farm
yards Well. that is just about the
way We retired at that time. We
piled right down on the ground and
most of US We're asleep when our
good old c. O. came in. woke us and
informed as that he was then able
to supply US with some hay, and we
were so tired that we hardly felt like
making bed and some OF the boys
said that they had finished with him
forever, but you know when a norder
IS given b. a superior. We are not
supposed 10 question the necessity
for it having been given, ana conse-
quently We we're all soon fast asleep
on beds of hay.
Snow began falling within the next
day or two. and do not remember
as to now long it lasted. but seemed
20 me that il lasted all winter, and
right on top Of all hat, We were.
QHarantined for month and you can
imagine as TO how we were liking
France by this time After month
had passed We were put TO work, anc
believe me, whe3 | say work, mean
TO say we worked ! was put on the
night detail at the subsistence ware
house. or rather in the railroad yards
n had what We would call Z clerks
Job over there Had several French.
men on the job with ne. could not
speak a word Of French and they
were il the same boat when il came
to speaking English, and snow falling
thick and fast in the meantime, and
you know just about how enjoyed
working under such conditions. 1
held this job till about the first OF