The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1918-01-24

and in one of the large mess halls
they had Christmas tree, but didn't
tainly doesn't seem like Christmas to
me. But | have been thinking Of the
folks at home all day and longing and
wishing that | could be with you on
this day. You know, this is one of the
only two Christmas days that | have
missed since birth. But | suppose that
this isn't very good Christmas for
you, either. | suppose that | will re-
receive the Christmas box when | get
to France
There isn't much that | am allowed
to tell Of our trip. We left Camp
Mills at o'clock Wednesday morn
ing, December - (deleted by cen
sor), and day or two later left on
our voyage. The ship we are on is
one of the big steamers and is a dandy
boat. Our bunch is located in the fore
end of the boat, on the third deck
down and it certainly has been rough
sailing. While didn't get sea sick
had some mighty rocky moments and
the first week l spent about % hours
of each day in my bed. Every time
| raised up my head | had peculiar
sensation at my stomach and was COM
PEELED to lie down very quickly or
else | am sure there would have been
an accident. After about a week of
that Major Clark took pity on me and
had me assigned to duty at the ship
hospital, or Sick Bay, as it is called. /
The compartment we are in is located
below the water line. The Sick Bay
is on the main deck, so it was mighty
pleasant there with the portfolios open
and fresh air during the day time. But
every evening at 4:30 all portfolios
are closed and lights are turned out
until daylight the next day, SO the
nights are very long.
In Port at France-At last, after
16 days at sea we have reached our
destination and the submarines can
bother US no more. We sighted land
at about 9 o'clock this morning, and
it was certainly grand and glorious
sight to US poor sea tired sailors. We
nave now anchored in port and in a
lay or two will be sent to our camp, =
wherever that is.
| have only few minutes to finish :
his letter, as the mail leaves here in :
/ few minutes and l want to get this
,ff. But l will write a better letter
or the next mail.
Major Clark was the senior surgeon .
N the boat and as result had charge +
# all the sanitary works on board :
he boat and was the big boss as far ,
IS sanitation was concerned. 1t is :
ute an honor for him and conse \
uently he feels very much pleased =
yer it.
France, or as much of it as we have il
cen able to get a glimpse of, is $,
cry pretty country. All the houses a
nd buildings are built of white a
tone and look very substantial. The
own looks to be quite city, with r,
lrge white buildings looming up in |
lie distance. The surrounding coun- u
" is low, with slightly rolling hills. n,
he climate is fairly cold, but warm ii
1ough so that we can have few O,
indows open during the day time. n;
is cloudy out, so | suppose that de
oout the time for US to land We will in
ave fine soaking rain to make US DC
iserable. tn
A lot of little French girls and al
,ys are circling around the ship in ch
tile row boats and our boys are hav- W,
G a great time trying out the few
rench words they have learned. But
'idently we are not in France, for the
tile ones can't understand our =,
rench.
Well, must close We are feeling in
lie and all grateful that our voyage is
over. is