Perth Amboy evening news., 1918-07-09
Word From Local
Soldiers 6 Sailors
Elmer Nicholson

AfEaI ALOtAaCAs
At last I have a chance to write
you a real good letter about my trip
over here.
Now the first few days of the voy-
age we had splendid weather none
OF the boys were seasick.
Coming across we saw a big school
Of giant sharks plunging up and
down eagerly waiting for a subma-
rfne 10 come and get us.
Say, but we have been very FORUM
ate so far as there was q ship sunk
that was Just one day behind us and
we landed / think without the loss
of one man.
On the last day of the trip we en-
countered what we thought to be a
submarine which vas blown to pieces
by fire from U guns.
Well, we then landed IN England,
stayed there awhile. five hours. Next
we travelled through England. being
cheered by thousands all the way.
We got three hours rest, up at 6
O'Clock and started for another trip
but this trip was on foot power and
q heavy pack on u back but luckily
we didn't have to walk SO far.
A little later we were IN France.
We walked a ways before we reached
our rest camp. II they call that place
q rest camp I wonder what a work
camp Is like for it was very little rest
we got there.
Now here Is where we were very
fortunate again, for five nights
straight this same place had been
raided by boche planes. but they
didn't show up once while bunch
was there.
We left this place after a few days
for somewhere I'm France. On the way
we saw many German prisoners
working (not hardy.
We arrived safe at our station with
our heavy packs. We marched about
three miles. having a little rest once
In a while. When we came to the
camp women came out with water.
but I imagine they felt a little hurt
. the water had to be inspected be-
fore we drank 1t. You know we can't
be too careful over here. The water
was found OK. and 1t was some
good, believe me-.
We had no mora than left the rest
camp before 1t was bombed again. so
you see we lave been very fortunate
indeed.
to criticize anything over here: now
I'm telling You the truth, II we were
allowed there wouldn't be any COM
plant whatsoever.
Now of course all the boys would
rather be over in the States. that's
sure, but we must accomplish this
little piece of work over here first.
Now, dear mother, I will close my
letter and pray that God will be with
you in all our sorrow which viii
soon turn into happiness.
Goodbye dear mother with love
from
Loving son
Elmer.
Chester Nesley
Dear Sister:
Just a few lines to let you know
tina I am In good health when the
letter left me and wish everyone at
home is too. Dear Sister, a year ago
I was sworn in at Fort Sloeum, N. Y,
and 1 did travel in that year. I've
been down south and almost all over
France and only me one fellow from
Amboy, what do you know about
that? Well you see, my dear sister,
the fellows at Amboy were some sort
of slackers, but never me. Don as /
heard that my country was asking
for volunteers off I went and that
was the right way ana also / am very
glad that Two got into the Twelfth
Field Artillery. for I am proud of 1t
for almost all the fellows In this out
at are volunteers. Ny dear sister. we
have a great outfit; we made % good
record at the front. But now we are
in back of the firing. line for a rest.
but we viii be back soon My dear
sister don't forget TO write to me as
often as you can. Give my regards
TO all at home. / win close with love
from your brother
CHESTER.