The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-22
INTERESTING LETTER FROM JOE BURG|N I | HIS SIS I [ R.
Says When I Come Home Kill the Fatted Cow, the Calf Will Be Too
 Small'l

Sergt Joe A. Burgin, Company D, 167th infantry, in letter to his sis- ter Mrs. j. T.. Mattingly, of Bessemer, encloses a letter from Maj. Gen. Charles P. Summerall, commanding, in which he commends the Alabama and Iowa troops. who make the Eighty fourth brigade, for bravery in action. This is the first news received from Sergeant Burgin since the signing of the armistice. and is dated November IS. The letter is as follows:
 Dear Home Folks: Well, this is the first chance I've had to write since the armistice has been on, so I hard- ly know what to write. We all are so damn glad that We can't be still for we sure got our share of this old war while it was going on. We had just been relieved from the front one day when Nhe armistice went into eff feet, and we did not believe it would be so, but at 11:55 a. m. all the guns ceased. and we knew it was on. We had been fooled about a week be- fore, and since that time we had talk en the heights of Sedan. So you see
 
 minute. We certainly made some drive on this old verdun front from St. Bier mont to Sedan. It's about 30 kilo- meters. and we made it in two days,
 and did not lose a man. We stopped in a little town by the name of Bull son, the first time we've stopped in billets since June. and we had just gotten to bed when the Boche Started tn shellins the town Frank ana I got up and completely ran out of town We ran Tor about one-half mile, then caught wagon and went to our supply company. It was about five miles. but I wasn't taking any chances with the war so neaIs over. Do you blame me?
 Have been acting ,company clerk for about month, but don't know how long it will last Don't like it very much and don't care when it ends. Had lots rather be back in the platoon with the old gang. Am sending enclosed a little letter from general for bravery of Alabama and Iowa troops who make the Eighty fourth brigade Such stuff as this is all that kept us on the line so much. You see we had to live up to our reputation.
 We are sleeping in some houses that are sure shot to pieces, and we are sleeping on the floor on some nay which is lots better than on the ground in hole,
 we had out first snow today, but it did not amount to much. The name of this town is Brandeville, and it has not been shot up as badly the oth- ers.~ The Germans evacuated- all of them without fighting
 well, guess by the time you re- ceive this, we will be in Germany This is one of the divisions that has the honor of occupying one of the five towns that aEe to be held by the allies. I think the rrT7n If the tow n is Coblentv. "~f nine, abo'-. 200 kilometers from here. zTWN2
 When l col.ae u can kill the fatted COW. the calf is too small. Please don't have any bacon or cornad beef in the Mouse when get there, for I've had more thai my share.
 Captain Edmundson is not back with the company yet. Captain Gam ble IS in command of the company
 Find out Seret Andrew Bailev's ad- dress in East Resserner ars .a'' .'s he is dead. He was shot bad. ly in the shoulder and 1.e4 .- hospital from blood poison.
 'I have two pretty camouflaged Roche helmets and will send them the first chance I have.
 rDon't think We will be here moro than five months xonger. and as 1 don't know any news, will close Give my best regards to everybody and with love to all. JOE.-
 Sergeant Burgin enclosed some Ger man propaganda, which was dropped behind the American lines on October 22. One side was in English and the other was in French.