Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-12-30
OUR BOYS
OUR COUNTRY'S SERVICE

The following letter written four
days after the signing Of the armis-
tice has greatly relieved the parents
of Corp. Alton L. Johnson, Mr.. and
Mrs, w. A. Johnson OF Belfast. and
noH they can wait patiently for their
boys return. knowing that the fight
ing is over and that he came through
unframed.
Nov. Is, 1918. In a Dugout In France.
My dear Folks
You will understand by the head
ing of this that am long way from
Clarmont (where his last letter was
written) and right UP where things
were doing. We got up here just in
time to paste a few shots at them just
for luck and when they found cut
who it was they quit right away.
Could you blame them?
We have a regular homo here un-
der ground with Il nice little stove.
tables and chairs and can make up d
nice bed to sleep in. The room is
about 10 by feet and 7 feet high.
Have to come down through n hole
about ten feet long. 1t has a nice
wooden floor and tarred paper cell
ing and just as snug as q mouse.
There are no rats to bother us as YOU
might think. 1t is about as good as
any place We have struck yet.
on the way here we came through
town after town that had been all
smashed up by the Huns. Some Of
them had every house broken in.
One can never realize what damage
they have done TO this part Of France
unless they have seen il, The roads
are all torn up for mile: and miles.
We We're sent down to the rcScry .
camp Yesterday to get washed and
cleaned up and came back tonight.
Haven't had chance to write before
since left Cl1rmont. oh, I have
some good news, or at least it was
good TO me. Mae my chum since We
met at Camp Devens, has been made {.
sergeant to-day and believe me he
deserves. | was more pleased to
have him get it than to have it my
self and he should have had it long
ago. lie has just left here, has ia
stay up in a tent near TIE officers
dug out Whete he can be near the tel
ephone. The trenches are only Il
short way from here ard the night
after the armistice was signed tho
boys fired off rockets all night long
The fellows comm. up from there
said that our hoys and the Germans
We're right in together having a great
time. Just think ~ the time YOU get
this I will be whole Year older. Gee
am getting along in years.
In 4 German Camp, Nov. Goth.
Well here it is the day before my
birthday and haven't had chance to
send this yet, but il is surely COINS
tomorrow. Guess you viii begin to
think am never going to write again
but while at the front ii vas hard to
get a chance. Now We are back in a
German camp and very comfortabe
There are 70 il, the billet am in. We
all have hunks and there is plenty Of
room. Have two small stoves IN TIC
room SO are plenty warm. Il Will
seem 4 long time now until No got
back home. When AT the front ana
Things were moving y wasn't quite 50
bad but now that tho thing is all over
we are all looking forward to getting
back TO where we belong Their arc
all kinds of stories started bat don't
believe anyone knows when VIC are to
start. Just got your letter written
Oct. 10th. think we have been get
ting our mail quite regularly. About
and we have a lot to he thankful for
this year. Will have 70 close now as
il is bed time
Your loving son.
ALTON.