The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1918-05-17
LETTERS FROM
CLIO SOLDIERS
ONE IN FRANCE THE OTHER IN VIR-
CINIA
Both are Replete with Interesting Incl
dents of Life in Uncle
Sans Army

10 April, 1910
Mr.. C. H. Reed,
Clio, Mich.
Dear Mr.. Reed:
Having some spare time now, tho't
would make good the promise of my
last letter, to tell you something of my
experience in France.
Our Company was fortunate enough
, to cross the English Channel on the
swiftest boat operating in those waters.
We had very smooth voyage in which
respect we were lucky, as the channel
is usually very choppy with consequent
dlsagreeabe effect on Sammy. We
left the boat early for trip some dis
tance thru and beyond the port city;
not too early to encounter many towns
people however. Here too they had
just short time before, set their time
ahead one hour Our time here is six
hours earlier than Detroit time.
Our Hq. company contains the Reg
mental Band, who usually play on the
march ahead of the Reg. At the Port
of arrival for the first time, we saw
soldiers and sailors of many different
Allied countries. Needless to say we
5, were very keen for all the new sights.
The buildings grouped about the CEN
tra square were of modern type and
substantially built. Every time there
was halt of the column the friendly
Frenchmen sought to establish COM
radship. We were particularly glad
for the presence of many hucksters of
fruit and small wares. A number of
times we had to get out of the way of
street cars and / noticed they were in
charge either of women or disabled
soldiers. Our march to rest camp led
us past splendid Hospital edifice, the
front of which overlooked a long sea
: wall and the harbor with its vast and
variegated shipping life. The camp
must have been situated on an elevation
several hundred feet higher than dock
level. At the time we were carrying
about seventy-fve pounds on our back,
which made the grade somewhat tire
some. After short rest, and clean
up. we ate our first square meal in
France, soon forgetting how tired we
had been.
After one night in rest camp we
marched to the Ry. station. The
Ry. carriages, etc.. are practically the
same as in England, however the tracks
are narrower guage. Our "a hour
Journey then commenced in cars mark
ed "Cheveaux 8-Hommes 80 to 40"
Translated that means Horses 8. Men
32 to 40. You are doubtless familiar
with this thru that great war book
over The Top. We had plenty of
light and ventilation and an almost un-
interrupted view of the country, for
which was thankful. Our course was
winding; during the trip we hit all
points of the compass. France. to my
surprise, is very rolling country; we
passed around and thru many great
hills or small mountains, whichever
they are called. The average tourist
probably see less of rural France than
has fallen to our lot. Here as in Eng
land the cultivated fields are not large:
usually they are separated by mounds
of earth. AS the able bodied men are
nearly all at the front, it is not surpris-
ing to see the women doing a great
share of the hard work. We saw not
few teams of oxen tilIing the soil at
their leisurely gait. Judging from the
types of farm buildings | passed they
are mostly inherited institutions; many
had matched roofs Doubtless there
, are many fine farm buildings az well,
more particularly in the most populous
regions. In arriving at or passing any
of the centers of population, church
~ piles are always prominent. At last
- detrained at small city. We had
no sooner gotten in formation than
along came the ever willing Y. &C. A.
Secy's with a cup of real coffee and
apples. Words could not have express
ed our appreciation for this thoughtful
ness, as we had yet hike of some few
miles before US,
The American Artillery camp we
occupy exceeds my anticipation in many
respects. The buildings are of quite a
permanent nature, particularly those
built recently Every man is sheltered
in single story barrack, though some
of the older ones have no floors. There
is ample electric power so that some of
the boys use irons. On our arrival not |
all the wash houses and none of the
shower baths were completed. Now all
that is finished and it is but a matter !
of improving ones limited spare time,