Perth Amboy evening news., 1918-12-07
Letters From
Local
Herman Schwartz.

Dear oMther: 1t is natural for me
to think that after an enforced alb
n from the writing table, you have
permitted yourself to think of all tile
terrible things hat might have hap
pened to me or m other soldier "over
here" Now that opportunity presents
itself, / am going to tell you that / am
still safe, although on n few occasions
1 thought you would hear from me
through the government casualty sys-
tenn.
The American army has taken over
a large portion of the battlefront in
France, and a certain small sector of
1T has the reputation of being the hot
test place over here" Owing to the
fact that this sector is so difficult, 1t Is
only given over to the best troops and
1t has been the extreme privilege of
our division 10 draw this sector. We
not only held u own, but advanced
continually. 1 regret that 1 have not
the expressive power to explain, in a
1ustif1able manner, to show what our
Jersey boys have done so far. We
have fought over hills, through val
leys, climbed ravines. advanced
feated the most natural FORTH
cations ever placed in one spot
on this earth. The quarters were so
close at times that it would, and did,
appear impossible to an observer to
even hold the lines. But nevertheless,
we succeeded In not only holding the
line, but also in advancing with a COM
paratively small loss.
The enemy Is continually weaken
ing and has turned to defensive war
rare, using machine guns, gas and
heavy artillery. To say they are ex-
perts at this kind of warfare is putting
1t too mildly. However, our men
fought TX wildcats, everyone O hero,
and finally We beat the Boche at his
own game. The battalion was cited
Tor bravery and the regiment was also
cited. This is concrete evidence that
we have made good. AS far as pris-
oners are concerned we have taken
our snare despite the fact that the en-
envy is ordered to hold positions until
death and his casualty has been run
ming very high
On the first day of the offensive our
regiment was in the center. with
French troops on the right and more
Americans on the left. Nevertheless,
We made u objective despite the fact
that the center had the greatest re-
sistance.
In this regiment there are only four
boys from Perth Amboy. Each n
has distinguished himself and 1 would
TO have this letter put into the
Evening News to show the citizens
back home what Amboy is doing.
Abe Lewkowitz has been over the
top, cleaned out a machine gun nest
and made the objective with the rest.
He remained on the line firing until
ne was carried to the rear on account
or trench feet. He Is now in q hospi-
tai and will join US soon. Hats off to
him-he made good.
Our old friend Sergeant Piscopo,
Formerly recruiting officer in Perth
Amboy, is a one-pounder and after
the objective had been gained he took
up n position with his gun and beat
the boche in three counter attacks.
The German losses were so great that
reserves were called. Our aeroplales
saw the reserves advancing and i'm
soon scattered the Hun.
There Is n boy from Hall avenue
by the name of Morgan. He is in a
signal platoon, n believe me, he de-
serves to be decorated. Under the
most terrific barrage he would be I'M
der fire, repairing lines of communica-
ton. 1t was thought, at various times.
that he would never come back. But
he did manage to get back safely and
each time his task was done. Finally
he was gassed with mustard and then
wouldn't go to a hospital, but insisted
on taking only first aid. AS for N.Y.
self / have little to say outside of the
fact that 1 have given the best in me
n shall continue to the end.
While at the front I received much
nail from home and am glad that you
remembered my birthday. which I
passed very pleasantly in the verdun
ana 81 Mihiel drives. I have received
all the pictures and they certainly
were welcome, especially when things
were blacklist. They were my onIy
comfort hen But I am out of IT ali
right: still smiling. and n good stiff
punch still left.
VIII close with love to the family.
remember me to all the boys back
home.
HERMAN.