Williston graphic., 1918-08-08
f. /. SHEM0RRY
WRITES FROM FRANCE
INTERESTING LETTER TO FOLKS
TELLS OF LIFE "OVER THERE"
CANT SEE HOW HUNS CAN
HOLD OUT
On Active Service
with the
American Expeditionary Forces
June Goth, 1918.

June Goth, 1918.
Dear Folks:
Well it's been long time now
since I've had chance to write to
you, but I hope you won't get wor-
ried or anything, as am alright and
feeling good. The reason l didn't
write was that l didn't have any pa.
per and couldn't get any. But to-day
| got a little, so I thot I'd write and
say Pm still O. X. I've got qul.~ u
few of your letters, the commerce
ment invitation and everything you
sent me for my birthday. That sure
was good of you and thank you
very much for it all. saved most
of the chewing gum Billie sent me till
my birthday, and then sure chewed,
and believe me, it sure tasted good,
too. I wish I could tell you just
where was on my birthday, but,
anyways, it wasn't very healthy
place.
The H. S. Invitation you sent me
is the only one I've received so far,
and it sure is interesting. I looked
over the names and could only count
five thot l didn't know Maybe l
know them by sight though.
Well l suppose you've got your
garden all planted by this time and
probably have used some of the stuff
already.
How is everybody around w.?
hope you are all feeling well as usual.
There isn't much of anything can.
say about ourselves. You most like
ly know all the war news, most likely
more than we do, so l can't say any
thing about that. You have most
likely read about how our troops
stopped and turned the drive on
Paris, and you have, no doubt, heard
of some of their exploits. When
read of it, it sure makes me feel
prouder than ever of our United
States, and the only thing that I re-
gret is the fact that we were put
on to comparatively quiet front in
stead of there. Can the "Dutchman"
be so absolutely pig-headed that they
can't forsee their early defeat, or why
do they hold out so long? But it is
our belief that they are on their last
legs and that all this offensive is just
about their real kick. As the British
Premier said in a recent speech,
"America is not coming, America has
come" And Heinie is we'll aware of
the fact, for there are many indica-
ti0ns that he does not care to go
"over the top" against the American
troops after the first time. Our
battalion has distinguished itself in
one or two small actions, but l never
was lucky enough to be there.
l don't know whether l ever told
any of you of our new dance, the
Trench Trot, with variations like the
dutckbaoard shuttle, the dugout dive,
etc. There's lot of variations to
this dance, but the one we care least
for is the pick and shovel hobble. The
c:-:c we like best of all is the chow
polka. The Trench Trot is quite
strenuous dance, but an interesting
and fast one.
That name "Samnies," you see so
often, is no good, neither is Bud
dies" which l hate. Now, if you
must have name for US, let it be-
"Yanks," short and snappy like we,
are to Heinie. We sure don't act;
much like Buddies to the Hun, as be-
has found out to hts sorrow.
Well, l guess I'll have to ring off
for this time, hoping you didn't get
worried because of my long silence
and that you will write soon.
With much love and many kisses,
am,
Your son and brother,
Edmund.
Pvt. E. H. Shemorry,