The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1918-10-11
Our Soldier Boys
Somewhere 10 France, Aug. 10. 1918

Dear Prof:-It is raining as usual
and while sitting here got to thinking
of different people at home. You were
among the first being my old school
Prof. and being so, also recalled my
school days, and how, when | would
stray away from my studies. you usual
ly brought me back by the peach and
cedar twig route. Hal Yes quite well
l remember one afternoon, we had a
rap-jack contest with Clyde Day. Saw
where he was seriously wounded not
long ago. Want to tell you how al
ways appreciate the home paper, 1t is
pretty regular now, since we have got
ten Strengthened out. Of course, |
have missed quite few in moving but
all back numbers are appreciated.
The French towns and their people
are very, very interesting. We are
up in the mountains, 30 the villages
are all punched together down In the
valley. The houses are as close to-
gelher as they can get them without
building one inside the other. There
are no frame buildings at all. they are
,of brick and concrete with red and
green tile roofs, pretty sight, sprink-
led over the mountain side. The walls
are usually two or three feet in thick
ness. Guess it is on account Of the
cold weather, for they apparahtly do
not have very many fires for you Dever
see a stove. The farms are really
nothing but large gardens, and all are
beautifully kept up. The dividing lines
between farms between farms are rows
of stone. 1t all looks like large park
when seen from a mountain side. A
small plot of grass here and of grain,
wheat usually, They raise practically
all we raise in the states, except cot
ton and corn. Every valley has its lit
tie stream, used for turning their grain
mills and for washing clothes. Every
street has two or three natural foun-
1ains, it is caught in long concrete
troughs and on them their washing
boards. 1t is very interesting sight
to see two or three families gathered
around washing clothes with nothing
on earth but stiff brushes. Could
write you more about the Industrious
French. Ii all of our young boys and
girls we're as industrious as the French
what nation the U. S. good old Uncle
Sam would be.
Want to tell you little about my
stay in the trenches, (front line.) First,
we Q) did not stay up there long enough
the reason we did not, is because did
not succeed in getting dirty Boche,
lont will for we are going back some
time and help end this war, for Uncle
Sam. Was out on patrol one night
with my Lieut., he is there with the
goods, so was not afraid. Went over
10 the fore part of the night, had to
crawl on our bellies, thru our wire and
of course once in while would touch
wire, or break dry twig, it sounded
like the report of agun, then We would
lie still for awhile, well We kept on GO
ing until | thought be was close enough
and believe me. we we're. Could hear
distant mumuring and we only had q
couple of grenades and we each had an
automatic, il wasn't In our holster
either. We lay there for about thirty
minutes. was beginning to get settled
down again, when the Lieut.. said in a
low tone. (very low "let's throw a
grenade over" Whewl | said my
prayers then sure 'nough. / was carry
ing the grenades, so had to give him
one in about five minutes lit seemed. }
He threw it but it did not go off, but
the Boche did, he sent up q couple OF
flares to try and locate Us, thought
we we're going in then. but he said give
me another. | handed it to-him, and
over it went. it did not 60 off either.
Then / said, Lieut.. providence is sure
with,us tonight. he was so mad he did
Mt say . word, but to great relief we
started IN. | was leading this time.
We'll that was my first time in No Mans
Land, but net the last. He nearly had
rte lie me to keep me in.
The Boche dad not bother us at all
axcept one afternoon, while was try
inc TO locate machine gun by batting
him with an automatic rifle, he sen'
over few rifle grensdes one OF th'
men in my squad was hit where he sit'
down, not running away, Il fell IN trenct
behind him.
We all hope we get another try q
the Boche soon. The first was only
teassr.
Hoping to continue getting your pa
Der and may it keep growing IS in tn
past.
Can you tell me what outfits some o
our boys are in over here!
Yours Sincerely.