Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-07-24
OUR BOYS
OUR CQUN1RY'S SERVICE


Augusta, recently received the follow
ing from Myron d. Haskell, loSd u ,
Infantry Band, A. E. F.;
France, June q, 1918.
Dear George:
AS | have a few minutes | will write
YOU a few lines. We have been having
some exciting times here lately. One OF
our best pals got knocked of and Two
wounded, which is bringing things pref
ty near home for US. We expect to be
out of here before very long and back
playing again
| Have you been called out yet? ! ex-
pect that you will be at Camp keyes
this summer. That was great war
that we fought there last summer We
often speak of some Of the good times
| that we had there.
| have not heard anything from Err
nest for a long time. How is he making
it? Did he go back to Massachusetts
to learn wireless? I saw by one OF his
letters in the paper that he thought he
would I am frst-class musician now
| so am coming along pretty we'll for me.
| We are getting fine weather now.
| The people are busy haying. The wom-
en- do all the work. We are still doing
first aid work and carrying filters We
see some dreadful sights at times
Have you heard anything from Leon
since he was called out? / have not
heard from him for a long time,
VIII close now with love.
Myron."
/ C. L. Richardson of Belgrade recently
received the following from First Ser
geant W II. Doyle:
Somewhere in France,
June q, 1918.
Dear Clarence:
Just a few lines to let YOU know that
7 am still on the universe and getting
along o. X. as usual. | am in perfect
health and hope that these few lines
will find YOU the same.
! Things are changing little in our
favor over mere at the present writing.
We are on a pretty busy front and
keeping Mr. German n bit worried IS
to what we will do next. On the morn
ing of June Is we repulsed a strong
German attack. About co. prepared at
tack troops started a scrap on small
were met by a handful Of the lo5d and
were driven back with heavy losses,
without taking any OF our men as pris-
oners They bombarded our first line
positions for three hours with gas and
high explosives but it did not bother the
men in the least. They stood TO and
waited for Mr.. Boche and when he got
as far as our front wire they let loose
and drove him back in a mad scramble.
Before we got through we had one Off
Ger and 10 Germans as prisoners. OF
course we had casualties but not as
great as those of the Germans 1t has
become known that German shock
| troops had been drilling for two or
more weeks for this raid which the pris-
oners claimed was a complete failure
One of our men who was wounded and
lying out in No Mans Land was cap
tured and was being taken into the Ger
man lines when some of the men saw
him going. 1t. Doune of Maine asked
for volunteers to go out after him and
Immediately there was scramble on the
part of the men to get another chance
at the Boche. He picked out three men
and started after this man. They got
him and also the two Germans who
were carrying him and one officer in
the bargain. On the whole it was great
and don't think the Boche will bother
US again. The regiment has been cited
in general orders by the French for gal
liant conduct and they say it was mag
nifcent
We are about to leave here and the
Lord only knows where we are going.
I hope it is for rest. We have been in
the line since the 5th day of February
and ! am beginning to think that the
New England Division is the only one
over here.
How is every little thing around
home? You have everything planted
and about out of the ground by this
time l suppose. Wish I could get a
glance at the old farm once more but
it won't be long before we shall all be
sailing for home and then for a real
old-fashioned good time. Believe me.
I am going to have one. to-.
Will write again when we get settled
if we ever do. Give my regards to all
who inquire for me and drop a line when
you find time to.
Billy Doyle.