The twice-a-week Twin Falls times. (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1916-1918, 1918-01-03
Has Arrived in France
Harry Benoit Writes
Has Delightful Trip Across the Pond
And Is Now On Enjoyed Duty
Sends Holiday Greetings to Friends.
IN France.

III rance.
December 3, 1917
My Dear Captain Longley:
Although many, many miles away
from the home town, still my mind
Will persist in wandering back, so
little out and out talk from the heart
is wished upon you. Knowing that
you will be interested in anything
that may pertain to the war on ac-
count of being veteran and soldier
yourself, perhaps a little note from
one who is attempting to be one will
be of interest to you.
Not long after leaving Twin Falls
l was ordered to a port of embarka-
ton to sail for France. Our whole
voyage over here was nothing short
of a pleasure trip to me. The wealth
er was ideal, with a wonderful moon
shining most every evening There
were no occurrences of unusual inter
est or excitement during the whole
period on the boat Everything was
carried on in a matter of fact way,
which was most conducive. to make
one feel at home and more like he
was going for a sight seeing trip.
Practically at all times l felt just as
safe as if l were walking the streets
of Twin Falls (Which, of course, on
account of the heavy traffic is not
safe with your eyes closed) We were
treated splendidly by the officers, who
we're, indeed, most congenial. was
very fortunate in meeting several of
my college chums, which added great
ly to the pleasure of the trip. The
time passed very quickly and to me it
seemed but few days before we
landed
l spent three very enjoyable days
in gay Paree, taking in the sights
with my mouth wide open l must
admit though that l was somewhat
disappointed in Paris, perhaps because
| had heard so much about it and an
ticipated too much. There are no
skyscrapers such as we see in the
large cities of the states, most of the
streets are narrow and gloomy look
ing, most of which lies in the fact that
since the war there has been a great
transformation from a city of bright
lights and gayety to one which has
experienced the hardships and diff
culties of three years of gruesome
warfare
/ am now located at headquarters
in the Heavy Artillery Division of the
Ordnance Department. The work is
very interesting. pertaining to heavy
guns of the artillery. The officers un-
der whom l work are very pleasant,
which makes my work a pleasure and
not a drudgery. There are here with
me several boys whom / knew very
well in Washington, which also makes
it very nice. The life here in a way
resembles that of a college, living
in large dormintory with all the
boys, seeing them at meal times and
after work hours. The days fly by,
you can readily see that l have but
very little time to get homesick. When
l feel the lonesomes coming on, I try
to brace up and console myself with
the fact that / am only one of thous-
ands in the same position, and also
with the hopes that 1t may not be very
long before l am back to the good
old u. S. A.
The little French that / know has
become a wonderful asset to me.
have no trouble in carrying on an in
telligent conversation and find my
self improving each day, as take ad-
vantage of every opportunity to con-
verse with Frenchmen. Many of the
boys have picked il up very rapidly,
somewhat of an improvement over
what l so often heard on the boat.
can look back now and picture a
crowd gathered around a French book
and hear the frequent qui aui or ie
comprenez vous pas, (which also re-
calls the familiar scene of some fell
lows madly rushing to the railing-ev-
erything coming up but the moon
every single bean. / was very for