Norwich bulletin., 1918-02-14
READY, FOR sERylcE. Peter crofts Writes from France { Narrates interesting Experiences.

Probably many. people in the village are not aware that one of Hanover's boys is, already in active service in France, The Efollowfng letter from Peter Grofts yeungest son sofs MT. and Mrs John V. Frofts. to his brother and sister, f4a New York was received recently and gives glimpse of the life during the period of final preparation Cor the trenches. "
 Company .Ba 1o4th Inf. ,#s fs-@
 ;. - 18th 4Div., IA E. F.9f.c = --4-f T. *e Nov. l., 1s17:@
 Dear Brother and Sister. .;.- --~.' y. Received your fine. letter yesterday and I, sure was glad to- get news from the States It: was the first letter had received in six weeks or so. Our, mail-is delayed a dot T guess U-boats. get some of t.obut believei n1e G. s, fleet is getting lots of U-boats, and she isn't advertising it. T know <
 We are biIleted in the barns and
 houses of a small town in France. One of my mechanics. who is my chum, captured a room with a. foot of dust and hay on the floor and no roof to it. We cleaned it out. got some tar paper and put a roof on it. We have some home, now. My -chum's name is An drew FTilly. He's about. 80 years old. though one would judge him. to be 25 or so. He's comfortably fixed in civil life and is sa4 clear lad nf steady hab- it's. He's my right hand man. and a good one. too. fss. Affe -
 Lots of mud in this country. and also much rain and mist fall Pretty scenery about here. We have raw weather and getting up mornings is cold work ts. < | Our trip across was fine. Practically no rough weather and few were sea sick. I was not one. of the few.a We were in Southampton. England. a couple of days. but could not getsta only, 70 miles from there Saw quite few Boche prisoners on the way. here and the ones I4saw sure look ca
 pab1e of the. murderolis deeds Of which they are accused. l1 '@ F, #.
 From what the Tonnmies and French soldiers have told me, there's little taking of ,prisoners.a,Ii judge. It. is said that the Scotch never. take a prisoner on account of one of their officers who was liked by all being shot by German officer he had just captured. Saw British and French soldiers leave for, the, front. It is d1f- l ferentr here-there's no cheering, or smiling, and Eve not seen any weep 1 ing: Issuppose we'll be leaving, in the same mannersin two or three months. i Somehow I do not dread to think of | it. No German will. capture me if I can help it.. I'll. die first [ sincerely hope Arth stays in Honolnlu for if l it must be- sacrifice'I1 think one from | the family is enough. s-.' I Great ecoflon1w isss exercised in these 1 countries: People in the U. $. do not
 realize how well of they are. .no- l ticed they suggest taking President | Wilson's lead in many. matters. U. S thas more soldiers over here than peo- 1 pie realize. Just wait. until her flyers
 get going. I'll bet they'll be the dare l devils of the allies, f4 ', .,14sy..,.. :, I We are training of course and 1t. Is
 interesting. How easily and quickly
 one learns to defend his life! Our French instructors think we learn
 easily and seem pleased. They pos
 sess . wicked bayonet that has four l from it never heals. We are learning l to,use auto rifles, bombs, rife sgrenades
 and a new bayonet exercise intend | to make a study of all
 I'm pretty busy now, as I have tc 1 look after the supply end at the same i time. They tell me. that I'll look afte1 I the supply, payroll and mess Of .the company later. I hope 50, for I like
 a; busy job. The danger. is just a, great. for they say the first lins trenches are the, safest. However, i. .U s. may not adopt the French ani
 British method on my end of it., Just now I,m at a loss to know what r1y job win be. T sure did some wort before leaving U. S. Y | Well. I VII cFose now and write tt