The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1918-12-19
Ralph Middlemiss
Writes Good Letter
From France

Headquarters Company. 18Th Infan-
} try. Somewhere in France. Nov. IL.
Dear Mr.. Hardy-Scveral months
ago / wrote asking you to discontinue
fmy paper. and have felt the loss of
the weekly edition very much. When
we arrived overseas we received IL
structiens as to letter-writing and was
informed that NO serond-ciass matter
would be sent to US. Therefore ! de-
termined that to write for The Rec
ord would be useless. However. did
receive two papers forwarded from
Kearney.
am now bilietted In a small French
town which. although It has suffered
m she'll fire. was not severely dam
az ed The numerous vacant buildings
are being rapidly reoccupied and in a
few months the city will take on a
new appearance. Throughout and for
many miles around are trench systems
and barbed wire entanglements. Now
that the American soldiers are here.
those structures for defense can be
safely removed. The company occu-
pics a large brick building which was
formerly a candle factory. but is now
in better use. We have built wooden
hunks, and upon straw mattress
with three woolen blankets we have
many wonderful dreams OF home-com-
ing. stove which often is fed from
a Eeighbor's wood pile. keeps the
greater part of the room warm. but
| close to my bed is a large window
which. whether closed or open. an
swers the same purpose. The Huns
must have performed successful
operation becauseNits "pa1es'' are re-
moved. You won't believe IL when |
tell you that we were lucky enough to
get electric lights. The chow" is
excellent because the best mess SER
geant and cooks In the division are in
our company. There Is sales COM
missary close at hand where extras
can be purchased.
The French people I have found to
be quet and honest but in many ways
ignorant OF modern civilization. Not
long ago the chaplain in Sunday
meeting, said: Il believe that We are
divinely missioned to bring q new civ
iization to this people" tHe had Just
returned from long ride on the
train).
The first odd thing to catch my eye
was a huge two-wheeied wagon heav-
fly loaded and to which was hitched
three horses in single file. Next
saw an English lady carrying a large
basket of oranges on her head. IL
had been placed there by two sturdy
men. ! understand that because OF
tax regulations II is twice as cheap
60 ride in a two-wheei vehicle and
four times as cheap to use wheel
Aarrow.
Well. the reports from the front
make us believe that La Guerrc
Finis." The soldiers here are celebrsi-
ing. and great crowds in Paris are re-
ported to be expressing their JOY with
nag parades. rockets and patriotic
songs. Those at home can now feel re-
paid for their interest In Liberty
bonds. Red Cross and Y. NJ. c. A. work
and food conservation. and We who
hope soon TO come back. thank you one
and all for your generous support and
unquestioned confidence in us "over
here
We receive our mail quite regular
iy now. and when the top sergeant
cries mail" there is lively scram.
BILE. That call Is answered even more
quickly than pay or mess call. Drill
call is not at all appreciated. but
when 1t means a visit to the one of the
largest cathedrais In France. as was
the case this morning. we don't mind
IL at all. Not being student OF
gothic architecture, found It dini-
cult to understand and appreciate its
full meaning to civilization.
No doubt my friends will expect me
to tell some exciting stories when
return. have-witnessed one conflict.
namely the battle of Conyac, and have
seen several soldiers taken as pris-
oners. Also have good imagination
TO draw from. 40 expect to be able to
satify them. Hoping to be back in Canon
City soon. and In personal touch with
you all, am. yours truly.
RALPH W. MIDDLEMIss.
Headquarters Co.,, 15sth Infantry.