The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1918-09-14

Aug. 2, 1918.

Aug. 2, 1918.
Dear Father and All:
Your last two letters awaited ne
on 10y retdrn from the front. and ar
ter short rest two fellows and my
self went TO an old hayloft and told
our past experiences. The following
is some OF the past No doubt you
have been wondering why have not
written for some time. Well, we
have been so completely preoccupied
in our efforts TO successfully meet the
Hun that writing was the last thing
we thought Of We have been in
many sectors but this one gave us a
more complete realization OF what we
are over here for. We not only kept
up communication, but carried In the
wounded along with constant bonn
bardment much heavier than can de-
scribe. We have seen horses, wagons,
etc, blown 10 atoms. The sight
was sickening at first, but we soon
got over IL because we knew we had
the Huns on the run. They evidently
were in a hurry for the things they
left behind would supply an army
This proved that the American boys
at the guns were on the job and their
fire was perfect.
We reached this front by means OF
trucks, and they sure have proven
very successful, thanks to the trucks,
for 1t saved us boys the hiking OF
30 or 40 kilometers. We finally land
ed behind a town which had only
been taken by the boys from the
ditch but one hour before we arrived.
The boys who were driving the
Huns gave us the glad hand and
wished us the same success they had.
AS they were evacuating the village
our boys followed closely behind Civ
ing the Huns no time to dig them
selves in, but kept themselves in the
open all the time. AS we went along
II was a common sight TO see the in
fantry boys bringing their prisoners.
There were many instances where one
or two Yanks would be leading fiji
teen or more Huns to the rear. Some
OF the prisoners saw were not over
Is or 16 years of age, and told me
that they were glad to be taken pris-
oners.
The boys wearing the insignia Of
the Red Cross on their arm worked
wonderfully night and day caring for
the wounded Huns as well as our own
boys Hot coffee and cigarettes were
given to the wounded as soon as they
reached the dressing station. In a
few words I'll tell you how we lived
while in the drive:
The advance movement kept us on
continue move and there was but very
little sleep, when time availed itself
to sleep we Just naturally dug our
selves in, just like a mole There
were times when this was not neces-
sary owing to the fact that the Huns
had done likewise and we therefore
occupied their "saps" The only
thing we boys missed In this battle
was the lack OF smokes, and there is
nothing better for a fellows nerves
than drag OF tailor-made Gig" 1t
is surprising the spirit the boys all
had and their longing is to stick with
il to the finish and make this world
safe for democracy and then to get
back to our dear ones in Gods coun-
try-the Old u s. A..
The French have suffered all the
hardships that barbaric warfare offers.
They are steadfast in their determine
ton to fell the Prussian ours France
Is endeavoring to protect It's wonder
full old art treasures.
Some parts OF France remain as
beautiful as ever but where fighting
has been more active places are as
barren as desert. The French peo-
pie are very kind 10 the Americans
and would give the last thing they had
II they thought It would help us
soldiers
AS il is getting time for chow" I'll
. ring-off for now. I'll write as often
! as | can, so don't worry IL you don't
= hear from me regularly. Hope you're
all in the best OF health when this
, reaches you. With love and kisses to
all from your son.
PIE. BELTRAN FLOOD
Somewhere in France,
Annnal 6 1918