Perth Amboy evening news., 1918-09-20
John Britton

By Special Correspondent.
KEYPORT, Sept. 20-Mrs. Cor
nelius B~ritton, of Elizabeth street, has
kreceived q letter from her son, John
Britton, a member of Battery F. 112th
| Regiment Heavy Artillery, A. q. F.,
his adventures In Poitiers, France. In
| part, Mr.. Britton says: Having some
time the past few days, I'll give you
an account OF my adventures. Sat
| urday there was q ball game between
teams from our regiment and another
from the same brigade. We were In
vited to go toNthe game with n count
who owns the chateau where we are
| quartered, and of cours we accepted,
as the park was six miles distant
Another lad and myself rode in the
machine, the count driving. He can
not speak English, but is q very kind
| gentleman. On our way we took q
| trip about the country and arrived at
the game at the start Considering
the condition of the ground and the
lack of practice 1t was q very good
game and inasmuch as we won We
thought it all the better.
After the game we had a snake
dance around the field and IL was
amusing for the French. They were
interested spectators at the game and
when q ball was hit whether fair or
foul. they would applaud and some Of
the best plays Of the game drew
hardly any applause. This was the
| the first they had aver witnessed base
ball and it mystifed them. Their
sport is football and that is all the
major sports they understand. They
| took the game very seriously. The
count offered to take us back home,
but we declined his kind offer as II
was o early. and took a trip about
the city.
THE roads are very winding ovez
here and one has to keep his wits
about him or get last. The sidewalks
arfe narrow and when two = walk
have high stsne walls and one can
never see the entrance. There are
gateways through the walls.
Tho band gave a concert at 5 p. m.
The French are wild over music and
flock per hundreds strong. I've be-
come acquainted with a hne family,
have been there three or -four times
and have enjoyed myself and although
hard TO understand. I am fast learning
French.
They have treated us npe and ]
| certainly appreciate It. The longer
one stays the truth is empha-
sized OF that familiar saying, America
First and then France
II hav seen such good look
ing girls and there are many in Poi
tier. They idoiizs the Tanks. 4 am
having g wonderful time n wouldn't
miss Il for a great deal. OF course
/ would like to be home with you all,
but this is next 70 home.
The city has beautiful parks and II
reminds me OF the parks In New York
The streets are cobbled.
The weather has been fnelthe past
few days and I hope II continues. We
surely have the Huns on the run and
| every day brings more proof that the
n isn't far on. ! trust IL lasts long
enough for me to get into active SER
vice. The British made attacks with
the same success we had last week.
and recapfured ground. This is good
news and the spirit Is great over here.
We have started out for a strong I'm
ish and / doubt II the Boche can hold
US back now. They had their in
nings ad we are having ours and we
only need a home run and then watch
them sail over the Huns and make
such a strong finish that Il viii make
them dizzy. No doubt the news or the
/ British successes has sent a wave OF
| Joy through the United States.
-WW Close. hoping this nnds you
IN the best ef health and spirits as Il
your loving son.
John EHfLxON.~