The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-03
News From France,

Mrs. A. l.. Jackson received the
following interesting letter from her
brother, Lieut.. Frank Il. Sanders. NJ.
r. c., 320th infantry, who sailed for
France about six weeks ago, after be-
ing stationed at Camp Lee. Peters
burg. Va, for eight months:
Somewhere in France, 6-2-1y1S.
My DEAR
This is the first opportunity 1 have
had to write you since my arrival.
Can't tell YOU just what day we got
here, but that doesn't matter since [
am safely here. The latter part OF
our voyage was more or less exciting.
Again | can't go into details. but it is
reported that crew or two of Ger
mans swallowed heaps of water. The
voyage was much pleasanter and more
enjoyable than l imagined it. would be-
We were blessed with ideal wealth -
Don't think we could have come in =
more favorable time as far as seas and
weather are concerned l didn't get
the least bit seasick; ate heartily ev-
cry meal of real good fare, slept
soundly every night. and didn't ex-
! perience the least fear Of any harm
Detailing me.
| / would like to tell you where we
landed and go into details Of various
happenings. but | can't. It was real
good to set foot on old mother earth
again. You can imagine how glad
every one was to leave the boat. 1t
dldnt take long to debark and we
marched out at once to the rest camp
where we have been ever since. The
camp is just so. So Doesn't COM
pare of course with the one | left
The dust now is terrible, and
imagine conversely, in rainy weather
II would he regular frog pond.
Tracks two or three inches deep re-
main in the hardened mud probably
&
precious article, and it's scarcity is
very much of an Inconvenience.
We won't be here very long l don't
think, and the chances are that we
will see a good deal of France before
we stop moving
The town we are at is about two and
one-half miles from camp. I went in
yesterday afternoon TO see the sights
Population about three times the size
OF Sumter with many quaint struc-
lures. All the buildings here are o,
brick, stone, etc. No wooden ones.
Ana haven't seen porch on one o.
the houses. There are lots of ever
green trees and shrubs and much pret-
~ grass on the lawns. ON the OUT
skirts Of town where horses and COWS
are kept the stables are built right or
to the end of the dwelling, and ma.
nure is piled in the front yard. They
seem to love animals here. There are
more dogs than l ever saw-of all
breeds and colOrs. Almost every wo-
man leads flee on n string, or it fol-
lows her. Beer and wine are drunl
in great quantities, as you know
Tables and chairs occupy prominent
places right on the pavement in full
view of passersby. Women and men
drink alike. the Americans predomi-
mating of course. Drinks are sold to
soldiers only after $50 p. m. 1t is
$40 p. IN. now and not yet dark
enough for electric lights. This time
is about hours ahead of our own.
| The days are very pleasant even in
midday sun. A good sea breeze blows
constantly. The nights are real cool.
| go to sleep undcr one blanket and
! nave to pull up couple more before
morning. Goodness knows what it is
like in winter
l probably know much less about
how the war is going than you all do
! in America. From the meagre reports
|
| CT badly for us at present, but all seem
confident of an ult mate allied vic
| tory. | hope it will come soon for
YOU can imagine how eager | am to
set back-homc and loved ones are
on my mind constantly, but my hopes
ana prayers are that all of YOU are
we'll and happy, and that Goa will
spare me for II haopy return in du"
/ time. If could only get some news
IRON home il would be such II relief
ana cause me untold happiness
Write me as often as YOU can.
Heaps of love for all of you. from rs
always,