The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1918-08-08
s y y = y y v y =
8 Bits From "OUer There" rs
s V y n n y n rs n

5 = = T
Now that our Kenosha boys have
really had shot at the boche, their
letters home are becoming more ex-
citing Billy Ball, who served his
stretch in the front line trenches
writes one of the most interesting let
tiers received so far
Excerpts from his long newsy ac-
count are as follows:
July 9th, 1918.
"The first Division has finally been
relieved after a very trying and hard
long period in the trenches and I shall
now have many opportunities to write
to all of you. have been doing duty
continuously with the Co., in the
trenches until three days ago when !
was appointed Assistant Co., Clerk.
This new work 7 think I shall like
very much.
From all indications at present | am
on the verge Of seeing Paris. July 14th
is the French National Holiday and
it is rumored that our division is to
parade there that day. I surely hope
this is true as I do want to see the
wonderful metropolis of France. 1t
seems that the French soldiers are
just beginning to know US Yankees
and they surely do respect our ability
as fighting boys.
We are already a good distance be-
hind the fighting lines and Z haven t
even heard gun in the last fourteen
hours. / think we shall get a rest be-
fore being again called upon to hold a
sector in the lines. You may believe
that we have earned any consideration
that may be shown US.
Some time ago in certain Ameri-
can sector, (the name / must with
hold for Identification reasons) I was
standing post in the front line trench.
At this post speak of the distance be-
tween ours and the German lines was
SO short that light hand grenade
thrown like base ball, would have
probably reached either trench.
Our Battalion, fthe 1st) was to be
relieved by the End Bn., one night, and
it happened that on this same night a
German working party was engaged in
deepening their trenches All that
night until almost daybreak I could
hear the steady noise Of their picks as
they struck the ground and once |
heard, the typical "Ha, Hal of some
German, who must have been in high
spirits. At last the relief came and
we set out for the rear
AS we wendell our way along val
ley some German observation post must
have. seen us. Did they shell U.S. Well
you can bet they did but not with high
explosives or shrapnel. Theys did
however give us the incest little gas
barrage you ever could expect Only
the presence of mind of our Captain
and the fact that we were well school
ed on gas, got US out Of that predica-
ment with just one serious and very
few minor casualties. / don't think
there is anything more I can tell you
except that I receive my mail regularly
now and also that ! am well and
happy
Dave FogTel1 is still in London and
writes often to his many old friends IN
Kenosha. Parts of one OF his most re-
cent letters are given below:
July 10, 1918.
con Wednesday last we put on a
base ball game in Hyde Park. The
Lord Mayor Of London opened the
game by pitching the first ball. There
was large crowd and in the weekly
reviews of movies you will see me
when they get there. The Royal
Life Guards Band was in attendance
and they played a fine program. sat
near the bassoon player so I could
hear his instrument
It is so lonesome here even If there
is much to do and much to see. I am
away from all friends and lovers, of
course all the latter are little folks, but
do miss them all, and letters are few
and far between. I should be glad to
get a bundle Of Keno News just to see