The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1918-12-26
A Letter from Byron M. Salter

Headquarters Fifth Company \
list Amy Advanced Replacement Depot
France, Nov. rs, 1918 }
Dear Mother and Dad:
| What again writing over the Pond, but
then have the work all done and 1t is
raining; nothing to do SO ! am lonesome
in some ways, for they all are hammering
the Typewriter and l think that l am out
of place unless do the same. They have
given us, as you will see, an Underwood,
and talk about a hard touch, well it sure
has everything beat ever saw. This is
the first rain l have seen for many weeks
and it is coming down as it does in Maine
and looks like four weeks of it. They
were going to give us permanent chaps
rubber boots today, but then they sent
around an order nothing doing, SO will
get my feet wet if l have to 60 out, but
then don't have to 60 anywhere but out
to mess and my shack. We have had A
men in today so that meant very little
work, hope they will clean up here, as l
want to get out of this line and get to
making passenger lists. Oh, yes, but
! that most likely will be what we all will
be doing soon.
Perhaps, mother, you will be interest,"
ed to know how l sailed and where l
have been since leaving the States. On
coming over it was from Boston to Hall
fax, across to Bristol, England. When 3
miles off the Irish coast we had sub at
tack, two of them; the American Destroy
ers dropped IT depth bombs and they came
up about 1900 yards away from our boat
which was the flagship of the bunch, but
after the English boat had fired the Ameri-
can let 60 and we were near enough so
could see the periscope 60 to smash. We
then divided up and we landed as have
said after Is days on the ocean. We
paraded in Bristol, went to Winchester,
Eng, where we staid about three days
and when we came out of that camp and
town what should look me IN the eye was
a sign on which was John Salter, Beers
and Wines. We went to South Hampton
then across the channel to Cherboug,
France, to camp for a few days and be-
fore l landed in Maron was at three or
more different camps and wont enlarge
upon them any l have been over this
country enough and l want to see no
more and when do get home will want
to stay there all the rest of the days, |
mess kit, tin hat, gas mask and all.
Am feeling lots better today but was
feeling "bum" when l wrote to Dad and
say wrote that letter one day ahead of
time, but then we can hardly keep run of
the DAYS. | have some things ] would
like to send home in the way of fancy
pillow cases, ETC., but haven't anything
to send them in so may keep them until
come home, l made for this Moons dinner
tapioca pudding as l had the stuff and
we had lot of evaporated milk given
u.s. Here is my method, coffee and syrup
for flavor, milk thinned down and the
evaporated as cream and it was good.
Am sending home paper that l get every
week, if possible, and will send them
home when get them for there is lots of
good reading IN them, that and the New
FORK Herald Daily Mail are the papers
that we get and we get good news some
Times from the part given to home news
rom the different States. did not send
any card for you to send me anything
Christmas for it isn't worth while any,
way and l rather have the good word
han anything else In my shack have
, picture of some kittens and mother in
an easel made from twigs and Rannie in
,ne from the fallen plane that l got part
If the meter box from, so have remem-
Frances all right. Remember me to all
who are interested with lots of love and
pest wishes to both, as ever your son.
RD0nIC