Norwich bulletin., 1918-07-04
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS What Eastern Connecticut Boys Are Doing In Various Branches of the Service.
Writes From MiIaa at Sea.

vSfIHGS WIIBS dG Oeds
 The following letters were received i last Saturday by Rev. W. D. Wood | ward, of Attawaugan, formerly pas from his son, Truman Hollis Wood 1 ward, now in France. The latter at tended the public school at Bean Hill in 1903 and '04, and graduated last year from Wesleyan university in Mid dletown, taking honors in English. With the Colors,
 Somewhere in England,
 May 21st.
 Dear Folks: Less than week ago I was in Devens, yet now I am many hundred miles at sea. On all sides the waters are blue and white-capped to the horizon. Fortunately the ocean is comparatively calm, so that not more than two or three are sick. You may be sure we are hoping the good weath- CT will continue until we are safe across. Of course those incidents or statistics which would prove most in- teresting to relate the censor would cancel at once, so I am trying to hold myself within bounds. Some of our crew have been on ships which were torpedoed under them, so you see we are in the hands of veteran sailors. l sleep very well slung high in my ham mock, and thus far have been feeling fine.
 Most of the time is spent on deck watching the sister ships of our fleet and the brother gunboats which pro- tect us The 'fbristling guns" area | most welcome sight.
 The checker board on which I am | writing this letter I put quite often l to the purpose for which it was origin | ally intended. The few magazines and books are in great demand. After tea as we call it, singing is the fa- vorite pastime and sometimes no mean harmony results. Vaudeville per- formers, drafted or enlisted from civil Han life. are very popular. There are some half dozen players who are skill full with stringed instruments and ever ready to entertain Some Red l Cross nurses who go over with us are also sometimes ready to entertain.
 When was transferred from Dev- ems to the 103rd Trench Mortar Bat tery, 2Sth Division, A. E. r. (my ad- | dress), I ceased to be a soldier of the U. S. National army, but are now a member of the U. S. National Guard. The National Guard is made up almost wholly of enlisted men, and most of them have been in training at least six months. Many of them were on the Mexican border This means that their training abroad will be shorter and I shall probably see service com paratively soon. The 103rd T. M. B was originally cavalry unit, but a few months ago it was converted in- to Trench Mortar Battery. An un- usually large number of wealthy lads are in it. I will now close and write more later Con this trip of course) For not for many days will l be able to mail this letter.
 June 2d. ,, I have just finished revising a letter the censor frowned upon, and the above is the result. I may not tell you where I am, but it is beautiful spot My journey is not finished, but we arc in a rest camp this beautiful Sab. bath I have seen so many things ot interest that I could talk for an hour were home. But even the poor pow. CT of my pen is hampered by the cen. sor. It seems odd each night to have it light even after ten o'clock and tht sun rises correspondingly early in thu morning. As we travel (cometimes little by foot) the children flock abou eager for pennies and buttons a! souvenirs. Frequently they run ou from the houses with cup and l | fered to us during a rest period of tht journey. My travel by train has beer through the most beautiful country ever saw.
 The people here are not gay, yet or , the other hand they are not depressed but seem confident of the outcome.
 have talked with hospital men wh, have been wounded three times. so tha beside these soldiers I feel most hum ! ble indeed. Women, cheerful and eff ficient, are seen everywhere as con ductors, motor car drivers, and Gil : one instance) even as mine workers . The trees are beautifully. trimmed anr in full leaf. Everything is so neat an, s well kept up. I have seen delightfr ! homes ranging in style all the wa f from castles to thatched-roof houses . Some things seem odd Travel. al
 ways keeps to the left of the street.
 trolley car is a tramway. The news
 papers are much smaller than il
 America, but are I think, less sen , sational. Yesterday we passed a car
 load of German prisoners-all officers ' The following ensued:
 Fritz-"Where are you going?
 Sam: Berlin"
 Fritz: You'll never get there" a Sam: "Oh, yes. we will. We're com 2 ing over five million strong. Ia ta.'
 Never be alarmed if you don't hea l from me for long periods. There migh be at least three causes for these q s red tape, (2l censor, t3) accident t v mail boat. You may be sure I wi , write as often as I have good oppor I tunity.
 . TRUMAN.