The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1918-09-17
ROBT. CHE.ATHAM
WRITES HIS HOMEFOLKS
Somewhere in France,
Sunday, Aug. 4, 1913.

Somewhere in France,
Sunday, Aug. 4, 1913.
My dear People:
wrote you all from England, but
don't know if the letter went there
or not. We were in England about
week. From there we came to this
place.
We had one Of Empey's side-door
Pullmans, which is freight car
about 1-2 to 2-3 size Of ours, SO to
car, with our packs and rations, so
you can imagine how we slept. From
the looks of the car it was the same
one Empey rode in. We are in a
small village very old, the oldest
building I have noticed is 1863, the
town is about the size Of Hodges, no
railroads.. We are in bilfets much
better than we expected, the food is
good and a plenty of it most of the
time. The only thing you can buy
to eat q eggs and milk. s1.00 dozen
for eggs, so you see we don't have
many Of them.
We landed in one of the most
prominent cities on this side, have
also been in another big city few
days. The country is certainly in
teresting. I would like to tell you
all about it but can't, will have lots
to tell when I get back. The French
people seem to appreciate the arriv-
al of American soldiers very much.
I haven't seen a single young man
in this town except two or three that
are on furlough. One old man told
me he had lost two sons in the war.
I asked him where all the vineyards
were that France was noted for, he
said, why all of them have been cut
down to SOW grain. The people show
the hardships of war from their ap-
pearance. The ladies wear wooden
shoes. They all 60 out and haul
and thresh grain, young and old.
They are rationed by the week. Hogs
sell for 42c per lb. on foot.
The people all have books in
French and English. That is the only
way we can talk to them. am get
ting along fine, haven't been sick at
all. The climate here isn't quite as
warm as at home. We work 6 hours
day, which sin't so bad. Sam Adams
and myself are not together now,
sure hate it too.
The general opinion is the war
won't last very long. The New York
World publishes daily over here,
it looks about as much like the Press
and Banner does to you all. I haven't
SOCCen any HAL yeI'
D! think we will be here for some
time. From here we have no idea
where we 60. Everybody expects to
be home by the 4th of July, or per-
haps Christmas. I wouldn't take.
anything for the experience 1 am
having. I am glad I am over here,
one feels quite different about the
war, once you are over here and see
some things makes your blood boil
sometimes. 1t looks as if the Huns
have had their best days. I hope so.
| I would like very much to get
some fresh news from home to know
if all of you all are all right, and
what the prospects are for good
crop. I am with a fine bunch of
boys as whole, and the officers are
as fine as can be. Don't you all
worry about me for I am perfectly
we'll, and will be back some day,
which I hope will be soon. Hope
Wallace is getting along all right
with his operation. l will write as
often as I can. This is for all the,
family as envelopes are very scarce.
I got two from lady next door to-
day.
Give my regards to all the folks,
also John Presley. Tell Mr.. Link !
and DR.. McMurray I will write them
when we get envelopes.
Lots of love for all the family, l
am, Your son and brother, |!
Drivate Roht T, Cheathan1 Il