Milford chronicle., 1918-10-04
LETTERS FROM OVERSEE
September 4. 1918.

September 4. 1918.
Dear Mr. Evans:-
/ am now located in Orleans, q
pretty city of about one hundred thou
sand inhabitants and one hundred and
ten kilometeTs south of Paris. | have
been here since the 5th Of July, and
previous to that time l was wander
ing all over France
When we first landed in this cOun-
tTy went to a rest camp. which was
situated in a beautiful place on high
hill by the Sea. where we could see
the big transports come in and go out
daily; and being one Of the lucky
ones, l secured a pass to visit the
city, and enjoyed my visit very much.
We remained in this rest camp for
a few days, and on a certain Sunday
afternoon, when we least expected it,
we received orders to roll packs, and
be ready to leave within one hour
We marched to the station and board
ed our first French train, and l might
say, herewith, that it was very differ
ent from what we were accustomed
10 in the states.
We travelled all that night due east
through the mountains and over some
of the most beautiful country | have
ever seen. and on the following Tues
day we arrived in a medical camp in
central France.
At this place l and forty others
were picked as motor drivers. and
left at once for the Front, but as fate
would have it | was taken i'll with the
mumps when we arrived in Paris and
sent to a Red Cross hospital, where
remained for two weeks.
While in Paris | had a chance to
visit some of the most interesting
places, and believe me. it is some in
teresting city. l shall never forget
Ehe first night | was there. About
11.S0 p. m, l was awakened by the
noise OF the "Serines," which could
be heard in every direction, as a sig
nal that the city would be raided BY
German bombing planes. We could |
near in the distance the roar of the !
cannOns, and every minute they
would come nearer and nearer, until !
chere were so many shells bursting |
~ the air that the sky was actually |
illuminated. l began to think that |
1 was up at the front and in a barrage. |
II lasted very nearly one hour and |
then everything quieted down, and |
was peaceful until the, next night /
when the same act was repeated.
After being discharged from the |
hospital, / was sent two hundred /
miles south of Paris to a classification .
camp, where we We4 e again equipped |
Tor service, and sent back to the med /
ical camp While there, l was sent
TO this place on the 4th of July to take
part in parade, and saw all of the
boys.
A Few days afterwards l was inform
20 that transfer was affected for me
% return to my old company. as thny
,ould not locate the other boys JUST
then.
Orleans is a beautiful city situated
1n the Loriet River, and is the town
which Joan dare besieged and can I
.ured. This city claims her, but she
-eally comes from Alsace Lorraine
near Province, which was given TO +
Germany as an indemnity in the
'ranco-Prussian War in 1870. Every
where over the city, there are stat /
les erected to her honor.
Since being here, I travelled most
# the time, having been 10 the coast
n three different occasions, and be- /
Ieve me, when l see those transports I
wing in dock It makes me think Of /
he time when we will be hOmeward {
OuRa. l am driving a Harley-Dav- {