The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1918-03-29
From Our Soldiers in France.
Somewhere in France,
February z. 1918.

., A"AO'
A letter addressed to his uncle and
aunt, Mr.. and Mrs. Ohm Copley, Lieut..
Alex Ely writes as follows:
Surely you must have wintry out
look from the hill at this time, but it
takes all my imaginative ability to re-
alize your condition for here it is like
the May at home. We do not need our
overcoats and only light gloves are
worn but more to protect from work
than for warmth. After long ride in
the saddle this morning it was ques-
ton which perspired the more freely,
my mount or myself.
| never worked harder and more.
steadily than am doing now, but there
is plenty to eat, good bed, delightful
surroundings and it is all for the cause.
Never was [ so well convinced of the
proportionate part which the people at
home are able to play. Next to those
wi Ose convictions are against US are
those who are either over-optimistic or
er-pessimistic The only line leading
to a proper peace is the front line and
the energy behind it, and just as there
are so many ounces in ton, SO too
every little stroke done here and there
will eventually turn the scales in the
proper direction. A premature peace
would be worse than none and peace
talk now gives only courage to the
other side.
I saw little of England but have had
opportunity to see most wonderful dis
tricts in France You no doubt can
picture the castles, the stone walls, the
two wheeled carts, the beautiful high
ways bordered with trees, here an an
cient mill and there prehistoric dol
man-but it is so nearly like what /
saw and of which you are familiar in
England that description of minute diff
ferances is difficult. [ enjoy the peo-
pie and they are really marvellous after
what they have already suffered. We
will learn great lessons from them, we
who have had great freedom, and they
who have nearly always been suppress
ed. A great portion if not majority
are dressed in mourning, but In dress
only is there any outward appearances
of their affection. Their expression is
that of perfect understanding which
we, who have so newly entered this
strife, can hardly understand.
We are all quite happy and glad we
are here with really a great work
ahead of us. The one great discomfort
is lack of mail and should not COM
plain for I am one of the lucky few to
have heard it all from home. Until
one is placed in this condition he would
not realize what it means and only goes
to show me forcefully that one great
service which those who stay at home
can do is to write to the boys who
come over. Energy needs constant en-
enlargement and nothing would do
more for US now than few letters.
/ heard many complaints at home
both East and West of the way many
things are being shandled. ALI that is
absent here and leads me to believe
that it is being done at home for evil
influence. Anyway the sooner people
realize that the war is being fought
over here and not in congress, the
sooner will they be able to lend hand
and waste less time in complaint.
There is very little that | can write
you except generalities for am placed
on double honor by censoring my own
mail | hope this letter may find you
both in comfort and the best of spirits
and that the hard winter is not causing
you any great inconvenience.
Sincerely your nephew,
% LIEUT.. ALEX. w. ELY,
f. A. o. R. G..
P. O. No. 718 A. E. F. S
France.