The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1918-02-21
A Wonderfully
Interesting Letter
January 1918.
In an American Hospital.

In an American Hospital.
Dear Papa:-
I've intended to write you ever
since we got to this place but prior
to this time I've found little oppor-
tunity to do so. The last letter I
wrote you as you recall was written
from the boat and since then we've
been on the move. We laid in harbor
for a couple of days and then were
brought to this place to begin hon
est to goodness work, not training,
one Of the only two sections out Of
the whole contingent that was hon.
ored and I for one am mighty glad
that the chance was given us. In
addition to being something of an
honor for the section it means that
we will have better quarters and
get into action at once.
Just at present we are engaged in
the work of evacuation, carrying
wounded from the hosp,-af trains to
the hospital and from the hospital
to other base hospitals. How long
we will be here I do not know. We
are in wonderful quarters and eat
as good food as I've ever eaten
away from home and as good as
i've ever eaten except in time for
vegetables an dfried chicken. We
sleep in beds too-can you get that?
In real beds with sheets on them,
a luxury to which I can scarcely
become accustomed. And we can
get to baths too, warm shows and
the work tho, it may be tiresome,
won't be hard, so I figure that Pm
pretty lucky in being where I am
Of course I think threw away all
chance at commission in coming
over but if had thought that would
get one and stay in Allentown, or
not get one and come over, I'd pass
up the bars every time. My only
regrets is that I was not over here
long ago for there's need of men
in a country that has been drained
like France has ,and it's up to
every man to get into the thing
and push, I am satisfied now for the
hrst time in long time, I'm
healthy and as fine as fiddle and
am having a wonderful time, So I
see no reason why I shouldn't grip
land take what's coming as long as
Its as fine as this is and believe me
Us some fine.
- France-well as for France-it's
= wonderfully picturesque and
payllic country from what I've seen
HAT believe me te particular deity
yof the land should be that famous
old saint, Jupiter Pluvius. 1t rains
over here every day it seems to me
g rrks<t -Sx.
" ~ green nd tile level lands
weep upward to the hills in undu-
lating curves to be MERGED into a
background of farm houses that
We're old when Columbus launched
his rowboats and sailed across the
seas. Coming up on the train we
could see every now and then a
castle on hill, just like the pic
lures in the books, tho 7 saw none
of the impregnable fortresses of
the middle ages. There are uni
forms everywhere, here blue, there
khaki and wherever you go you see
some veteran home on furlough,
with his decorations on his chest.
It's a land that man could learn
to love very easily I know and II
feel that before I leave I'm going to
be strongly attached to "La Belle
France" You can't help feeling
sorry for what she has undergone
and the tremendous drain she has
suffered as you 90 down the streets
and see the wounded limpirr by,
but she takes her medicine with a
smile like brave folk always do and
it's inspiring to feel that you're
working with such allies as these
We're going to finish up this little
tea party over here and we're going
GIRLS THICKFN AND