The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1918-08-08
FROM OVER THERE
Corp. P. P. Kildow's Experience
at the Front With the Marines


Mrs. William Kildow, of Oakland, re-
celved the following letter from her
son, Corporal Proctor P. Klldow, who
is with the Marines in France and we
are permitted to publish it herewith.
The letter is interesting in the extreme,
giving as it does, an insight into condi-
tons surrounding the fighting "Yanks"
at the front and the stages of rest they
are permitted to enjoy at intervals. The
letter was written somewhere in France
and was received by Mrs. Kildow Tues
day. Corporal Kildow belongs to the
73rd Co., 9Th Regiment Marines:
Il am writing this June Sth, but do
not know when it will be mailed. Will
fill in date whenever | send the letter.
At present We are bivouacing in a small
wood close up to the front. In my last
letter | stated we were little further
back. At that time we had just come
back from the front line where we had
been for fourteen days. Then it look
ed as though we would be relieved, but
few days afterwards we were order
ed back again, in support, so am taking
this opportunity to write, trusting to
luck to get it censored and mailed.
"You have by this time no doubt,
read of the marines good work during
the first of the month, and all month
for that matter. Our company was in
at the start, and then sent to the rear
after two weeks or more of front line
duty. Things had quieted down Who'll :
lot by then. Now we are practically in
again.
We have been among the bursting
shells for one months time now, and at
no time were we out of reach of the
big Betsy's. Shells are so mommon
now that the boys pay no attention to
them, unless they are bursting right
around US. At this minute they are
going over my head, from both our,
and the Dutch batteries. The biggest
ones make noise like a sudden rush of
wind and the smaller have a whine to
them like the wind cutting around the
corner on winters night. Have had
the chance to experience what it must
be like to be in front of the business
end of one OF our machine guns That
is judging from the way the little slaps
the Dutch machine guns send over
sound. 1t is not whistle, nor whine,
but as near as can say, they sound as
though they were throwing a whole
flock of young chickens at you. Pee
| pees, you know. At that though 1t is
not as pleasant as the same music, when
you are among the cows and chickens
way back on the farm. That's all the
more reason why we should do our work
well, and have the thing over with as
soon as possible. Then we can, and
will be able to enjoy and appreciate
peace.
1t is bright sunny day. The trees
that are not shell torn are green and
the country all around about is beauti-
1uIs IL IL w 40 AOI 1OI lIC COUSIdIl
of shells overhead, and the drone of
! the aeroplane motors, one could hardly
imagine the world at war, because ma
ture seems so peaceful, and all the boys
are so accustomed to this sort of thing,
that you could well imagine Yourself in
the open for a summer DAYS outing.
This is beautiful country. even though
you can see ruined village in most any
direction you choose to look. AS l said
before, but for sights Of this kind. ruin.
ed villages, shattered trees, and the
ground pitted by shell holes, you'd not
be able to realize what apparent quiet
| there is when the shells are not burst
ing right around you.
That, | guess Is enough of that line
for this time. So will close with all
love for yourself, and father, and sin
cere hope that the good work goes on,
and that we can help Uncle Sammie
make his hand rest, none too light, upon
cousin Willie, across the Rhine.
| CPL. P. P. KILDow.