Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1918-09-30
WRITES FROM
FRENCH FRONT
Corporal Roy E. Patterson
Writes of Recent Fight
ing at Chateau
Thierry. IS
DIVISION SUFFERED
Carried the Wounded Men
Through Mud up to
His Knees.

AAA0 AAAtSNASe y
Mrs. George Spencer of this city is
in receipt of two very interesting let
tiers from her son, Roy Patterson, with
the Rainbow division in France. The
first one was written Aug. 10th and
the second Sept list. The letters in
part follow,
Dear Mother: I have few minutes
to spare and will try and write a line
or two.
We sure have had some hot time
since l wrote you last. wrote to you
July 14th. That was while we were up
near Suipps. wrote a big letter, also
had that cap ready to send, and the
morning of the 18th things started and
for about five days and five nights old
Fritz let us have all he had.
Mother we worked day and night
for two weeks taking care of the dead
and wounded. The first night of the
battle, carried men through mud over
my knees. All the boys in my platoon
came back with us, but some Censor
ed were left behind. Webster City
boys were lucky. / don't think there
was one of them killed, though several
were wounded. The old Iowa outfit
won't look the same in the future. We
will be filled up with drafted men.
Mother, just think, ! have been in
France ten months and I'll bet money,
chalk or marbles that we won't be here
another ten.
The French seem to think that the
war is all over but the shouting, and
hope they are right.
It's funny what a fellow will think
of and want when the shells are light
ing so close that the dirt and wreckage
talls all around you. One night we were
IN our way up to the lines, when they
started throwing the small foundries
at us. We jumped into a ditch and as
lay there, thought Of all the mean
things had ever done, and wished for
candy or some good old pancakes with
lots of syrup and butter, with a good
cup of mothers coffee to wash it down.
Air Raids.
have had all the air raids want,
too. / used to stand and sunburn the
roof of my mouth looking for them,
but now when l hear bOche coming,
I look around for good place to hide.
They carry the incest little bombs you
ever saw or heard, and believe me, |
have had my fill.
We are back resting for n few days
before going back to the big show.
They need us up there, for when old
Fritz finds out he's up against the
Rainbow division, he runs. Here's one
Of the reports that went back to head
quarters, THE enemy has turned tail
and ran like hell
AS ever, your loving son,
Corp. Roy Il. Patterson,
Hdq. Co., 16Stht Inf, A. E. F.
Dear Mother: Well, things have been
rather slow lately. Nothing much do
ing but hikes and drills.
We think we are going back upon a
front before long. This is the time to
strike and strike hard. Old Fritz is
on the run, and the allied armies in
tend to keep him going. Everyone is
doing his best to bring the way to
close, and / hope the end is not far of. j
Today is Sunday and the people are
all "dolled up 1t makes me think of
a big day at home when all the far
mer girls are decked out in bright col
ors.
/ suppose you noticed my last letter
was signed Corporal Roy Il. Kind O.
lucky, guess. don't understand how
lit happened, as there wasn't man in
the platoon killed up on the last front
I guess they just put the names in a
hat and shook them up and happened
to be one of the lucky birds.
/ / haven't had mail for about a
month. The last letter from you was
dated some time in June
j Well, ! must close
Your loving son,
Il Corp. Roy Il. Patterson,
Il Hdq. Co., 16Sth Inf, A. e. f..
Took Picture of Kaiser.