Gunnison news-champion., 1918-08-30
F. C. DAMSON WRITES OF
FRANCE TO A FRIEND
Continued from Page One)

ly 10 p. m Taps at that time and all
lights and loud talking must be 'cgt
out" We are given many more lib
critics in the band than those in the
ranks are accorded.
You hear more about what is go
ing on in the war than We do. We hear
only the one side, you get both, and
between the two you can figure out
about where We are. The "Old man"
is now beating his drum and announc-
ing some late bulletin. II is in French
and Of course not understandable.
Very likely, this same "Old man" has
been holding down this job for year.
Today noon we had music with on
meals. Some old blind man came into
mess hall and played his accordion.
He murdered the "MaTsaillaise" worss
than | ever heard the Star Spangled
Banner" butchercd in America There
was also an old man selling maps for
the benefit Of French wounded. French
children hang around the mess halls
and collect all crumbs left by sol
dIers.
$50 p. m. Listened to a lecture all
afternoon on gas. We toand)
marched out to a beautiful wooded
hillside; the Sanitary Detachment was
with Us; the Medical Major did the
talking We studied "Splints" yes
tcrday. Our officers are fine fellows
and the sympathy shown men here is
much greater than in the States.
Wednesday. This is quite countTy
for forests. The timber is well pre-
served. The inhabitants are hauling
wood for the winter. We pass, many
times each day, wagons loaded with
logs or branches. They use every bit.
The coal used on 4. K. is all com
pressed into sqUarcs-vCry saving.
We hear around here now, the say
ing, Hell, Heaven or Hoboken in
-hrce months" Here's hoping
This morning. ! bought you a little
souvenir OF France. II is not much.
but We can't send anything big. The
handkerchief was made by an elderly
lady. Tonight We expect to play at
some hospital. Hope we have our
supper there as we get fine eats and
all we want.
| might say word about our little
dinner party last night. Four of us
band boys had eggs, French fried po-
tatOcs, bread and black coffee. Every
thing was fine with the exception Of
the coffee; II had a peculiar taste.
They served it in wine glasses.
A bunch Of mail has come and
shall wait until | see what get be
fore finishing this letter.
Thursday. Played last night at an
other hospital. All the boys are hop
ing that we shall get a steady job
furnishing music for wounded soldiers.
After our concert we were served with
cocoa and cakes by the American
nurses. We were taken to the hos
pital in ambulances and treated fine
Most all the patients were suffering
from shell shock. 30
As for the stories told about "coot-
les, they are grossly exaggerated.
haven't seen 4 cootie or even heard
of one. These French kids have lice
in plenty. Their customs would shock
you American girls.
Yesterday we heard from a man
who should know, that he figured we
would be back in the States year
from this Xmas.
There is fine bunch of fellows in
the band, all pretty well educated.
must say tho, that the company | was
in, Co. B, has an exceptionally fine
bunch of fellows. The streets here
are narrow and are of hard ground
stone. Houses of stone and all many
years old. The cows, chickens and
goats are all housed in the same
building with the people. The ma
nure piles are in front of the houses
and good healthy smell greets you
from all sides as you march down the
street.
Airplanes pass over US quite fire.
quently and we have signals now to
disperse. This is principally for
practice.
The wine and beer houses are run
by women. There are no bars, but
tables and everyone sits down. Wo-
men mattresses. Very sweet wine.
The inhabitants are getting rich on
the sales of wine and nuts. Must
close. Sincerely
F. GEORGE DAMSON,
Musician F. Geo. Damson.
Hdo Co 256tb Infantry