Milford chronicle., 1918-12-27
LETTER FROM OVERSEAS
Nov. 20. 1918

Dear Mother:
This is the first chance I have had
to write you in about four weeks. We
were in the fnal drive that caused the
Germans 70 sign the armistice. and
believe me, We had some time trying
to keep up with the flying Dutchmen.
too, they were retreating so fast. Well.
mother. it looks very much a. present
! like everything is over but the shout
ing and l have come through it all
without even a scratch. I have been
pretty lucky as l have been on every
front in France almost aud saw the
/ thickest and worst fighting that there
has been in France since We have been
over here. put faith and confidence
( in your prayers which / knew you
( offered up 70 the Almighty every day
for me and always felt safe in going
into a battle when / was ordered 70
and I really believe this war will be
one Of the greatest things that ever
happened toward the uplifting of
Christianity in the United States when
the boys return.
Mother. l have been pretty close to
Belgium this time and expect to see
some more country outside of France
and England before We return. as we
expect 70 take a hundred mile trip
within the next few days, which will
take US out OF France. and we are only
about 40 miles from Germany now.
We Will be furnished everything by
the army 20 make both Thanksgiving
and Christmas seem like the real old
c. 5. Christmas, and We will probably
be home in the spring. bright and as
fresh as the April shower. 10 tell you
OF all the adventures We have had and
better men physically. mentally and
morally. but no doubt will be willing
10 settle down 20 a quiet life and rest
easy for at east a while before that
longing 10 travel and see the world
effects US again.
Mother. you must see my many
friends that have written 10 me while
have been here and make apologies
for me l just don't have time 10 an
swer all their letters, nevertheless I
appreciate them very much and hope
they will continue 10 write me.
/ received last week a very interest
ing and appreciatiYe letter from our
old Chaplain OF the lst Delaware Mill
tia, Rev. Stephenson. now pastor Of the
VI. Z. Church in Milford, and viii mail
it back TO YOU so you can see what
interest he takes in the boys over here.
have also received a bunch of let
ters from my out OF town friends. with
six Milford Chronicles one day. four
from Milford and two from Harry Fav-
niger. I also get your mail regularly
Now il takes about twenty days for a
letter 10 reach me
Mother We are having freezing
weather here Some days II doesn't I
thaw out all day I am still sleeping
in my car every night. ! can close it /
in just like a house and at present I /
have 25 big heavy blankets TO sleep
on and under, but OF course do not
use them all
We are still in the land where war
played havoc. There are very few
houses standing in any OF the towns
around or near US, no civilians 70 be
seen except the refugees and prisoners
which the Germans had to reease ac- (
cOrc!ng 70 the terms Of the armistiCe /
These refugees and prisoners go thru
the town daily only TO find their once
happy little homes a mass OF ruins,
caused by tie heavy shell FIRE OF the
Germans Yet there is a mixed emo
ton Of sadness and happiness left in
these poor captiyes of four years. as
they realize that they are back in
civilization again and breathe the air
Of freedom without being constantly
J0rmeuted by an unhumane race of
men who have been taught the glory Of
war since birth, but who have fallen /
never 10 rise, thank God
Mother, l must stop now as I am /
getting a little chilly and my bed looks I
very inviting 1 am writing this let /
ter on my knee by candle light in my
car. l started with a pen but the ink /
soon ran ont so I had to finish it with !
a pencil.
Again wishing you and Frank and /
all my friends a happy Christmas and |
a prosperous New Year. am.
As ever.
Bob.
Private Robert J. Deputy.
Ambulance Co. Is.