Putnam patriot., 1918-08-09
WOODWARD WRITES
 FROM FRANCE
Is Now Located at Camp Mencon,
 Eight Miles From Vannes

Attawaugan.-Th following letter is from Truman Woodward, son of Rev w D. Woodward, pastor of the Methodist church at Attawaugan. Private Woodward is a member of the 103d Trench Mortar Battery, which at present is in camp at Men con, about eight miles from Vannes, which city is not far from Brest.
 July IA, 1918.
 Dear Folks-This is Frances big day, her Independence Day, and oh, how 1t rainst But we are in comfort able barracks. This is also our big day, for mail came-some 2000 let ters for the battery, and had thou sandth part of those. As yet I have had no letter from home sent direct. had one sent to me at Camp Mills, L. I.-dated years ago-May 16. The other was from my classmate Eldon, dated June 17th. Such a mail sys- teml Yet l know there are one or two unfortunates who have been over here six months and not had any mail. However, l didn't send you my address very early, so l am not sur prised. You spoke in this letter of May 16th of another epistle which contained a picture Said letter has not found me yet It seems funny to get a letter dated two months back, and yet realize that 1t is news and Is highly welcomed. l think before long mail will reach us within three weeks after posting. It also seemed strange to be reading a letter which spoke of me getting into the Signal Corps, or some such thing. All that seemed like years ago. for l have long since been resigned to being wherever they put me, and am very well satisfied with the old 103d Trench Mortar Battery We have some good officers and some good men
 ''On the Fourth of July we were in the 53d Brigade Review, which hun dreds of the French peasants came into camp to see. Wish you could have half as many juicy fresh cher lies as I have had Truly. though 1 know there is not a picnic ahead, thus far l have had better times as a whole in this camp than at Devens. For instance, yesterday is but typi- cal. Four of us set of into the coun- try, it being Saturday, right after dinner We came at length to an old estate somewhat in ruins Here we bought fine rich milk at two cents a bowl An hour later we were in snug little cafe on the brow of a love ly hill overlooking a broad sweep of valley Later when We had eaten our delicious omelette and coffee and bread and butter, we descended into a narrow recess of the valley where little old mill groaned and sighed to the waters turning the overshot wheel We entered, saw the simple machinery, the four ground from the wheat, and the whirling tube in which the chaff was discarded. We took our time and did not get back to camp till D. m. We had been about fifteen miles. With a few of my friends I have covered on Saturday and Sun day afternoons in this manner almost all the territory within the radius of four miles of the camp.
 Don't worry about me undergo ing the terrible hardships of war" Except when actually under fire, I shall ordinarily be having a pretty good time. Not that home isn't sweet to me, but that we are well equipped and have good quarters. Soon the battles will come and then I shall hope for good luck Whatever hap pens, remember that l am glad things are just as they are. l would have them no other way.
 Lovingly,
 Truman"